Scan barcode
jsdrown's review against another edition
3.0
Look, no one isn't going to argue this book isn't cliche. Whatever wizardry Connelly worked to breathe life into these made for an super entertaining read. This is the first book I liked in the series and it was a banger. Sometimes you need a big dumb stupid book and after Infinite Jest this was just what I needed. It's been quite a while since the last time I stayed up too late reading and this was the one that did it.
distgenius's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alanp's review against another edition
5.0
Murder, mystery, courtroom drama, twists and turns, and Harry Bosch... awesome.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
Book # 3 in the Harry Bosch series has Harry in federal court defending a civil suit. Four years prior he fatally shot a notorious serial killer – The Dollmaker. Now the family is suing for damages, claiming his civil rights were violated. Unfortunately for Harry’s case, on the first day of the trial a new note arrives for Harry, supposedly from the killer, and leading the police to another body. A blonde buried in a concrete slab certainly fits the profile of The Dollmaker killings. Could Harry have killed an innocent man? Is the killer really still at work?
This is a fast-paced, suspenseful read. Connelly keeps the reader (and Harry) on their toes, with multiple twists in the plot. He also gives us a little more of Harry’s personal life – his childhood experiences come to light during the trial, and how he deals with these secrets in his present-day life has an impact on his relationships. But the main focus is the mystery of the Dollmaker, and that is exactly what this genre requires. I was sure I had it figured out, and for a few pages there I felt victorious. I should have known better. Connelly is a master at surprising the reader and I definitely did NOT solve this one ahead of Harry.
Book # 3 in the Harry Bosch series has Harry in federal court defending a civil suit. Four years prior he fatally shot a notorious serial killer – The Dollmaker. Now the family is suing for damages, claiming his civil rights were violated. Unfortunately for Harry’s case, on the first day of the trial a new note arrives for Harry, supposedly from the killer, and leading the police to another body. A blonde buried in a concrete slab certainly fits the profile of The Dollmaker killings. Could Harry have killed an innocent man? Is the killer really still at work?
This is a fast-paced, suspenseful read. Connelly keeps the reader (and Harry) on their toes, with multiple twists in the plot. He also gives us a little more of Harry’s personal life – his childhood experiences come to light during the trial, and how he deals with these secrets in his present-day life has an impact on his relationships. But the main focus is the mystery of the Dollmaker, and that is exactly what this genre requires. I was sure I had it figured out, and for a few pages there I felt victorious. I should have known better. Connelly is a master at surprising the reader and I definitely did NOT solve this one ahead of Harry.
is_book_loring's review against another edition
4.0
“Nobody in this world is who they say they are. Nobody. Not when they’re in their own room with the door shut and locked. And nobody knows anybody, no matter what they think... The best you can hope for is to know yourself. And sometimes when you do, when you see your true self, you have to turn away.”
Michael Connelly could make what seemingly unoriginal premise of a serial killer story into well plotted, excellently written psychological thriller/crime investigation with a probing scrutiny into the idea of justice and its manifestation as law that binds elements in society, its complex effect in molding the prejudices, bias, psychology and actions of prosecutors of law and the people it sworn to protect.
Michael Connelly could make what seemingly unoriginal premise of a serial killer story into well plotted, excellently written psychological thriller/crime investigation with a probing scrutiny into the idea of justice and its manifestation as law that binds elements in society, its complex effect in molding the prejudices, bias, psychology and actions of prosecutors of law and the people it sworn to protect.
mhuntone's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25