Blood Work

Terry McCaleb, Book 1

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

From the #1 bestselling author of the Harry Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer series and who "is the master of the universe in which he lives" (Huffington Post), comes the gripping novel that inspired the film starring Clint Eastwood.

When Graciella Rivers steps onto his boat, ex-FBI agent Terrell McCaleb has no idea he's about to come out of retirement. He's recuperating from a heart transplant and avoiding anything stressful. But when Graciella tells him the way her sister, Gloria, was murdered, Terry realizes he has no choice. Now the man with the new heart vows to take down a predator without a soul. For Gloria's killer shatters every rule that McCaleb ever learned in his years with the Bureau-as McCaleb gets no more second chances at life...and just one shot at the truth.

*Winner of the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière-International Category
*Winner of the Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel
*Winner of the Anthony Award for Best Novel

©1998 by Hieronymous. (P)1998 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Far fetched

The story seemed to be a real reach but the narration was outstanding. Dick Hill made Blood Work worth every minute.

So glad I took this Book 1 & that there’s more!

I’m a huge fan of the Harry Bosch book & TV series, and this Book 1 featuring Terry McCaleb was extremely good. There are only 3 McCaleb novels, but Book 2 (“A Darkness More Than Night”) brings together Bosch & McCaleb. I’m so glad that Michael Connelly is such a proficient writer that it will take quite some time for me to finish getting through them all, which I fully intend to do. Oh, and so much of the enjoyment is due also to performer Dick Hill, whose narrative abilities are superb and a pleasure to hear all the way through. Great job!

Good Listen

The narrator did a very good job. it was interesting getting to know a new character in the Connelly universe.

SOLID THRILLER... with mild action...

If you like crime dramas, this one is pretty well done. The fact that the protagonist is just recovering from a heart transplant removes the amount of physical action in the novel, but the result is more focus on the details of the crime itself, which was good in this case. The book is obviously dated because everyone is having to "find a phone" and there was a painful scene detailing how to boot up a computer and open a file browser...haha. It's not gonna be in my top 10, but overall it was a page turner with characters you care about. I listened comfortably at 2X speed and the narration was very good. I hope this helps someone. Later.

Good book I wish I had read instead of listened

There was a good story here and I liked Dick Hill's voice for the main character, Terry McCaleb but he wasn't especially good with the females and I think the voice of Graciela turned me off of her character. I didn't particularly like her character's personality anyway but the voice didn't help. I found her kind of sniveling - at least a little whiny at times & clingy. Terry McCaleb, without any badge or license, did a good job of finding the bad guy while staying within the law (mostly) and keeping the LA Detectives Bureau hating him. His exceptional FBI experience helped him and in the end was the entire reason for the murders. There were unusual twists and turns that kept me interested throughout. I learned alot about heart & organ transplants with this story. I enjoyed the book, I just wish I had read it, then maybe I would have a different attitude about the entire story. I'm not good with seeing movies for anything I've read or want to read either. I usually like to create my own characters in my minds eye; how they look and talk. I think I missed that with this reading.

better then the movie

I hesitated listening to this as I had seen the movie. although parts were familiar bat certain point I was still surprised by some of the twists. excellent story excellent reader

Blood Work

Story was great. This was my first Micheal Connelly book, won’t be my last. I love Dick Hill. I could listen to him read the phone book.

Connelly is jut a great writer.

Connelly has mastered making a book unique. characters are great, plot is the focus and always changing. Part of the story was predictable but not every twist. Connelly is consistently good and coupled with great narration. Solid 5 star book. Well worth the credit.

Another brilliant novel by Michael Connelly.

I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in crime novels and police investigations. It was very good.

Good book with lots of twists

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

McCalab, a former type A personality agent who has since retired and is working one last case out of a sense of obligation.