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The Concrete Blonde
  
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The Concrete Blonde (Paperback)

by Michael Connelly (Author) "The house in Silverlake was dark, its windows as empty as a dead man's eyes ..." (more)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

In this fiendishly plotted combination of courtroom drama and police procedural, Connelly's LAPD detective Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch, introduced in the Edgar-winning The Black Echo , is up against the law as well as his superiors. The widow of Norman Church, a serial killer identified as the Dollmaker, whom Bosch shot to death four years earlier, is suing Bosch on the grounds that he violated her husband's civil rights. Strong but not conclusive evidence linked Church to the serial murders and the case was closed, although Bosch was demoted for not following proper procedures. Here, just before the trial targeting Bosch as a reckless cowboy who shot the wrong man gets underway, the body of perhaps another Dollmaker victim is unearthed from the concrete floor of a burnt-out pool hall. Is the real Dollmaker still alive, or is a copycat killer on the loose? Connelly deftly parcels out clues and possibilities while juggling subtle and detailed courtroom scenes with no-nonsense police investigations that turn up new evidence about the original case. A Pulitzer Prize-winning crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times , he adroitly laces the plot with twists and turns based on details drawn from Bosch's previous adventures. The results of this care show on every page, all to the reader's benefit.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


From Library Journal

Homicide detective Harry Bosch is fighting for his professional reputation in civil court. He is charged with killing an allegedly innocent man known as "The Dollmaker." The Dollmaker, however, was a serial murderer who strangled his victims and made them up to look like dolls. Suddenly, a new murder comes to light, with all the trappings of the Dollmaker's style. Bosch has to clear his name and find the copycat killer before he strikes again. Slick plot twists, fast action, and fine suspense mark this excellent thriller and courtroom drama. Characterizations by reader Dick Hill are imaginative and authentic, and the recording benefits from subtle special effects that lend realism. This is a good, solid story that translates exceedingly well to audio. Strongly recommended for all mystery and suspense collections.
Susan B. Lamphier, Somerville P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

62 Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Past and Present Murders Collide During a Civil Suit for Damages, Aug 29 2008
This review is from: The Concrete Blonde (Mass Market Paperback)

If you liked The Black Echo, don't miss this book!

Only Michael Connelly would dream up a story where a beleaguered police detective being sued for use of excessive force would spend every hour outside of the trial tracking down a serial killer. The Concrete Blonde picks up on the back story behind the first book in the series, The Black Echo, in which Harry Bosch it is reported that Bosch had been previously demoted from the elite Robbery-Homicide Division to the Hollywood Division's homicide squad for not having followed the procedure of calling for a back up before shooting and killing a serial murder suspect while the suspect was reaching for his toupee. The Concrete Blonde opens with the scene in which Bosch shot the suspect.

The City of Los Angeles and Harry are being sued by the widow of Norman Church, the man Bosch killed. The widow has a tough attorney and Bosch has a stumble bum from the city attorney's office. The case seeks to exonerate Church from having killed anyone. But Bosch knows better. The evidence pointed to Church being the Dollmaker, a serial killer who applied extensive make up to the victims.

During the trial a shock arrives. Another dead body is found that looks like it has been killed by the Dollmaker . . . but the body is fresher than Church's death. Does this mean that Church wasn't the Dollmaker . . . or is there some, more sinister, explanation?

While Bosch is defending himself in court, another deadly game is being played behind the scenes. Who will win?

For me, The Concrete Blonde nicely captured the strengths of The Black Echo that made that book such a remarkable detective story that introduced this outstanding series. I was glad to see Mr. Connelly return the series to its excellent roots.

Have a ball!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Harry Bosch : Fighting on Two Fronts, Jan 26 2007
By Craobh Rua "Craobh Rua" (N. Ireland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: The Concrete Blonde (Mass Market Paperback)
"The Concrete Blonde" is Michael Connelly's third book, was first published in 1994 and - like his previous two - features Harry Bosch as its central character. A little of Bosch's background, and many of his quirks, have been touched onin the previous two books. He's a jazz fan, with a taste for coffee, beer and cigarettes. Having served as a Tunnel Rat in Viet-Nam, he' returned home and joined the police force. Bosch currently works at the Hollywood Division's Homicide table, though he had once been a member of the LAPD's elite RHD (Robbery - Homicide Division). The last case he worked in RHD, about four years previously, had been the "Dollmaker Case". Harry and his colleagues were hunting a serial killer, whose afvoured victims were prostitutes. The case was closed when Harry shot and killed Norman Church, the leading suspect. As a result of his actions, however, Bosch was investigated by IAD (Internal Affairs Division), suspended for a month and 'demoted' to his current position.

