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liberrydude's review
5.0
Harry Bosch is on leave with pay and seeing the psychiatrist after assaulting his supervisor. His home has also been destroyed by an earthquake and condemned by the city, yet he is furtively living in it. Everything that could be wrong is wrong. So he decides to work a cold case, the death of his mother who was a prostitute. The doctor warns him that he might not like the answers he finds. And Connelly proceeds to lead the reader on a suspenseful and riveting read that lulls the reader into a dawning awareness that the doctor knows of what she speaks as well as the reader knowing where it’s all headed. Wrong! Connelly has at least three jaw dropping plot twists that come from out of nowhere. Nothing is ever easy with Bosch and the body count in this tale leaves him an even more tortured soul. The truth it seems does not set you free. Connelly is the best.
bruin4life74's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
tlt19's review against another edition
5.0
My favourite in the series so far. A real insight into Harry
buttersdad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
simonrtaylor's review against another edition
5.0
That is how to write a follow-up.
Bosch returns in The Last Coyote. He’s suspended following a violent altercation with Lieutenant Harvey ‘Ninety-Eight’ Pounds and is ordered onto a course of therapy as the alternative to being fired outright. While on gardening leave, he investigates the one case he finally has the time (if not authority) for: his mother’s murder.
Which element of genius should we start with? Let’s go with the therapy. It comes at the perfect time for a number of reasons. First, Bosch has been increasingly volatile throughout the series, which now peaks with him finally thumping Pounds and throwing him through his office window. As you do. There had to be a peak to the culmination of maverick recklessness, and this is it. Potentially, it could set Bosch in an entirely new direction, but not before he really pushes his luck with more bad behaviour.
More broadly, it’s a great pace change for the series. After three novels of Bosch slogging his guts out for LAPD, it’s refreshing to strip away all of his official duties and really get down to the nitty gritty of the character. Through his therapist, Carmen Hinojos, Bosch is forced to answer tough questions about his raison d’etre, his problem with authority and his maverick behaviour. It’s a treat to really explore the fascinating character that is Harry Bosch, and Hinojos is a tough-love foil who really shines in their set pieces.
During the suspension, Bosch tackles his mother’s homicide. It’s been a shadow over him since the series began, and though it’s surprising that a resolution is sought so early, it does feel like the natural time. It’s a case as twisty-turny as the best of them, and no amount of smugness is justified because something, somewhere will shock you. And nothing – I mean, nothing – will prepare you for the mother of all shocks during the course. Connelly pulls off his most audacious twist yet, and boy do the shockwaves hurt.
To nobody’s surprise, Sylvia is history as of page one. She is replaced by painter-turned-coital red shirt Jasmine Corian who has a few secrets of her own. The little page time she has removes Harry from his failed attempt at domesticity and her presence could be a very complicating factor in what is otherwise a very complicated life for Harry. Whether she returns for book six is yet to be seen, however her underlying darkness could prove interesting.
Perhaps the bigger upheaval for Harry is actually the loss of his home in an earthquake that took place between The Concrete Blonde and The Last Coyote. Symbolic of his security, and a really nice setting for us to hang out as readers, it’s gutting to see it destroyed.
A spectacular plot brings out the best in Bosch, Irvin Irving and guest star Carmen Hinojos, making for an unputdownable page turner that is brilliant right to the end.
Bosch returns in The Last Coyote. He’s suspended following a violent altercation with Lieutenant Harvey ‘Ninety-Eight’ Pounds and is ordered onto a course of therapy as the alternative to being fired outright. While on gardening leave, he investigates the one case he finally has the time (if not authority) for: his mother’s murder.
Which element of genius should we start with? Let’s go with the therapy. It comes at the perfect time for a number of reasons. First, Bosch has been increasingly volatile throughout the series, which now peaks with him finally thumping Pounds and throwing him through his office window. As you do. There had to be a peak to the culmination of maverick recklessness, and this is it. Potentially, it could set Bosch in an entirely new direction, but not before he really pushes his luck with more bad behaviour.
More broadly, it’s a great pace change for the series. After three novels of Bosch slogging his guts out for LAPD, it’s refreshing to strip away all of his official duties and really get down to the nitty gritty of the character. Through his therapist, Carmen Hinojos, Bosch is forced to answer tough questions about his raison d’etre, his problem with authority and his maverick behaviour. It’s a treat to really explore the fascinating character that is Harry Bosch, and Hinojos is a tough-love foil who really shines in their set pieces.
During the suspension, Bosch tackles his mother’s homicide. It’s been a shadow over him since the series began, and though it’s surprising that a resolution is sought so early, it does feel like the natural time. It’s a case as twisty-turny as the best of them, and no amount of smugness is justified because something, somewhere will shock you. And nothing – I mean, nothing – will prepare you for the mother of all shocks during the course. Connelly pulls off his most audacious twist yet, and boy do the shockwaves hurt.
To nobody’s surprise, Sylvia is history as of page one. She is replaced by painter-turned-coital red shirt Jasmine Corian who has a few secrets of her own. The little page time she has removes Harry from his failed attempt at domesticity and her presence could be a very complicating factor in what is otherwise a very complicated life for Harry. Whether she returns for book six is yet to be seen, however her underlying darkness could prove interesting.
Perhaps the bigger upheaval for Harry is actually the loss of his home in an earthquake that took place between The Concrete Blonde and The Last Coyote. Symbolic of his security, and a really nice setting for us to hang out as readers, it’s gutting to see it destroyed.
A spectacular plot brings out the best in Bosch, Irvin Irving and guest star Carmen Hinojos, making for an unputdownable page turner that is brilliant right to the end.
neumanzoo's review against another edition
4.0
I really love the timing and delivery of Connelly's work. Everything fits into place in its time, and only at the end do you realize how many pieces were in the puzzle. Excellent writing!
harmonyae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
seest12's review against another edition
5.0
This was my favorite Harry Bosch novel, and I am actually glad I read some of the newer ones before this one. This is the book that tells you who Harry Bosch is. It gives you the family background that is so important to understand who he is. I really liked it!
theflamingduck's review against another edition
3.0
Standard Bosch template has been firmly set and it kept me engaged. Could be enjoyed as a standalone novel. The gripes in this novel being side characters written not as good Bosch: they serve more like accessories to Bosch rather than driving the plot forward. A couple of twists were there just for the sake of being there.
Something to get me out of my reading slump and this served me well.
Something to get me out of my reading slump and this served me well.
beth_books_123's review against another edition
3.0
3.5* - A satisfying mystery.
I have been reading this book on and off since Easter. Therefore, I think that I have lost my thirst for this book and its excitement and mystery that usually comes so easily when focusing on one read.
This book is full of red-herrings, finding yourself and emotions. Once again, Harry finds love but at the rate of the other books, will it last? Harry Bosch, a man who is living in the past, from his home to even his childhood. The Last Coyote is an entertaining read.
This book marks my first read after my essays have finished and I don't need to read another piece of academic literature until September.
Bring on the pleasure reads!
I have been reading this book on and off since Easter. Therefore, I think that I have lost my thirst for this book and its excitement and mystery that usually comes so easily when focusing on one read.
This book is full of red-herrings, finding yourself and emotions. Once again, Harry finds love but at the rate of the other books, will it last? Harry Bosch, a man who is living in the past, from his home to even his childhood. The Last Coyote is an entertaining read.
This book marks my first read after my essays have finished and I don't need to read another piece of academic literature until September.
Bring on the pleasure reads!