Lies and deception
The main leading aspect of this novel is deception. Mick Haller, as well as the reader are given various perceptions, predominantly when it comes to the leading case of Walter Elliot, and are supposed to discern whether it is a case of truth, or lying and deception. As a defense attorney, Mick is in a difficult position, where he is supposed to believe the said to be the truth against his better judgement, but as a morally-guided person also uncover the lies and deception. As the novel progresses, the web of lies is revealed to be more and more intricate, with Mick in the midst of it.
Family history
A subplot to the novel is the family secret that connects Mick Haller to his frenemy Harry Bosch, a detective investigating the murder of Vincent, and who appeared in the previous novel as well. As a defense attorney, Mick learned to expect people to lie, but despite it, he accepts to work with Bosch on the case. This may be the first sign that there is some invisible connection with the two, a bond they are not aware of. At the end, this bond is revealed to be a family secret, the two of them have the same father.
Unforeseen justice
Recalling the plot of the previous novel, this novel sets an even clearer meaning to the phrase “brass verdict”, as the title itself indicates. Mick is yet again on the job to defend a suspicious high-profile individual, who is flippant with the truth about the events, and towards the end confesses to be guilty. But, this time, the unforeseen justice of the brass verdict comes from the side of the victim’s family.
