The Concrete Blonde (Harry Bosch Series #3) [NOOK Book]

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Overview

The Dollmaker was the name of the serial killer who had stalked Los Angeles ruthlessly, leaving grisly calling cards on the faces of his female victims. Now with a single faultless shot, Detective Harry Bosch thinks he has ended the city's nightmare.

But the dead man's widow is suing Harry and the LAPD for killing the wrong man-- an accusation that rings terrifyingly true ...
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The Concrete Blonde (Harry Bosch Series #3)

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Overview

The Dollmaker was the name of the serial killer who had stalked Los Angeles ruthlessly, leaving grisly calling cards on the faces of his female victims. Now with a single faultless shot, Detective Harry Bosch thinks he has ended the city's nightmare.

But the dead man's widow is suing Harry and the LAPD for killing the wrong man-- an accusation that rings terrifyingly true when a new victim is discovered with the Dollmaker's macabre signature.

So for the second time, Harry must hunt down a death-dealer who is very much alive, before he strikes again. It's a blood-tracked quest that will take Harry from the hard edges of the L.A. night to the last place he ever wanted to go-- the darkness of his own heart.

With The Concrete Blonde, Edgar Award-winning author Michael Connelly has hit a whole new level in his career, creating a breathtaking thriller that thrusts you into a blistering courtroom battle-- and a desperate search for a sadistic killer.

Edgar Award-winning Michael Connelly delivers a supercharged thriller. Four years ago, LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch shot the notorious serial killer "The Dollmaker." Now Harry is accused of killing the wrong man--just as a new body turns up that has all the hallmarks of a Dollmaker slaying. To clear his name, Harry searches for a copycat killer.

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
In this fiendishly plotted combination of courtroom drama and police procedural, Connelly's LAPD detective Hieronymous ``Harry'' Bosch, introduced in the Edgar-winning The Black Echo , is up against the law as well as his superiors. The widow of Norman Church, a serial killer identified as the Dollmaker, whom Bosch shot to death four years earlier, is suing Bosch on the grounds that he violated her husband's civil rights. Strong but not conclusive evidence linked Church to the serial murders and the case was closed, although Bosch was demoted for not following proper procedures. Here, just before the trial targeting Bosch as a reckless cowboy who shot the wrong man gets underway, the body of perhaps another Dollmaker victim is unearthed from the concrete floor of a burnt-out pool hall. Is the real Dollmaker still alive, or is a copycat killer on the loose? Connelly deftly parcels out clues and possibilities while juggling subtle and detailed courtroom scenes with no-nonsense police investigations that turn up new evidence about the original case. A Pulitzer Prize-winning crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times , he adroitly laces the plot with twists and turns based on details drawn from Bosch's previous adventures. The results of this care show on every page, all to the reader's benefit. (June)
Library Journal
Homicide detective Harry Bosch is fighting for his professional reputation in civil court. He is charged with killing an allegedly innocent man known as "The Dollmaker." The Dollmaker, however, was a serial murderer who strangled his victims and made them up to look like dolls. Suddenly, a new murder comes to light, with all the trappings of the Dollmaker's style. Bosch has to clear his name and find the copycat killer before he strikes again. Slick plot twists, fast action, and fine suspense mark this excellent thriller and courtroom drama. Characterizations by reader Dick Hill are imaginative and authentic, and the recording benefits from subtle special effects that lend realism. This is a good, solid story that translates exceedingly well to audio. Strongly recommended for all mystery and suspense collections.-Susan B. Lamphier, Somerville P.L., Mass.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780759525795
  • Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
  • Publication date: 1/1/2002
  • Series: Harry Bosch Series , #3
  • Sold by: Hachette Digital, Inc.
  • Format: eBook
  • Sales rank: 1,479
  • File size: 2 MB

Meet the Author

Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly was a police reporter for the Los Angeles Times and is also the author of The Black Echo, which won the Edgar Award, The Black Ice, The Last Coyote, The Poet, Trunk Music, Blood Work and Angels Flight.

