Echo Park, released in October, is the 12th in a series of detective novels dating back to 1992 by Michael Connelly to feature detective Hieronymus ("Harry") Bosch. In Echo Park, Bosch, a 60-ish former LAPD detective has returned to the department's Open and Unsolved Cases Unit. He is still haunted by cases he was unable to solve in the past, particularly the murder of a young woman named Marie Gesto, and this job gives him the chance to re-visit his old cases. He pulls the file on the Gesto murder whenever he can.
A Killer Confesses
Harry is startled in the beginning of the novel when he learns that a killer, apprehended for several other crimes, has confessed to the Marie Gesto murder. Bosch is brought in to take the man's confession since he is well versed on the case. All appears in order and the man agrees to lead the police team to her body. Harry can't help but feel this is all too pat, however. Especially when he learns that a prominent candidate for District Attorney is involved.
A Great Plot, Cardboard Characters
Echo Park is well worth reading, if only for the exciting plot twists and the action. I confess this is my first Harry Bosch book and I often felt like I had entered in the middle of a conversation. Readers who have followed the series from the beginning, no doubt, know all of the nuances of the characters -- Bosch, his partner Kiz Rider, and his returning flame Rachel Walling -- but I was left wondering about their motivations and backgrounds.
About Michael Connelly
Connelly is a University of Florida graduate and former crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times. His 1992 novel, Black Echo, won the Mystery Writers Guild of American Edgar Award for best first novel. Since then he has written over 20 novels. He lives in Florida with his family.
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If you enjoyed Echo Park, consider reading:
- The Messenger by Daniel Silva
- Cross by James Patterson
- Hidden Assassins by Robert Wilson
Michael Connelly Official Site
Shop for your own copy of Echo Park
