Amazing story! Freaking addictive!
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I am not usually one for courtroom dramas. I have read a few, and they tend to drag on a bit, unless you are talking about The Lincoln Lawyer.

The best part about this awesome character is that you cannot keep up with the twists and the extent to which this man goes to bat for his clients.

Always on the edge of breaking laws or getting into trouble with the judge, Mickey takes a case that is ripped from the headlines today and a parent’s worst nightmare. Connelly tells a story that is riveting, not only for the subject matter but also for the depths of description, twists, and chess-like moves in the courtroom.

Connelly takes a chance when discussing morale and responsibility in a growing sector of intelligence today. Who should be held responsible for machine learning? The twisting of the truth, deep dives into how the “intelligence” is taught and loaded. Not only is the story fascinating, but the author adds in multiple subplots that are relevant today, such as the LA wildfires. He gives it all!

Can this really be the last Lincoln Lawyer story? Will this be Connelly closing out this character while on top? Say it is not so. However it goes, The Proving Ground is one freaking addictive book that you will not want to stop reading!

Let’s be clear — there is only ONE Michael Connelly, and only he could have written a novel as thrilling, as compelling, as thought provoking, and as timely as THE PROVING GROUND. Only Connelly can compose a story that touches on civil law, artificial intelligence, politics, the California wildfires, and professional and romantic second acts that had me on the edge of my seat.

This novel is the 8th in the Lincoln Lawyer series. Mickey Haller has made the transition to civil court and is representing Brenda Randolph in a case against a tech company called Tidalwaiv Technologies. They are being accused of developing an AI companion for teenagers that somehow encouraged a confused young man to murder Brenda’s daughter, his ex-girlfriend.

The problem is that Haller is concerned that he is in over his head as he is unfamiliar with the world of big tech and generative AI. Enter another Connelly favorite — journalist, author, and podcast host Jack McEvoy. The Fair Warning news site has been shut down, but McEvoy bought the rights to the name and is now writing a Substack called Fair Warning. He approaches Haller because he wants to join the team. He writes about the threat of technology and thinks Haller’s case about generative AI might provide material for a future book.

And with that, the story is off and running, and . . . it does . . . not . . . stop. This novel is not a race to the end; it is a marathon that is to be savored. Good character development, superlative prose, and a story that offers some rather astute commentary about current events.

It might have been easy for Connelly to concoct a stereotypical storyline where Haller is representing a client on trial for murder, so he brings in Cisco to investigate and Lorna to help him stay on course. But Connelly has already written that book. Many times over.

What I admire most about Connelly with his most recents books, especially THE PROVING GROUND, is the author is not scared to step away from the stereotypical plot for his characters. He has the boldness to try something different, something daring, something new.

When you read a Michael Connelly book, you get the sense that the author thinks of his characters as real people, and one of the things the author knows is that real people grow, they evolve. Connelly is not afraid to let his characters grow. Case in point — Haller is no longer trying criminal cases; he has sold all of his Lincolns, except for one; he even has an office in this latest installment.

It was my mother who handed me my first Michael Connelly book. I was 18 or 19 years old. All it took was one, and I became a devoted fan for life. I cannot wait to share this latest book with her. I can think of no better way of thanking her for introducing me to her favorite writer all those years ago.

Michael Connelly has a knack for working plots around the current hot news stories. In this, the 8th in the Lincoln Lawyer series, Mickey Haller has filed a civil lawsuit against an AI company after their Chatbot told a 16 year old boy it was okay to kill his ex-girlfriend. How timely as OpenAI is being sued for possibly causing the suicide of a teenager.
Mickey has walked away from criminal law and is now pursuing a career in public interest litigation. It’s not about a corporation writing a big check, it’s about the lack of guard rails and accountability. It’s about making sure something tragic doesn’t happen again. But the story works well as it brings Mickey back down to earth; he knows he’s in above his head. To that end, Connelly resurrects Jack McEvoy, the MC in three of Connelly’s other books. McEvoy is a writer who concentrates on issues where corporate advancements outpace ethical considerations.
Given the subject of Generative AI, Connelly uses the courtroom scenes to not only educate the jury but the reader. I appreciated the education.
Connelly keeps the tension high with side stories of the LA fires, Mickey’s first wife. Although I did feel like the plot about Maggie was left hanging. There’s no downtime in this book. I plowed through it in just two days. But it was also a book that made me think. Another five star read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown for an advance copy of this book.

