Michael Connelly First Editions

• The Black Echo — 1992 · Little, Brown and CompanyLittle, Brown first printing, 1992: copyright page with the number line descending to 1 (first printing). Dust jacket with its printed price. Connelly's debut and first Harry Bosch novel — the key collectible of the series. US Little, Brown 1992 is the true first, preceding the UK Orion/Allison & Busby editions. The US first with full number line is the desirable copy; signed copies sought. Later printings show a number line not reaching 1. Confirm trade first by the printed priced jacket and number line ending in 1.
• The Black Ice — 1993 · Little, BrownPublished by Little, Brown in 1993. The first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line ending in 1, and is bound in quarter black paper over red paper boards with gilt lettering on the spine. The dust jacket carries a printed price on the front flap. US Little, Brown is the true first edition; the second Harry Bosch novel. Book club editions lack the number line and carry an unpriced (clipped or never-printed price) jacket; a small blindstamp dot is often present on the rear board and the volume is typically slightly smaller than the trade first.
• The Concrete Blonde — 1994 · Little, BrownLittle, Brown and Company, Boston, published June 1994. 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete descending number line reading to 1; ISBN 0-316-15383-4. Octavo, 382 pages, bound with a black cloth spine over black marbled boards and issued in the publisher's dust jacket carrying the printed price on the front flap (present, unclipped, on a first-state copy). First printing of the third Harry…. The US Little, Brown edition is the true first edition; third Harry Bosch novel, preceding the UK Orion/Serpent's Tail printings. Book-club editions lack the number line and carry an unpriced jacket; they typically show a small blindstamped dot on the rear board and a slightly reduced trim size versus the marbled-board Little, Brown trade first.
• The Last Coyote — 1995 · Little, BrownThe Last Coyote is the fourth Harry Bosch novel (not Connelly's debut). The true first is the US Little, Brown edition, 1995: copyright page states 'First Edition' with a complete number line ending in 1; quarter blue cloth over blue paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering; first-issue jacket priced for 1995. It won the 1996 Dilys Award. Note: the record as supplied described The Black Echo, which is…. US Little, Brown 1995 is the true first edition of The Last Coyote. UK editions (Orion/Eburon) are first-thus. The Black Echo (1992) is a separate, earlier title and should not be conflated with this one. Book-club editions lack the number line and carry an unpriced jacket; they typically show a small blindstamped dot on the rear board and a slightly reduced trim size versus the quarter-cloth Little, Brown trade first.
• The Poet — 1996 · Little, Brown and CompanyUS Little, Brown first: a complete number line ending in '1' on the copyright page (first printings show the full line). Quarter black paper over brown paper boards, red lettering to the spine; first-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap. 8vo, about 434 pp. The US Little, Brown edition (1996) is the true first; Connelly's first non-Bosch standalone, introducing Jack McEvoy. The UK Orion edition follows. Distinct from his debut, The Black Echo. Book-club editions lack the complete number line to '1', commonly bear a blind-stamped dot on the rear board, carry no printed price on the flap, and are on lighter bulked paper.
• Trunk Music — 1997 · Little, BrownLittle, Brown and Company, Boston, published 1997. 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete descending number line reading to 1; ISBN 0-316-15244-7. Hardcover of 383 pages issued in the publisher's dust jacket bearing the printed price on the front flap (present, unclipped, on a first-state copy). First printing of the fifth Harry Bosch novel; a signed advance/uncorrected proof also exists and…. The US Little, Brown edition is the true first edition; fifth Harry Bosch novel. A separate advance reader's/uncorrected proof softcover preceded publication and is the earliest printed state for collectors of proofs. Book-club editions lack the number line and carry an unpriced jacket; they typically show a small blindstamped dot on the rear board and a slightly reduced trim size versus the Little, Brown trade first.
• Blood Work — 1998 · Little, BrownLittle, Brown and Company, Boston, 1998. 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a complete descending number line reading to 1; ISBN 0-316-15399-0. Bound in publisher's black boards with the spine stamped, and issued in the publisher's pictorial dust jacket bearing the printed price on the front flap (present, unclipped, on an unhandled first-state copy). First printing of the first Terry McCaleb novel. The Little, Brown Boston edition is the true first TRADE edition. Note a precedence wrinkle: Dennis McMillan Publications issued a signed, numbered limited edition (300 numbered plus 26 lettered copies, quarter-leather, art by Wayne Kral) dated December 1997, ahead of the Little, Brown March 1998 trade printing; collectors treat the McMillan issue as the first printing overall and the Little, Brown as the first…. Book-club editions lack the number line and are issued in an unpriced jacket; they typically show a blindstamped dot on the rear board and a slightly smaller trim than the Little, Brown trade first. The Dennis McMillan limited (1997) is not a book club but a separate signed/limited issue and should not be confused with either.
