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hidusty's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
ericbuscemi's review against another edition
5.0
After reading this third Harry Bosch book, I understand how Michael Connelly was able to go from this police detective series to the Mickey Haller defense attorney series, as the legal scenes here really stand out. Actually, the whole book stands out, and I won't say more for fear of spoiling the suspense and mystery of the Dollmaker and the Concrete Blonde cases.
pflichtfeld20's review against another edition
5.0
This just elevated the Bosch series from “Good” to “Phenomenal” for me. I couldn’t help but inhale the last 250 pages in one day. This crime thriller and third installment of the Bosch series by Michael Connelly moves at an enormously high pace, while juggling a plot line about a trial and another one about an ongoing murder investigation effortlessly at the same time, each plot line intertwining more and more as the story progresses. As a reader, you think you have the resolution figured out pretty early but boy oh boy have I been fooled. Towards the end you’re just slapped in the face with (in hindsight) totally obvious twists! And they’re not far fetched either. Once they happen you totally go “Ahh of course how haven’t I seen this earlier”, because they’re so well set up.
But not only is this book a masterpiece plot and twist wise. This entry was the first entry that completely sold the character Bosch for me and also his complete direct environment including Silvia and his work associates like Irving and Edgar. It’s incredible how a book this dense manages to balance formidable plot work while also seriously molding its main characters into even better characters. And the way Connelly captures the atmosphere of Los Angeles and all its shining and sinister corners is just the icing on the cake.
Needless to say I’m now absolutely hooked, much more than before, and the fourth entry is already on the way. 5/5
But not only is this book a masterpiece plot and twist wise. This entry was the first entry that completely sold the character Bosch for me and also his complete direct environment including Silvia and his work associates like Irving and Edgar. It’s incredible how a book this dense manages to balance formidable plot work while also seriously molding its main characters into even better characters. And the way Connelly captures the atmosphere of Los Angeles and all its shining and sinister corners is just the icing on the cake.
Needless to say I’m now absolutely hooked, much more than before, and the fourth entry is already on the way. 5/5
genaudannwenn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bruin4life74's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
neumanzoo's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of twists and turns which made for a fun ride. If you think you know Bosch because you watched it on TV, then think again! The show was good, I'll give you that, but the books are (of course) so much better. A solid 4 stars from me.
theflamingduck's review against another edition
3.0
Riveting. I mean you could say this is a generic cop thriller but it is so good that you don't bother about the cliches, so to speak.
Ties up all loose ends from the previous novels. Would work as a standalone novel but best enjoyed if you have read the first two.
Ties up all loose ends from the previous novels. Would work as a standalone novel but best enjoyed if you have read the first two.
beth_books_123's review against another edition
5.0
Another crowd pleaser - 5*
This book plays with me. I think I know the killer and so does Bosch, I confirm it to my family and then I find out that the person I originally thought was the killer was not. Ashamedly, I have to tell my family, I got it wrong again. Maybe I am very gullible but this book has me every time at the red herrings - I fall for them: hook, line and sinker.
Plot
This book had me gripped from the beginning with the court case that is questioning whether Harry got the right man when he shot Norman Church (the suspected Doll Maker). The Doll Maker is a serial killer who rapes and murders his victims by strangulation and then paints their faces with make-up, i.e. like a doll. This case is two years following the shooting of Norman Church and Harry Bosch is summoned to court. Life never goes swimmingly for Bosch so on the first day of trial, a new victim is found but there is a difference, she has been found in concrete!
This book is thrilling and exciting. A definite read for those crime enthusiasts (such as myself) and a great continuance in the Harry Bosch series.
This book plays with me. I think I know the killer and so does Bosch, I confirm it to my family and then I find out that the person I originally thought was the killer was not. Ashamedly, I have to tell my family, I got it wrong again. Maybe I am very gullible but this book has me every time at the red herrings - I fall for them: hook, line and sinker.
Plot
This book had me gripped from the beginning with the court case that is questioning whether Harry got the right man when he shot Norman Church (the suspected Doll Maker). The Doll Maker is a serial killer who rapes and murders his victims by strangulation and then paints their faces with make-up, i.e. like a doll. This case is two years following the shooting of Norman Church and Harry Bosch is summoned to court. Life never goes swimmingly for Bosch so on the first day of trial, a new victim is found but there is a difference, she has been found in concrete!
This book is thrilling and exciting. A definite read for those crime enthusiasts (such as myself) and a great continuance in the Harry Bosch series.