Discover Michael Connelly: The Master of American Thrillers in 8 Unmissable Novels

Every year, Michael Connelly proves to be a sure bet for your summer reading. With his new novel, 'The Iron Tree', released in France on June 10th, let's take a look at the author's must-read works.

Michael Connelly is back on bookshelves since June 10th with 'The Iron Tree'. The plot takes us to Santa Catalina Island. Following a disastrous intervention, Inspector Stilwell is temporarily removed from his duties. He becomes passionate about a disappearance case of a hiker in Los Angeles four years ago. The discovery of her backpack on the California island two months earlier leads him to investigate. His inquiries take him to the Unsolved Crimes unit led by Renée Ballard. A larger case awaits the duo.

With this release, the author reunites with Inspector Stilwell, a character introduced in 'Under the Waters of Avalon', his 2025 success. Over the decades, the American writer has established himself as one of the most iconic figures in contemporary thrillers.

Michael Connelly was born on July 21, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After studying at the University of Florida, he became a journalist and was already familiar with the crime world as a judicial reporter for the prestigious Los Angeles Times.

In the early 1990s, he began his career as a novelist with 'The Concrete Blonde'. The story was praised by critics and earned him the Edgar Allan Poe Award. This book also introduces his famous character, Inspector Harry Bosch. Twenty-eight other volumes of the policeman's adventures follow, including 'The Black Echo' and 'The Poet'.

He doesn't hesitate to break away from his hero and write other stories. In 1998, 'Blood Work' received the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. The book was later adapted into a film by Clint Eastwood. The seventh art was also seduced by 'The Lincoln Lawyer', starring Matthew McConaughey.

The novelist then developed other successful literary sagas, featuring iconic characters from his universe: Renée Ballard, Jack McEvoy, and Mickey Haller. Among them, 'The Poet' was awarded the Mystery Critics' Award in 1998.

Here are Michael Connelly's 8 unmissable novels:

Readers first meet Inspector Harry Bosch. Haunted by his past as a soldier during the Vietnam War, the policeman is shaken when he discovers the body of Billy Meadows, a former comrade, in the sewers of Los Angeles. This inaugural investigation earned Michael Connelly the prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel.

Harry Bosch is back for a third investigation. In Los Angeles, a serial killer with a particularly macabre modus operandi targets young blonde women, making them up before killing them. Convinced he has identified the culprit, Norman Church, the inspector shoots him during an intervention. But when the justice system clears the main suspect, the case takes a new turn.

Direction California, where we meet lawyer Mickey Haller. He becomes embroiled in a case that soon spirals out of control. The film adaptation stars Matthew McConaughey.

Santa Catalina, off the coast of Los Angeles. A seemingly peaceful setting for Inspector Stilwell, recently transferred from the LAPD's homicide unit. But this tranquility is short-lived: the body of a young woman is found in the port of Avalon.

Latest novel by Michael Connelly, available in bookstores since June 10th.