The Fifth Witness
The Bestselling Thriller Behind Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer Season 2
by Michael Connelly
Orion 2023
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.3 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- justice vs. the letter of the law
- economic inequality and the foreclosure crisis
- legal ethics and moral ambiguity
- power and corruption in financial institutions
- media influence on trials
- truth, perception, and reasonable doubt
- loyalty and client-attorney trust
- strategy and manipulation in the courtroom
About this book
Defense attorney Mickey Haller pivots from foreclosure work back to murder defense when his first foreclosure client, Lisa Trammel, is charged with killing a bank executive. As Haller navigates high-stakes courtroom battles amid the fallout of the housing crisis, he uncovers unsettling truths about the victim, the banking world, and his own client.
Setting: Contemporary Los Angeles during the post-2008 foreclosure crisis; courtrooms, law offices, and LA neighborhoods
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Fifth Witness right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Fifth Witness. The reading level is AR 6.3, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include justice vs. the letter of the law, economic inequality and the foreclosure crisis, legal ethics and moral ambiguity.
How long does it take to read The Fifth Witness?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, The Fifth Witness takes around 12h to finish. The book has 130,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Fifth Witness have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Fifth Witness has an AR quiz available, worth 19 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Fifth Witness?
The Fifth Witness has an AR reading level of 6.3, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.