Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but not his best
Review: Michael Connelly takes another break from his Harry Bosch stories with Chasing the Dime, the tale of Henry Pierce, a chemist and computer scientist who turns a wrong number into a personal crusade. Pierce - recently out of a long-term relationship - has a new apartment and with it, a new phone number. Unfortunately, this number is also listed on the web site of an escort service, and as a result, he is getting a lot of calls for a specific woman.Pierce tries to track down this woman and soon gets enough clues to determine that she is missing and quite possibly in danger. Although not physically nor mentally ready for such an effort, Pierce allows himself to get tangled in the mess that led to her disappearance, eventually getting suspected of her possible murder. As is typical with Connelly books, this one is quite clever, nonetheless, it lacks the greatness of his Bosch books. While good enough, the book is flawed by the weakness of the main character, whose self-destructive actions are sometimes beyond the comprehension of the reader. Also, the story is neither as original or as daring as it could be. For example, one scene towards the end of the book (involving his ex-girlfriend) is reminscent of a similar scene in The Poet; and the promise of seeing the seamier side of life is never fully realized. Few will be disappointed in this book except for the die-hard Connelly fans, who while enjoying this work, will know that he could have done even better.
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.
Rating:
Summary: Addicting
Review: I don't know if the story beyond the research of the company is right or just an invention, but the plot itself is addicting. I am not talking about the plot because I will spoil the surprise but...well...read it, it's worth
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