Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly: Biography

Michael Connelly (Michael Joseph Connelly) was born on July 21st, 1956 and is currently 67 years old. Michael Connelly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Connelly attended University of Florida in Gainesville, at the Rinker School of Building Construction where he Studied Construction Management and University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications where he Majored in Journalism, and minored in Creative Writing.

Michael Connelly is the author of the Bosch Universe series which currently consists of 42 novels. The Bosch Universe series started in 1992 with the novel The Black Echo. The most recently released novel in the Bosch Universe series was Resurrection Walk which was released in 2023. There is an upcoming novel for the Bosch Universe series entitled The Waiting which is being released on November 5th, 2024.

Michael Connelly (Michael Joseph Connelly) has also written the Harry Bosch series which has 27 books including The Black Echo and The Black Ice.

Michael Connelly has been included on the Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! international list numerous times, most which featuring Harry Bosch. The first time was in 1995 was The Black Ice, which made #9 on the list. His novel The Last Coyote was ranked #7 in 1997. In 2001, Blood Work was listed in the 6th spot. In 2006, Lost Light made #2 on the list. The next year, The Narrows tied for #7 on the 2007 list. In 2010, the Mickey Haller novel The Lincoln Lawyer tied for #10. Echo Park was #6 on the 2011 list. Lastly, The Drop cracked the list at #7 in 2017.

Michael Connelly has been on Japan's Honkaku Mystery Best 10 list one time. His Harry Bosch novel The Overlook made the 2012 list at #9.

Michael's website won an award at the 2003 Gumshoe Awards. The award was for the Best Crime Fiction Website.

Two Kinds of Truth was listed as one of the Best Mystery/Crime Novels of 2017 by The Real Book Spy. In 2018, the website listed Dark Sacred Night one of the best Mystery/Crime Thrillers of the year. Continuing the trend in 2019, The Night Fire was named among the top 10 Mystery & Crime Thrillers. Desert Star would be named one of the Best Thrillers of 2022 listed among the top 15 Best Mysteries, Crime, & Thrillers of Psychological Suspense novels.

Michael Connelly: Awards & Accolades

Michael Connelly has won multiple awards including: The Theakston's Old Peculier, Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction, in 2022 and the Edgar Award, Grand Master, in 2023.

Michael Connelly has won many awards including:

• The Black Echo won the Edgar Award, Best First Novel, in 1993.
• The Black Ice won the Maltese Falcon Society, Falcon Award, in 1995.
• The Last Coyote won the Dilys Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1996.
• The Poet won the Nero Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1997 as well as the Anthony Award - Best Mystery Novel in 1997, Dilys Award - Best Mystery Novel in 1997.
• Trunk Music won the Barry Award, Best Novel, in 1998.
• Blood Work won the Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1999 as well as the Macavity Award - Best Mystery Novel in 1999.
• City of Bones won the Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 2003 as well as the Barry Award - Best Novel in 2003.
• Lost Light won the Maltese Falcon Society, Falcon Award, in 2006.
• The Closers won the BookBrowse Awards, Best Book, in 2006.
• The Lincoln Lawyer won the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 2006 as well as the Macavity Award - Best Mystery Novel in 2006.
• Echo Park won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Mystery/Thriller, in 2006.
• The Brass Verdict won the Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 2009.
• In the Company of Sherlock Holmes won the Anthony Award, Best Anthology / Collection, in 2015.
• The Wrong Side of Goodbye won The Dead Good Reader Award, The Case Closed Award for Best Police Procedural, in 2017.
• Desert Star won the Barry Award, Best Mystery/Crime Novel, in 2023.

The following novels by Michael Connelly were also nominated for these awards:

