The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
by Michael Connelly
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Book Reviews of The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
Book Review: Bare Bones Bosch
Summary: 4 Stars
Michael Connelly fans know Harry Bosch. He's the kind of scrupulously honest, clever, always-ready-to-break-the-rules-to-solve-the-case kind of detective you would want on the trail, assuming you're a good guy. Having read several Bosch novels, I was able to fill in the blanks a lot here, for the characters, several of whom appear in earlier works, are not well developed.
The plot centers on a Connelly staple: the tension between the feds (Foolish Bureau of Investigation?) and the locals. There's also the classic bit about the grizzled veteran breaking in the new partner.
The big mystery is the cold-blooded murder of a man who is carrying a large amount of radioactive cesium. It seems the cesium was stolen by terrorists.
The first fifteen chapters read like something Connelly could have written in his sleep. But, fortunately, it heats up, and the last eight chapters build to an exciting climax.
One thing I've found from Connelly's books: pay attention, particularly when Bosch is sniffing around. Connelly doesn't clutter his work with meaningless leads.
I haven't rated any of the other Connelly books that I have read, but I believe they were all solid fives. However, this book needs more depth, more detail. So, holding this work up against the high standards of other Connelly novels, I have to give it a four.
Book Review: The Overlook
Summary: 4 Stars
There is no such thing as a bad Michael Connelly novel. The Overlook does nothing to change that fact. Harry Bosch is once again the central character & FBI agent Rachel Walling is around again. The novel is shorter than most of M. Connelly's, mostly due to the fact that it was serialized in the "New York Times Magazine". Actually this may be a good thing, the pace is fast & there's not a single slow moment in the story.
The story involves a murder of a man that has access to cesium, a radioactive material that's used to treat some types of cancer. It's dangerous stuff, though, when not used properly. Because cesium is a radioactive material & could possibly be used to create a dirty bomb, not to mention that the victim was on a watch-list, the FBI gets involved because it's viewed as a possible terrorist activity. Inadvertently, Bosch & Walling are brought back together on the case but their last experience (Echo Park) left them bitter & disillusioned with the other. The FBI views the case as a heist, their main concern is to recover the cesium & get the terrorists. Bosch views it as a murder investigation & therein lies the conflict of the story.
This is a very good book in the Harry Bosch series. If you haven't read any of those you're in for a treat. Though it's not necessary, I would recommend reading the books in order of release (duh).
Book Review: Reviewed for Midwest Book Review
Summary: 3 Stars
LAPD detective Harry Bosh has a new job in the Homicide Special division, which handles murders with political, celebrity or media connections, or those called hobby cases, which are difficult to solve and take much time. His first call out involves a doctor killed at an overlook above Mulholland Dam. Bosch and his new partner, Ignacio Ferras, are surprised when the FBI shows up at the crime scene. The dead doctor worked with radioactive materials and the FBI thinks his murder is tied to a terrorist plot to build and activate a dirty bomb in Los Angeles. When they learn that radioactive material has been stolen from the doctor, the case shifts to investigate the terrorists who took the substance instead of who killed the doctor. But Bosch thinks there's more to this murder than what's obvious.
Harry Bosch is once more at odds with the FBI and his own police department, but this relentless detective will not back down and pursues his own investigation in his own way. Bosch is an edgy man with a rebellious streak, a detective whose skills continue to keep him in good standing with the upper echelons of the police department, although he always manages to alienate most of those around him. Although this mystery is relatively easy for the reader to solve, the plot is tight and suspenseful, and takes place within a 12-hour time span.
Book Review: Bosch has been there and done that...
Summary: 2 Stars
After a string of good (and a few truly great) Harry Bosch novels, Michael Connelly writes with the burden of high expectations from his long-time readers. In this case, the burden proves too great; what would be an acceptable effort from a lesser writer is quite disappointing. Despite a promising set-up, the plot quickly devolves into a formulaic retread of some of his prior work: Feds intrude on Bosch's investigation; [SPOILER ALERT] murder with ominous implications turns out to be much more banal (and domestic) in nature. If you have read "Trunk Music", in particular, you should pass this one up.
As an aside, "The Overlook" first appeared in serial form, something we'll be seeing more of with the increasing power of authors to deliver content more directly to readers (and a concomitant decline in the power of publishers). This book is weak, and one wonders whether there is anything inherently inferior in modern serialized novels. Certainly, Stephen King's serialized novels haven't been his best. Is editorial input less significant in serial work, since an editor can't see the whole narrative as the work is published (unlike with completed submissions)? Then again, I doubt that Connelly's and King's editors have much input on narrative at this point, anyway. These are popular writers, and no one ever prospered arguing against popular taste.
Book Review: `We are all circling the drain'
Summary: 3 Stars
Harry Bosch is now assigned to Homicide Special: waiting for cases that are politically sensitive, have a level of media interest, or are just too hot for the regular LAPD to handle. Harry's first case with Homicide Special, it quickly becomes apparent, combines all three of these ingredients.
An execution style murder, the theft of significant quantities of a potentially deadly radioactive chemical and the involvement of multiple agencies all place pressure on Harry's capacity to work the murder case effectively. Harry himself is dedicated to finding the murderer while those in the agencies around him are intent on exploring terrorist possibilities. Harry, of course, is not above redefining co-operation to suit the needs of his case and, by following the evidence rather than speculation solves the murder. A case, perhaps, for the straightforward application of `all other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best' (the principle known as `Occam's Razor').
I enjoyed this relatively short Harry Bosch story. While it lacks some of the detailed writing of other Bosch novels, it was a great way to spend a couple of spare hours. While I worked out aspects of the solution before the end of the novel, there were sufficient loose ends to keep my attention until the end.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith