9 Dragons
Harry Bosch doesn't seem to know much about single-malt whisky, and there probably aren't books by William James or E. M. Forster on his bookcase. But he knows what kind of beer he likes and who the bass player was on that Miles Davis recording. And Harry knows murder. To say he's going to have to step out of his comfort zone to solve this mystery is a gross understatement.
9 Dragons is the title of the newest novel from Michael Connelly, due out in October. It's one of the few books I've read in recent years that I would call a page-turner and I recommend not starting it if you don't have a block of time to devote to it.
Though Harry Bosch is still looking for trouble in L.A., there is something different about this novel. The writing is leaner and more economical, possibly due to the complexity, the setting and pace of the story, most of which transpires over about thirty-six hours. The story concerns Chinese secret societies and the disappearance of Harry's daughter who has been living in Hong Kong with Harry's ex-wife. As with all of MC's books the back story is rich with detail that comes from a writer who has internalized the specifics of his subject, not merely done a bit of research. Harry is conflicted and confused and to deal with the emotions and situations that come his way in 9 Dragons he's going to have to dig deep.
The book has its flaws. There are opportunities for richer explication such as Harry's involvement in the shooting of his wife, the revelation that his daughter's disappearance started as a prank, and the compelling character of the mysterious Sun Yah. But the action of the story comes at such an intense pace that the reader will only be aware of these flaws, such as they are, in hindsight.
I've heard it said that to develop conflict and action a writer must put the protagonist up a tree and throw rocks at him. At the end of 9 Dragons Bosch is still up a tree and there are some unaccounted for rock-throwers. Harry has a lot of unanswered questions, unresolved issues and he's in a world of hurt.
If there is no legitimate sequel, Mr. Connelly will have missed an opportunity to sustain the momentum and develop plots and characters introduced here.
What Bosch needs now is a nemesis, an arch-rival, a Moriarty. He - or she - exists, possibly in characters we've never met but were there in the shadows of 9 Dragons.
This is my favorite from this author in recent years and sure to be received enthusiastically by readers familiar with his work and newer readers looking for a place to begin in Connelly's superb crime fiction.
The British gave us Holmes, Dalgliesh & Morse, among others, and the BBC has done a superb job of dramatizing those characters. I believe Harry Bosch has the same potential in the hands of the right creative team.
9 Dragons is the title of the newest novel from Michael Connelly, due out in October. It's one of the few books I've read in recent years that I would call a page-turner and I recommend not starting it if you don't have a block of time to devote to it.
Though Harry Bosch is still looking for trouble in L.A., there is something different about this novel. The writing is leaner and more economical, possibly due to the complexity, the setting and pace of the story, most of which transpires over about thirty-six hours. The story concerns Chinese secret societies and the disappearance of Harry's daughter who has been living in Hong Kong with Harry's ex-wife. As with all of MC's books the back story is rich with detail that comes from a writer who has internalized the specifics of his subject, not merely done a bit of research. Harry is conflicted and confused and to deal with the emotions and situations that come his way in 9 Dragons he's going to have to dig deep.
The book has its flaws. There are opportunities for richer explication such as Harry's involvement in the shooting of his wife, the revelation that his daughter's disappearance started as a prank, and the compelling character of the mysterious Sun Yah. But the action of the story comes at such an intense pace that the reader will only be aware of these flaws, such as they are, in hindsight.
I've heard it said that to develop conflict and action a writer must put the protagonist up a tree and throw rocks at him. At the end of 9 Dragons Bosch is still up a tree and there are some unaccounted for rock-throwers. Harry has a lot of unanswered questions, unresolved issues and he's in a world of hurt.
If there is no legitimate sequel, Mr. Connelly will have missed an opportunity to sustain the momentum and develop plots and characters introduced here.
What Bosch needs now is a nemesis, an arch-rival, a Moriarty. He - or she - exists, possibly in characters we've never met but were there in the shadows of 9 Dragons.
This is my favorite from this author in recent years and sure to be received enthusiastically by readers familiar with his work and newer readers looking for a place to begin in Connelly's superb crime fiction.
The British gave us Holmes, Dalgliesh & Morse, among others, and the BBC has done a superb job of dramatizing those characters. I believe Harry Bosch has the same potential in the hands of the right creative team.