• The Black Ice: Hammett Prize, Best Crime Novel (1993). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (1994).
• The Black Echo: Anthony Award, Best First Mystery (1993). Dilys Award, Best Mystery Novel (1993). The Dead Good Reader Award, The Page to Screen Award for Best Adapted Book (2017).
• The Concrete Blonde: Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (1995). Dilys Award, Best Mystery Novel (1995). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1995).
• The Last Coyote: Hammett Prize, Best Crime Novel (1995). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1996). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (1996).
• The Poet: Hammett Prize, Best Crime Novel (1996).
• Trunk Music: Hammett Prize, Best Crime Novel (1997). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1998).
• Blood Work: Barry Award, Best Novel (1999). Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1999).
• Angels Flight: Crime Writer's Association Award, Gold Dagger Award (1999). Barry Award, Best Novel (2000).
• City of Bones: Crime Writer's Association Award, Gold Dagger Award (2002). Gumshoe Award, Best Novel (2003). Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (2003). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (2003).
• The Lincoln Lawyer: Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Mystery/Thriller (2005). British Book Awards, Richard and Judy Best Read of the Year (2006). Crime Writer's Association Award, Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award (2006). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (2006). Gumshoe Award, Best Thriller Novel (2006). Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (2006). Barry Award, Best Mystery/Crime Novel of the Decade (2010).
• The Brass Verdict: Crime Writer's Association Award, Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award (2009).
• The Reversal: International Thriller Writers Award, Best Hardcover Novel (2011).
• The Fifth Witness: Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller (2011).
• Blue on Black: International Thriller Writers Award, Best Short Story (2011).
• The Drop: Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (2012). Lefty Award, The Golden Nugget Award (2012).
• The Gods of Guilt: Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller (2014).
• FaceOff: Anthony Award, Best Anthology / Collection (2015).
• Red Eye: Crime Writer's Association Award, Short Story Award (2015).
• The Crossing: Lefty Award, Best LCC Regional Mystery (2016).
• The Wrong Side of Goodbye: Barry Award, Best Novel (2017).
• In Sunlight or In Shadow: Anthony Award, Best Anthology / Collection (2017).
• The Late Show: Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Mystery/Thriller (2017). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (2018). Barry Award, Best Novel (2018).
• Two Kinds of Truth: Anthony Award, Bill Crider Award for Best Novel in a Series (2018).
• Dark Sacred Night: Barry Award, Best Novel (2019).
• The Night Fire: Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller (2019). Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Mystery/Thriller (2019). Ned Kelly Awards, Best International Crime Fiction (2020).
• The Law of Innocence: Barry Award, Best Novel (2021).
• The Dark Hours: Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Best Mystery/Thriller (2021). Barry Award, Best Mystery/Crime Novel (2022). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (2022).

Michael Connelly: Lists & Other Mentions

• The Lincoln Lawyer was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2005.
• The Closers was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2005.
• The Brass Verdict was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2008.
• The Scarecrow was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2009.
• The Reversal was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2010.
• The Drop was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2011.
• The Fifth Witness was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2011.
• The Black Box was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2012.
• The Gods of Guilt was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2013.
• The Burning Room was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2014.
• The Crossing was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2015.
• The Wrong Side of Goodbye was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2016 and 2017.
• Two Kinds of Truth was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2017.
• The Late Show was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2017.
• Dark Sacred Night was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2018.
• The Night Fire was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2019.
• The Law of Innocence was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2020.
• The Dark Hours was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2021.

Michael Connelly: TV/Movies Based on Books

In 2015, the TV show Bosch was released on Amazon Prime. In a cool note, Titus Welliver, who narrates many Bosch novels, also starred as Harry Bosch in the TV show. It ran for 7 seasons, and was based on various novels throughout the Bosch series. Here are the seasons, and the novels each season was based on:

Season 1: The Concrete Blonde, City of Bones, Echo Park.
Season 2: The Last Coyote, Trunk Music.
Season 3: The Black Echo, A Darkness More Than Night.
Season 4: Angels Flight, Nine Dragons.
Season 5: Two Kinds of Truth.
Season 6: The Overlook, Dark Sacred Night.
Season 7: The Burning Room.

After Bosch wrapped up in 2021, a spinoff series entitled Bosch: Legacy started airing on Amazon Prime. The first season was based on The Wrong Side of Goodye. The second season aired in 2023 on Amazon Freevee and was based on The Crossing.

In 2022, a TV series based on The Lincoln Lawyer started streaming on Netflix. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo plays Mickey Haller. The first season was based on the second novel in that series, The Brass Verdict. The second season which aired in 2023 was based on The Fifth Witness. The third season will be based on The Gods of Guilt.

In February 2023, it was announced that there would be spinoffs of the TV show Bosch, based on the characters of Renee Ballard and Jerry Edgar.