Now that AI is everywhere this novel takes on is something many of us fear unleashing a product without safeguards. The civil case the Lincoln Lawyer brings to court pits technology against murder. A young girl is killed by a former boyfriend but was he encouraged by AI to commit the murder and that is what he wants to prove. Slick lawyers on the other side and a technology company that will do anything to cover their asses are at the heart of this but a brave mother fighting for her child is a formidable opponent.
A great read that is timely and frightening but the bottom line will good triumph over evil.
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Set two years after the events in Resurrection Walk, Micky Haller is doing things quite differently now. Gone, except for one car, are the Lincolns that made him very well known as “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Gone as well is the old office. Now his office is in the warehouse that used to store, among other things, the fleet of cars. He still practices law, but he is no longer fighting criminal cases. He now practices civil law which can be just as important.

The team remains intact. The cases remain huge. And, as always, vitally important for his clients.

That is certainly true for the major case that Haller and the team are handling as The Proving Ground: A Lincoln Lawyer Novel by Michael Connelly begins. The case is Randolph Versus Tidalwaiv Technologies LLC before Federal District Court Margaret Ruhlin. The case, basically, boils down to this: a mom had her only child, a teenage daughter, murdered by another teen because the AI program told him to kill. Not only are the big tech companies watching the case, and possibly considering buying Tidalwaiv Technologies, the mainstream media is covering the case to some extent.

Haller is fighting an uphill battle against a cutting edge tech company with money, resources, numerous non-disclosure agreements, attorneys, and much more in their arsenal to force an end to the case, one way or the other. They are willing to settle the case at an amount, that for them, is less than pennies on the dollar. They also refuse to make an admission of wrongdoing or apologize for what happened and the tragedy that occurred because of their product.

But, they are dealing with a mom who will never get back what she wants most—her daughter alive and well. She knows the AI companion told her daughter’s ex-boyfriend to kill her. She is sure it never would have happened without that thing telling him to do it. If she can’t have her daughter back, she wants the next best thing—a judgement against the company to force them to be accountable for what they knowingly did and didn’t care.

Brenda Randolph is not going to settle for less, no matter what.

What follows is a complex read full of cross and double-cross inside the courtroom and out. Going in, you know Haller is probably going to win as that is what he usually does. The question is how?

Along with entertaining readers in that journey, author Michael Connelly provides some scary insight into aspects of Artificial Intelligence and the use of it to generate companions for teens and others. It isn’t just the possibility of terminator robots that should scare you.

The Proving Ground: A Lincoln Lawyer Novel is a mighty good read and well worth your time.


My digital ARC came from the publisher, Little, Brown and Company, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

Connelly is always clever, and I always like Mickey Haller as a character. It was interesting watching him apply his normal defense council tricks to the civil court setting. The central case being about AI and the damage it can do when not safely designed and used was very timely and at times unsettling. He also used current events in interesting ways, such as the incorporation of the California fires into the plot and the fact that Mickey was guessing at political affiliations during jury selection and how he could use them.

Fascinating new book from Connelly staring Mickey Haller in a case dealing with AI. A young man gets involved with an AI virtual presence and through the relationship the young man kills his former girlfriend. Then Mickey brings suit against the AI company on behalf of the parents of the killer and the girlfriend. Really good pacing and twists.

Michael Connelly takes Mickey Haller into new territory with this sharp, timely legal thriller. Instead of defending the accused in criminal court, Haller is battling Big Tech in civil litigation, where the stakes are just as high — and just as dangerous. The AI angle feels super timely with current headlines, the courtroom drama keeps the pages flying, and we still get plenty of Cisco, Lorna, and Maggie McFierce, while journalist Jack McEvoy’s participation adds a riveting dynamic.

The Proving Ground is a fast-paced and engaging read that I really enjoyed. Michael Connelly delivers a fascinating and timely look at the power and future of AI, and the story rolls along quickly, keeping your attention all the way through. Connelly fans will absolutely enjoy this book—it has all the intrigue and sharp storytelling he’s known for.

