Sheryl Cannady from the Library of Congress speaks with author Michael Connelly, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Biography

Michael Connelly, who has sold more than 45 million books worldwide, decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Florida, specializing in the crime beat. He has also been a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times. After three years on the crime beat in Los Angeles, Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, “The Black Echo,” won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Connelly’s new novel is “The Drop,” featuring Harry Bosch.