Michael Connelly has had multiple books adapted to the big screen. The first novel that was made into a movie was Blood Work, in 2002. This is not part of the Bosch series although does take place within the same universe. It is part of the Terry McCaleb series of novels and starred Clint Eastwood, who also directed it.

In 2011, The Lincoln Lawyer was released based on the book of the same name. This movie starred Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller, the lawyer who conducts business out of the back of his Lincoln car.

Related Authors

The most common authors followed by users who also follow Michael Connelly are:

1. David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker Series.
2. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
3. John Grisham, author of the Jake Brigance Series.
4. Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.
5. James Patterson, author of the Women's Murder Club Series.

Michael Connelly: F.A.Q

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Austin D.

2 years ago

Michael Connelly is a legendary name in the crime fiction world, as he crafts a plot like a Swiss watch and his main characters are heroic at times without ever becoming cartoonish or superhero like. They are real people, with flaws and weaknesses.

He does a great job at planting seeds for future stories and developments without any of it feeling contrived in anyway.

My introduction to his work was the Clint Eastwood adaptation of the novel “Blood Work”. I know most don’t care for it all that much, but I thought it was well done, and there’s a pretty good twist that ends it.

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Edgar A.

2 years ago

When it comes to crime fiction nobody does it better than Michael Connelly. Still, I always find myself scrolling and scanning for the Harry Bosch series whenever I come across a list of books by Connelly.
I was introduced to Connelly when I watched the Blood Work movie and was left in thrall. I have pretty much read every new novels he has written ever since and make a point of reading all the new Harry Bosch novels.
If there is any character that has become a cultural icon from crime fiction it has to be Harry Bosch. What I love about the veteran detective is that he is your everyday veteran who goes on to become a hard nosed LAPD detective where it is not as easy as he thought it would be.
In both the novels of the Harry Bosch series and the TV series adaptation, Connelly draws you in with some intrigue and action, and keeps you watching or reading with the cool vibe from Bosch.

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Andrew M.

2 years ago

What I like about Michael Connelly’s work is how he creates stories based on real life events.
The author has a unique way of resurrecting characters to allow them play a role in the preceding books.
Connelly work can be described as a canvas where all characters float across it like currents on a painting; they sometimes collide to cause cross currents.
I enjoyed the film based on Blood Work directed by and starring Clint Eastwood.
Harry Bosch series is a perfect detective mystery tale and I’m looking forward to completing the entire series before end of year then watch the movie.

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Kyler F

2 years ago

Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series is unique in that it is one of the few were the protagonist ages in real time, meaning that Bosch is now retired from the LAPD; this give the books a unique feel as Harry ages and changes with the times (or is forced to change really). Since this is the case Connelly has created a new female detective character to take his place; her, along with all of the other side characters in his shared universe like Mickey Haller, ensure that the original “MCU” will last for a while to come, which is excellent as Connelly’s writing is just as sharp as ever on his newest releases. There is also the Bosch television show which is just ending that has done an admirable job adapting several of the Bosch stories. 

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Michael K.

2 years ago

I finally read the first Harry Bosch novel. Because of all the TV I watch, my interest in police procedurals has faded. After all the CSIs and NCISs, I no longer care for the genre. But Bosch is the one exception.

I was hooked from the first episode, and I still don’t know why. Bosch is just a detective doing detective things. But for reasons I cannot explain, the character is incredibly compelling.

The first novel (The Black Echo) was the same. It featured all the obvious crime fiction cliches. You had an army vet with a quirky name, a suspicious murder, a dysfunctional family, and more. I’ve seen all those elements, and I don’t care for them. This genre doesn’t have anything new to offer me. But Bosch is still the exception.

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jay6348

1 year ago

Have read everything that Michael Connelly ever wrote and love them all. If you never read Connelly try him now, you won’t be disappointed.

And I have watched Bosch, Bosch Legacy and the Lincoln Lawyer on Amazon Prime Video and Netflex. Just as good as the books.

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Graeme

Admin

Reply to  jay6348

1 year ago

Thanks for reminding me all about the Lincoln Lawyer. When I finished Bosch Legacy I forgot about that or I would have started watching it ha. That will be my next show.

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bud

7 months ago

All time favorite author. Wish he would do more stand alone books.