The only drawback for me was the use of “GD” a few times. I find that offensive and not sure why authors choose to use that term. Because of that, I gave it four stars instead of five.

Overall, this is a strong, thought-provoking book with a gripping plot that fans of Connelly won’t want to miss.

Thanks NetGalley for the preview.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC. Lincoln Lawyer book #8. Mickey Haller is up against a monster AI company for allowing the creation of an AI girlfriend that told a sixteen-year old to kill his ex girlfriend to remove her from the world. With big money behind the opposition, can he win this case without losing his life? I have only read a couple of this series but this book 8 is as good as book 1 and unfortunately where our world is heading! #TheProvingGround #MichaelConnelly #LittleBrownandCompany #Oct2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the advanced copy of The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly.

I absolutely love this series, and this newest installment is among Connelly’s best work. The story follows the Lincoln Lawyer as he takes on an AI company in a civil lawsuit, raising timely questions about corporate responsibility, technology, and the lack of proper guardrails in place. Connelly weaves in real-life relevance, including references to the Altadena fires, which added even more weight to the case.

The writing was sharp, compelling, and fast-paced—I ended up flipping through the entire book on a long plane ride. As always, Connelly delivers both gripping courtroom drama and a deeper exploration of the fight for justice. This is a standout addition to the Lincoln Lawyer series, and one I highly recommend.

Thanks for the ARC! I nearly read this book in one sitting. Couldn't bring myself to put it down! Without getting into potential spoilers, there are so many parts of the story that couldn't be more timely. Living in LA, it felt like I could pick up the LA Times, and read about Haller's latest court escapades, and everything else happening in the book. The Proving Ground was throughly enjoyable, and I hope we get to see more of Haller sooner rather than later.

4.75 stars. I've read everything in the Bosch Universe and am wondering if Lincoln Lawyer is now my fav over Original Bosch! Really enjoyed this one. Compelling case, good wrenches thrown. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but since I also watch the tv series, I can hear Mickey's voice when I read.

A fun, exciting ride with interesting ethical and real world implications. I have one minor legal quibble and am wondering if one dangling thread was resolved and I just missed it, or whether it's still up in the air, but overall-- Recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Publishes October 21, 2025.

Loved the latest in The Lincoln Lawyer series! Mickey Haller has moved in a new direction with technology, civil court and his life. The story focuses on a very compelling topic dealing with the legal consequences of artificial intelligence influencing someone’s actions. The courtroom drama is exceptional and the conflicts germane to today’s world. Easily read as a standalone, this new book fortunately leaves the door open for more to follow.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read this ARC.

“The Proving Ground” by Michael Connelly is the latest addition to the fantastic Lincoln Lawyer series. It’s an engrossing and complex thriller about the ethics and application of AI. A topic, plot, and controversy that is super relevant to our current times.
This book is brilliant, not because of the court room theatrics but because of the way the author untangles the complex technology, corporate stonewalling, and ethics in a clear and understandable way. The real question of whether justice can be determined in this new world of AI will keep you thinking about this book long after you read the last page.
As always, this book is brilliantly written, with a clever, credible and emotional plot. I couldn’t put the book down and highly recommended to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Connelly returns to his Mickey Heller Lincoln Lawyer character for a courtroom thriller. A teenage boy shoots and kills his ex-girlfriend, and may have been encouraged by an AI Chatbot. Connelly clearly is passionate about the idea, and he really captures the ethical minefields involved in artificial intelligence, while also delivering a twisty courtroom drama. Heller isn’t as prolific a protagonist as Harry Bosch, but Connelly may be even better at courtroom drama then he is at police procedurals. Twists and dirty tricks and menace and a ripped from the headlines premise which doesn’t feel stapled on. One of the best Connelly books in years.

