The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
by Michael Connelly
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Book Reviews of The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
Book Review: Find the cesium by solving a murder
Summary: 4 Stars
A radiotherapist is shot to death on an overlook near his home. It looks like another "ordinary" homicide until it is discovered that right before his death he stole 26 ampoules of radioactive cesium from one of the hospitals where he worked. The cesium would be exchanged against his wife, who is kidnapped. All lights start flashing at the FBI, especially when a witness thinks he might have heard someone calling "Allah" at the moment of the shot. Harry Bosch is not only up against a murderer, but also against special terrorism units from both the FBI and his own LAPD. His mission is to find that killer, which he is sure will lead to the cesium, the mission of the terrorism units is to find the cesium, forget about the killer. In the end both are a little bit right and the solution is much more mundane, but also more sad, than one would initially expect.
Another one in the Harry Bosch series with Harry having yet another partner, but teaming up with the FBI agent Rachel Walling that we already met in previous books. Not the most nerve-wracking book of the series, but a solid piece of detective writing again.
Book Review: Amusing interlude
Summary: 4 Stars
This is not Michael Connelly's best Harry Bosch novel, but it's also not his worst, by any stretch of the imagination. You can (sort of) tell that this story started out as something other than a book (it was a magazine serial) because of the length of the story. It's about a hundred pages shorter than Connelly's novels usually are. This just means that when things begin to unravel, and the plot begins to twist, it does so quickly.
Harry's called to investigate a murder. He's now working in Homicide again, out of downtown, and he has a new, green partner. The victim in this case is a doctor who has access to nuclear material that's used in cancer treatments. The doctor's been murdered and left at the Overlook in the Hollywood Hills, and Harry soon begins to question everything he's been told about the case, and everyone who's connected to it.
I liked this book, though it did seem a bit truncated and the ending developed rather quickly. I would recommend it, especially for someone going somewhere on a plane, something like that.
Book Review: Harry Bosch as Jack Bauer
Summary: 4 Stars
Originally published as a serial, Harry Bosch's latest case is like a plot out of 24, as it involves a terrorist network and a case of missing radioactive material. The fact it happens within a 12 hour time frame makes it hard for me to escape the comparison.
Much to my delight, Bosch's foray into the counterterrorism genre isn't contrived as he tries to stubbornly focus on the murder of a physicist rather than trace the missing cesium (the radioactive material). Here, we see him butt heads with the FBI and Homeland Security regarding the priority of the case. Of course, there is the obligatory twist on the culprit but I found it not as contrived as The Closers or Echo Park.
It is briskly paced and clearly written, the only complaint is it is too short. Translating it to a full-pledged novel, Connelly could've added a few more details on the war on terror to flesh out the book. Still, the overall plot is certainly most refreshing especially in the context of the Harry Bosch universe. Highly-recommended!
Book Review: 12 hours
Summary: 4 Stars
When his lieutenant phones him after midnight, Harry is still awake. Arriving at the scenic overlook above Mulholland Dam, he finds a man dead in an execution style shooting. The victim's a medical physicist with daily access to dangerous radioactive substances, and it soon appears that he has been forced to supply a large quantity of cesium to terrorists. FBI agents show up almost immediately, and the competition to solve this case begins.
Connelly incorporates characters familiar to his readers from earlier Bosch novels, as well as a new and personable young partner, Iggie Ferras. It takes some fancy footwork on Harry's part to buck the system and untangle disparate threads. Not one of the edgier Bosch novels, but fun to watch him grapple with problems he has never had to face before. Still living up to his Nam nickname, Harry Kari.
The Overlook was originally published in serial form in the New York Times.
Book Review: Bosch...the answer to national security?
Summary: 4 Stars
Harry Bosch finds himself in the midst of a murder mystery that may link to terrorist intent on using radioactive material for a huge attack on LA, and as usual Bosch follows his gut to the answer and fights through the recurrent obstacles within his department and the FBI. For a while it seems that Connelly is moving into Vince Flynn territory with terrorists and the potential for catastrophe. Connelly maintains the suspense and thrill characteristic of the Bosch novels. The format for this novel's writing definitely effects its flow and length along with the plot. I think he tried to throw in a little of everything in a tighter than usual space. The story appears to jump from one conclusion to the next in rapid pace that forfeits a more steady and developing plot I have come to expect. This book is about 150-200 pages shorter in length than his other novels. The story delivers--just not as much as I am used to.