You may recall that last month I was deeply disappointed in the latest offerings by three of my formerly favorite mystery writers—Donna Leon, Harlan Cobren, and Lee Child.  None of those feelings about this favorite, as Michael Connelly has once again written a terrific book, one that I devoured all 403 pages in 2 days!

After graduating from U. of Florida, Connelly worked as a reporter eventually landing a job at the L.A. Times and beginning his love affair with that city and Raymond Chandler’s books.  His first book in 1992 won the Edgar Award as the best first novel and since then, he’s written 37 additional books featuring Detective Harry Bosch.  Several movies and two Amazon Prime series featuring his work have followed. He was recently named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.

Despite this book-a-year pace, Connelly has lost none of his mojo.  A key to this consistent high level of performance is that he has allowed Harry Bosch to age gracefully, retiring from the LAPD, getting cancer, worrying about his newly minted police daughter, and eating good food and listening to jazz.  To assist with this natural transition, Connelly introduced a new primary character, Renee Ballard, a surfing, rule-breaking detective whose mouth has gotten her into trouble that resulted in her being assigned to the backwater of clearing cold cases.  Instead of pouting, Ballard hired a great crew and has cleared 43 cases.  She has also stayed in touch with her mentor, Harry Bosch, and involved him in many of these cases.

This book combines three separate plot lines, all thrilling and taut.  Harry, his daughter, Maddie, Renee and her crew are all involved and wonderfully so.  To avoid filling this review with spoiler alerts, I’ll just say that one involves white nationalist terrorists, one involves a high profile 1947 murder, and one involves a serial rapist and killer.  The action is fast and the writing is superb.  Don’t miss this one if you’re looking to escape the latest horrendous headlines coming out of the president-elect’s selection of ne’er do wells to staff his departments.