• Angels Flight — 1999 · Little, Brown"First Edition" stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1). Bound in black cloth over black boards, the spine stamped in silver, in the illustrated, priced (unclipped) dust jacket. The trade first is the standard January 1999 Little, Brown printing; note that a separate special edition of only 300 copies was issued with a different jacket to benefit the restoration…. US Little, Brown is the true first; sixth Harry Bosch novel, published January 1999. Book club editions lack the number line and carry no printed price on the jacket flap; look also for the small blindstamp or dimple on the rear board that marks club copies of this period. The stated First Edition plus complete number line and priced jacket identify the trade first.
• Void Moon — 2000 · Little, Brown"First Edition" stated on the copyright page above a complete Little, Brown number line that includes the numeral 1; the priced, unclipped dust jacket should retain its printed jacket-flap price. A standalone caper novel featuring Cassie Black, so the earliest jackets carry no series numbering. The US Little, Brown and Company hardcover (copyright 2000, released to trade in December 1999) is the true first edition, preceding the UK edition that followed in 2000; a standalone featuring Cassie Black. Book club editions lack the number line and carry no printed price on the front jacket flap; the boards are typically thinner and lighter, and a small blindstamp (dot or gutter code) is usually present on the rear board.
• A Darkness More Than Night — 2001 · Little, Brown"First Edition" stated on the copyright page above a complete Little, Brown number line that includes the numeral 1; the priced, unclipped dust jacket should retain its printed jacket-flap price (a true first has the original price intact). The Terry McCaleb protagonist links this novel to Blood Work while the Harry Bosch thread ties it into the main series, and the earliest jackets carry the crossover framing on…. The US Little, Brown and Company hardcover, published January 23, 2001, is the true first edition, preceding the UK Orion edition that followed later in 2001. It stands as the seventh Harry Bosch novel and the second to feature Terry McCaleb. Book club editions lack the number line and carry no printed price on the front jacket flap; the boards are typically thinner and lighter, and a small blindstamp (dot or maple-leaf gutter code) is usually present on the rear board.
• Chasing the Dime — 2002 · Little, Brown"First Edition" stated on the copyright page above a complete Little, Brown number line that includes the numeral 1; the priced, unclipped dust jacket should retain its printed jacket-flap price. This is a standalone technothriller, so there is no series numbering on the earliest jackets. The US Little, Brown and Company hardcover, published November 1, 2002, is the true first edition, preceding the UK Orion edition; a standalone novel. Book club editions lack the number line and carry no printed price on the front jacket flap; the boards are typically thinner and lighter, and a small blindstamp (dot or gutter code) is usually present on the rear board.
• City of Bones — 2002 · Little, Brown"First Edition" stated on the copyright page above a complete Little, Brown number line that includes the numeral 1; the priced, unclipped dust jacket should retain its printed jacket-flap price, which dealers treat as necessary for a genuine first. Confirm there is no remainder mark to the page edges. The US Little, Brown and Company hardcover, published April 16, 2002, is the true first edition, preceding the UK Orion edition; the eighth Harry Bosch novel and an Anthony and Barry Award winner for Best Novel. Book club editions lack the number line and carry no printed price on the front jacket flap; the boards are typically thinner and lighter, and a small blindstamp (dot or gutter code) is usually present on the rear board.
• Lost Light — 2003 · Little, Brown"First Edition" stated on the copyright page above a complete Little, Brown number line that includes the numeral 1; the priced, unclipped dust jacket should retain its printed jacket-flap price. First printings of this title were large, so genuine firsts are common; verify the number line rather than relying on the jacket alone. The US Little, Brown and Company hardcover, published April 2003, is the true first edition, preceding the UK Orion edition; the ninth Harry Bosch novel and the first narrated in Bosch's first-person voice. Book club editions lack the number line and carry no printed price on the front jacket flap; the boards are typically thinner and lighter, and a small blindstamp (dot or gutter code) is usually present on the rear board.
