Rating: 
Summary: This Concrete Blond is Gold
Review: After being initiated into Michael Connolly's novels with The Poet (5 stars), I unfortunately started the Harry Bosch series with City of Bones and the Lost Light. Those two were great, but I realized I was missing part of the story. Since then I went back and read Black Echo and Black Ice and got a lot of background information that helps me see the whole picture of Bosch's existence. Those two were very good (4 stars if I were to rate them), but Connolly really reaches his stride in The Concrete Blonde. Bosch is a fascinating character whose triumphs I savor, but I sometimes wonder if I would especially like him real life. I know him, but feel he is holding something back and keeping me at arms length. What makes Bosch tick is a mystery in itself within the mysteries of the novels. This book finds him alternating between being a defendant in a wrongful death civil suit and hitting the trail of a newly-discovered serial killer related to the court case. I do not feel it adds anything to recite the plot in these reviews, but I can say that Connolly is a master at the twists and turns and fooled me again in this book. In the best sense of the phrase and my appreciation for his writing skill, Connolly is no doubt a "master manipulator."
Rating:
Summary: Harry Bosch : Fighting on Two Fronts
Review: "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 !
Rating:
Summary: Elegiac Novel of LA and Hope
Review: I find myself addicted to Connelly and the Harry Bosch novels. This is the third I have read in a row and 4th overall (I started at the end with the Narrows). Of the early novels, this is the best. It is an elegy for LA. It rings of James Ellroy. I mean that as a very high compliment. The novel is again a super mystery, with good twists and turns. But what makes this so superior is the depth of the characters. It is rare in this genre to see such depth. Bravo and on to the Last Coyote.
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner
Review: 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.I wish he had better taste in women. He like them sexually desirable, but shallow and self-centered. They always end up dumping him for cold, selfish reasons. They claim to understand the seriousness of his work, and also understand his commitment; but they leave him at his neediest, because only threir (lesser important) needs take precedence. Disgusting. Hope he figures out he needs to find a real women to build a life with, not just a doll to screw. Overall, an excellent read!!
Rating: 
Summary: Sub-Plot Interferes with a Good Story
Review: Harry Bosch, William Connelly's sleuth, renegade dectective, is on trial for his "murder" of a suspect in the Doll Case murder. Bosch shot and killed the suspect as he reached for his toupe, and his widow wants retribution through litigation. Suddenly, as the trial progresses, another Doll Case-like murder is uncovered, but the Doll Case suspect is supposedly already dead. How can the murderer be dead if the cases continue to arise? The novel is heavily laced with court proceedings about the widow's revenge, Harry's love affair with the widow of the man he kills in "The Black Echo," and Harry's conviction that the Hollywood police have a copycat murderer (instead of not having caught the right guy the first time). These two subplots, and primary plot, should have made this one of the better novels, and according to the reviews, most readers liked the latticed effect. I thought it too divisionary. The subplots are necessary, but could have been severely cut to keep the main story in focus. This criticism aside, I liked the novel, but it is the least favorite of mine after reading four of Connelly's other Bosch novels.. "Black Ice" is recommended before reading the "Concrete Blonde."
Rating:
Summary: Great L. A. sleuthing
Review: Michael Connelly keeps your attention from the first page. Harry Bosch, wry LAPD homicide detective, puts together the pieces of an interesting puzzle. Who killed the blonde buried in concrete???? Bosch uses all his informants to build a case. You will enjoy the polictical intrigue with Parker center, home of the LAPD brass.
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