The ScarecrowThe Scarecrow
Score Modern
What it's about
Laid off from the Los Angeles Times, reporter Jack McEvoy decides to use his final days to write the murder story of his career, about Alonzo Winslow, a sixteen-year-old who confessed to a brutal killing. Jack realizes the confession is false, and that the real killer is operating below the police's radar, watching every move against him.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It brings back the reporter from Michael Connelly's classic The Poet.
You'll love it if you liked
The Drop
The Night Fire
The Lincoln LawyerGood to know
It follows The Poet but stands alone. It's also about the decline of newspapers.
By the numbers
- Readers65 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller53 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #135 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #572 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1092 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Michael Connelly
The Lincoln Lawyer
The Brass Verdict
The Crossing
The Law of InnocenceIf you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Scarecrow worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #1,092 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 72.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Scarecrow about?
Laid off from the Los Angeles Times, reporter Jack McEvoy decides to use his final days to write the murder story of his career, about Alonzo Winslow, a sixteen-year-old who confessed to a brutal killing. Jack realizes the confession is false, and that the real killer is operating below the police's radar, watching every move against him.
How long does it take to read The Scarecrow?
About 10 hours (407 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Scarecrow?
If you liked it, try The Drop by Michael Connelly, The Night Fire by Michael Connelly or The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly.