Rating: 
Summary: Michael Connelly at His Best
Review: In addition to being an author in the same genre as Michael Connelly, I'm also a fan of his of work. What Michael does in terms of creating interesting characters, major plot lines and sub-plots that tie together, realistic dialogue, and intrigue in his work, is what makes him one of the most popular writers today. It's a shame he isn't as well-known as some of his peers, but with the release of the feature film "Blood Work" starring Clint Eastwood, Michael is well on his way to becoming a household name in the crime fiction genre."Blood Work" was the first novel I've read featuring former FBI agent Terry McCaleb. The plot line Connelly has created is imaginative and possible, which gives the main character all the impetus needed to investigate the death of the person who in all respects, saved his life. Being a former police detective, Connelly's police procedures are accurate and reflect his true knowledge and/or dedication to getting it right. "Blood Work" was a great read, which is all I expect from Michael Connelly.
Rating: 
Summary: Angel's Flight
Review: I discovered Michael Connelly by happenstance. I was on a flight to Europe bored to death when one of the passengers offered me his copy of Angel's Flight because he was going to sleep. I couldn't put it down. I read the book from cover to cover all the way from Detroit to Amsterdam. I think who I'm excited about is the author. Now I am prowling bookstores for all the books he has penned. I just acquired Void Moon and for a recognition award, I chose Blood Work. Now I'm set to travel to Asia with these two and hope to find some time to visit more bookstores on my layovers and pick up other Connelly books. Thank you, Michael Connelly, you made an otherwise long trips somewhat entertaining and exciting.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: An incredible novel. Lots of twists, good ending, suspenseful, edge of your seat read.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Blood Work!
Review: This was my first time reading a book by Michael Connelly. I saw somewhere that Clint Eastwood has a movie version of "Blood Work" coming out in August and what I read of the plot interested me so I got the book. It did not disappoint. I enjoyed "Blood Work", I'm looking forward to seeing what Clint Eastwood did with it and I am definitely checking out some of Mr. Connelly's other books. Terry McCaleb is a retired FBI Agent who specialized in profiling serial killers and he's fresh off a heart transplant. His new chance at life is compromised when he learns that the woman whose heart he was given was murdered - and her sister wants his help in finding the killer. McCaleb's unofficial investigation is hampered by his condition (still recovering from transplant surgery) and turf battles with local law enforcement who don't exactly appreciate hints from a former fed that they may have missed something. Plus he's become emotionally attached to the murdered woman's sister and son, and someone seems to be setting McCaleb up to look like a less than innocent recipient of a life-saving organ. I liked the way Connelly was able to use McCaleb's heart transplant to both drive the plot forward, as a motivating force, and to hold McCaleb back, in terms of the reality of the situation - he couldn't drive a car because of air bags, he had to get someone to drive him or call a cab; he had to take a ton of medication and monitor his temperature to make sure he didn't reject his new heart. Later on in the book, he took a lot of chances that could have jeopardized his health, but it was necessary to the plot (he wasn't going to solve the murder from a hospital bed) and there was always an awareness that he was doing something risky - in fact his doctor was ready to dump him as a patient because of his actions. It put an interesting twist on a murder mystery/thriller. "Blood Work" is fast-moving and entertaining fiction. It's made me want to read other Michael Connelly books and I'm looking forward to seeing the screen version.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspend all Belief...
Review: ...and you'll likely enjoy this mystery. The story has an interesting and rather off beat premise, and moves through the pages at a "mostly" brisk and lively pace. But the reader is asked to make too many leaps of faith along the way, feeling just a bit too much like a made-for-TV movie. Terrell McCaleb, the ex-FBI agent with a new heart, moves a little to freely through the LAPD and the FBI in his private and unauthorized investigation of a pair of seemingly unrelated random murders. The love affair with his client is sappy and unnecessary, except for its inevitable role in a formulaic ending. And for the crime-solving genius that McCaleb is made out to be, you think he'd eventually remember to check his voicemail. For the most part, the characters felt hastily developed, relying more on stereotype than on any thoughtful personality development by the author. But on balance, "Blood Work" is an entertaining, but not riveting, mystery. The plot had some clever twists and as mentioned, is built around an unusual theme. The killer was deftly hidden and skillfully revealed, though the climax felt rushed and contrived. In the final analysis, "Blood Work" is a rather ordinary pop thriller/mystery that feels good while it lasts, but won't be much remembered a few days hence.