Another excellent book in his Micker Haller series. The Lincoln is gone, he’s now in civil court but the topics are timely-civil law, the California wild fires and most importantly an excellent explanation in mostly layman’s terms of AI, as a force for good and also potential evil.
A good read, timely topics, a more humane and vulnerable Mickey-in short READ IT IT IS REALLY GOOD

Title: The Proving Ground
Author: Michael Connelly
Series: Lincoln Lawyer #8
Genre: Legal Thriller
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Pub Date was: October 21, 2025
My Rating: 5 WOW Stars!
Pages: 400

If you are somewhat new to the Lincoln Lawyer series, Mickey Haller is known as the Lincoln Lawyer, as his Lincoln -yes the automobile is basically his office and he stores his case files in the trunk of this automobile.
(BTW: if you are a Netflix fan you know that the 2011 film starring Matthew McCaughey will always be our visual of Mickey Haller!)

Mickey’s half-brother is ex-LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch.
In book #7 [book: Resurrection Walk] Bosch is working for Haller as his part-time drive but also as an investigator.
Harry is suffering from a form of bone cancer and since he has retired from LAPD he need insurance. Haller employment helps with insurance and Harry is able to enroll in a clinical trial program at UCLA Med, where he’s receiving radioisotope treatment. Although Harry is receiving medical treatment other favorites return ~~ Haller’s investigator Cisco, Lorna the Office Manager and Maggie. New character young Jack McEvoy who was an investigative journalist and now a successful author who specializes in Tech advances that advantages have been taken by criminals. As you might ask he was a great addition.

In this story Haller is out of his usual comfort zone of criminal defense and is litigating civil law, not criminal. He is representing Bruce and Trisha Colton parents of Aaron who was convinced to kill his ex-girlfriend (and who then committed suicide), as well as the Brenda Randolph, mother of the murdered girl Rebecca.
Their civil lawsuit is against ‘TidalwAIv’, an artificial intelligence company as their chat bot convinced the sixteen-year-old that it was okay for him to take his father’s gun and kill his ex-girlfriend for her disloyalty.

On the personal side Haller’s first ex-wife Maggie McFierce moves in with him since her house is in the area of the devastating LA fires.
Hmm can they turn a bad thing into something good?
I live in Orange Country south of the fires but it seems the fires affected everyone.

There was so much going on in this story- I don’t want to give anything away as I want you to enjoy it!
Connelly did not disappoint. I love courtroom drama and this one has plenty of drama!
This is my twenty-second Connelly thriller - I am a fan!
I believe this is his BEST!!
It was truly unputdownable.

Want to thank NetGalley and Little Brown & Company for this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 21, 2025.

In the eighth book in the Michael "Mickey" Haller (aka The Lincoln Lawyer) series the protagonist is now dealing in civil rather than criminal court, and in this timely tome auth0r Michael Connelly sets the plot around artificial intelligence. A young teenager has shot his former girlfriend because his AI "friend" encouraged him to "get rid of her" after she broke up with the boy. The murder is the basis for a lawsuit brought by the bereaved parents of the two teenagers against TidalwAIv, the company that created the AI chatbot. Haller is their lawyer.

As with most Connelly books there are a number of twists and turns that keeps the reader involved. The popularity of the series and the movie and more recently TV series on Netflix features many recurring characters, all of which adds to the familiarity of the series.

A second sub-plot is also introduced that involves a disabled woman trying to free her father from prison who was charged with injuring her as a young child. The girl actually had a genetic disease that caused her tiny bones to be very brittle and led to her injuries. Her father is dying from cancer, with only weeks to live. Haller represents the prisoner trying to seek his freedom with new medical evidence.

Connelly is a master storyteller and has been very successful with characters Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller, and more recently Renee Ballard. The Proving Ground could literally be ripped from today's news headlines as we all are trying to grapple with the impact of AI.

Well done and I give the book 5 stars.

I want to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this title in exchange for an objective review.

This was one of my favorite Michael Connelly books that I have read in quite some time. I love any book with jack McEvoy and him showing up in a Mickey Haller book was awesome.

Mickey has moved to the Civil courts. He has taken a case involving AI where a young man has developed a relationship with an AI chat bot. This book delves into the darkside of AI, the reality of Garbage In, Garbage Out, Incels, Misogyny and what is appropriate programming for software being marketed for ages 13 and up.

I'm not going to delve into the plot here because I don't want to spoil the book, but I felt this topic was handled with grace and knowledge and is a cautionary tale. Read it.