I enjoyed this new book by Connelly, the master of the police procedural. His fortieth novel apparently. Wow.
It's first in a new series, with new chaI enjoyed this new book by Connelly, the master of the police procedural. His fortieth novel apparently. Wow.
It's first in a new series, with new characters - no mention of Bosch or Ballard. Set mostly on Catalina Island (off the southern California coast near LA), where the MC, Stil, has been 'exiled' after a disagreement with another LA homicide cop. But Stil has found he really likes it here, and has formed a relationship with Tash, a Catalina native.
But of course, serious crime comes knocking on the door, and there's a murderer to track down, as well as some other crimes. Connelly always does the plotting so well, with the gradual unfolding of clues and witnesses until the final denouement. And the peripheral characters are always believable and realistic.
I liked Stil, with his low key but determined approach to solving the cases. He is clearly a character with integrity. Connelly doesn't really give a physical description of him, and unfortunately for me, as I read I kept picturing Stil in the persona of Titus Welliver, the actor who plays Harry Bosch in the TV series, a character who is way older than Stil. Hopefully if Connelly writes more books in this new series, we will get a better visual of Stil so I can picture him better LOL.
Overall, another quality read from an excellent author....more
Another enjoyable read about familiar characters Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch. This time, Harry's grown-up daughter Maddie joins Renee in her work inAnother enjoyable read about familiar characters Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch. This time, Harry's grown-up daughter Maddie joins Renee in her work in the Open-Unsolved Unit. Several story threads are all resolved satisfactorily through the course of the book, with a couple of surprises along the way.
I like that current places and recent events are referenced by the characters, adding further realism to the read. I also like the way the author has allowed Harry Bosch to age and grow naturally throughout the course of this long series. He is now basically retired, but still has something to offer. A good read....more
3.5 to 4 stars. Not really sure how to rate this one, as I really disliked the creepy, gory sections. Horror isn't my usual read though, to be fair, a3.5 to 4 stars. Not really sure how to rate this one, as I really disliked the creepy, gory sections. Horror isn't my usual read though, to be fair, and I did know it was a horror story going in. But I skimmed through some scenes.
Apart from this creepy, gross side of the story, it was an enjoyable, suspenseful, kind of police-procedural, even though Holly is a private detective rather than police. It was a driving narrative and I really wanted to know how Holly solved the case. King cleverly managed to sustain the suspense right to the end. Holly's character was also interesting and likeable.
For me, if the gross factor was turned down (a lot), but the suspense maintained, I would have really enjoyed this book a lot more. But that's just me and my general dislike of horror themes. There is no doubting King's skills as a writer. ...more
Reread. The very first Harry Bosch book. In the beginning, the character of Harry isn't completely likeable, but you warm to him as the story proceedsReread. The very first Harry Bosch book. In the beginning, the character of Harry isn't completely likeable, but you warm to him as the story proceeds and you learn some of his back story. This book also introduces Eleanor Wish.
I had forgotten what a great storyline this book has. The plot is believable, gripping and complex, and doesn't completely resolve until right at the end. Typical clever Connelly plotting. One of the great strengths of Connelly as a writer.
I think this one would make a terrific TV mini-series, but a lot of the story depends on Harry's Vietnam War background as a Tunnel Rat. The recent TV series are updated to make him a vet of a much more recent war experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, so the whole basis of this story wouldn't work. Oh well. The book is a really good read, anyway....more
4.5 stars. One of the most gripping of the Harry Bosch books. A twisting, turning, unpredictable plot. A bit more gruesome in parts than the some of t4.5 stars. One of the most gripping of the Harry Bosch books. A twisting, turning, unpredictable plot. A bit more gruesome in parts than the some of the others in the series, which knocked it down to 4.5 stars for me, but otherwise a totally gripping read....more
Another engrossing read from Michael Connelly. It's a while since I first read this one, and I'd pretty much forgotten it, so it was good to enjoy it Another engrossing read from Michael Connelly. It's a while since I first read this one, and I'd pretty much forgotten it, so it was good to enjoy it like a 'new' read. Connelly's books are consistently good and can always stand a reread anyway. So well-plotted, with believable, interesting characters....more
4 to 4.5 stars for another driving Bosch and Ballard mystery. Well-written and gripping as always.
(view spoiler)[ It seems as if Bosch might be neari4 to 4.5 stars for another driving Bosch and Ballard mystery. Well-written and gripping as always.
(view spoiler)[ It seems as if Bosch might be nearing the end. Wonder whether he'll feature in any more books as a main hero??? Sad to see him fading..... he's had a terrific run, anyway.
I did not really like the final face-off scene with Bosch and his nemesis in this book - I didn't like that Bosch killed his man, and the manner in which it happened. (hide spoiler)]
3.5 to 4 stars. Quite an enjoyable read, although IMO not equal to Ms Hunter's excellent Rothwell Brothers series.
The basis of the plot revolved arou3.5 to 4 stars. Quite an enjoyable read, although IMO not equal to Ms Hunter's excellent Rothwell Brothers series.
The basis of the plot revolved around the heroine and hero both being private investigators. Although reasons were given for both to pursue this career, it still seemed a bit of stretch, especially for Minerva as a woman. The fact of Minerva's soon-to-be delivered inheritance made it seem even more unlikely that she would do this. However, as a reader, once you accepted this plot point, it was quite an involving story. Their relationship developed nicely. Minerva's difficult back story was gradually revealed, and part of the mystery surrounding the duke's death (which happened before the book took place) was solved, leaving more to be revealed in future books. It was a little frustrating not to know all by the end of the book, but hopefully future instalments that reveal more will be enjoyable too.
