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  • Blood Work

  • Terry McCaleb, Book 1
  • Written by: Michael Connelly
  • Narrated by: Dick Hill
  • Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (312 ratings)

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Blood Work

Written by: Michael Connelly
Narrated by: Dick Hill
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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.

What listeners say about Blood Work

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best of Connelly

Having listened to pretty much everything Michael Connelly as written it is without I doubt I say the dis is the best book he has produced of the many excellent books he has written

6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Very enjoyable if you love procedurals

I enjoyed this book more than I expected, I think I got it on a daily deal. It is very detailed and procedural but not at all in a dry way, I was interested all the way through. My main complaint is that the main female/love interest character was completely one-dimensional and that really irritated me.

The narrator was very good.

3 people found this helpful

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Edge of your seat thriller!

Nice twists and turns, with a satisfying ending. Great characterization of even secondary people, like Buddy on the next boat. Highly recommended for a long read when you have time to settle in and hunker down.

2 people found this helpful

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Great Read all the way 😂. Could not put the story

Great Read all the way 😂. Could not put the story down.. looking for another.

1 person found this helpful

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If you likes fully developed who done it this book is for you

The background ,character development , plot and flow of this novel are flawless . From beginning to end this book is layered with information that is believable and captivating creative . The narration adds to the books believability. At no point until the near end is the villain revealed.Each discovery is developed and explained in a way that makes the journey plausible thus creating a ring of truth to it all Great read

1 person found this helpful

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Fantastic!

I'm making my way through the Harry Bosch series and Terry McCaleb makes an appearance in the next Bosch book so I thought I'd try Blood Work, Terry's first appearance in a novel. It has great reviews and I loved it too! I love McCaleb's character. He's not as rebellious as Bosch, but he does bend some rules to get the job done. He's definitely more of a softie than Bosch. I'm excited to see him and Bosch together in the next one. McConnelly knocked it out of the park again.

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Enduring Mystery

This gripping story holds the listener captive from beginning to end with it's many twists and complications and unusual conclusion.

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Different than movie

I liked it a lot and liked the movie too even though they were very different in characters and plot. However, too many “F”-words and reader’s different voices weren’t good. Using different people would have been better. Thanks for a pretty good read.

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Excellent story and Narrator

Im normally not into crime stories, I really enjoyed Blood Work, going to be looking for other books by Micheal Connelly.

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Spooky!

I guess I read (and listen to) too many suspense/murder novels, because I found right from the start, that there was something definitely wrong with that witness.

Of course I could never have imagined all those twists and turns.

The book kept my attention and the reader was great.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Andrew Stone
  • 2008-12-17

A Darn Good Book

After reading the publisher's summary, I was concerned that the book might be uninteresting or a bit slow. Fortunately, I did not pass this book up!

Blood Work is very engrossing story that kept my interest throughout. In the end, I liked this book enough to write a positive review.

Before writing this review, I checked out Amazon.com and found that there are (at the time of this writing) 188 reviews. Most all the reviewer praised this book. Additionally, I discovered that Blood Work was turned into a movie that is acted and directed by Clint Eastwood. At the end of the book, the author Michael Connelly, acknowledges all those who significantly helped him write this book. Interest that Connelly mentions that the actor Clint Eastwood was an initial reviewer of the manuscript.

Overall, every book that I have read by Michael Connelly, I have liked very much, and I can highly recommend all that I have read...

The Narrator Dick Hill is one of my favorite readers. His voice really fits my idea of the main character, FBI agent McCaleb. I never imagined a persona like Clint Eastwood stereotype when hearing Dick Hills voice.

In this reading, Dick Hill also does an amazing Hispanic accent. I am always amazed by the range of characters Dick can sound like! Check out other books narrated by Dick Hill, by clicking on the NARRATOR hyper-link "Dick Hill".

The last book I read, prior to this book, narrated by Dick Hill was Tripwire written by Lee Child (also an excellent author and narrator combination).

