The Poet is the fifth novel written by Michael Connelly, and the first to feature Rocky Mountain News reporter Jack McEvoy; it is Connelly's first novel not to feature LAPD detective Harry Bosch. The book was published in June of 1996, and won the 1997 Dilys Award (for Connelly's second consecutive Dilys win, after 1996's The Last Coyote), the 1997 Anthony Award, and the 1997 Nero Award.