The Fabled Realms

Review of

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

The Black Echo
Series:
Published: 2017-04-25
An LAPD homicide detective must choose between justice and vengeance as he teams up with the FBI in the first novel of the “thrilling” Harry Bosch series (New York Times Book Review). For maverick LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch, the body in the drainpipe at Mulholland Dam is more than another anonymous statistic. This one is personal . . . because the murdered man was a fellow Vietnam “tunnel rat” who had fought side by side with him in a hellish underground war. Now Bosch is about to relive the horror of Nam. From a dangerous maze of blind alleys to a daring criminal heist beneath the city, his survival instincts will once again be tested to their limit. Pitted against enemies inside his own department and forced to make the agonizing choice between justice and vengeance, Bosch goes on the hunt for a killer whose true face will shock him.

Attention, crime fiction enthusiasts and Bosch TV series fans! Michael Connelly’s “The Black Echo” is like finding that crucial piece of evidence that ties everything together. As the first book in the iconic Harry Bosch series, it’s a thrilling journey back to where it all began.

Coming into this book with the TV series under my belt, I felt like I was meeting an old friend for the first time – if that makes any sense! Connelly introduces us to a younger, even more rough-around-the-edges Harry Bosch, and boy, is it a wild ride. It’s like watching your favorite detective show, but with a gritty, noir-ish twist that only the written word can deliver.

What really gets your heart pumping is the personal connection Bosch has to the case. A fellow Vietnam “tunnel rat” found dead in a drainpipe? Talk about bringing the past back to haunt you! Connelly masterfully weaves Bosch’s war experiences with the present-day investigation, creating a tapestry of suspense that will keep you turning pages well into the night.

Now, for all you TV series fans out there, buckle up for a few surprises. The book characters might not match up exactly with their small-screen counterparts, but that’s part of the fun. It’s like discovering a whole new layer to characters you thought you knew inside and out. Plus, the backstory we get on Bosch is pure gold – it’s the kind of character development that makes you want to high-five the author.

While the pacing might feel a bit slower compared to the rapid-fire TV episodes we’re used to, Connelly’s attention to detail and intricate plot-weaving more than make up for it. He takes us on a tour of LA’s underbelly that’s so vivid, you can practically smell the smog and hear the police sirens.

Sure, there are moments when the plot gets as tangled as a ball of yarn after a cat’s had its way with it, but stick with it. Connelly’s got a knack for bringing all those loose ends together in a satisfying conclusion that’ll leave you itching to grab the next book in the series.

“The Black Echo” might not be a perfect five-star read, but it’s a solid foundation for what we know becomes an epic series. It’s like watching a superhero origin story – you know the best is yet to come, but you’re still totally invested in seeing how it all started.

So, whether you’re a die-hard Bosch fan or a newbie to the world of this complex detective, “The Black Echo” is definitely worth your time. Grab a cup of coffee (black, of course – we’re talking about Bosch here), settle into your favorite reading spot, and prepare to be transported to the mean streets of LA. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming jazz tunes and eyeing everyone suspiciously afterward!


About the Reviewer

PJ Flip

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