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steffanie406's review
2.0
Despite this being the #7 book in the Bosch series, it’s more like McCaleb #2 featuring Harry Bosch. Unfortunately Terry McCaleb is the main character who gives the first person narrative of events, with shorter Bosch scenes every few chapters.
It’s kind of amazing to see the juxtaposition between the two perspectives in this book; you’d almost think two different authors wrote it. The Bosch scenes are well-written, containing the suspense and intrigue that hooked me on this character many books ago. The McCaleb narrative (which comprises most of the book) is miserable, as we have to suffer through the perspective of a whiny, impulsive, wildly unintelligent, conclusion-jumping, grammar-correcting imbecile. Terry has no hesitation in accusing Bosch of murder, despite the fact that Terry himself was framed in the previous book!! Unbelievable.
To top it off, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Davidson (Dick Hill narrated the Bosch books up until this one) and his narration style is laughably bad. His Bosch voice sounds unintelligibly low and growly like Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean, he mispronounces common words, and at one point a side character was introduced whose accent was described as from “Australian or New Zealand,” and the narrator promptly read the character’s lines in a posh British accent. Who approved this for publishing?!
I’m glad to see the next Bosch book does not involve McCaleb and hopefully Connelly doesn’t bring him back in the future.
It’s kind of amazing to see the juxtaposition between the two perspectives in this book; you’d almost think two different authors wrote it. The Bosch scenes are well-written, containing the suspense and intrigue that hooked me on this character many books ago. The McCaleb narrative (which comprises most of the book) is miserable, as we have to suffer through the perspective of a whiny, impulsive, wildly unintelligent, conclusion-jumping, grammar-correcting imbecile. Terry has no hesitation in accusing Bosch of murder, despite the fact that Terry himself was framed in the previous book!! Unbelievable.
To top it off, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Davidson (Dick Hill narrated the Bosch books up until this one) and his narration style is laughably bad. His Bosch voice sounds unintelligibly low and growly like Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean, he mispronounces common words, and at one point a side character was introduced whose accent was described as from “Australian or New Zealand,” and the narrator promptly read the character’s lines in a posh British accent. Who approved this for publishing?!
I’m glad to see the next Bosch book does not involve McCaleb and hopefully Connelly doesn’t bring him back in the future.
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
Not Connelly's best effort. I did not mind that he brought many of his characters together in this book, I just thought they all acted fairly brain dead in order to propel the plot.
finfortess's review
3.0
This was my first Michael Connelly book. I picked it up after watching Lincoln Lawyer. It was a decent cop drama. I wasn't in love with the writing style, and the plot was fairly basic. Nothing bad, but at the same time nothing special. I won't be running around picking up new Michael Connelly book. But I might be tempted to read more of his books if I had nothing better to do. I would pick up a Connelly book before Stephen King.
careydnelson's review
3.0
I liked Blood Work just fine but for some reason I just couldn't get excited for this one. It didn't help that McCaleb didn't seem very good at his job.
ebokhyllami's review
4.0
Min første McCaleb/Bosch bok. God som de andre med Bosch, men foretrekker ren Bosch så langt. Ingenting å si på verken språk, karakterer eller plott, bare ... foretrekker ren Bosch.
clayjd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
neumanzoo's review against another edition
4.0
The more I read, the better Connelly gets. I loved Terry McCaleb's character from Blood Work, and it was great to have him back in A Darkness More Than Night. As for Bosch, we continue to see his character develop, and that experience has taught him that sometimes “We do what we have to do... Sometimes you have choices. Sometimes there is no choice, only necessity. You see things happening and you know they’re wrong but somehow they’re also right.”
I know the Bosch Universe is about to get even darker, and I'm excited to see it unfold.
I know the Bosch Universe is about to get even darker, and I'm excited to see it unfold.
snowy_night_owl's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
beth_books_123's review
2.0
A disappointing crossover - 2*
This crossover is mainly narrated from Terry McCaleb which I didn't particularly enjoy as I prefer Harry Bosch's character.
Another thing that irritated me was this novel again followed the cliché that the detective (or ex-FBI analyst) investigating it is clearly related to it and so must be the murderer - wrong every time. This has happened three times as a reader of Michael Connelly's work and it is not impressing AT ALL.
The first time was during the Dollmaker case and yes I was surprised in this one as it was the first time this plot device was used. It worked appropriately and effectively; I was shocked that anyone would think that Harry Bosch of all people could kill someone intentionally. I found it interesting and very engaging that this could possibly happen.
The second time was in 'Blood Work' when Terry McCaleb was accused of murdering the victim for her heart. This is someone who is supposed to have a prestigious reputation yet the first sign of suspicion, everyone believes it is him. If he is so esteemed and prestigious as Connelly makes him out to be then surely he could shrug off this accusation or the detectives would do their job and look at both sides of the coin.
The third time was in this particular novel that I'm currently reading. When I was reading it, I thought not again. Connelly can't possibly be using this plot device again to create suspense. I've read the Harry Bosch series so far and I'd previously assumed he didn't need that as he could write clear and exciting plot lines - where has it all gone wrong?
Now I will continue reading this series praying that Harry Bosch and (of course) Michael Connelly will redeem themselves. If I read another one of his novels and this plot device is used AGAIN then I'm going to give up because it will have been the fourth time and it will be absolutely ridiculous!
So disappointed!!!
This crossover is mainly narrated from Terry McCaleb which I didn't particularly enjoy as I prefer Harry Bosch's character.
Another thing that irritated me was this novel again followed the cliché that the detective (or ex-FBI analyst) investigating it is clearly related to it and so must be the murderer - wrong every time. This has happened three times as a reader of Michael Connelly's work and it is not impressing AT ALL.
The first time was during the Dollmaker case and yes I was surprised in this one as it was the first time this plot device was used. It worked appropriately and effectively; I was shocked that anyone would think that Harry Bosch of all people could kill someone intentionally. I found it interesting and very engaging that this could possibly happen.
The second time was in 'Blood Work' when Terry McCaleb was accused of murdering the victim for her heart. This is someone who is supposed to have a prestigious reputation yet the first sign of suspicion, everyone believes it is him. If he is so esteemed and prestigious as Connelly makes him out to be then surely he could shrug off this accusation or the detectives would do their job and look at both sides of the coin.
The third time was in this particular novel that I'm currently reading. When I was reading it, I thought not again. Connelly can't possibly be using this plot device again to create suspense. I've read the Harry Bosch series so far and I'd previously assumed he didn't need that as he could write clear and exciting plot lines - where has it all gone wrong?
Now I will continue reading this series praying that Harry Bosch and (of course) Michael Connelly will redeem themselves. If I read another one of his novels and this plot device is used AGAIN then I'm going to give up because it will have been the fourth time and it will be absolutely ridiculous!
So disappointed!!!