Biography

Best known for his dark police procedurals featuring the tough, complex and emotionally scarred LAPD detective, Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch, Michael Connelly has been called "infernally ingenious" (The New York Times), "one of those masters...who can keep driving the story forward in runaway locomotive style" (USA Today) and "the top rank of a new generation of crime writers" (The Los Angeles Times).

Consistently exquisite prose and engrossing storylines play an integral role in his swelling success. However, Connelly believes that solid character development is the most important key. As he explained to MagnaCumMurder.com, "I think books with weak or translucent plots can survive if the character being drawn along the path is rich, interesting and multi-faceted. The opposite is not true."

A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connelly attended the University of Florida; there he discovered the works of Raymond Chandler -- author of many classic Los Angeles-based noir dramas such as The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, and Farewell, My Lovely. The cases of Philip Marlowe inspired Connelly to be a crime novelist -- and by studying journalism, he put himself in the perfect position. "I went into journalism to learn the craft of writing and to get close to the world I wanted to write about -- police and criminals, the criminal justice system," he told MagnaCumMurder.com.

After graduation, Connelly worked the crime beat for two Florida newspapers. When a story he and a colleague wrote about the disastrous 1985 crash of Delta Flight 191 was short-listed for the Pulitzer, Connelly landed a gig in Marlowe's backyard, covering crime for one of the nation's largest newspapers -- The Los Angeles Times. Three years later, Harry Bosch was introduced in The Black Echo, which earned Connelly the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Connelly has since won every major mystery honor, including the Anthony (The Poet, Blood Work) and the Macavity Award (Blood Work).

While Connelly has written stand-alone novels that don't feature his tragic protagonist Harry Bosch, he is best identified by his rigid, contentious and fiery -- but also immensely skilled and compassionate -- detective. According to The Boston Globe, the Bosch series "raises the hard-boiled detective novel to a new level...adding substance and depth to modern crime fiction."

Called "one of the most compelling, complex protagonists in recent crime fiction" (Newsweek) and "a terrific...wonderful, old-fashioned hero who isn't afraid to walk through the flames -- and suffer the pain for the rest of us" (The New York Times Book Review), Bosch faces unforgettable horrors every day -- either on the street or in his own mind. "Bosch is making up for wrongs done to him when he rights wrongs as a homicide detective," Connelly explained in an interview with his publisher. "In a way, he is an avenging angel."

Bosch is clearly a product of his deadly, unforgiving environment. "The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote that when you look into the darkness of the abyss the abyss looks into you. Probably no other line or thought more inspires or informs my work," said Connelly in the same interview. With each passing novel, Bosch looks deeper and deeper into the abyss; and readers continue to return to see just how far he will gaze.

Good To Know

  • Michael Connelly received a huge career boost in 1994 when then President Bill Clinton was photographed walking out of a Washington bookstore with a copy of The Concrete Blonde under his arm. Connelly remarked to USA Today, "In the six years I've been writing books, that is the biggest thrill I've had."

  • Real events have always inspired Connelly's plots. His novel Blood Work was inspired by a friend who underwent transplant surgery and was coping with survivor's guilt, knowing someone had died in order for him to live. The book was later developed into a feature film starring Clint Eastwood, Angelica Huston, and Jeff Daniels.

  • One of Connelly's writing professors at the University of Florida was cult novelist Harry Crews.

  • Connelly named his most famous character after the 15th Century Dutch painter, Hieronymous Bosch. As he told Bookends UK in an interview, Bosch "created richly detailed landscapes of debauchery and violence and human defilement. There is a ‘world gone mad' feel to many of his works, including one called ‘Hell' -- of which a print hangs on the wall over the computer where I write." Some interesting outtakes from our interview with Connelly:

    "I wrote a mystery story as a class paper in high school. It was called The Perfect Murder. The protagonist's named was McEvoy, a name I later used for the protagonist in The Poet. Being a witness to a crime when I was 16 was what made me interested in crime novels and mystery stories."

    "I wrote my first real murder story as a journalist for the Daytona Beach News Journal in 1980. It was about a body found in the woods. Later, the murder was linked to a serial killer who was later caught and executed for his crimes."

    "Everything I want people to know about me is in my books."