• The Narrows — 2004 · Little, BrownLook for the complete descending number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page; the first printing carries a full line ending in 1. The trade first is a royal octavo bound in quarter black cloth with gilt lettering to the spine over black boards, in the original priced (unclipped) dust jacket. The printed cover price should be present on the front jacket flap; identify by the number line and…. US Little, Brown and Company true first, published May 2004; a Harry Bosch novel that also functions as a sequel to The Poet. A separate signed and numbered limited edition was issued in slipcase by Dennis McMillan in a small stated quantity; that is a distinct publisher issue, not the Little, Brown trade first. Book club edition lacks a price on the jacket and is typically smaller and lighter than the trade first, often with a small blindstamp (dot or square) to the lower rear board; the trade first has no rear-board blindstamp.
• The Closers — 2005 · Little, BrownFirst printing carries the words First Edition on the copyright page together with a full number line descending to 1; the priced (unclipped) dust jacket should retain its original printed front-flap price. A Harry Bosch novel marking Bosch's return to the LAPD. US Little, Brown and Company true first, published May 2005. A signed, numbered limited edition of 300 copies was issued the same year by Dennis McMillan and is a distinct issue from the Little, Brown trade first. Book club edition lacks a price on the jacket and is typically smaller and lighter, often with a rear-board blindstamp; it also lacks the stated First Edition line and full number line of the trade first.
• The Lincoln Lawyer — 2005 · Little, BrownFirst printing carries the words First Edition on the copyright page together with a full number line descending to 1. Bound in dark green cloth over navy blue boards; issued in a priced (unclipped) dust jacket bearing a blurred photograph of a speeding car, which should retain its original printed front-flap price. The first Mickey Haller novel. US Little, Brown and Company true first, published October 2005; first Mickey Haller novel. Book club edition lacks a price on the jacket and is typically smaller and lighter, often with a rear-board blindstamp; it also lacks the stated First Edition line and full number line of the trade first.
• Echo Park — 2006 · Little, BrownFirst printing carries the words First Edition on the copyright page together with a full number line descending to 1; the priced (unclipped) dust jacket should retain its original printed front-flap price. A Harry Bosch novel of 405 pages. US Little, Brown and Company true first, published October 2006; the Bosch novel that follows The Closers. A signed, numbered limited edition of the same year was issued separately by Dennis McMillan and is a distinct issue from the Little, Brown trade first. Book club edition lacks a price on the jacket and is typically smaller and lighter, often with a rear-board blindstamp; it also lacks the stated First Edition line and full number line of the trade first.
• The Overlook — 2007 · Little, BrownFirst printing has the complete descending number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page, ending in 1. The trade first is bound in gray cloth over black boards with the spine stamped in silver, in the original priced (unclipped) dust jacket; the printed cover price should be present on the front flap and is used only to confirm the jacket is unclipped, never as a valuation. US Little, Brown and Company true first hardcover, published May 2007; a Harry Bosch story first serialized in the New York Times Sunday Magazine and then expanded for the book. The expanded book text differs from the serialized version. Book club edition lacks a price on the jacket and is typically smaller and lighter than the trade first, often with a rear-board blindstamp; the trade first has no such blindstamp.
• The Brass Verdict — 2008 · Little, BrownFirst printing carries the words First Edition on the copyright page together with a full number line descending to 1. Bound with a brown cloth spine over orange boards, the spine lettered in gilt; issued in a priced (unclipped) dust jacket that should retain its original printed front-flap price. US Little, Brown and Company true first, published October 2008; a Mickey Haller novel in which Harry Bosch also appears. Book club edition lacks a price on the jacket and is typically smaller and lighter, often with a rear-board blindstamp; it also lacks the stated First Edition line and full number line of the trade first.
• Nine Dragons — 2009 · Little, BrownCopyright page states "First Edition: October 2009" with the full Little, Brown number line ending in 1. Bound in black boards with bold gilt lettering along the spine, in the priced, unclipped dust jacket (printed price present on the front flap). US Little, Brown is the true first; a Harry Bosch novel. Little, Brown and the UK Orion edition are separate simultaneous issues, so confirm the Little, Brown imprint, the "First Edition: October 2009" statement, and the number line rather than relying on the year alone. Book-club copies of this period are generally marked by a blind-stamp or dimple on the rear board and a clipped or unpriced jacket; the stated First Edition, number line, and priced jacket identify the trade first.