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hollinswilliams

7 months ago

Michael Connelly is one of my favorite authors. I remember getting hooked on the Bosch series while reading “The Last Coyote”. “Everybody counts or nobody counts”.

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Graeme

Admin

Reply to  hollinswilliams

7 months ago

There was some book charity that was selling Bosch t-shirts which say that. I bought one immediately 🙂 Wish there were more book related t-shirts like that.

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Lisa Bell

7 months ago

Really enjoy Michael Connelly’s books. They are fast-paced and always interesting.

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Cindy M

6 months ago

Amazing write of crime leaves you wanting to keep turning the pages! Very captivating in his vivid depiction of events and characters. He has you thinking what will happen next, yet he’s not predictable. Enjoyed his books!

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Ann Mudie

6 months ago

I only discovered Michael Connelly five or 6 years ago. Since then I’ve managed to read almost every book in the Bosch Universe (am currently reading Desert Star). Love his characters – their strengths and weaknesses. The storylines are great and I often find myself reading into the small hours.

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Angie F.

6 months ago

Harry Bosch books are excellent. What a detective!!! But then again, all of Connelly’s characters are good – Lincoln Lawyer is another great series!!!

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homerdog

6 months ago

I like Bosch in the books not so much in the TV show

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stalsma

5 months ago

Another favorite author. I’m trying to update my list of read books from before goodreads entries and the completed list at my local library. Unfortunately the local library updated and not everything transferred. The books that aren’t listed anywhere are getting read either for the first time or again so I can be sure I’ve read all of them.

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Graeme

Admin

Reply to  stalsma

5 months ago

Agh – that’s so frustrating about the library updating and not having everything transferred over. I’ve experienced that sort of thing before – so frustrating!

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Jan Williams

5 months ago

I would like to see Jack mcEvoy resurrected $

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waterburg72

4 months ago

RESURRECTION WALK – Although I believe attorneys are bottom feeders, I enjoy reading court room procedurals. Mr. Connelly has written a pretty good story in this book. Connelly is one of my favorite authors. I haven’t read one of his books I didn’t like, although some are better than others.

There’s at least one “I didn’t see that coming” moment in this book. Mr. Connelly writes so well I have gotten my daughter hooked on The Lincoln Lawyer series. Now to get her hooked on the Bosch books.

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BJ Hall

4 months ago

Harry Bosch has become part of my life. I just love him! Thank you Michael Connelly for this delightful man!

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dumetella

4 months ago

Michael Connelly is one of my favorite authors. Others have mentioned his other series besides Bosch. I would like to recommend his podcast, Murder Book. Listened to it on a car trip and loved it.

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blj1620@gmail.com

3 months ago

Always look forward to Michael Connelly’s
new books. Love reading the Haller and Bosch series. Just got done watching the second season of The Lincoln Lawyer

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azangie

2 months ago

Lincoln Lawyer/Mickey Haller books are great. The Reversal is definitely a 5 star book!!

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Cheryle Fisher

2 months ago

I have been reading your series for many years. Your works are an automatic buy for me. I don’t need to know which character is featured, I just want to read the stories. Your latest, Resurrection Walk was fabulous. It took me a while to warm up to Mickey Haller because he is no Bosch! But I loved the story in Resurrection Walk and hope this duo has more to offer in coming years.

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msdelisle

1 month ago

Lincoln Lawyer was my introduction to Michael Connelly. I knew nothing of the Bosch universe until a few years ago but glad I landed there. I love how the characters intertwine and look forward to seeing more books featuring Bosch and Haller.

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stalsma

29 days ago

Resurrection Walk – Started and finished in one day. Couldn’t put it down so stayed up late on this one. Good Book!!

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stalsma

25 days ago

Trunk Music I have a few holes in my reading of the Harry Bosch series so I’m checking them off. Excellent book and doesn’t matter that I have read some before and most of the ones that come after. Good book from a good author!

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stalsma

19 days ago

The Black Echo – hard to believe this is the first one. I’ve read most of the others but for some reason, not this one. Now I’m thinking I should keep going and reread all of them but there are so many books I haven’t read yet….. 🙂

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stalsma

17 days ago

The Last Coyote – turn after turn and Harry Bosch makes them all.

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