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sec892's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Overall this is a good story but out dated. I had to take off half a star because of how cringe it in a post george Floyd world. Not the author's fault but be warned.
bookdevour_bettie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, and Death of parent
lambsears's review against another edition
3.0
The second in the Bosch series, this is another good read from Connelly, although I'm unsure whether I'll read all of the series.
An entertaining holiday read nonetheless.
An entertaining holiday read nonetheless.
topdragon's review against another edition
5.0
The third novel in the Harry Bosch series is the best so far and it seems to me that Michael Connelly, at this point in this long series, has really found his way now with this character.
Harry is being sued for wrongful death by the family of a serial killer (the “Dollmaker”). Four years earlier, Harry’s aggressive method of breaking into the suspect’s apartment and then shooting and killing him when he thought the perp was reaching for a gun, has led to this legal action. But at the same time as the trial is unfolding, another body has been found, this time a blonde female encased in concrete. There are many similarities to the Dollmaker case and so questions have arisen as to whether the Dollmaker is really dead or not.
It’s an intriguing plot and Michael Connelly does a masterful job in juggling the various aspects of it. I always enjoy a good court room drama and I was pleased with this one. But I also enjoyed the insights into the homicide police’s methodology in tracking down this new (or old) killer. Even though this is a novel that features a serial killer situation, it isn’t really a “serial killer” novel. It’s much more about Harry Bosch, the growth of his character, and the mystery of the latest murder. The mystery elements were also done extremely well with several incidents of misdirection. At one point I thought I would be ultimately disappointed in the final identity of the perp because I figured it out way ahead of Bosch and the rest of the cops…only I was wrong. I fell into the same trap that they did, only earlier, and felt just as much chagrin as Harry did when we were wrong. Talk about feeling like a part of the story!
I know I’m just getting started with this series but this third book has cemented its quality in my mind and so I will definitely be pursuing the rest over time. I couldn’t necessarily say that after reading the first two books, even though they were also well-written and enjoyable. But now I feel like I know Harry much better (probably because of some of the things that came out in his trial) and I want to take this journey with him.
Highly recommended!
Harry is being sued for wrongful death by the family of a serial killer (the “Dollmaker”). Four years earlier, Harry’s aggressive method of breaking into the suspect’s apartment and then shooting and killing him when he thought the perp was reaching for a gun, has led to this legal action. But at the same time as the trial is unfolding, another body has been found, this time a blonde female encased in concrete. There are many similarities to the Dollmaker case and so questions have arisen as to whether the Dollmaker is really dead or not.
It’s an intriguing plot and Michael Connelly does a masterful job in juggling the various aspects of it. I always enjoy a good court room drama and I was pleased with this one. But I also enjoyed the insights into the homicide police’s methodology in tracking down this new (or old) killer. Even though this is a novel that features a serial killer situation, it isn’t really a “serial killer” novel. It’s much more about Harry Bosch, the growth of his character, and the mystery of the latest murder. The mystery elements were also done extremely well with several incidents of misdirection. At one point I thought I would be ultimately disappointed in the final identity of the perp because I figured it out way ahead of Bosch and the rest of the cops…only I was wrong. I fell into the same trap that they did, only earlier, and felt just as much chagrin as Harry did when we were wrong. Talk about feeling like a part of the story!
I know I’m just getting started with this series but this third book has cemented its quality in my mind and so I will definitely be pursuing the rest over time. I couldn’t necessarily say that after reading the first two books, even though they were also well-written and enjoyable. But now I feel like I know Harry much better (probably because of some of the things that came out in his trial) and I want to take this journey with him.
Highly recommended!
lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
This 1994 novel opens with detective Harry Bosch on trial for his shooting of an unarmed man four years ago, a civil complaint brought by the widow against the city. (The deceased was a suspected rapist and serial killer, and Bosch mistakenly thought he was reaching for a gun.) That sort of case likely plays differently now than it would have when the book was written, but author Michael Connelly provides some apt critiques of his protagonist's style of 'cowboy' policing, with its ignoring of protocol -- and occasionally the law -- and penchant for collateral damage. I don't think the narrative ultimately either condemns or endorses this behavior, but I could easily see other people not caring for it.
The story itself is an interesting one with plenty of twists, beginning with an anonymous note claiming to be from the murderer and directing police to another victim. The cops go through several theories to account for that, ranging from there being a copycat criminal or a previously unknown partner to Bosch having misidentified and slain an innocent civilian. These possibilities have kept me on my toes and guessing, especially following the sudden death of a character who's very much still alive as of the sixth season of the TV adaptation of this series. Overall, it's another strong thriller that invites readers to solve the mystery before its hero but keeps us engaged even if we do.
[Content warning for racism and statutory rape.]
--Subscribe at https://patreon.com/lesserjoke to support these reviews and weigh in on what I read next!--
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
The story itself is an interesting one with plenty of twists, beginning with an anonymous note claiming to be from the murderer and directing police to another victim. The cops go through several theories to account for that, ranging from there being a copycat criminal or a previously unknown partner to Bosch having misidentified and slain an innocent civilian. These possibilities have kept me on my toes and guessing, especially following the sudden death of a character who's very much still alive as of the sixth season of the TV adaptation of this series. Overall, it's another strong thriller that invites readers to solve the mystery before its hero but keeps us engaged even if we do.
[Content warning for racism and statutory rape.]
--Subscribe at https://patreon.com/lesserjoke to support these reviews and weigh in on what I read next!--
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
ttrimmer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eashangoyal's review against another edition
informative
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
5.0
tommy21's review against another edition
4.0
I started to read Michael Connelly books when I was running out of Lee Child books to read. He has not disappointed. His mysteries are multi leveled with lots of good twists and turns.
laurenjcarter28's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
senkahawke's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0