In this latest offering from Michael Connolly (who you ask? surely you've heard of him by now!), we are introduced to a new character in the shape of Cassie Black. She is an ex-thief who has just been released from jail and is now determined to make a change this time around and stick to the straight and narrow so to speak.

Just in case you've been living in a cave for the last few years i'll give you a quick background on Michael Connelly. Before turning his pen to crime novels he was a police reporter for the Los Angeles Times, explaining his obsession with basing all of his novels in and around LA. He has to date won the Edgar award, the Nero Wolfe prize and the Anthony award for his work. Although a recognised author in the US he is onlt just starting to break through into the UK market.

"Void Moon" is a bit of a departure for Connelly, as his previous books have mostly been centred on his LAPD detective Harry Bosch, whilst other books such as "The Poet" and "Blood Work" are really of a fairly similar vein but revolve around a different (always male) detective chasing serial killers. He was seen to be taking a risk with this one by deviating from his expected characters, but it does go to prove his adaptability in writing.

"Void Moon" is slightly different from his previous novels as it focuses more from the point of view of the criminal rather than that of the police detective. It is also Connelly's first book with a female lead character.


• Plot (Briefly - No spoliers I promise!)


Cassie Black was sent to jail previously as an accomplice in the robberies from casino gamblers. Now that she is out she is trying to build a normal. straight life for herself, but it gradullay starts to be pulled away from her.

Then one night she has to return to the casino where she was previously caught and subsequently sent to jail. This time she returns al
one on a job that could potentially set her up for good. She tells herself that just one last job was all she would need then it will all be behind her for good ...

Cassie has many secrets to hide and she will need all her courage and wits to get out alive from this one without engangering herslef, her friends or her secrets.


• Verdict


In "Void Moon", Michael Connolly has created a wonderfully strong, compassionate and resourceful character in Cassie Black. On the flipside to this he has also dreamed up some extremely devious and dangerous adverseries to pit her against.

The book moves at a quick pace and keeps throwing the odd spanner into the works just when you think you have worked it all out. It isn't a masterpiece but it is an accomplished and very enjoyable read.

It can be a little predictable in places, with one or two of the scenarios seeming a touch over the top, but overall it is a good read and makes a change away from his more mainstay (male) characters.

If you enjoy this book then I would strongly recommend that you try some of these others novels by the same author:


- The Poet
- Blood Work
- The Concrete Blonde
- Angels Flight


I would particularly recommend his previous novels "The Poet" and "Blood Work" if you enjoy the Thomas Harris novels featuring Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. They are quite similar in the type of subject and the sense of the chase you experience. Where I think they beat Harris hands down is in the style and strength of the characterisations. Very believable and the you WILL find yourself getting engrossed in these books believe me!

Michael Connelly is not as widely known as Thomas Harris (due mostly to the Silence of the Lambs film) but from his work to date he stands out as a more consistent writer. It can only be a matter of time before someone snaps up one of his
works for film adaptation. "Void Moon" is a good example of this as it is not overly complex in its plot but is still inticate enough to satisfy the regular reader as well the curious dabbler.

The one point I will make is that those of you that have read the excellent "Angels Flight" will be a bit disappointed by this one. No it isn't as cleverly done but it is a different style of novel from a different persepective. you have to praise Connelly for daring to break the mould here.


Publisher: Orion Paperbacks
ISBN: 0752837168
RRP: £5.99


Also worth checking out is his website at www.MichaelConnelly.com which will give you further background into this excellent author and his work to date. Definately worth checking out.