• The Scarecrow — 2009 · Little, BrownUS Little, Brown first edition: the copyright page states 'First Edition: May 2009' and carries the full descending number line ending in 1. The book is bound in black cloth with orange spine lettering; the pictorial dust jacket depicts a crow in silhouette on a bare branch and should be present, unclipped, with its printed price. A Jack McEvoy novel; ISBN 0-316-16630-8. US Little, Brown is the true first for collecting purposes, stated 'First Edition: May 2009'; a Jack McEvoy novel. The UK edition (Orion) appeared at nearly the same time in May 2009, so verify the Little, Brown imprint and the stated 'First Edition' line to confirm the US first printing. Book-club editions of this era are typically identified by a blind-stamp or dimple on the rear board and a clipped or unpriced jacket; retain the priced, unclipped crow-silhouette jacket and the stated 'First Edition' line to distinguish the trade first.
• The Reversal — 2010 · Little, BrownFirst US trade printing has the copyright page stating First Edition with the month and year and carrying the full Little, Brown number line with the 1 present; the pictorial dust jacket should retain its printed price (an unclipped copy is preferred). Published October 2010, pairing Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch. US Little, Brown is the true first; a Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch novel. The UK edition (Orion) is a separate issue. No significant book-club edition noted for this title. Confirm the stated First Edition wording with the Little, Brown number line intact (the 1 present); later printings drop the low digit.
• The Drop — 2011 · Little, BrownFirst US trade printing has the copyright page stating First Edition with the month and year of publication and carrying the full Little, Brown number line with the 1 present; the pictorial dust jacket should retain its printed price (an unclipped copy is preferred). Issued November 2011 as the fifteenth Harry Bosch novel. US Little, Brown trade first is the true first. A separate signed limited issue was produced by the Mysterious Bookshop, comprising a lettered state (A to Z) and a numbered state (to 100), quarter-bound in leather-like fabric over marbled paper boards with gilt spine stamping and signed on the limitation page; that limited issue is a distinct collectible and is not the trade first. The UK edition (Orion) is a…. No significant book-club edition noted for this title. Distinguish the Mysterious Bookshop lettered and numbered limited issue from the ordinary trade first, and confirm the stated First Edition line with the number line intact.
• The Fifth Witness — 2011 · Little, BrownFirst US trade printing has the copyright page stating First Edition with the month and year and carrying the full Little, Brown number line with the 1 present; the pictorial dust jacket should retain its printed price (an unclipped copy is preferred). Published April 2011 as a Mickey Haller (Lincoln Lawyer) novel. US Little, Brown is the true first; a Mickey Haller novel. The UK edition (Orion) is a separate issue. No significant book-club edition noted for this title. Confirm the stated First Edition wording with the Little, Brown number line intact (the 1 present); reprints drop the low digit.
• The Black Box — 2012 · Little, BrownThe copyright page reads 'First Edition: November 2012' and carries the Little, Brown number line 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. The sixteenth Harry Bosch novel, issued in a pictorial dust jacket bearing its printed price on the flap. First edition, first printing. The US Little, Brown edition is the true first, published November 2012. The UK edition (Orion) is a separate simultaneous-year issue. No significant book-club edition noted for this title; later printings change the 'First Edition: November 2012' line and shorten the number line.
• The Gods of Guilt — 2013 · Little, BrownFirst printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1); issued in a priced dust jacket. US Little, Brown edition is the true first; a Lincoln Lawyer (Mickey Haller) novel. No significant book-club edition issue for identification.
• The Burning Room — 2014 · Little, BrownFirst printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1); issued in a priced dust jacket; red boards with silver spine lettering. US Little, Brown edition is the true first; a Harry Bosch novel. No significant book-club edition issue for identification.
• The Wrong Side of Goodbye — 2016 · Little, BrownFirst printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1; issued in a priced dust jacket. Beyond the standard trade first, the publisher also issued a separately numbered signed limited hardcover (its own ISBN, 9780316467100) alongside the regular signed first printing; the numbered limited is a distinct issue and should not be conflated with the ordinary trade first. US Little, Brown edition (2016, ISBN 9780316225946) is the true first, the nineteenth Harry Bosch novel; a UK Orion/Little Brown edition was published in parallel. No significant book-club edition issue for identification.
