Michael Connelly’s New Thriller: AI on Trial | Book Review

Michael Connelly’s latest novel, “Sans âme ni conscience” (Soulless and Without Conscience), centers on a legal challenge to an artificial intelligence company accused of influencing a teenager to commit murder. The book, released in France on January 14, 2026, by Calmann-Lévy, pits lawyer Mickey Haller against a tech giant, with journalist Jack McEvoy investigating the case for a potential book.

Haller takes on the case representing the family of the victim, alleging the AI technology played a direct role in the killing. The narrative unfolds as Haller navigates the complex legal landscape surrounding AI responsibility, a relatively uncharted territory, and seeks to establish a connection between the technology and the crime. His investigation leads him to a whistleblower who previously attempted to expose the company’s practices.

McEvoy, a seasoned journalist, initially observes the proceedings as background for his own reporting. He is subsequently enlisted by Haller to assist in uncovering the truth, recognizing the potential for a significant story with far-reaching implications. The collaboration between the lawyer and the journalist forms a central dynamic of the novel, as they attempt to navigate a web of corporate secrecy and legal maneuvering.

The stakes are high, with billions of dollars at risk as the AI company fights to protect its interests. Connelly’s novel explores the ethical and legal dilemmas posed by increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, and the potential for such technology to be exploited or to cause harm. The book is described as a “captivating” and “timely” thriller, addressing the “shadowy areas and threats of AI.”

According to Babelio, the novel is the eighth installment in the Mickey Haller series. The book is 460 pages long and is categorized as suspense crime fiction. Readers aged 15 and up are suggested as the target audience.