This is the first book of Michael Connelly that I got to read.I feel that he is a pretty good writer.His books are quite popular.When I went to my bookseller at Flora Fountain there were 2 books of this author available.The other was Blood Work.It’s a pity that I did not pick up the other one as well, because I feel that my appetite is whetted by this author’s style of writing.
The key to an author’s popularity is to make the reader ask the question, what next?Micheal Connelly seems to know his craft very well.This is the story of Cassie Black who is on parole after spending 6 years in jail after a robbery in a Las Vegas casino is foiled and her fiance dies in a freak accident.She is under observation by the law but then the juice of the thief that she is is flowing in her veins and soon she finds herself looking out for another job to do.
She contacts her friend Leo, who tells her that something should come up.She finally gets the call and she visits Leo for the details.Now, Leo is a Astrology freak.He studies the stars and does not do anything when he considers the moment inauspicious.So he tells Cassie about a mark that someone has been tailing.The mark is supposed to be some millionaire who is spending money like mad at the gaming tables.So Cassie has to steal the money that the guy is carrying with him in a bag.
But as is the case nothing goes alright and things go astray.She manages to rob the guy but finds out that this is Mafia money.And the mob never lets anybody go scot free with their money.So they despatch a guy called Jack Karch to get their money back for them.Jack is after Cassie and there are a lot of other stories woven in with the central plot tokeep you engrossed.Totally great reading, Micheal Conelly has me rooting for him as one of the best thriller writers around.Believe me, Jack Karch is one sicko character who takes delight in doing his job.I was thoroughly disgusted with him.Read it, it is good stuff.