Rating:
Summary: Believable characters & well crafted twists keep this going
Review: This is the second Connelly novel I've read...before I read the recent paperback with both Harry Bosch and Terrel McCaleb as characters, I wanted to get acquainted with each in earlier books, and this is the one that introduces McCaleb. You have to like the main character. He has the toughness of a former FBI agent and the tenderness of one whose been saved by an heart transplant...and who discovers that the donor of the heart now keeping him alive was the victim of an unsolved robbery and murder. The step by step investigation and the conflict with the others investigating the same crime carries the story forward. And then come the twists and the red herrings. The author leads the reader first in one direction, and then another. The alert reader will see certain clues, but finds that the total picture is more complicated than it first seems. I did stay ahead of the author much of the way, but then realized that he still pulled several tricks on me. However, he did so honestly and squarely. Connelly is a natural at playing the game with the reader skillfully, without cheating. Yet, he entertains immensely along the way. This can be read easily and casually or slowly and carefully as if solving puzzle. Either way, it's worthwhile. The movie version with Clint Eastwood (who I can't quite picture in the role) is due in August, and though I'm sure it will be an honest effort, I suggest reading the book. There's no way (that I know) that a movie will capture all the thoughts and keep you guessing the way the book does.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Page Turner
Review: Blood Work was my first Michael Connelly book. Before trying his Bosch series, I decided to go with a stand alone so that I'd get a good feel of this writer's style and tone. And now that I'm done reading Blood Work, all I can say is that if his other books are half as good as this one, I'm in for a great ride! Blood Work is that rare suspense thriller that is completely unpredictable. After receving a heart transplant, McCaley meets the donor's sister only to learn that his heart came from a murdered woman. Out of guilt and out of need, he decides to go on a mission to find the the donor's murderer. But the more he investigates, the more secrets he uncovers, secrets that will shock him and leave him completely baffled. I couldn't put this book down. And I could not predict where it was heading. Every time I thought it was going in one direction, the story would completely surprise me and take me in another. And the story is very belivable and the characters very realistic. Blood Work is that rare thriller that works on every level. I'm in awe of Connelly's writing style and of his talent at writing believable and highly suspenseful prose. I've discovered a new writer that I can't wait to return to.
Rating:
Summary: Good Effort
Review: I rather enjoyed this book. The author does a good job telling a story that is not exactly a new one. Given the large amount of books in this class, his one stands out becuase of the writing. He have a very good flow through out the book and he is a master at describing the location and people involved. If you are into crime stories this is one of the better ones out there. Ok some of the story is a bit out here, but there is some much of the human condition as we know it that would come to the surface that you can see yourself in the book. There is just something about the main character that you really get to like. It is not that he is a great human, he just has a human quality that comes through. I think we get to know him becuase the author does such a good job of dropping into the story bits of the lead characters life and thoughts so you really come away with a strong sense of the man. I love the level of detail and the story that takes in all the twists and really makes it work. This is a book for a reader that wants to become part of the story and pay attention.
Rating:
Summary: Very Delicious
Review: I found this book quite delicious as well as Ted Salek
Rating:
Summary: First-rate Mystery
Review: This is a brilliant mystery of such complexity that virtually no one will guess who did it before Connelly unveils the culprit. A retired FBI agent with a heart transplant is recruited by the woman whose sister's heart he now owns into investigating why his donor was killed. The story illustrates a tension between the professional law enforcement community and outsiders, the tension between local and federal law enforcement, and the complexity of a crime that starts out in one direction and moves in several other directions. The more you read the more you will keep reading to find out how it is solved. The characters and their dilemmas are quite realistic. You will find yourself rooting for the retired agent and his new friend against both law enforcement and the criminal. The southern California scene falls into place and the process of hunting down bad people becomes totally engrossing. Blood Work is a solid book for losing yourself in a first-rate mystery.
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