Category: Crime thrillers

Michael Connelly isn’t as good as they say…

Michael Connelly

Spoiler Alert: He’s much better.

Book Review: “Blood Work” by Michael Connelly

“Blood Work” starts with a compelling premise. Forced to retire from the Bureau, FBI profiler Terry McCaleb needed a heart transplant to survive. Five weeks after receiving his transplant, McCaleb is recuperating when Graciela Rivers seeks him out to ask a favor. Find the killer of her murdered sister. McCaleb knows that he should not help Graciela, but he finds he can not refuse her. The catch — McCaleb’s new heart was Gabriella’s sister’s. She was the one who saved his life.

At first, the murder seemed to be a random act of a convience store robber until McCaleb uncovers a deeper, more sinister connection between himself and the killer — a connection that makes McCaleb the prime suspect in the murder and threatens his relation with Gabriella.

“Blood Work” is excellently plotted and moves along at a break-neck pace. But, what really does it for me is his rich interaction of the characters in this book. Connelly is understated but so accurate in his depiction of human nature.

This is my favorite book by Michael Connelly, and, for anyone who has not read him, “Blood Work” is an excellent place to start. It’s close to perfect.

Las Vegas Girl

Leslie Wolfe

Review: “Las Vegas Girl” by Leslie Wolfe

This year I have read a number of Leslie Wolfe novels (Alex Hoffmann Series, Tess Winnett Series, Baxter and Holt Series). They are all fast-paced, interesting stories with a few enjoyable twists and turns along the way. This one is no different in that respect, but in Las Vegas Girl the main characters of Laura Baxter and Jack Holt are more developed and more relatable than characters in her previous books. Each has a flaw that he or she is struggling to overcome, yet each has an inner strength.

The interplay between Baxter and Holt is terrific. Their character development is most enjoyable. My favorite Leslie Wolfe novel yet!

A Kiss Before Dying

Ira Levin

Book Review: “A Kiss Before Dying” by Ira Levin

“A Kiss Before Dying” is a very tightly controlled thriller. The book remains a mystery until the end of the second of three sections. Then the thriller element comes to the forefront. Masterfully written. This is Ira Levin’s first novel, written in his twenties. Just a masterful piece of writing.

Robert Wagner in the 1961 film, “A Kiss Before Dying”