Set in late 1990s LA, against the volatile backdrop of the Rodney King murder and the not guilty verdict in the OJ Simpson trial, Harry Bosch is working alongside partners Kizmin Rider and Jerry Edgar on the murder of a prominent black lawyer and a Hispanic woman in LA’s funicular railway, Angels Flight. As IAD and then the FBI become involved, it’s clear that politics and riot prevention take priority over investigating what turns out to be the complex truth.
One of the best in Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series.
Author’s page: Angels Flight – Michael Connelly
As he contemplates retirement, Harry Bosch finds himself embroiled in ‘high jingo’ when local politician – and ex chief of police – Irvin Irving insists he investigate the apparent suicide of Irving’s only son, George, at LA’s iconic Chateau Marmont hotel.
Having just read Nine Dragons, finding out here that Chu and Bosch ended up as partners wasn’t actually that much of a surprise. In The Drop their partnership hits the rocks when Chu spills details of their high profile murder investigation to a journalist at the LA times. Kizmin rider is another key character from Bosch’s past, now working with the LAPD high ups a long way from her time as Bosch’s partner in RHD.
Alongside their investigation into George Irving, Bosch and Chu are also carrying out their day job as detectives in the Open-Unsolved Unit, investigating the murder of student Lily Price almost 30 years earlier. The new Regional Crime Lab has matched the DNA found on Lily’s body…. but the man identified would have only been 8 years old at the time….
Author’s page: The Drop – Michael Connelly
Bosch deals with dragons and demons, professional and personal, as an investigation into the murder of a food and liquor store owner brings him into contact with triad gangs in LA and HK, the latter being home for his ex wife and teenage daughter.
Author’s page: Nine Dragons – Michael Connelly
Misled by the reference in the blurb to Detective Bosch, I’ve instead ended up encountering The Lincoln Lawyer, who I’d been studiously avoiding on John Grisham (and work) grounds. Mitch Haller and his team are more interesting than I’d allowed for, but The Brass Verdict remains a legal story rather than a police procedural; and Bosch a more interesting character than Haller. I’ve started so I’ll finish, but I’ll not be going back for more.
Now finished, by way of another (cf The Secret Scripture) incredible (not in a good way) coincidence-heavy subplot ending.
Amazon.co.uk link: The Brass Verdict – Michael Connelly
It’s back-to-back Bosch, still set in his (relatively) early years. There’s a noticeably sombre note to The Last Coyote, with Harry’s beloved house condemned and due to be demolished after an LA earthquake, and the relationship that emerged during The Conceret Blonde having bitten the dust. What’s more, Harry has been suspended from duty for attacking a senior officer, and in therapy on pain of the ultimate sanction: dismissal.
Prompted by an early session with his therapist (we’re not a million miles away from The Sopranos here) Bosch decides to look into the still unsolved murder of his mother. Orphaned at 12, Harry spent his teenage years in juvenile hall, before ‘escaping’ to military service in Vietnam…. and so this 30 year old murder utlimately underpins his solitary streak and maverick approach to solving crime.
In classic Bosch style, despite having had to hand in his badge and his gun, Harry calls in favours and bends the rules until he finally finds out the killer’s identity. Excellent.
Amazon.co.uk link: The Last Coyote – Michael Connelly