This courtroom drama—the latest release in the Lincoln Lawyer series—has been worth the wait. This instalment follows Mickey Haller, who has transitioned from criminal law to civil law, and centres on an intriguing premise: Who is responsible if a teenager creates an AI companion who persuades him to kill his girlfriend—the perpetrator or the company that trained the artificial intelligence? 

Haller prosecutes the case on behalf of the parents of both the victim and the killer, suing the AI company. As you’d expect, there's no shortage of underhanded actions, threats, big money being thrown around—and tense moments when it seems money might triumph over justice. 

We see the return of old favourites—Cisco and Lorna (Haller’s ex-wife and case manager)—along with a new player, journalist Jack McEvoy. It even looks for a moment as though ex-wife Maggie and Haller might get back together. Stay tuned on that one. 

Could this novel be any better? Only if the AI companion, Wren, itself were forced to take the stand. Not possible for now—but it could easily be a thing of the future. 

The Proving Ground comes with a warning about what lies ahead with the advancement of AI technology—and the need to remain vigilant in fighting for justice. We’ll always need people like Mickey Haller. 

A captivating legal thriller that would look perfect under anyone’s Christmas tree.