The Overlook (Harry Bosch) by Michael Connelly
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Book Reviews of The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
Book Review: Swift Paced and Credible
Summary: 4 Stars
The plot of this book and many of its details have been well-described by other reviewers. I will not repeat their efforts. Instead I will merely say why I liked the book.
Four things strongly appealed to me in the book. First, the entire action of the book takes place over about twelve hours from Bosch's first call out until the conclusion, so the plot is tight. Second, the plot is also credible and so are Bosch's observations and actions within it. Third, Connelly in this story returns Bosch to his cop roots. Here he is again very much a local LA cop, determined to see that an awful crime in his city is not swept under the rug because a bunch of outside hotshots think that bigger issues are at stake. Harry never loses sight of the fact that a brutal murder has happened on his home turf, and nothing interferes with his relentless pursuit of that crime.
Finally, Harry's skills as a detective are very much on display here. His observations at crime scenes are acute and his ability to evaluate what he sees is outstanding. The same is true of his observations of suspects and witnesses. In short, we see again the original Harry Bosch: Tough, astute, unafraid and committed to his city rather than to career or self. This is the Harry who caught the reader's eye in the early books.
Yes, the plot is a bit overloaded with extraneous stuff (especially Harry's mooning over Rachel). Yes, the resolution is a bit forced. But overall the story is crisp and far more credible than Connelly's more recent Bosch outing, "9 Dragons."
Book Review: Bare Bones Bosch
Summary: 4 Stars
Michael Connelly fans know Harry Bosch. He's the kind of scrupulously honest, clever, always-ready-to-break-the-rules-to-solve-the-case kind of detective you would want on the trail, assuming you're a good guy. Having read several Bosch novels, I was able to fill in the blanks a lot here, for the characters, several of whom appear in earlier works, are not well developed.
The plot centers on a Connelly staple: the tension between the feds (Foolish Bureau of Investigation?) and the locals. There's also the classic bit about the grizzled veteran breaking in the new partner.
The big mystery is the cold-blooded murder of a man who is carrying a large amount of radioactive cesium. It seems the cesium was stolen by terrorists.
The first fifteen chapters read like something Connelly could have written in his sleep. But, fortunately, it heats up, and the last eight chapters build to an exciting climax.
One thing I've found from Connelly's books: pay attention, particularly when Bosch is sniffing around. Connelly doesn't clutter his work with meaningless leads.
I haven't rated any of the other Connelly books that I have read, but I believe they were all solid fives. However, this book needs more depth, more detail. So, holding this work up against the high standards of other Connelly novels, I have to give it a four.
Book Review: The Overlook
Summary: 4 Stars
There is no such thing as a bad Michael Connelly novel. The Overlook does nothing to change that fact. Harry Bosch is once again the central character & FBI agent Rachel Walling is around again. The novel is shorter than most of M. Connelly's, mostly due to the fact that it was serialized in the "New York Times Magazine". Actually this may be a good thing, the pace is fast & there's not a single slow moment in the story.
The story involves a murder of a man that has access to cesium, a radioactive material that's used to treat some types of cancer. It's dangerous stuff, though, when not used properly. Because cesium is a radioactive material & could possibly be used to create a dirty bomb, not to mention that the victim was on a watch-list, the FBI gets involved because it's viewed as a possible terrorist activity. Inadvertently, Bosch & Walling are brought back together on the case but their last experience (Echo Park) left them bitter & disillusioned with the other. The FBI views the case as a heist, their main concern is to recover the cesium & get the terrorists. Bosch views it as a murder investigation & therein lies the conflict of the story.
This is a very good book in the Harry Bosch series. If you haven't read any of those you're in for a treat. Though it's not necessary, I would recommend reading the books in order of release (duh).
Book Review: It's short, but still enjoyable
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the 13th entry in the Harry Bosch series. While a much shorter version of his novels than usual, Connelly does his usual terrific job of snaring you and reeling you into the mystery so the pages fly by.
Harry is now in the Homicide Special Squad; a squad to handle cases that may be long running or have a special difficulty attached. With his new rookie partner, Ignacio Ferrras, Harry is assigned the case of Dr. Stanley Kent, who appears to have been murdered execution style. When it appears that radioactive material is involved the FBI as well as Homeland Security get involved in the case. Soon Harry is getting pushed out of the case, setting off a cat and mouse game between the various agencies. The government is only interested in the radioactive material and its ties to terrorists; Harry wants to solve the homicide. The appearance of a former flame of Harry's just adds to the intrigue.
A very fast read, I read it in one day and really enjoyed it, clever plotting and some surprise twists made for a good mystery. Also there is a phone number in the book and if you call it you get Harry Bosch's answering machine! Really!!
Book Review: DON'T OVERLOOK THIS CONNELLY OFFERING
Summary: 4 Stars
The Overlook is classic Michael Connelly. Featuring Detective Harry Bosch, late of the LAPD's Homicide Special Squad, and his new partner Ignacio (Call me Iggy) Ferras it offers a mystery that contains all the excellent police procedural murder investigation elements that bears Connelly's signature coupled with an in depth look at the nasty little war that goes on between local and Federal government agencies when they are involved in the same case.
It seems that the murder victim in this case is tied to the disappearance of radioactive material suitable for making a dirty bomb, so of course the FBI and Department of Homeland Security come into the picture and proceed to play a nasty little game of hide and seek with a couple of witnesses thereby reeking havoc on Harry's investigation and thwarting him at every turn.
Harry, of course, is not to be deterred in this cat and mouse game and author Connelly succeeds in providing his readers with yet another story that is intricately plotted, filled with clever clues and misdirection and offers a read that is satisfying down to the very last page. 3 1/2 stars for this one