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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Harry Bosch has always been one of my favourite characters. He grows older and wiser (not always though) in each book, is not always the 'good guy', and is perpetually conflicted between right and wrong. I like that it seems his daughter is being groomed for the police force too. It's always a good mystery.
This was so paint-by-numbers that it was almost boring. It was like every edgy cop cliché condensed into one book, with the blandest lead imaginable.
At one point, he's investigated by Internal Affairs on a genuinely bullshit charge, and acts all martyrer-like about being investigated for political reasons from above - but in this book alone he does enough shady illegal stuff to justify him being thrown out of the police a dozen times over. At one point he literally kidnaps somebody, but that's okay I guess. He tells his daughter a hilarious story about his mentor framing people he personally didn't like for crimes they didn't commit - haha, how funny, a cop abusing his authority!
There's also a weird bit where Bosch cries reverse racism because apparently in this world of political correctness gone mad the murders of pretty blonde white women just aren't getting the attention they deserve. What bullshit.
The only thing that made me even want to finish the book was that the murder mystery was genuinely interesting and the solution surprising.
At one point, he's investigated by Internal Affairs on a genuinely bullshit charge, and acts all martyrer-like about being investigated for political reasons from above - but in this book alone he does enough shady illegal stuff to justify him being thrown out of the police a dozen times over. At one point he literally kidnaps somebody, but that's okay I guess. He tells his daughter a hilarious story about his mentor framing people he personally didn't like for crimes they didn't commit - haha, how funny, a cop abusing his authority!
There's also a weird bit where Bosch cries reverse racism because apparently in this world of political correctness gone mad the murders of pretty blonde white women just aren't getting the attention they deserve. What bullshit.
The only thing that made me even want to finish the book was that the murder mystery was genuinely interesting and the solution surprising.
Audiobook. Excellent story, some moments of "really!?!" but overall great entertainment.
I always like seeing cold case mysteries get solved. The families should get that closure, at least. That makes this Bosch novel good in the end.
Some aspects of it are a little crunchy, at times. Like the scene where Bosch wonders if he was being disrespectful to his colleagues by calling them by their last name only. I guess, if literature is supposed to reflect the times, that is a good thing. Hard to picture Mike Hammer wondering if he was being disrespectful, though.
Maybe Bosch is mellowing with age.
At least he's still putting away the bad guys.
Some aspects of it are a little crunchy, at times. Like the scene where Bosch wonders if he was being disrespectful to his colleagues by calling them by their last name only. I guess, if literature is supposed to reflect the times, that is a good thing. Hard to picture Mike Hammer wondering if he was being disrespectful, though.
Maybe Bosch is mellowing with age.
At least he's still putting away the bad guys.
medium-paced
The Black Box
4 Stars
In his latest cold case, detective Harry Bosch investigates the murder of a Danish photojournalist killed during the 1992 LA riots. But his mission is soon threatened when political agendas arise, and Harry finds himself in a situation that might just end his career.
While the Harry Bosch books are enjoyable reads (for the most part) and the investigations are interesting (especially the cold cases), they have become formulaic with several repeated tropes such as Harry's lone-wolf approach to police work, his conflicts with the powers-that-be, and his terrible taste in women.
Nevertheless, the twists and turns of the investigation into Anneke Jespersen's murder are very compelling and the ultimate explanation is both original and believable. One of the best aspects of Connelly's books is that the villains always get their just reward and this one is no exception.
All in all, a solid addition to the series, but something needs to change soon to prevent complete stagnation for the character.
4 Stars
In his latest cold case, detective Harry Bosch investigates the murder of a Danish photojournalist killed during the 1992 LA riots. But his mission is soon threatened when political agendas arise, and Harry finds himself in a situation that might just end his career.
While the Harry Bosch books are enjoyable reads (for the most part) and the investigations are interesting (especially the cold cases), they have become formulaic with several repeated tropes such as Harry's lone-wolf approach to police work, his conflicts with the powers-that-be, and his terrible taste in women.
Nevertheless, the twists and turns of the investigation into Anneke Jespersen's murder are very compelling and the ultimate explanation is both original and believable. One of the best aspects of Connelly's books is that the villains always get their just reward and this one is no exception.
All in all, a solid addition to the series, but something needs to change soon to prevent complete stagnation for the character.
A Bosch novel always comes with a sense of déja vu. Connelly writes the same book over and over again. It's very soothing, and Bosch is like your jazz-loving, grumpy old uncle who is suspicious of the internet. A little bit of change and development would be nice though.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes