The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly Summary
Overview of The Concrete Blonde
In "The Concrete Blonde," Harry Bosch faces courtroom drama and a serial killer investigation simultaneously. Ranked #2 among Connelly's 30+ novels by Goodreads readers, this thriller showcases his evolution from procedural master to philosophical storyteller. What justice-system secrets made this novel "almost poetic"?
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Key takeaways
A Dance with Death and Doubt
Four years ago, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch killed Norman Church, believing he'd ended the reign of terror of the "Dollmaker" serial killer who had murdered nine women. The evidence seemed conclusive-theatrical makeup, leather straps, and incriminating photographs found in Church's apartment. Now, Bosch sits in federal court, defending himself against a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by Church's widow. Just as the trial begins wearing him down, a note arrives at the police department claiming to be from the real Dollmaker, directing officers to a body buried beneath a concrete floor. When excavated, the corpse displays all the killer's signature elements-including details never released to the public. The timing couldn't be worse. This new victim was killed long after Church's death, shattering Bosch's certainty about that fateful night in Echo Park. Did he kill an innocent man? Was Church working with an accomplice? Or has a copycat emerged, using the Dollmaker's methods to torment Bosch personally? As he navigates these questions while defending himself in court, Bosch must confront his own motivations and the possibility that his judgment that night was clouded by his own mother's murder when he was young.
The Courtroom as Battlefield
Following the Trail of Bodies
The Enemy Within
The Price of Pursuit
The Monster in Plain Sight
When Justice Is Imperfect
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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