Harry Bosch vs Lincoln Lawyer: Which Michael Connelly Series Should You Read?
Most readers should start with Harry Bosch before The Lincoln Lawyer if they want the broader Michael Connelly universe in order. Choose Bosch for police investigations and long-running detective arcs. Choose Lincoln Lawyer if you want legal thrillers, courtroom strategy, and Mickey Haller's perspective. The two series share a world and Bosch and Haller are half-brothers.
Side by side
| Harry Bosch | The Lincoln Lawyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Which comes first | Started in 1992 | Started in 2005 |
| How they connect | Bosch and Haller are half-brothers. They appear in each other's books. | Haller appears in Bosch books. Bosch appears in Haller books. |
| Genre | Police procedural / detective fiction | Legal thriller / courtroom drama |
| Character | Harry Bosch: LAPD detective, Vietnam vet, relentless | Mickey Haller: defense attorney, works from his Lincoln Town Car |
| Best starting point | The Black Echo | The Lincoln Lawyer |
| Series length | 24 books | 7 books |
| Can you read separately? | Yes. Bosch works as a standalone series. | Yes, but some plots reference Bosch cases. |
| Adaptations | Amazon Bosch series (2014-2021), Bosch: Legacy | Netflix Lincoln Lawyer series, 2011 film |
Start with Bosch (The Black Echo) if you want the full Connelly experience from the beginning. Start with Lincoln Lawyer (The Lincoln Lawyer) if you want legal thriller first. Both are excellent, and the crossovers between them reward reading both series.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Ideally yes. Bosch started first (1992) and the Lincoln Lawyer (2005) references Bosch cases. But you can start with either and enjoy both.
Yes. Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller are half-brothers. They appear in each other's books starting with The Brass Verdict. The crossovers increase in later novels.
Bosch for the full universe in order. Lincoln Lawyer if you prefer legal thrillers. Both are excellent entry points into Connelly's work.
Yes. The Lincoln Lawyer works as a standalone series. Some later books reference Bosch cases, but you will not be lost.
The other Connelly series you have not read yet. Then try Jack Reacher by Lee Child or Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz for a different thriller flavor.