What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Poet
Michael Connelly · Book · 2003
If you loved The Poet, start with Bosch (Eric Overmyer, 2015) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Poet across media.
If The Poet pulled you in, you likely crave stories where investigative obsession collides with the dangerous, systemic corruption of powerful institutions.
Films on the same thread
The Bone Collector
Phillip Noyce · Film · 1999
Shares 2 threads with The Poet: Serial Killer Thriller, Police Procedural.
Like the protagonist of The Poet, you will appreciate how this procedural centers on a brilliant mind forced to confront a grisly, personal battle against a calculated killer.
L.A. Confidential
Curtis Hanson · Film · 1997
Shares 2 threads with The Poet: Police Corruption, Police Procedural.
The moral ambiguity and systemic police corruption found in this film mirror the dark, institutional rot that Jack McEvoy uncovers while chasing his story in The Poet.
Memories of Murder
Film · 2003
Explores: Obsession, Bureaucratic Incompetence, Social Unrest.
The relentless, obsessive drive of the detectives here perfectly echoes the journalistic fixation that defines the protagonist's harrowing journey through the dark criminal landscape of The Poet.
M
Film · 1931
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Vigilantism, Societal paranoia.
The societal paranoia and the hunt for a predator in this classic thriller resonate with the tense, cat-and-mouse atmosphere that permeates the pages of The Poet.
Series on the same thread
Bosch
Eric Overmyer · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with The Poet: Police Corruption, Police Procedural.
Since this series shares the same creator as The Poet, you will recognize the familiar exploration of police corruption and the internal struggle between justice and the law.
True Detective
Nic Pizzolatto · Series · 2014
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existentialism, Corruption.
This series captures the same heavy atmosphere of trauma and moral decay that you encountered in The Poet, as detectives unearth secrets buried deep within the system.
The Lincoln Lawyer
David E. Kelley · Series · 2022
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Redemption, Justice System.
This legal drama shares the signature style of The Poet author Michael Connelly, focusing on a protagonist navigating the complex, often corrupt mechanics of the criminal justice system.
State of Play
Paul Abbott · Series · 2003
Explores: Government Corruption, Corporate Intrigue, Journalistic Integrity.
The journalistic integrity and the high-stakes investigation into systemic corruption in this series will satisfy your interest in the reporter-driven narrative found in The Poet.
Podcasts on the same thread
Serial
Podcast
Explores: Crime investigation, In-depth reporting, Mystery.
The deep, investigative reporting style of this podcast mirrors the process Jack McEvoy uses in The Poet to piece together a mystery that is far larger than expected.
Sick to Death
Podcast
Explores: Medical Malpractice, Whistleblower, Hospital Negligence.
Much like the investigative journalism that drives the plot of The Poet, this podcast exposes the dangerous consequences of institutions failing to hold powerful, lethal individuals accountable.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Poet part of a series?
The Poet is an electrifying standalone thriller written by Michael Connelly. It does not belong to the Harry Bosch or Lincoln Lawyer series, though the author is well known for those collections.
Does The Poet have an introduction?
Yes, the 2003 edition of The Poet features an introduction written by Stephen King. This addition precedes the story of reporter Jack McEvoy as he investigates a mystery involving a serial killer.
What is the main character's profession in The Poet?
The main character of The Poet is Jack McEvoy, a reporter whose beat and obsession is covering death. His professional life takes a turn when he is forced to investigate a story he never wanted to write.
Who is the author of The Poet?
The Poet is written by Michael Connelly. He is the number one bestselling author recognized for his work on the Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series, as well as this standalone thriller.