Book 10 - Booktrack Edition, A Harry Bosch Novel

[***** = breathtaking, **** = excellent, *** = good, ** = flawed, * = bad]

... which is not quite as good as "The Poet", but then that would be asking a lot. The serial killer known as the Poet has returned to taunt the FBI, and he makes sure to draw disgraced agent Rachel Walling into the case. Her fortunes have declined since the events of "The Poet" and your heart goes out to her.

Reporter Jack McEvoy does not make a reapperance in this book, but that's okay because one of the true pleasures of "The Narrows" is that it manages to rope in the tough and complex Harry Bosch from Connelly's highly-regarded series set in Los Angeles. Seeing Rachel and Harry work together is a treat. Longer review available at the Mystery Books site at BellaOnline (BellaOnline-dot-com).

I've been following Harry Bosch's escapades mostly in chronological order and am finding each episode an improvement on the one before as I become more familiar with many of the characters. The Narrows is a further improvement on this sequence as it also incorporates non-Bosch characters whom I've become familiar with through other Connelly tales.

Harry Bosch is the consummate police officer. Driven to solve the case at all costs, even to the loss of his own family, friends, marriage, well-being... It is what we hope for in all police officers, but the cost to the individual in immeasurable. How can one person be so all consumed with his job and still survive his own life. While admiring Harry for how and why his does his job, can't help but feel sorry for him, as his whole life falls apart and he suffers so much personally.

This book is yet another masterpiece from Michael Connelly. It's always a wonder, just to see the intricate plot unfold. At times, you think you are ahead of Bosch's understanding, but soon see that it's another thing altogether. Fascinating!

This covers the time between Harry Bosch's retirement and his return to LAPD. It is a fast moving and well thought out plot and story with Harry overcoming the usual odds against him to solve the case. It would be good if you read all of the Harry Bosch books in the proper order to better understand things but even a stand alone reader can enjoy this adventure.

Story flowed well, especially at the end when the narrows came into play. Usual thoughtful portrayal of Bosch and other characters and their thinking processes. Not quite as tight as other Bosch stories, but a good read nonetheless.

After reading one of his Harry Bosch books, i had to research the series and go back to read it from the start. Now I'm hooked and when new characters come in, i have to go back and read the books he wrote to introduce THOSE characters. Every book is believable, human, suspenseful and and very easy to read. The right combination of introspection by characters and action for me.

Love the Harry Bosch series! Harry Bosch is a flawed character who's only agenda is to solve the murder he's been assigned. He hates politics and doesn't mind whose toes he steps on - all that matters is solving the murder. I highly recommend The Narrows to anyone who likes murder/mysteries.

Michael Connelly's "The Narrows" (the sequel to "The Poet") is a unique mystery that moves from 'whodunnit?' to 'what will he do next?' to 'how do we catch him?'. Appropriately enough, the settings switch along with the plot thrusts: from city to exurb, from a boat in the sea to the 'Titanic' in the middle of the desert. The culmination of all this being 'the narrows': a roaring river, of sorts, in the heart of the city. Complementing this is the shift in narration which others have described and which I think works well.

Connelly gives more or else equal time to his two seekers of the truth: old reliable Harry Bosch and FBI agent Rachel Walling (who, I think, deserves her own series of novels). Both Bosch and Walling are professionals who are dedicated to obtaining justice for victims and to protecting society. In this case, however, both investigators have a personal stake in catching 'The Poet'. Walling was mentored by 'The Poet' early in her career and has always regretted her failure to capture him in that novel. Bosch's motivation is to get justice for the murder of his friend, Terry McCaleb (the protagonist of Connelly's "Blood Work").

As she sparred with Jack McEvoy, in "The Poet" so does Walling initially resist Bosch's help. Of course, the two establish a common goal and work well together. While this may seem formulaic, it is positively credible here. And it was at this point, when the two work as a unit, that the novel became irresistible. I couldn't put it down. The wild crescendo will satisfy any reader of suspense/mystery fiction.

As is the case with the rest of the Bosch series, Connelly relies on the same major character in "The Narrows": Los Angeles. His disappointment in the city for its vanity and cruelty is balanced by his incredible love for it.

I always enjoy reading Michael's novels! His characters have depth and believability
My only negative is saying LA is full of smog! I have lived here many years and the air quality has become so much better! This mystery is a good read with interesting locations and very interesting plot!

This is one of the Connelly books that has Bosch, Rachel Walling and a lot of other familiar characters in it with a great story to back it up. I really look forward to each of his books he really knows how to keep your interest. I'm not going to say anything about the plot but it brings back the ex FBI agent turned serial killer, The Poet, and keeps you guessing throughout.

I always enjoy reading Michael's novels! His characters have depth and believability
My only negative is saying LA is full of smog! I have lived here many years and the air quality has become so much better! This mystery is a good read with interesting locations and very interesting plot!

This is one of the Connelly books that has Bosch, Rachel Walling and a lot of other familiar characters in it with a great story to back it up. I really look forward to each of his books he really knows how to keep your interest. I'm not going to say anything about the plot but it brings back the ex FBI agent turned serial killer, The Poet, and keeps you guessing throughout.

Reading Connolly, I feel I almost know LA. I enjoy all his Bosch books, especially this one because I have written (I might add, before I read this) a political thriller that had some interesting similarities. Lucky for me, they went in different directions.

This is another great Harry Bosch story. I've read all of the Harry Bosch series from the beginning and they never fail to keep me hooked. I think I read faster just to find out what happens. Michael Connelly is a great author of this time of genre!!!

Michael Connolly's books are always great. The Narrows was another of his success's. He introduces his characters in a way that you feel you've known them for awhile. I recommend his books to all my friends. the store has a supply of every one of his writings. I have purchased and read 20 of Connolly's books .