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godollin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Echo Park
4 Stars
When a suspected serial killer confesses to a cold case that has plagued detective Harry Bosch for 13 years, he gets drawn into the political machinations of the police and the DA's office. What starts out as a routine interrogation turns into a complex conspiracy that may have devastating consequences for Harry and his partner.
As with many of the Bosch books, the 2nd half is better than the 1st. The initial setup and progression is rather predictable as the killer is introduced and the reader waits for the other shoe to drop. Thankfully, when it does, the clever twists and turns of the case transform an otherwise mundane story into an engrossing thriller.
Harry is one of those intense and brooding heroes always on the brink of self-destruction. His recklessness is particularly apparent in this installment as guilt and anger lead him to question is judgment and his mission.
As I've stated in past reviews, romance is not Connelly's forte. Nevertheless, the pairing of Harry with FBI agent Rachel Walling has been a stroke of genius. Their interactions are engaging and she is a good match for him both personally and professionally. Considering the way things turn out here, it would be a pity if Connelly allowed this relationship to slip through Harry's fingers.
Only time (and the next book) will tell.
4 Stars
When a suspected serial killer confesses to a cold case that has plagued detective Harry Bosch for 13 years, he gets drawn into the political machinations of the police and the DA's office. What starts out as a routine interrogation turns into a complex conspiracy that may have devastating consequences for Harry and his partner.
As with many of the Bosch books, the 2nd half is better than the 1st. The initial setup and progression is rather predictable as the killer is introduced and the reader waits for the other shoe to drop. Thankfully, when it does, the clever twists and turns of the case transform an otherwise mundane story into an engrossing thriller.
Harry is one of those intense and brooding heroes always on the brink of self-destruction. His recklessness is particularly apparent in this installment as guilt and anger lead him to question is judgment and his mission.
As I've stated in past reviews, romance is not Connelly's forte. Nevertheless, the pairing of Harry with FBI agent Rachel Walling has been a stroke of genius. Their interactions are engaging and she is a good match for him both personally and professionally. Considering the way things turn out here, it would be a pity if Connelly allowed this relationship to slip through Harry's fingers.
Only time (and the next book) will tell.
alcazarz's review against another edition
3.0
another audiobook that is perfect to have on in the background while you are doing something else. This one had some promising developments in the middle which were ruined a bit for me by the too perfect tied up ending
raeanneth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hi_miche's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
heathersbike's review against another edition
I'm pretty sure I had read this one before. That's what happens when you don't have a good record keeping system.
nachtfalke's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this one; drawing upon the history of the series, perhaps the "richest" of the Bosch novels. Otherwise, a routine procedural with interesting characters, and a great sense for what might qualify as "neo-noir". One of the best crime novels I've read - or, in this case, listened to - in a while.
glabour's review against another edition
2.0
This book was lent to me by one of my very good friends who is a member of the septuagenarian demographic. I told him I was losing steam with reading because everything I was reading was so serious and everything in my life seemed so serious. He proceeded to tell me that he was going to lend me this book and subsequently take the word “fun” and brand it on to my brain. I don’t know how much fun I’m having in my life after the branding, but this book certainly was fun.
If I based these ratings on pure experience, I’d give this book 5 stars; however, I’m giving it two stars because it is not really what I would traditionally call “a good book.” Harry Bosch and Rachel Walling (the two emotional centers of the story) have as much depth as the bee on a Honey Nut Cheerios box, all the characters talk and act the same (except for Kiz Rider, who is incapacitated a third of the way through, and Raynard Waits, who - like any good cop procedural antagonist - is the most interesting character), the pacing is wildly uneven, the plot is ok, and the twists are just alright.
And yet, it is still one hell of a good time. I stayed up for three hours after I meant to go to sleep reading the last 250 pages. If fun books make me feel good like this, I’m gonna put aside this sad stuff and go with the fun stuff for a while.
Next time I’m in a Hudson News, I’ll keep an eye out for the new Michael Connelly book.
P.S. Note to writers of all prose genres: A character who is familiar with famous jazz musicians isn’t automatically transformed into a member of the cultural intelligentsia. Harry Bosch just sounds like … well … he sounds like me when I talk about The Beach Boys ‘70s records. It’s important to us, but nobody else cares.
If I based these ratings on pure experience, I’d give this book 5 stars; however, I’m giving it two stars because it is not really what I would traditionally call “a good book.” Harry Bosch and Rachel Walling (the two emotional centers of the story) have as much depth as the bee on a Honey Nut Cheerios box, all the characters talk and act the same (except for Kiz Rider, who is incapacitated a third of the way through, and Raynard Waits, who - like any good cop procedural antagonist - is the most interesting character), the pacing is wildly uneven, the plot is ok, and the twists are just alright.
And yet, it is still one hell of a good time. I stayed up for three hours after I meant to go to sleep reading the last 250 pages. If fun books make me feel good like this, I’m gonna put aside this sad stuff and go with the fun stuff for a while.
Next time I’m in a Hudson News, I’ll keep an eye out for the new Michael Connelly book.
P.S. Note to writers of all prose genres: A character who is familiar with famous jazz musicians isn’t automatically transformed into a member of the cultural intelligentsia. Harry Bosch just sounds like … well … he sounds like me when I talk about The Beach Boys ‘70s records. It’s important to us, but nobody else cares.
ebbie_casuallereading's review against another edition
4.0
Either 3.5 or 4.
As much as I love Bosch and as much as the series doesn't cuddle the police, the justice system and politics, it feels nice to also have a character you're supposed to like and agree with their judgement question Bosch's morality as well.
Didn't remember a whole lot, which is super fun to be honest as I feel like when I guess plot twist, I can forget that it's probably just my brain ReMeMbERiNg and lie to myself that it's all me, the genius, who got it before it happened.
I also feel like this is peak Bosch territory, as there's enough action, enough detective stuff, enough that girl he's flirting with, who's also brilliant, and enough dirtiness in the fucked up systems of LA. Not enough Maddie tho, but I can understand why.
As much as I love Bosch and as much as the series doesn't cuddle the police, the justice system and politics, it feels nice to also have a character you're supposed to like and agree with their judgement question Bosch's morality as well.
Didn't remember a whole lot, which is super fun to be honest as I feel like when I guess plot twist, I can forget that it's probably just my brain ReMeMbERiNg and lie to myself that it's all me, the genius, who got it before it happened.
I also feel like this is peak Bosch territory, as there's enough action, enough detective stuff, enough that girl he's flirting with, who's also brilliant, and enough dirtiness in the fucked up systems of LA. Not enough Maddie tho, but I can understand why.