Blood Work

Terry McCaleb is a recuperating heart transplant recipient who becomes invested in assisting the seemingly random murder of a woman at a convenience store. The beauty of this story as it unfolds is the intersectionality and connections where one would not imagine to find and how it comes together. McCaleb is also very likeable, down to earth and relateable. He is savvy, witty and has a good heart (literally and figuratively). He's not a man without faults and his stubbornness and attention to detail can be either blessings or curses. Like most of Michael Connelly's characters, the main characters have a relentlessness about them and don't stop even if it means risking personal safety. Terry's post operative and donor heart recipient status make him vulnerable yet he powers through in the spirit of justice. The plot becomes more complex than his merely solving a murder. I won't spoil it for others with the details, but the story is difficult to stop reading. The characters, the good, bad and in-between are well developed. The southern California vibe, the little bit of medical/pathophysiological clues together with Terry's personal health issues and FBI savvy all make the story thrilling.

When I purchased Blood Work online, I thought I was buying the sequel to Trunk Music. “The Also By Michael Connelly” page in the front matter of Trunk Music listed Connelly’s books by publication date, however, not by which character series they were part of. So, when Blood Work arrived, I was surprised to be reading about former FBI agent Terrell “Terry” McCaleb instead of LAPD detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. Surprised, but not disappointed. Blood Work is a good story in its own right (with an prospective reference to Michael Haller Jr. seven years before The Lincoln Lawyer was published). It follows McCaleb’s investigation into the murder of Gloria Rivers. At first, her murder appeared to be the random act of a convenience store robber. As McCaleb digs into the case at the request of Gloria’s sister Graciela, he uncovers a deeper, more sinister background to the case that hits a little too close to home. Blood Work was not quite the page-turner other Connelly books have been, at least not in my opinion. That only means it took me a weekend to read it instead of a day. Connelly is a great storyteller and has become my favorite crime novelist. I close with a piece of dialogue between McCaleb and his neighbor Buddy Lockridge. It describes perfectly why crime novels and murder mysteries are so popular: [Lockridge:] “Good books are fast reads. You read crime novels?” [McCaleb:] “Why would I want to read made-up stuff when I’ve seen the real stuff and can’t stand it?” Buddy started the car. He had to turn the ignition twice before it kicked over. “It’s a much different world. Everything is ordered, good and bad clearly defined, the bad guy always gets what he deserves, the hero shines, no loose ends. It’s a refreshing antidote to the real world.” “Sounds boring.” “No, it’s reassuring. Where to now?” Reassurance that the good guys beat the bad guys in the end. That’s why I continue reading Michael Connelly. If you’re interested in other books involving Terry McCaleb, check out A Darkness More Than Night and The Narrows. And if you want to read Connelly’s Bosch books in proper order, make sure to check out his website.

Another great story, weaved as only Connelly can! Highly recommended. Lots of twists, turns and a intricate plot! Well done!

As Always, Great Story Published in 1998. I read the original book in 1998. Couldn’t remember much about it and couldn’t find anything I felt like reading, so decided to download the Kindle version to see if the early Michael Connelly was as good as I remember. Yes, he was/is. Very readable. Keeps your attention. As usual, a great mystery worth reading. First book in the Terry McCaleb Series. McCaleb is a retired FBI profiler who just had a heart replacement. Nostalgic trip through time. Terry had to look for a pay phone in 1998. Because of his heart condition, his doctor restricted his driving. As a precursor to the Lincoln Lawyer series, he has to hire a savvy but unemployed acquaintance as a driver. The “Lincoln Lawyer” wasn’t published until 2005, but a friend suggested he hire a successful criminal lawyer by the name of Mickey Haller Jr. Most computers were hard wired to the internet, but some savvy geeks were connecting wirelessly. McCaleb has his father’s boat and dreams of returning to Catalina, where he was raised. In 2025 Connelly created a new series about Detective Stilwell, a LAPD cop stationed on Catalina in “Nightshade” (and “Ironwood” in May 2026). Oddly, Detective Stilwell hasn’t been given a first name yet? Another Great story.

Really good. I’m glad I found this. Couldn’t put it down. Great twists and turns. MC is extremely smart. I think anyone who likes a mystery will like this book

面白いです、一気に読めます。 しかし、犯人の動機というのが、究極の嫌がらせなんですよ。 これが肝なので、内容は書けないけど、「うっわぁ、嫌っ」って感じ。 映画化されているんですね。やはり、それだけ面白いストーリーなんだろうなと思います。 臓器移植の是非については、おのおの考え方があると思うし、 意見は差し控えます。

A new leading character, and as interesting as Bosch and Ballard. And another plot as different from Bosch and Ballard as it can get. I can’t wait to read where Connelly takes this new character in the next book.

Spannung!

I was captivated from the intriguing start to the satisfying finish. Clever, swirling story lines, suspense, and fear all resolved perfectly.

Consiglio il libro perchè di piacevole lettura, inglese scorrevole e trama abbastanza intelligente. Solo 4 stelle perchè non molto intrigante (si immagina facilmente come prosegue) e non dei livelli di scrittura di S.King o semplicemente Agatha Christie .... Amo i gialli psicologici e con più suspence. In ogni caso lo consiglio e mi riservo di leggere qualche altro libro di M.Connelly.