Void Moon/ Unabridged

Rating:
Summary: Not Bosch, but a mighty good read
Review: As a Connelly fanatic (I've read each of his books at least twice and several of them more times than that), I eagerly awaited VOID MOON. Connelly's Bosch books are so outstanding that everything else he writes has to be compared to them. By that standard, VOID MOON has some minor flaws, but still stands far and above anything any other mystery/adventure writer has yet penned. Cassie Black is a far better character study than Terry McCaleb was in BLOOD WORK; and the evil genius who relentlessly pursues her is more macabre than any character Steven King could dream up in his most creative writing. The juxtapositioning of the heroic ex-con and the despicable law enforcer shows, once again, the genius of Michael Connelly as a mystery writer. If you only read one book in your lifetime, make it Bosch. If you've read all the Bosch books and hunger for more, read THE POET. But before you reach for a book by any other author, treat yourself to VOID MOON. You'll be glad you did.

Rating:
Summary: A rewarding book
Review: A harder read than Connelly's other books, but well worth it in the end. OK, I'm a fan of Harry Bosch - but perhaps he does need a breather. Cassidy Black could be a wonderful new character to work with for a while. But can't something nice happen to this poor lady?

Rating:
Summary: a master novelist
Review: I have only read this book and the poet. but both are among my favorite books. Michael Connelly does a wonderful job in his desciprtions of action,and is extream;y intense at some points, I can hardly wait to start the Bosch novels, but the poet and Void Moon are well worth the reads...

Rating:
Summary: Slow Going Until The End
Review: This story never really gets off the ground until the end. Descriptions of some of the preparations for the heist were very tedious. The portion concerning the newspaper clippings of Max Freeling's death did not ring true. They were way too long and detailed for typical newspaper articles. If not for the finely tuned characters, I might have given up on this one. I'm glad I didn't because the ending made it all worthwhile.

Rating:
Summary: Where's Harry?
Review: Being a Michael Connelly fan I was eager to read this book. Being a Harry Bosch fan I could hardly wait for this book to come to print. I was very disappointed. Non of the characters in this book are likeable and I had no sympathy for any of them. Poor characters, predictable plot; not the makings of a good book. I'll wait for Harry's return!

Rating:
Summary: Eat Your Vegetables
Review: I finished this in one day, but I'm sorry I did. (My parents always made me eat my vegetables, so I would hurry to finish them in order to get on with the good stuff.) This was my first Michael Connelly. I bought it as a gift for my Significant Other, who read it and might rank it higher than I do. I felt the plot had quite a few logical holes and an explanation of the villain's motivation at the end of the book that was more like daytime soap operas than I care to read in an adult thriller. This guy writes pretty good descriptive narrative, but the characters lack the dimension one finds in, say, Elmore Leonard. It will probably make an entertaining and forgettable movie.

Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Second and Every Dime!
Review: The in-depth, fabulously constructed characters in Void Moon become people you are thinking about, way after you've put the book down. The story line will capture you in the first chapter. Connelly is great at writing a "mystery in a mystery." For those of us who have never visited Las Vegas, read this book and you'll feel you just hopped in a plane and arrived. Kudos to Connelly for his beautiful work.

Rating:
Summary: ****ANOTHER GREAT NOVEL****
Review: Michael Connelly did it again! This time with a new protaganist and female to boot-Cassie Black. This novel like so many of Michael Connelly's will keep you entertained and anticipating the next step and twist to the major plot with its many minnie climaxes. You must read this one!

Rating:
Summary: Another outstanding Connelly story...
Review: These books--thrillers, crime novels, whatever you want to the call genre--are often cliche ridden, filled with hollow characters and dialogue, and have all too neat endings. Connelly avoids all of that. He writes exceptionally well and the characters here are fleshed out and vivid. I have not read any of the Harry BOsch novels; sticking only to COnnelly's stand alone works. This is a very interesting story; with a compelling lead character. Connelly writes Cassie as a strong, flawed, and very real woman. Karch is a wonderful foil for her. I wasn't thrilled with the use of the little girl in the climax, but suprising it avoids most cliches. I particularly liked the subtle twists in the last 75 pages. Connelly does not stretch his scenes. He lets them stand on their own power. Another strength...the last chapter. It is not a "neat" ending, but a good one. One note--beware how the publisher is trying to wring every last dollar out of you. Try not to buy the "trade" paperback; the bigger and more expensive one. IS it worth the extra 6 bucks? I don't think so. I hate when they are that transparent in their attempts to make money. Oh, well. That isn't Connelly's fault.

Rating:
Summary: Connelly solid as usual
Review: Connelly is one of the most consistently good writers in the genre. Even his "bad" books are as good as many other authors best efforts. And while Void Moon is not up to his best work, it is nonetheless a very good read. The characters are all well written, although I did not particularly care for the character of Jack Karch. There was something missing with him and I found him a little flat. But the plot is very exciting and fast paced, and I finished the book the same day I started it. My main problem was with a few of the events at the end of the book. I don't want to give anything away, but I found some of it a bit contrived. The book is perhaps a little simplistic compared to some of Connelly's other books. Overall though it is very good, and I would recommend it.