Reviews

The Narrows by Michael Connelly

jwoodsum's review against another edition

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4.0

Bosch becomes involved in tracking down the Poet. Lots of exciting action. Fun references to the movie, Blood Work, starring Clint Eastwood.

annhenry's review against another edition

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2.0

Don't like books aboud serial killers thus I scanned this enough to get the gist of the story and the ending to be done with it. Hoping the next book in the series has Harry back to his normal escapades.

carolpk's review against another edition

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Solid addition to a satisfying series
The Hook Personal goal to work my way through this series.

The Line “The woman had long journeys in her voice and I liked that.”

The Sinker – The character of Harry Bosch captivates me. I believe this is due to his blend of a hard-core, rough-edged cop who can throw a punch with the best of them, and in the next scene displays an underlying gentleness that brushes the hair off his sleeping daughter’s brow and appreciates, art, music, poetry or a good book.

The Poet is back. Normally I don’t like to see the ones that got away return for another outing of mayhem. In this case, reviving the character of Robert Backus made a compelling case. I would suggest reading that book first to fully appreciate The Narrows. Though not technically a Bosch book, The Poet was the first in reporter Jack McEvoy series, Bosch and FBI Agent Rachel Walling play major roles in both books.

The Narrows turned out to be one of my favorites of those I’ve read in the Bosch series. As I was listening I kept thinking I’m not going to write much about it as what’s to say that I haven’t already said in other reviews about the series. But here I am yammering trying to convince you of its appeal.

Bosch, retired from the LAPD continues his role as a private investigator in this outing. There is a tease here that his investigator days may soon be over but in the meantime he is hired by ex-FBI profiler, Terry McCaleb’s wife to investigate his suspicious death. Bosch initially suspects a man named Jordan Shandy. It soon becomes apparent that Shandy is none other than Backus who once deemed dead, may not be, and is responsible for McCaleb’s demise and several other horrific deaths.

What could have been a ho hum story turns out to be a fast paced, page-turner. I found myself extending my walking time to see how the case unfolds. That’s the sign of a good audio listen for me. Len Cariou once again does a superior job in narration. Cariou’s got just the right brash for Bosch’s voice yet manages to tone it down for the more sensitive side of the man. Cariou adeptly brings to life all the characters, changing pitch and timbre for these. I highly recommend this audio edition by Time Warner.

One last thought. Salon’s Critics Page Turner with a Brain Charles Taylor states:

"What is distracting and inescapable here are the patches of bad writing: “You can become unhinged and cut loose from the world. You can believe you are a permanent outsider. But the innocence of a child will bring you back and give you the shield of joy with which to protect yourself.” Ewwww."

Frankly Charles, that’s why I love Harry.

sandin954's review against another edition

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3.0

Harry Bosch meets up with various other characters from Connelly's previous works in this book. Much more of a thriller and not my favorite in the series. Listened to the audio which was read by Len Cariou who did a great job with the first person Harry but was not quite as successful with some of the third person female points of view.

ebokhyllami's review against another edition

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4.0

On a rooooll...

ericbuscemi's review against another edition

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4.0

Another great Harry Bosch book. While I don't normally love a single book using multiple narrative techniques, neither the switching between the points-of-view of Harry Bosch, Rachel Walling and Robert Bachus, nor the switching between first-person and third-person perspective, bothered me.

I am deducting a star, however, because there was no warning that I was starting a novel that was clearly a sequel to Michael Connelly's The Poet, which I hadn't already read, and isn't a Harry Bosch book.

gbdill's review against another edition

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4.0

Another great Connelly book. Interesting build at the beginning, slow at times in the middle, but very exciting towards the end. The Poet strikes again, but Rachel and Bosch respond accordingly. Full of mystery, suspense, and adventure. If you like the Bosch series you won't be disappointed with this one.

neumanzoo's review against another edition

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4.0

I really loved the Poet, so this follow up was a good sequel. I love all the characters from Connelly's world coming together in this one. The Poet was my favorite Connelly book so far (as I read through the Bosch Universe), and this is easily my second favorite. Well laid out and a quick pace throughout the storyline.

msarendt's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

liliya_klein's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed the story although it did feel like I was placed in the middle of lots of things and I just had to keep up. I guess that's what I get for reading a book in the middle of series. The mystery was interesting but not too tense. The ending struggle scene was INTENSE!