Rating: 
Summary: disappointing read
Review: I'm a big Connelly fan, and grabbed this book for reading on a long flight.
I almost couldn't finish it...actually, for the first time, I just skimmed major parts of the book. It started off badly when the main character, the founder and chief scientist of a high tech firm, supposedly plugs the computer on the desk in his office into a phone line to check his email. Right there it was enough to put off any reasonable reader. In this case, Connelly shows his ignorance and his inability to set the scene for this novel. It goes on from there to try to convince the reader that this science guy goes off on a wild tangent just days before a scheduled meeting with their venture capital source--it just doesn't work for me. The character isn't nuts enough to do that, but in this book he does. And the whole chain of events isn't consistent with the character. It could have been an okay plot, but set with different characters in a different place and time. Michael must have gotten rushed to market with this loser. Save your money for his next Harry Bosch mystery.
Rating: 
Summary: Actually three and half but maybe avg review will go higher
Review: This being my first Connoly novel I unlike some reviewers have no frame of reference to compare it to. I read the reviews before purchasing the book yet despite surprising numeber of harsh reviews read it and enjoyed it. The premise is original enough alone for a little fictional escapism.
Henry Pierce is a molecular scientist "Chasing The Dime", when he breaks up with his girlfriend, well dumped more appropriate word, moves into new apartment with new phone number. After numerous calls to wrong number it becomes obvious the number is shared with an excort who advertised her services on web site, and has since disappeared. Pierce having lost his sister to familar fate long ago decides in attempt to redeem his lack of doing enough for her in past will try to find Lilly.
I was actually impressed with Connelly's main character, whereas some found him incredible I found his traits, motivations and other characteristics very believable from the get go. Overall I have to say I thought this was not an exceptional thriller, as a fellow reviewer pointed out the ending was little Hollywood, but that may be because it has movie rights written all over it. This novel is very adaptable to big screen but I don't think it takes away from it as a read, again reinstate not reading anything else yet by Connelly can't say if it was up to par with his Harry Bosch or other non Harry Bosch novels, but I think its good novel to get one interested in him as a writer it sure did me. Last thing this novel has excellent pacing and is fast read, one slight dip where it lagged but overall it was very fast and well done.
Rating: 
Summary: Not to be missed!
Review: While the subject matter in this novel is dark at times, it does not have the melancholy feel to it that many of the Harry Bosch novels contain. Like Harry Bosch, Henry Pierce has his dark secrets, which do influence his actions, but he is more aware of their influence than Bosch is of his own. This is a lighter weight novel in style, mood and substance than the novels in the Harry Bosch series but is very good on its own level. While the abyss does not look as dark or deep in this novel, the work still showcases why Mr. Connelly is a great writer. His senses of style, pacing and character development once again work incredibly well together to set the mood and weave this complex tale. With plenty of twists and turns and a real shock in the last forty intense pages, this novel is definitely one not to be missed. Also recommended: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez
Rating:
Summary: Chasing Nothing...
Review: This novel was a great disappointment to me. It was not up to par for Michael Connelly. The plot lacked substance and depth and was slow to develop. I wasn't impressed with the characters.
I have read most of the Connelly novels and loved them, but not Chasing the Dime.
I hope this effort is not an indication that Connelly is starting to capitalize on his popularity and beginning to crank out a new novel every six months like James Patterson. That would be a shame.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to put down
Review: I bought this book by mistake, thinking it would have the same humor, tension, and grit as a Harry Bosch mystery. Instead I got a book in which the protagonist's actions are not only unmotivated but psychologically implausible, the dialogue wooden, and the plot absolutely unconvincing. It's really impossible to identify with a character who so consistently acts against his own best interests for no aparent reason. Don't waste your dime.
Rating:
Summary: Oops, I Did It Again
Review: "Don't do it, Brian," my wise inner voice counseled me. "Do not buy any Michael Connelly book without Harry Bosch. Remember 'The Poet'? 'Void Moon'? Remember just how bad they were, how you wondered how the enormously gifted writer of the Bosch books could be the same hack turning out such badly written, contrived drek? Don't do it, Brian." Oops, I did it again. "Chasing The Dime" achieves the almost impossible, making both "The Poet" and "Void Moon" the two BEST non-Bosch books ever written. "Dime" is stupendously bad, combining awkward, clunky writing with an absurd plot and cardboard-flat characters. Heed well your inner voice.
Rating: 
Summary: nanotubular
Review: With Chasing the Dime, Michael Connelly compellingly enters the intense world of high-risk technology start-ups. I found the descriptions of Henry Pierce's involvment in his company and his work in carbon-based nanotechnology fascinating, with remarkable parallels with my own life. I clearly recognized Henry's seemingly unresolvable conflicts. And Michael's description of the molecular technology which was the object of Henry's obsession was realistic enough to me to be credible. The investor chase was icing on the cake. However, suspension of disbelief is a fragile thing, and in the
case of Chasing the Dime, too often I found myself without explanation for events. One obvious example is Henry, who's technological acuity is top-notch, seems to ignore the existence of search engines. (a Google search for the phone number was the obvious approach from chapter 1...). There are other examples. Furthermore, the issue of why the phone company apparently ignored its policy of waiting before reassigning numbers was never addressed by numerous characters, including the police. The Google complaint may be nit-picking. But imagine if a character sent a telegram instead of making a phone call or email. That would be no more out of place. Other actions, seemingly irrational, are explained by Henry's dance with insanity. He is under enourmous stress professionally, socially, psychologically, and legally. A few panicked moves or oversights are expected. However, the finale is a classic case of "deux ex machina" -- the hand of God comes down and wraps things up in one chapter or less. Although the finish is the hardest part of a novel to do well, Connelly normally scores. Here, he's a bit off-target. I don't think it's a coincidence that 2002 is the first year MC published more than one novel. I'm convinced one per year is the limit for top-quality work. Chasing the Dime was a really enjoyable and rewarding read, but the flaws were sufficiently obvious that I can't help but conclude it needed a bit more time.
Rating:
Summary: Far better than average genre fair...
Review: I read this book after finishing Grisham's Summons (not exactly the same genre, but close) and Lehane's extraordinary Mystic River. This far exceeds Grisham and falls in behind Lehane's novel. As many novels in this genre, it requires a willing suspension of disbelief. The end is a bit too hollywood perhaps and the case comes together in a way that fits all too well. However, I did not figure out until the character did. It was an intriguing mystery and the science was fascinating. Connelly is good writer and I will certainly read more of his non-Harry Bosch novels (to take nothing away from his Harry books, I just haven't the time to start the series now). This is far better than most of the genre stuff that sells. Kudos to Mr. Connelly.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent pulp fiction
Review: It's hard to beat this book for a good, fun read. I don't get all the negative comments. It is wonderful for making time pass on the plane.
Rating:
Summary: dont bother
Review: dont bother with this book, read the harry bosch series books instead.
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