The Scarecrow

Veteran crime reporter Jack McEvoy faces a sudden layoff from the Los Angeles Times and decides to pursue one final story before departing. His investigation begins with a teenage drug dealer's confession to a brutal murder, but McEvoy's instincts tell him there's more to the case. The investigation reunites McEvoy with FBI agent Rachel Walling as they follow a trail of similar crimes across multiple states. Their pursuit leads them into the dark world of cyber security and data centers, where someone is using advanced technology for sinister purposes. The story moves between Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Arizona as McEvoy races against both his imminent job termination and an increasingly dangerous adversary. The case becomes personal when his replacement at the Times becomes entangled in the investigation. The Scarecrow explores the intersection of traditional journalism and modern technology, examining how digital advancement creates new opportunities for both solving and committing crimes. The novel also considers the decline of print journalism and its impact on society.

Readers found The Scarecrow a solid entry in Connelly's Jack McEvoy series, though not reaching the heights of The Poet. The fast pacing and tech-crime elements kept readers engaged. Liked: - Technical accuracy in depicting cyber crimes and data centers - Strong investigative journalism details - Tense cat-and-mouse dynamic - Return of FBI agent Rachel Walling Disliked: - More straightforward plot compared to The Poet - Some found the tech focus dated - Several readers noted predictable villain reveals - Less character development than other Connelly works "The tech elements hold up better than expected for a 2009 book" - Goodreads reviewer "Missing the psychological depth that made The Poet so compelling" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 4.05/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (900+ ratings)

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🔍 The book was published in 2009, precisely when many U.S. newspapers were experiencing massive layoffs, mirroring the protagonist's situation. 📰 Jack McEvoy first appeared in Connelly's 1996 novel "The Poet," where he investigated his brother's death, marking one of Connelly's first departures from his Harry Bosch series. 💻 Connelly extensively researched cybersecurity and data mining for the book, consulting with FBI cyber crime experts to ensure technical accuracy. 🏆 "The Scarecrow" debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list and won the 2010 Dilys Award for the mystery title of the year that booksellers most enjoyed selling. 🎭 The character of Jack McEvoy was partly inspired by Connelly's own experience as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times before becoming a novelist.