Tome Time - Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

Started September 26th, finished October 6th.

I'm always glad to be starting a new Michael Connelly novel, especially if it's a Harry Bosch story.

This starts with Harry looking into a robbery/murder.  Whilst not being too happy with his partner's work ethic. From there it twists and turns and twists and turns.

This is by far the most 'action' of Connelly's novels that I've read.  It's also the first time I've come sort of close to disbelief.  However, it didn't mar my enjoyment of the story.  I do kind of hope it's not the first of a run of movie style books about Harry.

This looks into things that are new for Harry.  It takles a look at the Immigrant Community and the darker side of that than we've seen before.  Harry leaves LA.  He learns much more about being a father.

I won't go into the plot any more as it would be difficult to do so without spoilers.  Whilst I was reading the book certain things didn't add up for Harry as he was working things out.  It was the same for me.  Stick with it though.  It all makes sense in the end.

There are big shocks in this book.  Connelly certainly doesn't pull any punches.  This is a whirlwind of a story.  One I enjoyed but I'm not sure it would work trying to find similar situations for Bosch to recover from again.  I like his ordinariness.

Harry's life is certainly changed by the happenings in this book.  Much more than we've seen things change before.  I'm interested to see how his story progresses.

3.5 out of 5 pawprints

Next - The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

Book 37 of the 50 Book Challenge

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly, 565 pages

Started May 30th, finished June 3rd.

I was looking forward to this book.  A favourite author, a further look at a character I liked and it was nice and thick.  Just the kind of book you can immerse yourself in.

I like the way the author covers the last year or so without telling the whole story.  You learn what the main character's been through and where he is now without being dragged through it.  This means the bulk of the book is dedicated to telling the story at hand.

A good story it is too.It moves at a good pace with enough twists and turns to keep the story going to a nice length.  There were a few shocks I didn't see coming.  I don't like it when a plot's too obvious.

Connelly has brought two of his other recurring characters into this book.  Harry Bosch and Jack McEvoy.  I liked this.  It's nice and subtle for the main part.  There's none of your nose being rubbed in it.  It was interesting to see Bosch portrayed from 'the other side'.

I'm looking forward to the next Mickey Haller novel.  I am worried though that one lawyer can only get so many dangerous, weird cases in his career.  

4 out of 5 pawprints

Total so far, Books - 37, Pages -11,473

Next - The White Mountains by John Christopher

Book 34 of the 50 Book Challenge

The Overlook by Michael Connelly, 291 pages

Started May 21st, finished May 22nd.

 I started reading this a few years ago when it was serialised in The New York Times.  As we don't get the paper here I had to print it off from their website.  This style of reading got to me so I gave it up to wait for it to be released as a book.


As I'd already read a substantial amount of the book I took it with me on a trip to London.  I didn't want any difficulties getting into it as I snatched bits here and there between tube stations.  I was actually surprised by how much I had read of it.  

The book plays on the modern fear of a dirty bomb but in an unexpected fashion.  the book is easy to fly through as it reads very easily.  The two main characters are already familiar to anyone who follows Harry Bosch.  The other characters are pretty stereotypical and don't need much fleshing out for the parts they play in the book.

All in all I enjoyed the book.  I'd have to say there isn't much meat to get your teeth into.  It's the most lightweight Connelly I've read but there's plenty mopre out there to satisfy my hunger.  I found the conclusion  not what I was expecting so that was a bonus.  But it was a little over dramatic in parts.  This isn't one I'll read again.  I don't see it having a huge effect on further Bosch novels either.

3.5 out of 5 pawprints

Total so far, Books - 34, Pages -10,452

Next - The Cats of Moon Cottage by Marilyn Edwards

The Lincoln Lawyer - Film Review

I was very nervous going into this film.  Connelly is one of my favourite authors.  I was thrilled to see Blood Work had been adapted for screen.  Until I saw it.  I was appalled.  Eastwood had taken the story and ripped it's guts out.

The watching began well.  The retro credit sequence had me interested straight away.  Funnily enough it was reminiscent of Zen's opening credits .  It was also the start of a great soundtrack.

I haven't seen McConaughey in anything for years.  Romantic comedies aren't really my bag.  I was dubious about what he would put on the screen before I went in.  My fears were unfounded.  He wasn't doing his 'poor man's Harrelson' he had the role spot on.  He portrayed the charm and the guile necessary.  

The entire cast was very 'typecast'.  They were all playing their typical roles.  In this instance though it worked perfectly.  I wouldn't have re-cast anyone.

Having just re-read the book I was on the lookout for alterations.  Yeah I know, I'm supposed to enjoy a film not disect it!  There were the odd changes here and there but they were minimal.  It was more a case of dropping the parts that weren't necessary to tell the tale.  The story stayed the same.

As I said I thought it was a great soundtrack.  It fitted the film perfectly.  Upbeat and keeping the flow more than a meaningful score.  This is the first time I've purchased a full soundtrack in a very long time.

I get the impression this wasn't a big budget picture.  What they did with the budget I really enjoyed though.  No flashy courtroom sets but wonderful shots here and there of LA.  The story rolls on at a good pace with no 'cinematic self-indulgences'.  The finale scenes aren't dragged out. Just finishing the story off well.  

I really enjoyed this film.  It adapted a book well and kept my interest totally.

4.5 stars out of 5   but that's a biased opinion ;-)  Not everyone will enjoy this as much as I.

The trailer

Book 18 of the 50 Book Challenge

The Lincoln Lawyer  by Michael Connelly, 446 pages

Started March 19th, finished March 20th

I had decided to try and finish this challenge with no more re-reads and no more book buying.  I wanted to read those that had been festering for yonks on my shelves.  I was failing at the no-buying bit and then I found out that the film adaptation of The Lincoln Lawyer was out very soon.  That trumped my earlier decision as I didn't want to miss it in cinemas and to see it I had to refresh my memory of the book first.

I had forgotten nearly all the plot.  I think when it comes to books and films I have severe memory problems.  I enjoyed the read.  Nice to see Connelly explore LA's underbelly from a different angle.  There did seem to be a lot of cliches in there. Not sure whether the cliches are in such abundance in reality that they must be included.  I can't really judge there.

I have to give full disclosure here.  I'm probably very biased.  Connelly is one of my favourite authors.  I find his books incredibly easy to read and I like the characters he invents.  I was lucky enough to see him give a talk at Waterstone's once and he comes across as a thoroughly likable man.

Maybe a few parts of the plot in this are predictable.  Some a little far-fetched but I really enjoyed reading it.  I can see why Hollywood have got their dirty paws on it.  It could make a good film.  I just hope and pray that they don't do to it what they did to Blood Work.  That film made me so angry!

So fingers crossed for McConaghey's efforts....

4 out of 5 pawprints

Total so far, Books - 18, Pages - 5,324 

Next - Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde