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The Proving Ground

The Brand New Blockbuster Lincoln Lawyer Thriller

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The Proving Ground

By: Michael Connelly
Narrated by: Peter Giles
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Mickey Haller - The Lincoln Lawyer - leaves criminal court behind for his first civil lawsuit. But to him, this is still a murder trial.

An AI company's chatbot encouraged a sixteen-year-old boy to kill his ex-girlfriend. Can Haller prove the company knew the dangers of its own creation?

To do so, he turns to Jack McEvoy - a journalist who knows how powerful the coming wave will be - and together they soon uncover a whistleblower in hiding.

As the tech titans try to buy or bully their way out, the scale of their courtroom battle before them becomes clear. Because billions are at stake - along with countless lives - in an all or nothing case, which could change everything...

From the author of the books behind the #1 Netflix show The Lincoln Lawyer, and #1 Amazon Prime series Bosch and Ballard.

*****

PRAISE FOR MICHAEL CONNELLY & THE LINCOLN LAYWER THRILLERS:

'An incredible writer' RICHARD OSMAN

'The Lincoln Lawyer series keeps getting better' WASHINGTON POST

'A superb natural storyteller' LEE CHILD

'The pre-eminent detective novelist of his generation' IAN RANKIN

'Mickey Haller is a worthy colleague of Atticus Finch' LOS ANGELES TIMES

'A master of the genre' STEPHEN KING

'A terrific writer' THE TIMES

'A powerhouse, an unstoppable force in crime fiction' MICK HERRON

'Crime thriller writing of the highest order' GUARDIAN

'Nobody writes a better modern thriller' EVENING STANDARD

'One of the world's greatest crime writers' DAILY MAIL

'The master of modern crime fiction' EXPRESS©2025 Hieronymus, Inc. Crime Thrillers International Mystery & Crime Mystery Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense Crime Exciting Abraham Lincoln Murder
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Critic reviews

Another edge-of-your-seat thriller from a master writer
It's the electrifying legal thriller of the year
Connelly proves once again why he's the master of the modern legal thriller. The Proving Ground is razor-sharp, timely, and utterly compelling - a courtroom drama that grapples with technology, accountability, and the human cost of progress
A must-read
This tale smoulders away as assuredly as Connelly's fan could want
Ferocious storytelling
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this latest booking the Micky Haller series. It's interesting how the author keeps reinventing the character as time passes, so we get to witness a new set of obstacles to overcome. There were a few plot strands which were left without explanation, and I was a bit disappointed how things ended, but overall it was excellent.

Another great Haller novel

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I always find it hard to dislike anyting about these novels these are always fantastic

very interesting view of ai in the day to day life

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I loved this book, but then again, I love all Michael Connolly‘s books. The problem is as soon as a new one comes out I read it so quickly and then I’m left disappointed because I’ve got to wait for another one. I love the storyline very close to home at the moment, the characters and how it all unfolded. I also enjoy the references to other Michael Connolly characters Bosch, Ballard, and Jack McEvoy. I hope I don’t have to wait too long for his next book. Definitely recommend anyone to read it..

Love the Lincoln Lawyer

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Loved the story and the way it handled the complexity of AI. The narrator was great and added real value to the story.

The story is great and the reading was outstanding.

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What a great story for Mickey and Co. Bang on the money with the moral and legal consequences of AI.,.Meticuously researched as all MC books are. No one writes court scenes like him. A clever use of reoccurring characters and past plotlines. I'm hoping I caught a gleam of a hint for future novels featuring Harry, Maddie and Renee at the Open Unsolved.
My only niggle... Peter Giles is so great at vocal characterisations,I wish, at least in the Audiobooks that there could be less of"He said","I said"etc. It's pretty easy to follow the conversation without them, and once you pick up on it, it's a bit irritating.
Having said that, Peter Giles IS The Lincoln Lawyer. Highly recommend.

Mesmerising, relevant novel.

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