Review: Chasing the Dime

Michael Connelly’s Chasing the Dime is the story of scientist and entrepreneur Henry Pierce and how he gets involved in a Nefarious Scheme. As usual with Connelly, the prose is clear and powerful, the cast of characters well-developed, and the plotting tight.

Unfortunately, as with most of his non-Harry Bosch novels, the protagonist’s motivations don’t really work that well, and it makes the novel feel close to silly in places. That somebody in Pierce’s position would act the way he does just doesn’t ring true–nor, once it’s revealed, does the Nefarious Scheme, which feels too baroque in its complexity and far-fetchedness.

Nevertheless, despite a slow start, it’s an enjoyable read, and Connelly does his usual stellar job of drawing the supporting characters. It seems, though, that Connelly needs somebody like Bosch as his protagonist to be at the top of his form.