    • Read More Show Less
      1. Hometown:
        Sarasota, Florida
      1. Date of Birth:
        July 21, 1956
      2. Place of Birth:
        Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      1. Education:
        B.A. in Journalism, University of Florida, 1980
      2. Website:
        http://www.michaelconnelly.com

    Table of Contents

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    Customer Reviews

    Average Rating 4
    ( 275 )
    Rating Distribution

    5 Star

    (124)

    4 Star

    (88)

    3 Star

    (38)

    2 Star

    (14)

    1 Star

    (11)

    Your Rating:

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    See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 278 Customer Reviews

    • Posted January 8, 2011

      more from this reviewer

      I Also Recommend:

      Clockers
      King Suckerman
      The Big Blowdown
      Gone, Baby, Gone (Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro Series #4)
      The Big Sleep

      The Concrete Blonde

      Before I read this book (I decided to read all of Connelly's books in order, which I would advice to do to anyone who is interested in reading Connelly, which you should), I stopped halfway through two books that were by no means bad books, but I just wasn't in the mood to read them. However, I think Connelly's writing hooks you in so it doesn't matter what mood your in, his plot and his amazing character Harry Bosch, one of the greatest detectives in modern crime literature, maybe in the history of the genre, will lure you in. I never like to reveal plot, because you could just read that in the synopsis. I would definitely recommend this book and all of Michael Connelly's books, in the order of publication. I would also like to recommend my other favorite crime novelists, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, and Richard Price. Also watch The Wire, the greatest television show ever made, the three writers I just mentioned write for the show and I always felt that Connelly should have as well.

      12 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted May 8, 2011

      A wonderful read

      The first two in the series were good books and moved along fairly well but the third in the series was a 'can't put it down no sleep book' Read this in a weekend. This is turning out to be as good a series as Sandford's Prey novels.

      8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted January 10, 2011

      WOW!!!

      Great read always some twist to the plot at the end, always leaving you on the edge wanting to read more and more. Connelly at his finest. Great book.

      7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted December 19, 2011

      Another winner

      After reading several Harry Bosch books out of order I am going back and starting from the beginning. Tweists and turns abound I could not put this down! Loved it.

      5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted September 3, 2011

      more from this reviewer

      I Also Recommend:

      Winter of the Wolf Moon (Alex McKnight Series #2)
      The Postcard Killers
      The Black Echo (Harry Bosch Series #1)
      A Cold Day in Paradise (Alex McKnight Series #1)
      The Black Ice (Harry Bosch Series #2)

      Very Highly Recommended

      Michael Connelly is one of the (if not the) smoothest writers I have ever read. His stories are so captivating, fast-paced and believable they are like "mind movies." No wonder people had to stand on line for 5 hours in the Hamptons recently to get his autograph! I cannot give him enough praise. And Harry Bosch is just SO WAY COOL. MC's books are great for anyone who wants a good time on a rollercoaster of emotions. I can't wait to get to my next book. If you have not checked out Michael Connelly's books yet, don't deprive yourself of a great experience any longer. Start with "The Black Echo" which is the beginning of the Harry Bosch story. Enjoy!

      I gave a 1 star rating because I object to publishers' high prices for ebooks.

      4 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted December 26, 2000

      The Concrete Blond

      Harry Bosch has grown on me. I was obsessed with Robert Crais's Elvis Cole but Harry Bosch has stolen me away. He lives on the edge and fears nothing. And he is clever. This book keeps you guessing and delivers in the end. I can't wait for his newest.

      4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted June 15, 2012

      Great who done it!

      Great who done it!

      2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted March 12, 2012

      DIRTY BOSCH

      Detective Bosch is as real a fictional character I can imagine. He is an intelligent force. And he brings it to bear solving The Concrete Blonde. The book is a steady read that you love. I won't tell you more. I hate people telling me about a book I am about to read. Get a copy and enjoy.

      2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted February 7, 2012

      more from this reviewer

      I Also Recommend:

      The Black Ice (Harry Bosch Series #2)

      Vintage Harry Bosch with great thrills and twists!

