Ajitabh Pandey's Soul & Syntax

Exploring systems, souls, and stories – one post at a time

Tag: crime

  • Chasing The Dime by Michael Connelly

    Chasing The Dime Cover ImageThis is an excellent story by Michael Connelly. A little different type of crime plot. The main character of this story is Henry Pierce, who owns a company doing research on molecular computers. Henry’s company has recently achieved a breakthrough, but they are also looking for active private funding. They need to hold off to the patent filing for their innovation until one of the investors have gone through the research and still disagrees for the funding. Meanwhile Henry has recently broken with his girlfriend, Nicole. Nicole who was also working with Henry in his firm is now leaving the firm also and Henry moved away to a different apartment.

    With a new phone number at the apartment Henry started receiving calls for some Lily. His curiosity led him to investigate Lily and he found out that she is an escort who is now missing. And then the plot begins. Henry’s curiosity led him to a state where he was being investigate for a murder which he did not commit. However, using some scientific investigative techniques and breaking the problem scientifically Henry was able to uncover the plot to trap him.

    I would not divulge more details about it further here. I liked the book, and I hope you would also like it.

  • City of Bones by by Michael Connelly

    Book cover of city of bonesThis is my second book featuring detective Harry Bosch. This book is about investigation of a murder which took place close to two decades back. Harry Bosch was called to a crime scene when the bones of a child were accidentally discovered by a dog. Bosch did his due diligence and various suspects were investigated including a Hollywood set decorator, the father, sister and a childhood friend of the victim. During the course of the investigation, he had a short  affair with one of the fellow uniformed officers and tussle with his deputy chief.

    The climax reveals the reason of the murder as mere greed (won’t reveal what, else the plot will be out) and the story ends with Bosch turning in his badge and walking away from his office.

    This book is one of the faster book in the slow investigative books and keeps the reader interested through out the story. There are no unnecessary descriptions in the book. Overall a simple storyline and nice read.

  • A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly

    Book Cover of A Darkness More Than NIghtThe book started with LAPD detective Jaye Winston visiting a retired FBI profiler, Terry McCaleb for his help in profiling the murderer. Initially reluctant McCaleb agreed to help and then he got involved too deep in the investigation, almost loosing his life at one point. The investigation almost threatened his peaceful personal life.

    Another parallel story which was running in this book was a murder trial of a film director Storey who was accused of killing an actress and making the whole thing look like a suicide. Detective Harry Bosch to whom Storey boosted of the murder was the main witness in the trial.

    Finally as predicted (by me) both the stories converge and the guilty were found and arrested.

    This is the first book by Michael Connelly which I have read. As usual with most of the detective style books, there are many descriptions and its not a very fast paced book and hence need a lot of patience. I would give 3 stars (out of 5) to  this book. I am definitely going to read other books by this author.