Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
typical Connelly book so it is good but after a while they get similar
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s been a good long while since I’ve read a book in Connelly’s Harry Bosch series, and judging by this one they’re better than ever! I downloaded it to listen to on a long road trip, and boy did it make the time fly. Connelly has shifted focus from Bosch to a younger female LAPD detective, Renee Ballard, and she was terrific. As was the entire story. Lots of action. Relatable characters. Intriguing premises. If you enjoy police procedural thrillers, this one’s a doozy.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have been a longtime fan of Bosch’s story and now that we are getting to see Renée explore her journey as a detective with the help of Bosch, and now his daughter Maddie, things are beginning to take a turn for more story lines. I can’t imagine utilizing only the same characters and having to keep things fresh, but I really enjoyed this one. Maybe more so than I have since some of the earlier Bosch novels.
•
| Gut Instinct Rating: | 8
| Characters: | 10
| Believability: | 10
| Uniqueness: | 10
| Writing Style: | 10
| Excitement Factor: | 10
| Story Line: | 10
| Title Relevance: | 8
| Artwork Relevance: | 10
| Audiobook Narration: | 8
| Overall: | 9.40
| Out of 5: | 4.70
| %/100: | 96%
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Renee Ballard is surfing before she has to head to work. She arrives back at her car to discover that it's been broken into and her badge, wallet, and gun are missing. Fearing that her enemies in the department use the theft to undermine her or worse, Ballard decides not to report it. Instead she undertakes her own investigation, which quickly leads to a dealer in stolen goods. In the meantime, her cold cases workgroup welcomes a new member: Maddie Bosch, Harry's daughter. As Maddie arrives, the team has just received a new lead on the identity of serial rapist who was never apprehended. Nicknamed the Pillowcase Rapist, the case went cold after he murdered one of his victims. DNA taken from another man point toward a potential culprit. As the unit investigates, Maddie reveals that she believes she has proof about the identify of a serial murderer from mid-20th century, which has become a famous unsolved case in LA. Ballard juggles the cases as she races to retrieve her badge, nip a conspiracy to commit mass murder, and trace the Pillowcase Rapist, while simultaneously being a mentor to Maddie as she goes through her paces to solve the famous case.
I always look forward to Michael Connelly's new books. I expect a good read, with lots of action, a few plot twists, and a satisfying conclusion. This book disappointed on all fronts. I didn't buy the opening plot device of the stolen badge and what happened immediately afterward. With that doubt planted, the rest of the book didn't really hang together. The entire subplot with Maddie Bosch never went anywhere and just padded out an already too long book. Maggie herself was kind of an insipid character here. I assume she'll be back, and I hope that Connelly finds a way of adding some spice to her. The only time the book really came alive were in the scenes with Harry. He's such a great character and always adds a great deal of sparkle to the story. There definitely were moments of suspense and excitement as Ballard dealt with the conspiracy, but overall there were too many subplots with too many plot devices to keep things moving forward. Looking forward to a better outing from Connelly next time.
I always look forward to Michael Connelly's new books. I expect a good read, with lots of action, a few plot twists, and a satisfying conclusion. This book disappointed on all fronts. I didn't buy the opening plot device of the stolen badge and what happened immediately afterward. With that doubt planted, the rest of the book didn't really hang together. The entire subplot with Maddie Bosch never went anywhere and just padded out an already too long book. Maggie herself was kind of an insipid character here. I assume she'll be back, and I hope that Connelly finds a way of adding some spice to her. The only time the book really came alive were in the scenes with Harry. He's such a great character and always adds a great deal of sparkle to the story. There definitely were moments of suspense and excitement as Ballard dealt with the conspiracy, but overall there were too many subplots with too many plot devices to keep things moving forward. Looking forward to a better outing from Connelly next time.
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes