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Cover of The Black Ice by Michael ConnellyThe Black Ice
Modern · Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

The Black Ice

by Michael Connelly
1993 · 448 pages · Fiction
66.3Must-Read
Score Modern
Critics' pick
≈ 11 hours to read · about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

LAPD detective Harry Bosch investigates the mysterious death of a narcotics officer who was said to be selling a new drug called black ice.

Why it's worth reading

It was an Anthony Award finalist. It's an early entry in one of crime fiction's most popular series.

You'll love it if you liked

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The Concrete BlondeMichael Connelly
Cover of The Last Coyote by Michael ConnellyThe Last Coyote
The Last CoyoteMichael Connelly
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L.A. RequiemRobert Crais

Good to know

It's part of the Bosch series, so earlier books add context.

By the numbers

66.3Must-Read Score
  • Readers47 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics18 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller41 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Shortlisted
Anthony Award finalist (1994)

Reads as

Gripping

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

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Quick answers

Is The Black Ice worth reading?

Yes. It was an Anthony Award finalist. It ranks #1,828 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 66.3 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Black Ice about?

LAPD detective Harry Bosch investigates the mysterious death of a narcotics officer who was said to be selling a new drug called black ice.

How long does it take to read The Black Ice?

About 11 hours (448 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Black Ice?

If you liked it, try The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly, The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly or L.A. Requiem by Robert Crais.