      This one kept me guessing until the very end. On one occasion I really thought I had figured it out. In my own defense, I think Connelly steered us in that direction and when the characters in the book announced my belief I thought YES! I was right.. and then No! I wasn't. This book has an incredible twist ending.

      This book was also equal parts legal thriller as police procedural. This book takes place while Harry and the LAPD are on trial for the supposed wrongful death of an innocent man. The man’s widow says that her husband was not the Dollmaker, as Harry and the LAPD had determined.

      The Dollmaker trial is a nice bit of continuity since we heard about the Dollmaker killing in at least one of the previous two books.

      Harry and the LAPD are convinced they have the right man until another letter from the Dollmaker and a new body surfaces with all of the murderer’s characteristics. Has a serial killer been allowed to roam free while an innocent man took the blame? Did Harry kill the wrong man? All will be revealed.

      2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted November 8, 2011

      .

      2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted April 21, 2010

      Excellent Read

      Talk about muti tasking! here we have Harry Bosch answering for events that occured 4 years ealier... at the same time there is another series of murders happening.... between court finding the "follower" and tryin to make is girlfriend happy u would think harry has his hands full but not so! he pulls it off with the style that makes harry how he is. lol
      dont want to give away too much but you have a lawyer you want to hate a great parnter who betrays harry and nosey reporter and a new found friendship with the assistant chief irving.

      2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted November 19, 2012

      more from this reviewer

      My favorite Harry Bosch so far.

      Harry Bosch is back and doesn't disappoint. The grit and reality that Connelly is famous for. I can't wait to read number four.

      1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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    • Posted April 30, 2012

      Great book-Check it out!

      Very easy read. I had read this series a little out of order (didnt know it was a series at first) so this is the 4th in the series that I have read thus far. And this is my favorite to date. Would suggest the series to everyone and defiantly this one in particular.

      1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted January 15, 2012

      AWESOME

      I love this series

      1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted May 8, 2013

      Very good

      Connelly books are among my favorites fo sure

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    • Anonymous

      Posted May 8, 2013

      Harry Bosch at his best

      I am hooked on Harry Bosch. A crime mystery for those who enjoy the ride till the end. Fast paced page turner.

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    • Posted April 28, 2013

       The Concrete Blonde is the third book in the Harry Bosch detect

       The Concrete Blonde is the third book in the Harry Bosch detective series. If you want to read them in order begin with the Black Echo and #2 is the Black Ice. All of the books so far have been great! The Concrete Blonde has many twists and turns. It will hook you in from the first page and not let you go until the end of the book. I read it in a day and a half! The great thing about Micheal Connelly's writing is that it is very intriguing, yet it is written so well that his books read very easily! Off to order the Harry Bosch series #4 The Last Coyote!

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    • Posted April 24, 2013

      I am currently reading all of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch ser

      I am currently reading all of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series in order, and I LOVE them. I am a big mystery/detective story fan, and I have tried so many different series from different authors, but I finally found the one for me! What can I say? I often find myself not really liking the main characters in novels, but I truly like Harry; he is a good guy - not perfect, but he works hard, isn't a womanizer, and isn't overly macho. All of the stories are well-written, realistic, contain surprises and twists, and keep me hooked until the very end. My favorites have been The Black Echo (#1), The Concrete Blonde (#3), Trunk Music (#5), City of Bones (#8), The Narrows (#10), although again - I enjoyed all of them. If you like detective mystery novels, you won't be disappointed with Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch.

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    • Anonymous

      Posted March 8, 2013

      Great Book

      Another of Michael Connelly's great reading books with Harry Bosch as the protagonist. I've started the series in order of publication, and would highly recommend this method to anyone. Each story is similar, yet completely different. I didn't see the end of this one coming.

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    • Posted March 8, 2013

      A Great Read

      This is the third book I have read written by Michael Connelly. I am currently on my fifth one. I absolutely love this author. His stories are easy reading, and you cannot put them down. Concrete Blonde kept you guessing 'who did it" till the end of the book. Very personal for Harry Bosch, and all I will say is it was GREAT!!

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