If you like FBI characters, I highly recommend books with the character Pendergast (a FBI agent, independently wealthy, and not a stereotype FBI character) written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child and books by Nelson DeMille. I suggest that you start with The Cabinet of Curiosities and The Lion';s Game (by the aforementioned authors respectively).

151 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Book and Movie Lover
  • 2010-01-04

Blood work kept my blood rushing

What a thriller! Although it starts off slowly and takes several hours of listening to really grip you, once you are sucked into the story you will find that you can't put it down and must find out what happens next. Nothing is typical about this mystery and several surprises are in store. I found myself guessing (wrongly) who the killer was and was pleasantly surprised with the way the plot wove together. Great story. I was glad to have known nothing about the story beforehand so I'm purposely not writing anything about the story in this review other than to say if you enjoy a good thriller you will likely enjoy this one. It's not highly graphic and not the kind that makes you afraid of every bump you hear. Just a good, enjoyable thriller with unexpected plot twists and turns. Enjoy!

70 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Tricia
  • 2009-04-01

Can't go wrong with Connelly

This book takes you on an emotional and suspenseful rollercoaster. Just when you think you have things figured out you're thrown through a loop. I have read all of Connelly's books on all his character series and Bloodwork is one of my favorites. You have an ex-FBI agent conducting his own investigation by his own rules and a genuinely original reason for doing so (don'ty want to spoil it for those who haven't heard it yet).

In addition, Dick Hill is one of my favorite narrators because of the range of characters he can pull off.... women, hispanic, russian. I wish he narrated all of Connelly's books. You will not be disappointed in any way with Blood Work!

60 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • LB in Dallas
  • 2008-11-30

Great Book

I have read a lot of the newer books by Connelly but this is really good. I love the Bosch books but have only listened to one other Terry McCaleb book. Very suspensful and well developed characters and plot. Really enjoyed it.

45 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Diane
  • 2009-10-19

Better than anticipated

Always like to guess who the murderer is. This book kept me guessing until the end. Would definitely recommend.

33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Leon Speegle
  • 2009-07-12

5 stars only because 6 isn't an option.

The movie was pathetic. The book, amazing! Everything by Connelly is great and this is one of his best. Dick Hill is one of the best readers out there. I had this book when all you could get them on was cassette, and the truest test of a great audiobook is, would you buy it again to listen to it a second time. Money well spent. TWICE

33 people found this helpful

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  • Pam W
  • 2013-05-15

Another good listen from Michael Connelly

This book is based around the character Terry McCaleb an ex FBI agent recovering from a heart transplant. He is approached by the sister of his heart's donor to find her murderer. Up until now, he didn't know anything about his donor, and especially that it was from a murder victim. Thus, the whole story really starts getting interesting, as he gets help from a lot of unlikely allies. He also, has his problems with cops that are resentful for him trying to help with the case. It may be somewhat predictable, but still has a few surprises, and doesn't disappoint in the long run. Of course, Dick Hill, does his usual outstanding narration.

21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Lia
  • 2009-10-27

Outstanding Book

This book takes you on an suspenseful rollercoaster. Just when you think you have things figured out you're thrown through a loop. I just couldn't stop listening until the end.

19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • lindablue
  • 2009-08-16

Another winner

Some of Connelly's books are better than others. This is a really good listen. There are some new characters in this story and lots of exciting action. I believe tis is the only Connelly novel that has been made into a movie.

17 people found this helpful

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  • R. Pontiflet
  • 2014-02-15

Great Story and Excellent Narrator!

This is a great story with lots of suspense and tension. I am a Michael Connelly fan and like the break this FBI agent Terrell McCaleb story gives to the Bosch series. Connelly knows how to weave a wicked web! The performance by Dick Hill is outstanding!

I haven't read/listen to the "Narrows" yet, but the story about McCaleb continues there. The preview that I heard sounded like another great Connelly story and shows how he weaves his stories and characters so that you get to know the recurring characters and you develop a vested interest the stories and the characters as well. Recommend!

13 people found this helpful