City of Bones
Author: Michael Connelly
Published by: Orion Books
Pages: 410
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★
Published by: Orion Books
Pages: 410
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★
When the bones of a twelve-year old boy are found scattered in the Hollywood Hills. Harry Bosch is drawn into a case that recalls the darkest memories from his own haunted past. The bones have been buried for years, but Bosch unearths the child’s identity and fractured life, determined he will not be forgotten.
Then a love affair begins to blossom for Bosch until a disastrous mission leaves him in more trouble than ever before, as he faces an unimaginable decision…
Then a love affair begins to blossom for Bosch until a disastrous mission leaves him in more trouble than ever before, as he faces an unimaginable decision…
My thoughts:
City of Bones was selected as the August read for a monthly book club I attend in Bath. I was excited to return to the crime fiction genre and this one was recommended by a fan of the author. It is the eighth novel in Michael Connelly’s Ballard and Bosch series.
I was excited to see Los Angeles police detective Harry Bosch tackle a cold case. The story opens with Bosch receiving a call-in from a citizen who reports that his dog has uncovered a human bone.
Soon more bones are discovered, and the skeleton of a pre-teen boy is pieced together. The death happened several decades ago, but the bones still clearly tell a tale of chronic physical abuse.
Alongside partner J. Edgar, Harry Bosch is responsible for working the case. With media attention already on the case, the pressure on Bosch grows as he uncovers the story and life of the dead boy.
It is a relatively quick and easy read. Like all good police procedural stories, it contains lots of investigative and forensic detail. I enjoyed reading about the investigation but found the plot fairly predictable overall. Bosch initially seems to carry out a very thorough investigation, paying close attention to detail, interviewing suspects and analysing evidence, but the conclusion of his case does not feel like a realistic reflection of his hard work or attention to detail. I would have liked more time spent on the conclusion, because ultimately, I was left unsatisfied and underwhelmed at the end.
For me, this story was far more basic than I’d expected. Going in, I’d read the blurb of this book expecting great things. However, I felt the book featured poor characterisation and some of the twists of the plot were unrealistic and at times even farcical. Maybe this one just works much better as part of the ongoing series, but as a standalone I found it disappointing.
Overall reaction:
City of Bones was selected as the August read for a monthly book club I attend in Bath. I was excited to return to the crime fiction genre and this one was recommended by a fan of the author. It is the eighth novel in Michael Connelly’s Ballard and Bosch series.
I was excited to see Los Angeles police detective Harry Bosch tackle a cold case. The story opens with Bosch receiving a call-in from a citizen who reports that his dog has uncovered a human bone.
Soon more bones are discovered, and the skeleton of a pre-teen boy is pieced together. The death happened several decades ago, but the bones still clearly tell a tale of chronic physical abuse.
Alongside partner J. Edgar, Harry Bosch is responsible for working the case. With media attention already on the case, the pressure on Bosch grows as he uncovers the story and life of the dead boy.
It is a relatively quick and easy read. Like all good police procedural stories, it contains lots of investigative and forensic detail. I enjoyed reading about the investigation but found the plot fairly predictable overall. Bosch initially seems to carry out a very thorough investigation, paying close attention to detail, interviewing suspects and analysing evidence, but the conclusion of his case does not feel like a realistic reflection of his hard work or attention to detail. I would have liked more time spent on the conclusion, because ultimately, I was left unsatisfied and underwhelmed at the end.
For me, this story was far more basic than I’d expected. Going in, I’d read the blurb of this book expecting great things. However, I felt the book featured poor characterisation and some of the twists of the plot were unrealistic and at times even farcical. Maybe this one just works much better as part of the ongoing series, but as a standalone I found it disappointing.
Overall reaction: