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Michael Connelly is one of those special writers who is not too proud to permit real life to inspire his work. Instead of going for the convoluted, unconvincing plot he tweaks reality just sufficiently to produce convincing fiction rather than going for hideous mazes and shock twists planted solely for shock value. Thus, he builds a solid and convincing plot. It was not until the former journalist began working on the crime beat for the Los Angeles Times that he wrote his first novel, The Black Echo. This book introduced LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch (Harry for short) to eager suspense fiction fans. Since then, Connelly has written other novels featuring Bosch as well as stand-alone works and other series characters. The Black Ice, The Concrete Blonde, The Last Coyote, The Poet, Trunk Music, Angels Flight, Void Moon, A Darkness More Than Night, Blood Work, City Of Bones have all been extremely popular within their various sub-genres and have garnered for the author the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, Nero, Maltese Falcon , .38 Caliber and Grand Prix awards. Chasing The Dime treads a new path for Connelly. The focus of the book is science - specifically the science that will create a molecular computer. This computer, an extremely complicated, powerful and efficient implement, will be no larger than a dime, hence the title. Harry (there's that name again) Pierce, has chased the goal of the molecular computer to the detriment of his personal life. His partner has left him and he has moved into a new, albeit unfurnished, apartment. Nonetheless, his tiny computer is now well within possibility of being produced by his computer company. All he needs is an investor with sufficient funds - a 'whale' - to ensure the computer's final development and succesful marketing. Not long before the potential investor is to be introduced to the detail of the project, Pierce receives a wrong number at his new home. It soon becomes evident that the previous owner of the number was an escort/call girl and she is missing. Because he is concerned about the fate of the prostitute - his own sister was murdered after she had taken to the life - Pierce embarks on a quixotic quest to discover the girl's whereabouts and fate. Along the way he comes up against powerful and violent crime figures. His life, his computer company and the well-being and lives of people he loves are all put at risk. This is, as can be expected of Michael Connelly, a very well written and exceptionally well plotted book. The characterisation is strong and the themes and narrative engrossing. Connelly always researches his novels meticulously and this is no exception with one small lapse. The science displayed is impeccable and certainly convincing to a layman, yet Connelly's medicine, in this instance, is lacking. One of the characters is beaten savagely, some of the injuries sustained being two broken ribs. Shortly thereafter, the injured man is back performing all kinds of agile feats with nary a sign of pain. Mr. Connelly, have you ever broken one rib, let alone two? Believe me, under such circumstances you do not go galloping around indulging in outstanding exploits of endurance! Quite apart from the nasty grating sound as the ribs grind over each other, there is the pain. Still, such shortcomings may be forgiven such a truly talented author. Connelly does tend to display his usual lack of regard for his characters' good health. There is an unfortunate amount of blood and bruising attendant on the action but that is customary for Connelly. This is a novel not only of science but also of betrayal and redemption. A must for anyone looking for reading matter for the upcoming holiday season. Note: This is a review of the Australian edition, from Orion,released in November 2002. 
Reviewed by Denise Wels, December 2002
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