Rating: 
Summary: Terrific
Review: 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. This is the third installment in the Harry Bosch chronicles and is a court room drama and police procedural rolled into one, complete with terrific dialogue, an excellent plot and expert pacing. Before this series opened, Harry took out the Dollmaker, a notorious LA serial killer. Harry is now on trial, in civil court, accused of violating the civil rights of the murderer. During the trial, evidence surfaces that causes Harry to doubt whether he shot the wrong man--could the Dollmaker still be at large? Connelly handles this story quite well, weaving the stories of the trial and the criminal investigation seamlessly. This is a well-done escape. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book!
Review: This is a book worth reading -- a compelling plot with interesting twists and turns. Protagonist Harry Bosch is neither too perfect, nor too flawed. His girlfriend has her own personality, motivations, and job; she's not there for mere decoration. The quick conversations between Bosch and Chandler during courtroom smoking breaks are a nice touch. The aspects of the case which cause Bosch to examine his own past, and motivations, separates this from the too-common "good guys versus bad guys action" type books. It's also good to read a book which doesn't rely on a deus ex machina ending.
There are a few bloopers along the way. Lawyers would not abide a US district judge who commented on their opening arguments to the jury with "They may make some highfalutin allegations, but just because they say it doesn't make it true. After all, they're lawyers [pronounced lie-yers]."
A real estate agent would be unlikely to hold an open house because she has two interested buyers. (Open houses are held to _get_ buyers, not because you have them.)
Improper statements made in court are _not_ "struck from the record." If the statements were deleted from the record, it would be impossible to argue their effect to the court of appeals.
If an attorney died, attorney fees would still be owed -- to the attorney's estate.
If Mora's divorce took place in California in the mid-1980's, mental cruelty would not be a ground of divorce -- that was eliminated in 1970. Connelly's use of the term "loss of consortium" is outside the usual context -- the term is usually used in cases where an injury to one spouse prevents marital relations, not a divorce where a spouse decides to stop relations.
In all, it's a worthwhile and entertaining book for a day or two's good read. See if you can figure out who the Follower is before Bosch does!
Rating:
Summary: Bosch gets sued .
Review: It is a good idea to read these Harry Bosch stories in order, starting with The Black Echo, The Black Ice, and then this, the 3rd in the series. Bosch has killed a serial murderer previously and now the widow is suing Bosch. My 1st thought was "Please Lord, don't let her win !" I don't want to spoil anything but if Bosch and the LAPD lost this suit I wasn't reading anymore Michael Connelly ! Anyhow, the suit is secondary to the page turning plot which has to do with a copycat serial killer. I really like this series because Connelly understands the LAPD and Bosch is a very likeable and dedicated detective. So will you !
Rating:
Summary: Concrete blonde - Best Bosch Yet
Review: The 3rd in the bosch series is so far the best. I rated the first two 4 stars, and am a big fan of the series, but this is the best one yet. The different stories within the story of the concrete blond all have interesting plots and tie the story together well. The plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat for the second have of the book. A must read if your as fan of the series, or even a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: CONCRETE PROOF OF MR. CONNELLY'S TALENT
Review: I had read "Concrete Blonde" about a year and a half ago, not knowing it was the third book in the Harry Bosch series. Now, I have read the first two Bosch books, and see how good a book "The Concrete Blonde" is. Bosch is as always a well-developed and complex "hero" or "anithero." At least in this one, Chief Irvin seems to be a little more understanding and appreciative of Bosch. Bosch also shows his sensitive side as he refuses to the ruin the career of a fellow cop who leaks information to the sharp lawyer, Honey Daniels.
The book balances the courtroom action and the new Dollmaker case with marvelous dialogue and scenarios. It's hard to really judge Harry on what he did with the Dollmaker four years ago. Was he right? Is he a cowboy? Does he really like death and violence? These questions aren't quite answered, but we still get a feeling of what Harry's gone through since this case started. Bosch also solidifies his relationiship with Sylvia, the ex-wife of a cop who was featured in "Black Ice." The ending intimates more to come in this regard.
My favorite character in this one is "Hans Off", the administratively proficient, but criminally incompetent, lead investigator. He is good at getting a coffee pot in the team's unit, but can't think of anything on his own. A sharp character. In fact, Connelly's supporting cast is always very well developed.
A great read, now on to the "The Last Coyote."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Rating:
Summary: Scorching Mystery! Connelly definitely has the recipe......