So, not a bad read. A little slow in parts, but likeable characters and overall an interesting mystery.
This was a BOTM for July 2022 for Historical Romance Book Club, mystery/suspense theme....more
3.5 stars. An enjoyable light romance-mystery. Set in a dusty little frontier town in Wyoming in the 1880s. Tru (Gertrude) has taken a position as tea3.5 stars. An enjoyable light romance-mystery. Set in a dusty little frontier town in Wyoming in the 1880s. Tru (Gertrude) has taken a position as teacher in the town. Cobb has been employed as a private detective by a Chicago family, to track down her whereabouts. Cobb and Tru fall in love, and the mystery of why the Mackeys are chasing Tru is gradually revealed.
Nice depictions of the varied small town characters, some good, some petty or weak. The villain is suitably villainous. The romance is enjoyable. A decent read. ...more
4.5 stars. After watching the final episode of the Bosch TV series, I'm rereading a few of the books. This one is a good one. (OK - IMO they're all go4.5 stars. After watching the final episode of the Bosch TV series, I'm rereading a few of the books. This one is a good one. (OK - IMO they're all good ones in this series LOL). It's so long since I read this the first time that I couldn't remember exactly what happened and whodunit. As usual, Connelly does an excellent job with the plotting. It kept my interest all the way through, right to the satisfying ending. ...more
One of the better Harry Bosch books IMO. Connelly's usual clever plotting, with unexpected and interesting twists and turns. Bosch's memorable charactOne of the better Harry Bosch books IMO. Connelly's usual clever plotting, with unexpected and interesting twists and turns. Bosch's memorable character. Classic Bosch. ...more
An enjoyable short novel about a Mackenzie b*stard, Lloyd Fellows, who falls for Isabella's sister Louisa. This one was a murder whodunnit, actually, An enjoyable short novel about a Mackenzie b*stard, Lloyd Fellows, who falls for Isabella's sister Louisa. This one was a murder whodunnit, actually, and as usual for me with whodunnits, I didn't guess the killer. LOL. I loved Lloyd and Louisa together, and the class difference was not a problem. Very nice read....more
Another excellent read from Michael Connelly. Great characters, gripping plot. Renee Ballard's character and career continue to develop convincingly. Another excellent read from Michael Connelly. Great characters, gripping plot. Renee Ballard's character and career continue to develop convincingly.
The book's very current, being set in 2020, with real life events being referenced.
What a great read. I'm rereading Connelly's Mickey Haller series, and really enjoying them. I've mostly forgotten what happens, so they're almost likeWhat a great read. I'm rereading Connelly's Mickey Haller series, and really enjoying them. I've mostly forgotten what happens, so they're almost like new reads. This one (#3) is the best one so far.
Connelly is a masterful plotter, and you really don't know what's going to happen or how the knots will be unravelled, except that they will be. This one had a bit of a surprise (for me) even at the very end.
The characters are well drawn and appealing, even with all of their human flaws. I liked that there was more involvement of Detective Harry Bosch in this one. Bosch is the lead character from Connelly's other great series. He's Mickey Haller's half-brother, and in this book we see their relationship developing and their mutual trust growing. The balance of the lawyer and the detective is done well.
A gripping read. I'm loving this series, although sadly, there are only two more books to go. ...more
4 to 4.5 stars. Another tightly plotted and enjoyable police procedural from Michael Connelly. This time the venerable Harry Bosch and the fresh young4 to 4.5 stars. Another tightly plotted and enjoyable police procedural from Michael Connelly. This time the venerable Harry Bosch and the fresh young Renee Ballard (from 'The Late Show') meet by chance and team up to solve a cold case involving a serial killer. The focus is on solving the mystery, which is what I like, rather than lingering on the ugly motivations and crimes of the perpetrator, as some books and TV series do.
I've eagerly read all of the Harry Bosch books (and I like the TV series as well). Connelly is a terrific writer. This series has been written over many years and Harry's character, whilst still retaining his deep integrity and his personal 'mission' to solve crimes, has grown and changed with the times. This book is clearly set in the present day where Harry inhabits the real world. Connelly also shows a sensitive awareness of the current climate for women in the workplace, and #MeToo, with Renee Ballard being a victim of misogyny and having to find her own way to deal with some of the old-school males she works with.
Really enjoyed this latest Harry Bosch book by a master of the police procedural genre. It was gripping and fast-moving. I've read all of the books plReally enjoyed this latest Harry Bosch book by a master of the police procedural genre. It was gripping and fast-moving. I've read all of the books plus watched the tv series, so I know this character pretty well, with all of his baggage and history, and his 'mission' to serve the downtrodden and get justice for them.
Harry Bosch is now semi-retired and in his 60s. But the story was still very engaging. Harry still knows how to work a case, and he hates injustice and hypocrisy as much as he ever did. This book was tightly plotted as it explored two main storylines - one of them about the faceless 'drug lords' who make millions by preying on the vulnerable. Although Harry had 'a win' against them on one level, he is also realistic (and saddened) by the fruitlessness of trying to hold back the tide.
The other storyline involved a conspiracy (view spoiler)[to try to milk a lot of money out of the city coffers, by framing Harry, who was really just going to be collateral damage. (hide spoiler)]
Both storylines were fascinating and tightly-plotted. IMO this is one of the best Harry Bosch books in quite a while.
Here's to Michael Connelly - long may he write!...more
Great addition to this series, although could be read as a standalone. Tightly plotted, fast-moving, and, as always, well-written. And a very satisfyiGreat addition to this series, although could be read as a standalone. Tightly plotted, fast-moving, and, as always, well-written. And a very satisfying ending. ...more