The Dollmaker Case resurfaces in this book. Bosch and the Police Department are being sued by Church's widow, claiming that her husband was innocent and that Harry had killed the wrong man. Her lawyer is Honey Chandler, a civil rights attorney who specialises in police abuse cases. Bosch meanwhile - like the police department - have no doubt that Church was the Dollmaker, and "good" for the eleven killings. Unfortunately, for Bosch there's a fly in the ointment. Just as the trial starts, a new body is found buried beneath a concrete slab in a derelict building. The directions to it were contained in a note delivered to Harry's station - not only does it claim responsibility for the murder, but it also matches some other notes attributed to the Dollmaker. Obviously, this raises some very awkward questions - most notably, is the Dollmaker still alive ? If so, Bosch is obviously in a lot of trouble with his court case. There are other possibilities, though - the Dollmaker may have been working with another killer, or there may be a copycat. Bosch must not only deal with the court case, but assist in the investigation.

Like Connelly's previous two books - "The Black Echo" and "The Black Ice" - I found this to be a very enjoyable book : it's possibly the best of the three. I would, however, recommend reading the three in order. The previous books will cover some parts of Harry's life and career that are referred to in this book - for example, his mother's life and death, his history with Irving, how he met Sylvia Moore and the nature of their relationship. Knowing the "full story" will add to the enjoyment of this installment. The other books are very enjoyable also - reading them will be anything other than a burden !
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't Anyone Read Agatha Christie Anymore?, Mar 2 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: The Concrete Blonde (Mass Market Paperback)
I read this book because so many people said what a great surprise ending it had. Are they kidding? I guessed the murderer about halfway through the book, and was disappointed when I was right. Not much of a challenge. If the incomparable Ms Christie had written this book, somebody REALLY surprising - but with fair clues - like the panhandler, would have turned out to be the murderer. Believe me, I'm not giving anything away when I say this. Subtlety isn't this author's strong point. I expect his avid fans to put a ton of "Not Useful" marks by this review, but the review isn't for them. It's for the reader who's looking for a good mystery: don't be snowed by all the gushing. An unsuspenseful story, predictable culprit, and undistinguished style - don't bother.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner
Detective Harry Bosch as a character is totally believable. Mr. Connelly's knowledge from being a crime reporter show beautifully in his novels. Very realistic. Read more
Published on Jul 19 2004 by M. Bechyne

3.0 out of 5 stars Sub-Plot Interferes with a Good Story
Harry Bosch, William Connelly's sleuth, renegade dectective, is on trial for his "murder" of a suspect in the Doll Case murder. Read more
Published on Jul 3 2004 by D. S. Heersink

5.0 out of 5 stars Great L. A. sleuthing
Michael Connelly keeps your attention from the first page. Harry Bosch, wry LAPD homicide detective, puts together the pieces of an interesting puzzle. Read more
Published on May 12 2004 by Stephen McLin

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect mix of suspense and courtroom drama
I have read many many thriller novels and for some reason have only recently discovered Connelly who is the Grand Master. Read more
Published on May 5 2004 by Garrett Riley

1.0 out of 5 stars If this is his best, I don't want to read his worst
I'm sorry to go against the average opinion on this book but I found it extremely boring, at least till page 200 or so! Read more
Published on Mar 21 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Best so far in the series
As I'm moving along through the series, this is the best book so far. I'm told by friends that this is where the series gets very good. Read more
Published on Aug 27 2003 by Theresa W

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting court drama and search for a murder
This book was pretty interesting because not only did it involve the police and Harry's struggle with them- but it involved a court drama. And his past. Read more
Published on Aug 17 2003 by Theresa W

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific
The Concrete Blonde is about the fifth Michael Connelly work I have read and while I have loved them all--this one is definitely the best I have read so far. Read more
Published on Jun 14 2003 by Elizabeth Hendry

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book!
This is a book worth reading -- a compelling plot with interesting twists and turns. Protagonist Harry Bosch is neither too perfect, nor too flawed. Read more
Published on April 29 2003 by Frank

3.0 out of 5 stars Michael Connelly is a good author.
This is the 5th Connelly book I've read. I started with Angel Flight, w....well, it's not bad. I then read Blood Work, and was truly amazed by the book. Read more
Published on Dec 31 2002 by T. W. M. Philip

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