• The Late Show — 2017 · Little, BrownFirst printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1); issued in a priced dust jacket. US Little, Brown edition is the true first; introduces Detective Renee Ballard. No significant book-club edition issue for identification.
• Two Kinds of Truth — 2017 · Little, BrownFirst printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1); issued in a priced dust jacket. US Little, Brown edition is the true first; a Harry Bosch novel. No significant book-club edition issue for identification.
• Dark Sacred Night — 2018 · Little, BrownFirst printing states First Edition on the copyright page with a complete number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (ending in 1); issued in a priced dust jacket. US Little, Brown edition is the true first; the first novel to pair Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard as co-leads. No significant book-club edition issue for identification.
• The Night Fire — 2019 · Little, BrownThe copyright page states "First Edition" and carries the full descending number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1; the terminal 1 confirms the first printing. Issued in a priced dust jacket (the printed price should be present on the flap). These are the standard Little, Brown first-printing points for the period: stated First Edition plus the complete number line. US Little, Brown and Company is the true first, published October 2019; a Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch novel. The UK Orion edition is a separate printing and is not the American first. No book-club issue of note; later printings drop the 1 from the number line, distinguishing them from the first printing.
• Fair Warning — 2020 · Little, BrownCopyright page states 'First Edition' with a full number line descending to 1; issued in a priced dust jacket that on first-state copies retains its printed price unclipped. First US printing carries ISBN 9780316539425. US Little, Brown and Company is the true first (published May 26, 2020); the third Jack McEvoy novel, after The Poet and The Scarecrow. UK Orion editions are separate. Note that a separate Easton Press signed leather-bound edition also exists and is not the trade first. None significant.
• The Law of Innocence — 2020 · Little, BrownThe copyright page states "First Edition" together with a full descending number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1, the terminal 1 marking the first printing. Issued in a priced dust jacket (the printed price should be present on the front flap; a price-clipped example lacks it). Standard Little, Brown first-printing points: stated First Edition and the complete number line. US Little, Brown and Company is the true first, published November 2020; a Mickey Haller (Lincoln Lawyer) novel. The UK Orion edition is a separate printing and is not the American first. No significant book-club issue; later Little, Brown printings remove the 1 from the number line, separating them from the first printing.
• The Dark Hours — 2021 · Little, BrownThe copyright page states "First Edition" and carries a complete descending number line reading 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1; the presence of the terminal 1 confirms the first printing. Issued in a priced dust jacket (the printed price should be present at the lower flap corner), a photographic/design jacket for the Ballard-Bosch title. This is the standard Little, Brown first-printing convention of the period: stated…. US Little, Brown and Company is the true first, published November 2021; a Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch novel. The UK Orion edition is a separate simultaneous printing and is not the American first. No book-club issue of note; later Little, Brown printings drop the 1 from the number line and generally omit or alter the First Edition statement, distinguishing them from the first printing.
• Desert Star — 2022 · Little, BrownCopyright page states 'First Edition' with a full number line descending to 1; issued in a priced dust jacket that on first-state copies retains its printed price unclipped. First US printing carries ISBN 9780316485654. US Little, Brown and Company is the true first (published November 8, 2022); a Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch novel. UK Orion editions are separate. None significant.
• Resurrection Walk — 2023 · Little, BrownCopyright page states 'First Edition' with a full number line descending to 1; issued in a priced dust jacket that on first-state copies retains its printed price unclipped. First US printing carries ISBN 9780316563765. US Little, Brown and Company is the true first (published November 7, 2023); a Mickey Haller novel with Harry Bosch assisting, the seventh Haller title. UK Orion editions are separate. None significant.
• The Waiting — 2024 · Little, BrownCopyright page states "First edition" (or "First Edition") with a full number line ending in 1; dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap. Ballard and Bosch novel published October 2024. The US Little, Brown edition is the true first; UK editions (Orion) are separate simultaneous imprints and do not take precedence. No significant book-club edition; dedicated club printings are not a meaningful factor for a title of this date.

More Mystery, Crime & Thriller shelves: Minette Walters, Ngaio Marsh, Patricia Cornwell, Patricia Highsmith, P.D. James, Raymond Chandler.

← All authors · All genres · part of the First-Edition Identification resource.