November 2007 Archives

One of Michael Connelly's better Harry Bosch novels, with the action, as well as drugs, moving between LA the US/Mexico border towns, and between good and bad cops inside and outside the local police forces.

As to where it fits in the overall timeline, I'm not entirely sure - but Harry's certainly having far more sex than in other novels, so I'd guess it's an earlier rather than later story! I'm also sure that there should be some significance to the "The" in the title, I just can't work it out.

Amazon.co.uk link: The Black Ice - Michael Connelly

Another excellent encounter with detective Harry Bosch in his first big case following his return to LAPD after an early retirements and stint as a PI. Again the story revolves around one of Hollywood's many open-unsolved cases - the disappearance and presumed murder of a young woman - which Harry first investigated 13 years previously; only now it looks like she was one of many victims of a serial killer.

A few familiar faces turn up to help out Harry in his quest to track down the murderer, and the truth - and given that politicians and elections come into the mix too Harry faces even more dirty double dealings (and plot twists and turns) than usual.

Amazon.co.uk link: Echo Park - Michael Connelly

Set in the Middle East during the 12th century crusades, this novel covers the build up to the infamous battle at the Horns of Hattin where Saladin and his Muslim forces trounced the faction ridden crusader armies led by King Guy de Lusignan.

Sarah Bryant tells the tale from the perspective of a young Bedouin girl and boy - Khalidah and Bilal - both half caste in the eyes of their nomad community and whose childhood ends and destinies diverge when Khalidah flees from a dynastic marriage, in the company of mysterious minstrel Sulayman. As the story unfolds it becomes clear that the past, present and future of these three characters are more closely linked than first appears.

For me, there were the added incentives of maps showing that (for some characters at least) their travels would take them to Persia and the Hindu Kush, and lots of accurate historical detail in easily readable form.

This novel is in the same vein as, but better than, Elizabeth Chadwick; better because it covers a wider canvas than simply boy-meets-girl-and-after-various-trials-find-love-and-marriage.