Two Bagger / Chickasaw Charlie Hoke

by Michael Connelly, Elmore Leonard, Lee Horsley (Narrator)

Michael Connelly's first short, originally published in the anthology Murderer's Row. With a BONUS short story by Elmore Leonard.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Crime

Audio CD

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.

After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.

After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with over 30 more novels.

Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) .

Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael is one of the producers and writers of the TV show, “Bosch,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Michael lives with his family in Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both stories had a baseball theme. The first story was "Two Bagger" by Connelly. It was quite short, but really good. Cops partnered together for the first time doing some surveillance on a hunch. A lot of details emerge & an ending to remember. 4 stars.

Elmore Leonard wrote the other story, a short that came out of Tishomingo Blues. I think it was word for word, but it's been a while since I read the book. Not bad, but nothing great. The book wasn't either. 2 stars.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, thrilling and about baseball.

Blink-an-eye-and-you'll-miss-somthin' stories.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually listen to this as an audiobook. It is a combination of two short stories. The first one written by Michael Connelly called "Two Bagger". This was the reason I bought this audiobook. It is probably one of the best short stories I have read or listened to. The plot is two detectives following a recently released felon to a LA Dodgers game. Who short, it kept me on the edge of my seat, and brought a little surprise also. There is a bonus short story by Elroy Leonard. As the story started, I didn't think I would like it, but it actually turned out to be pretty good

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audio-book totals to about an hour between both short stories. The first story is the one of Michael Connelly's original stories called "Two Bagger". Connelly has an excellent knack for quickly developing stories and character interactions. The plot focuses on two detectives tracking a felon to a LA Dodgers game. The story is fast-paced and full of suspense. It is neat to see where Connelly began as a writer. There is also an additional short story on the audiobook disc by Elroy Leonard. It was interesting but more of an afterthought compared to Connelly's story.

[Alex Gruenenfelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I embraced this short story as part of an unofficial Michael Connelly book club that I have with my father, even though I had already read it before as part of the collection "Mulholland Dive". Nonetheless, I find myself often forgetting Connelly's short stories rather quickly, so it was nice to return to it. This is an extremely short listen, one that I think may only be available on its own in audiobook form, and I think a very fun one. Deeply influenced by Connelly's love for Los Angeles and especially the Dodgers, this is a crime fiction pick that will connect best to fans of the sport of baseball, but will have wide resonance among those who already love Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller books — despite neither character being featured.

[Gregory Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining short audiobook. Starts out with Michael Connelly's Two Bagger about two cops looking for an ex-con who is hired to commit a murder. Story gets right to the point and moves quickly. Second story is Chikasaw Charlie Hoke by Elmore Leonard. This was really entertaining about a retired professional baseball player looking for employment and telling stories. It is an easy 1 hour of entertainment between the two.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two Bagger by Michael Connelly and Chickasaw Charlie Hoke by Elmore Leonard are baseball-themed short stories set in the contemporary US. In Two Bagger, police detectives are hot on the trail of a felon. Chickasaw Charlie Hoke pitched to Hall of Famers; now he's looking for a cushy job.

[Katherine "Kj" Joslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story, quick character development.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st story was great, 2nd one was just okay for me.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both stories had a baseball theme. Listen to the stories--get the plot. 1st story was great, 2nd one was just okay..

[So-Cal Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK but the first story is what I would expect from Connelly and rates 4 stars but the second story only rates 2 stars

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a couple of short stories. One by Michael Connelly and one by Elmore Leonard who I have enjoyed as well.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two baseball related short stories

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baseball-themed short stories. I especially liked the first one by Michael Connelly

[Kathy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two fast-paced baseball stories. I liked the first one, a quick crime mystery about a murder set to take place in a ball park, better than the second story.

[S. Beauchamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story line , little slow start however still interested

[Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't expecting what this very short story told.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First story is by Michael Connelly. A less experienced detective has been newly partnered with a long time one. The case is to follow a con who is suspected of being hired to do a hit as soon as he is released from prison.

Second story is a bonus from Elmore Leonard, who normally writes crime mysteries. This one involves no crime, but simply the pursuit to determine if someone is telling the truth about being a professional ballplayer.

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two short stories, one by Elmore Lenard and the other by Michael Connelly. Both stories were excellent. I've always enjoyed Elmore, I think I've read everything he has written. If you enjoy baseball, these are written around baseball.

[Joshua Rigsby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not into detective fiction, or gambling, or baseball, so this didn't hold out much for me to begin with. The stories were pot boilers, and average. A little tropey, mostly predictable. Not bad, just average.

Http://joshuarigsby.com

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for a couple of short stories with a baseball being a part of them.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a "slice of life" - no focus, no plot, no interest.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Catherine Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snack of the junk food variety.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok

[Soren · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have still to find a good short story, but this was so uninteresting that I even forgot I was listening to the book..