Sometimes you just need to read a good murder mystery – and this one fits the bill.
Harry Bosch is just back on the job with the LAPD after being retired for a few years. He’s assigned to the group of “closers,” who solve the unsolved cases, left open for years. His first case is the murder of a 16 year old girl who had been murdered 17 years prior and new DNA evidence has just resurfaced that has given a new lead on the case. Bosch is back with his old partner, Rider, and they are immediately set into motion. But obstacles present themselves from both outside and inside the department – will he be able to see the case through?
I can’t say that this is a fun read, because the subject matter is quite tragic, but it is intriguing and challenging and engaging. The writing is direct and crisp and the dialogue is brusque and realistic. What is novel here to me is the use by the police of the press in their investigation, which is interesting (and as it happens, grossly unfortunate) – and I wonder how often that actually happens in “real life.”
I am also fascinated by the relationship that builds between police partners. It becomes somewhat like a marriage of sorts. There are signals, facial expressions, silent pauses that can be read by the partner that evolve into signals only the partner can pick up like tiny bits of morse code. It is really like a spouse, because really and truly, survival is dependent on being able to read those glances and eyebrow raises in a split second. This is referenced frequently in this story.
So while this is not an epic, “must read,” it is still a worthwhile novel if you’re looking for a murder mystery that will successfully capture your attention for a few days.
kindread spirits 