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pandora22's review against another edition
4.0
This book takes care of good character development and a well-thought-out plotline at the same time.
Many mundane details about the days Harry spends solving this case have been included which makes sure an ample amount of time is given to focus on Harry and his thought process apart from the 'crime-solving' parts. Like the previous book in this series, the procedural parts of the investigation have been thoroughly covered, and all the open plotlines have been expertly tied up towards the end. The turmoil depicted within the police force involving different sorts of power play was an added bonus.
The book had a slow pacing in some parts but it makes up for it in the thrill felt reading through the last chapters. (The plot conclusions and twists were really rewarding).
Many mundane details about the days Harry spends solving this case have been included which makes sure an ample amount of time is given to focus on Harry and his thought process apart from the 'crime-solving' parts. Like the previous book in this series, the procedural parts of the investigation have been thoroughly covered, and all the open plotlines have been expertly tied up towards the end. The turmoil depicted within the police force involving different sorts of power play was an added bonus.
The book had a slow pacing in some parts but it makes up for it in the thrill felt reading through the last chapters. (The plot conclusions and twists were really rewarding).
stevefarrugia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bruin4life74's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
simonrtaylor's review against another edition
4.0
Harry Bosch is even better in his second outing. The Black Ice refers to a new super drug being manufactured by a Mexican drug lord who is overtaking the creators of its Hawaiian predecessor, plain old ice. The case involves multiple murders and a cop query suicide that Bosch immediately decides are connected, and sets out to prove it.
Quite simply, everything that other writers get stuck on Connelly seems to do effortlessly. The Hollywood Division’s police department is authentic and immersive. There’s no question that Connelly has done his homework, but instead of showing off the details he knows, he uses the intricacies to his advantage, even using them as plot points. All of the characters know the drill and speak in a realistic way, that long-serving employees would about processes and procedures, which Connelly deftly translates through thoughts or narration rather than contrived dialogue. As a result, the reader feels like an active member of this world, instead of an outsider trying to make sense of it on the sidelines.
Bosch is much the same. He’s the ultimate lone wolf maverick and plays up to it brilliantly. He’s a believable, grounded character that’s not perfect but essentially ‘good’. And there’s depth to him; his mother’s absence and demise are fleshed out more, the death of his father, and his conflict about the end justifying the means when it comes to pumping a young delinquent for vital information. And on a related note, it was great to see Mickey Haller in a brief uncredited cameo again.
The case itself was well paced. There was a good mix of action and introspection, and several genuine shocks. Having said that, it felt the main questions were answered too fast and the third-quarter seemed to lack much direction, and I must confess to finding the bullfighting unpleasant without and much benefit to the book, but on the whole it was still very enjoyable. Pounds and Irving were great fun in their sporadic appearances, and Norris from Coronation Street was a brilliant EnviroBreed boss!
Bosch is a different beast to the well-paid clean-nosed attorney Mickey Haller. This is a murkier, grittier series set in the gutters of humanity. Connelly has done a terrific job and I can’t wait to see what happens to Bosch next.
Quite simply, everything that other writers get stuck on Connelly seems to do effortlessly. The Hollywood Division’s police department is authentic and immersive. There’s no question that Connelly has done his homework, but instead of showing off the details he knows, he uses the intricacies to his advantage, even using them as plot points. All of the characters know the drill and speak in a realistic way, that long-serving employees would about processes and procedures, which Connelly deftly translates through thoughts or narration rather than contrived dialogue. As a result, the reader feels like an active member of this world, instead of an outsider trying to make sense of it on the sidelines.
Bosch is much the same. He’s the ultimate lone wolf maverick and plays up to it brilliantly. He’s a believable, grounded character that’s not perfect but essentially ‘good’. And there’s depth to him; his mother’s absence and demise are fleshed out more, the death of his father, and his conflict about the end justifying the means when it comes to pumping a young delinquent for vital information. And on a related note, it was great to see Mickey Haller in a brief uncredited cameo again.
The case itself was well paced. There was a good mix of action and introspection, and several genuine shocks. Having said that, it felt the main questions were answered too fast and the third-quarter seemed to lack much direction, and I must confess to finding the bullfighting unpleasant without and much benefit to the book, but on the whole it was still very enjoyable. Pounds and Irving were great fun in their sporadic appearances, and Norris from Coronation Street was a brilliant EnviroBreed boss!
Bosch is a different beast to the well-paid clean-nosed attorney Mickey Haller. This is a murkier, grittier series set in the gutters of humanity. Connelly has done a terrific job and I can’t wait to see what happens to Bosch next.
neumanzoo's review against another edition
3.0
A solid 3 stars for me. This one wandered a bit more than the first. Lots of extraneous characters to keep up with along the way. If this had been the first in the series, I don't know that I'd have continued. It's a cop drama for sure, just a bit of rambling that could have been left out.
genaudannwenn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shreyas1599's review against another edition
3.0
A decent read, this one. I did find it a bit slow paced in between. Could’ve been wrapped up much quicker. But everything else was similar to all the elements present in the first book of the series:
1. (Mostly) fast-pacer
2. A romantic entanglement for Bosch (although I didn’t see the point in both the books but it seems like it’s going to be a recurring theme). Actually, two romantic entanglements.
3. Corruption galore but somehow Bosch seems to survive through it all and comes out on top.
4. Bosch is the only righteous cop in all of LAPD and wants to take on more and more work.
5. Ending has to involve some form of (unnecessary) heroism. I mean I get that it would end on a bland note if there’s no excitement but nevertheless not a fan of forced heroism. I do enjoy a good heroic ending from time to time but they do have their place and don’t seem as forced.
1. (Mostly) fast-pacer
2. A romantic entanglement for Bosch (although I didn’t see the point in both the books but it seems like it’s going to be a recurring theme). Actually, two romantic entanglements.
3. Corruption galore but somehow Bosch seems to survive through it all and comes out on top.
4. Bosch is the only righteous cop in all of LAPD and wants to take on more and more work.
5. Ending has to involve some form of (unnecessary) heroism. I mean I get that it would end on a bland note if there’s no excitement but nevertheless not a fan of forced heroism. I do enjoy a good heroic ending from time to time but they do have their place and don’t seem as forced.
theflamingduck's review against another edition
3.0
Harry Bosch is on a roll, each novel making me feel I should have started this series way earlier in life. A page turner right from the beginning.