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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD read by Dick Hill
The second novel in the Harry Bosch series begins with Harry on call on Christmas day. As he’s opening some cards he hears something on the police scanner that piques his interest. A homicide detective is needed … but they haven’t called Harry, who is the one on call? When he arrives at the scene and realizes the corpse is a missing narcotics officer he begins to understand. Rumor had it that Cal Moore had crossed over, fronting a new drug from Mexico called “black ice.” The brass downtown don’t want a hugely embarrassing case on their hands, so they quickly dub it a suicide and close the case. But Harry isn’t convinced; he suspects the man was murdered. He starts his own investigation which leads him to several bloody murders on both sides of the border. So he decides he has to go to Mexicali to get answers.
Connelly crafts a fast and furious suspense-filled thriller. Informants are reluctant to come forth; Moore’s wife is circumspect; police files are contradictory; and Mexican authorities less than forthcoming. The pace is lightning quick, the plot twists come with no warning, and the reader isn’t any more sure than Harry whom to trust. I was in a delighted state of confusion trying to figure out the clues as fast as Harry – and we both arrived at the conclusion at about the same point (thought Harry was still ahead of me).
One thing I really like about this series – and, admittedly, I’ve only read two books in the series – is that I’m getting to know Harry Bosch little by little: his childhood, his relationships, his service in Vietnam. He’s a richly drawn character with complex emotions. And I want to continue reading the series to get to know him better.
Dick Hill does a great job of narrating the audio version. His pacing is good and he modulates his voice sufficiently to differentiate the many male characters.
The second novel in the Harry Bosch series begins with Harry on call on Christmas day. As he’s opening some cards he hears something on the police scanner that piques his interest. A homicide detective is needed … but they haven’t called Harry, who is the one on call? When he arrives at the scene and realizes the corpse is a missing narcotics officer he begins to understand. Rumor had it that Cal Moore had crossed over, fronting a new drug from Mexico called “black ice.” The brass downtown don’t want a hugely embarrassing case on their hands, so they quickly dub it a suicide and close the case. But Harry isn’t convinced; he suspects the man was murdered. He starts his own investigation which leads him to several bloody murders on both sides of the border. So he decides he has to go to Mexicali to get answers.
Connelly crafts a fast and furious suspense-filled thriller. Informants are reluctant to come forth; Moore’s wife is circumspect; police files are contradictory; and Mexican authorities less than forthcoming. The pace is lightning quick, the plot twists come with no warning, and the reader isn’t any more sure than Harry whom to trust. I was in a delighted state of confusion trying to figure out the clues as fast as Harry – and we both arrived at the conclusion at about the same point (thought Harry was still ahead of me).
One thing I really like about this series – and, admittedly, I’ve only read two books in the series – is that I’m getting to know Harry Bosch little by little: his childhood, his relationships, his service in Vietnam. He’s a richly drawn character with complex emotions. And I want to continue reading the series to get to know him better.
Dick Hill does a great job of narrating the audio version. His pacing is good and he modulates his voice sufficiently to differentiate the many male characters.
brightestwitch_maddie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
I think I have a love/hate relationship with Harry Bosch. There is really nothing about him that I can relate to or even put my finger on to say why I care about his character and this series of books, and yet after a while I find I want to know what Harry does next in his seedy fight against criminals in L.A.
is_book_loring's review against another edition
4.0
The plot is simpler than the first book, Black Echo, but I actually enjoyed The Black Ice more. It's better written and I love how the book is more about the characters in play than the case itself. Harry Bosch perhaps comes as your typical noir detective: grouchy, grim, don't-play-by-the-rules loner with haunting past, brooding habit, addiction and work-obsessed, but there's something about Bosch that feels deeper, and different to me. I've just finished a Harry Hole book which is from a similar type of cop series with superficial alikeness of the detective blueprint. These two solitaire are often compared, understandably, but while Harry Hole doesn't work for me, Harry Bosch does.
Overall, I like how Connelly did it, the way he explored themes, how he presented questions, perspective, and gave you people, but never his conviction or dogmatic answers.
Overall, I like how Connelly did it, the way he explored themes, how he presented questions, perspective, and gave you people, but never his conviction or dogmatic answers.
gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
Harry Bosch is one of my favourite police detective anti-heroes. He rubs too many people up the wrong way to be a hero but he has a strong moral conscience and equally strong desire to get the bad guy(s). It is Christmas Eve and Harry is listening to the police scanner as he is on duty. He hears a call that he should have got himself - the suicide of fellow cop Cal Moore. Harry goes to the crime scene but is quickly shooed away by the brass. He can't let the case go though, and when Cal's colleagues give him a folder with his name on it he is drawn more and more in. This case seems to relate to another of his cases, involving the death of drug dealer, Jimmy Kapps. Bosch has a great ability to stay just outside of trouble and this case sees him getting drawn into something he really wishes he didn't have to be a part of.
essie_may's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mhuntone's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
gailm's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another great Harry Bosch thriller