The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly

Mickey Haller, aka The Lincoln Lawyer is back in the courtroom in ‘The Proving Ground’, this time filing a civil lawsuit against an Artificial Intelligence company implicated in a murder case.

The book tackles themes very much of-the‑moment: corporate tech power, responsibility for AI tools, ethical consequences of unregulated algorithms, and what justice looks like in an age of “smart” machines, in another tightly plotted legal thriller.

Crime

Haller’s case hinges on a lawsuit against a powerful AI company called Tidalwave, whose chatbot allegedly influenced a teenage boy to murder his ex‑girlfriend. His clients are both the victim’s mother and the perpetrators parents, seeking to hold the company accountable.

There’s also a parallel case, involving an old client trying to clear her father’s name and free him from prison. Mickey is haunted by this case, and is keen to get justice. Whilst the AI trial is current, the Snow case is more an old school human tragedy, and provides some counterbalance to the main story, asking two questions - whether justice is ever truly achieved, and has Mickey really changed that much.

Mickey Haller

We last saw Mickey Haller (and Harry) in ‘Resurrection Walk’ where he was working as a defence attorney, and by the end of the that he was burnt out and looking for a change. Which is why we now find him working as a civil litigation attorney, representing the interests of victims.

You can tell early on that Mickey has got his mojo back - he’s now turning his attention towards systems of power - such as technology companies, and he wants to hold them accountable. He’s not so much the slick courtroom operator - the Lincoln is in storage - becoming something of a moral advocate.

Jack McEvoy

I do love how Connelly brings his characters together, and investigative reporter Jack McEvoy features in ‘The Proving Ground’. We last met Jack when he was on the trail of a serial killer in ‘Fair Warning’, another book which was incredibly up to date, that time looking at the genetics analysis industry, as well as featuring misogynistic men and incels. These make an appearane this time too.

McEvoy is a handy man to have around, and his research skills make a big contribution to the trial, especially with the mountain of printed discovery materials that need sorting. It’s a reminder, if we needed it, that investigative journalism is more important as it’s ever been, as these corporations do their best to avoid scrutiny.

LA and Maggie McFierce

LA is not just a backdrop to the legal drama - Mickey is back with Maggie ‘McFierce’ McPherson, whose house has burnt down in the wildfires. This puts pressure on their relationship after she moves in, whilst the natural disaster is a reminder that everything is just sandcastles facing the incoming tide that feels like our world now.

Cisco Wojciechowski also proves his worth, as does Lorna.

Harry Watch - Only a brief mention of Harry Bosch in the book - too sick it seems to play any part in the case. He’s still alive, so I remain hopeful we’ll get one more book about Harry. Even as a sidekick, one last case to go out on.

Courtroom

But of course, Haller is as charismatic and wily as ever, using all the tricks of his trade to gain whatever advantage he can. I was totally immersed in all parts of the process, from selecting jurors to persuading witnesses to come to testify.

There’s a wonderful back and forth in the courtroom drama, with the scales tipping between the two sides - Mickey and the Mason twins defending. When there’s a witness on the stand, with one side asking questions and the other constantly raising objections, appeals made to the judge with sidebars and visits back to her office, it honestly feels like a ring side seat in a boxing match. Nobody does this better than Connelly and it’s honestly as engrossing as any courtroom scene I think he’s ever done.

The stakes are high in this one and it shows. And what is the proving ground?

‘To some it’s a stage. A place where carefully choreographed drama takes place. To others, a chess match with moves designed and practiced weeks and sometimes months in advance. Where nothing is left to chance. Where the wrong moves have grave consequences and finality. Where the recruited audience sits in silent judgment with their hidden biases and contempt.’

Summary

This is such a superb pivot by Connelly - Haller has always been a great character, but this switch gives him even more depth, allowing us to see his maturation as a person.

Connelly taps into a deep, troubling anxiety in this book - the dizzying speed at which Artificial Intelligence has taken root in so much our daily lives. Whether it’s in work, or as daily companions to converse with and seek advice, it seems to be everywhere. We seem to have given ourselves over to it without much of a thought.

There’s also the sense that these corporations are becoming stronger than countries, and operate above the law. In fact, it seems that governments are in thrall to these multi billionaires, and it is they who pull the strings. And many of us feel powerless to do anything about it.

Each Connelly book is an absolute pleasure for me to read or listen to. I get a deep satisfaction from his storytelling, and find his characters so compelling. They have a proper depth to them, and none more so than Mickey Haller.

Considering the rate at which he publishes his books, I’m always impressed by the quality, which never seems to dip. Long may he run.

I listed to the audiobook, published by Hachette UK on 21st October 2025

10 Hrs 49 minutes

I have listed Micheal Connellys books chronologically and it can be found here

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