Review: First, before I begin reviewing THE CONCRETE BLOND, how easy is it to buy a book when upon opening it for a cursory scan, you see the main character's name is Hieronymous? It was a must read as I ... nearly laughed out loud! Seriously, this was the first Michael Connelly offering I've read and I was thrilled to find the brashness of Spillane and the heady detail of Grisham. Don't misunderstand, I believe the quality of Connelly's writing to be much more elegant than Spillane's and perhaps more exciting than Grisham's (certainly his latest works) but there are some attributes of those authors seeping into Mr. Connelly's grey matter. Regardless, Mr. Connelly's writing is not one dimensional.The reader is introduced to Hieronymous ... "Harry" Bosch, a tough, hardened LA detective loathing authority with a seemingly unpenetrable psyche. (Note: My reference to Spillane above was in comparison of his Mike Hammer character to Bosch; definitely some similarities.) As the story opens, the reader is thrown back four years as Harry bursts into an isolated apartment to ostensibly arrest a notorious serial killer known as the 'Dollmaker.' As Harry enters, he is confronted with a naked man, totally devoid of hair. Harry orders him to "freeze" when the man reaches for something under his pillow. Harry fires and the man crumples on the bed, dead. As Harry looks under the pillow for the gun, he discovers that the man's weapon of choice wasn't a gun rather, it was a toupee. Harry's tail is eventually bailed out after he and the forensics team discover enough evidence to tie the hairless man to the 'Dollmaker' murders. Fast forward four years.....Harry is heading to court as his 'Dollmaker' killing has provided the fodder for a lawsuit by the "victim's" family. The charge? Excessive force. To make matters worse, the family has hired Honey "Money" Chandler, a trial-hardened civil rights attorney known for her ability to procure 'money' from whomever she sues. Bosch seems to be perfect prey for her. As the trial opens, Bosch is called by his current lieutenant to a crime scene. A tip, in the form of an anonymous note, was left in the squad room by an unknown person. The note indicated that the 'Dollmaker' had not been caught and to punctuate the point, the note provides directions to a body proving his claim. As Harry arrives, a demolition crew is removing slabs of concrete from a dilapidated building destroyed in the LA riots. Soon and much to Harry's dismay, a body is discovered (a blond woman buried in concrete, in case you were wondering) who ultimately died under the same "M.O." as that used by the 'Dollmaker.' Harry is freaked. Had he killed the wrong man? Was the nefarious 'Dollmaker' still on the streets? Or is this a copycat trying to pull his chain? Regardless the answer, Harry decides he will find out, trial or no trial. The ride Connelly takes the reader on is fabulous. Mind-bending, severe twists. Just when I thought I had it nailed, Connelly would throw another curve. There are so many possible suspects here AND, the reader must determine if, in fact, there is a copycat and who or if the real 'Dollmaker' remains. This is a mystery easily worth 5 stars. I don't often give 5 stars but I was happy to do so here. As proof, I've purchased 4 other Connelly offerings to further my enjoyment, THE LAST COYOTE, TRUNK MUSIC, ANGEL'S FLIGHT, and CITY OF BONES. I look forward to getting to know Hieronymous Bosch much better.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Bosch
Review: The Concrete Blond is the Bosch novel we've been waiting on. This one has something for everyone. It has the legal/courtroom suspence, it's a classic who-done-it, and it has all the plot twists a reader could want. Connelly takes all these components and expertly wraps them up into a very tight plot. This book would be excellent as a stand alone, but it is also key in the series. It answers a lot of questions raised in the first two books about Bosch's past. This one is my favorite Connelly book so far, and I highly recommend it to any mystery/suspence fans. It can be read as a stand alone, but I think it was much better after having first read The Black Echo and the Black Ice. Also recommended: anything by Michael Connelly (Blood Work); Greg Iles (Dead Sleep, 24 Hours); Nelson DeMille (Plum Island, The Lions Game); Jeffery Deaver (The Devil's Teardrop, The Bone Collector); or T. Jefferson Parker (The Blue Hour, Red Light).
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Harry Bosch Story
Review: THE CONCRETE BLONDE is the third tale in Michael Connelley's Harry Bosch series. Four years ago, Harry shot and killed the man he believed was an L.A. serial killer nicknamed "The Dollmaker". Now, the man's widow and her high-powered lawyer are suing Harry and the LAPD for wrongful death. Just as the case opens in court, a new murder victim with all the characteristics of a "Dollmaker" kill turns up embedded in concrete. The location of the body has been tipped off by a note and the body is definitely not four years old. Did Harry shoot the wrong man? This is another great story by Connelly. It's a page-turner and keeps you guessing right to the end. If gritty, contemporary mysteries are your forte, you've got to read this. In fact, I recommend it highly to anyone who isn't put off by the graphic realism of the details. Connelly has proved himself as a first-rate writer in this genre. His books are top-notch and this one is no exception. Buy a copy and get comfortable, because you won't want to put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not overwhelmingly so; Not a Turow quality book
Review: I read this book because it got a favorable mention in Frank Bruni's book about George W. Bush, Ambling Into History, and I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but I have to say I was a little underwhelmed by it overall. I thought the character development was good, but not great. I thought the story was good, but maybe a little formulaic. I have no major criticism for the book, but I didn't enjoy it enough to make me want to start another Connelly book soon, if at all. If you are a huge murder mysteries fan, you'll probably like this book just fine. If, like me, you're a fan of excellent murder mysteries, you may also find that this one is not at all bad, but not excellent.
Rating:
Summary: The Bosch I've been waiting for.
Review: Harry Bosch once kiled a serial killer called the Dollmaker, and now the killer's wife is suing for wrongful death. And another body has been discovered, fitting the Dollmaker's M.O. Did Harry kill the wrong man?
That's the premise for Concrete Blond and this one has the Bosch story I've been waiting for. Down and dirty, dealing with the dark side of crime and the justice system, Connelly has hit pay dirt with this one. This one has real surprises dealing with Harry's professional and personal life, and the reader will not be disappointed.
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