Drop (2011)

Very easy reading. Not the most dramatic of the Bosch novels. ( )

"Fresh Meat" by Oline Cogdill for Criminal Element

Harry Bosch has always been the lone wolf in Michael Connelly’s series, with the singular mission of catching murderers. He’s no superman, but he’s an insightful cop who doesn’t let office politics, incompetent supervisors or even the passage of time stop him.

So what kind of father is a man so dedicated to his job?

A pretty darn good one, given Bosch’s relationship with his daughter, Maddie, in The Drop, Connelly’s 17th novel in this series and the author’s 24th novel.

When Bosch first found out he was a father in Lost Light (2003), Maddie was in the background, living with her mother. Bosch made a point of spending time with his child; phone calls and emails became part of his routine when Maddie and her mother moved to Japan.

(Read the rest at http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2011/11/fresh-meat-michael-connellys-the-dr... )

Synopsis/blurb......
When evidence links a brutal murder in 1989 to a convicted rapist named Clayton Pell, the case should be water-tight. Pell's DNA was found on the victim - but he was only eight years old at the time.
This not the only mystery Harry Bosch has to solve. A man jumped - or was pushed - from a window. The victim's father is Councilman Irving, who's been intent on destroying Harry's career for years. Now Irving wants Harry to head up the investigation.
Harry uncovers traces of two of the city's deepest secrets: a killer operating for as many as three decades without being detected, and a conspiracy that goes back into the dark history of the police department ...
Throughout my 20 plus years as a crime fiction reader, I’ve encountered many a detective that I have admired. I’ve followed the progress of their investigations, marvelling at their skills and intuition; the ability to dissect the various strands of evidence and point themselves in the next logical direction; their empathy for the victims and their families; their tenacity in pursuing their case; their courage and bravery in facing physical danger and their character and backbone much needed to withstand the interference and pressures from those higher up the food chain, often running in tandem with a hostile media and angry public. Of all the detectives I’ve read about, Connelly’s creation Harry Bosch is definitely my favourite. (If anyone decided to murder my skinny ass.....ok it’s not skinny....he’s the guy I want seconded to the Bedfordshire police to head up the investigation.)
In The Drop, Harry runs two enquiries. He has an open unsolved case over twenty years old where the DNA evidence points to a suspect, who already has convictions for sex offences but who was a young boy when the crime was committed.
His second case is an investigation that sees him cross paths with his nemesis, Councilman Irving. Irving’s son has fallen from a seventh storey window at a hotel and he wants Bosch to establish the truth of the matter; suicide, accident or murder.
Connelly skilfully weaves together the investigation into the two crimes, which Bosch runs concurrently, despite being pressured by the brass upstairs and Irving to prioritise the Councilman’s son’s death. Bosch resists Irving’s attempts to control his enquiry and delves deeper into the background of George Irving’s business dealings and marriage, uncovering possible corruption in City Hall and Irvin Irving’s alleged involvement in feathering his son’s nest.
Harry’s cold case sees him gain a romantic attachment with a sex therapist who is counselling his major suspect, whilst harbouring her own secrets regarding her fractured family. Bosch also contends with a working partner, Chu who he doesn’t fully trust and as a consequence finds Chu’s resentment at his treatment deflecting his focus from the investigations. His teenage daughter also occupies a lot of his thoughts, as he continues to construct and nurture a relationship with her after the death of her mother several years ago. All the while, the clock runs down on his tenure with the police department and he considers life on the outside.
Having struggled to enjoy Connelly’s last few books with the exception of The Fifth Witness, I was delighted to read this offering. Back on form and attains the heights of some of his earlier work.
5 from 5......and an early contender for April’s book of the month.
I picked up my copy late last year whilst casing some charity shop book stocks. ( )

Connelly builds this from the ground up, and by from the ground, I mean the gritty, slimy particles that make up the ground of dark dungeons and ancient prison cells. ( )

Another solid installment in the HB series. It leaves open possibilities to follow up in the next book, but is itself a standalone book. Looking forward to the next one. ( )

I haven't listened to a Harry Bosch tale in a while. The narrator has a distinct way of speaking I've come to associate with Harry Bosch. While engrossing enough to listen to during a commute, this story disappointed me on several levels. WARNING: Ahead there be spoilers.

I found Connelly explaining a lot. Things that were obvious he said anyway. A lot of explaining of gestures, for example. The editor in me kept saying 'you just repeated yourself,' or 'that's obvious from what you just said.' It was distracting, interrupted the pacing, and took away from the narrative. Kind of a lesson what not to do for a writer.

I may have forgotten details regarding Harry Bosch's character, but he behaved differently than I remember him acting in other stories I've read. Namely, he is more aggressive in this story, and well, he's kind of an ass. He consciously shuts out his partner, David Chu, ordering him about and outright telling him he isn't going to tell him what was going on. Once he tries the "I'm trying to protect you" line, but it comes off as patronizing and he never returns to the idea anyway. Besides, that's not how partners work. He's working a political case, but he should show Chu how to deal with the politics. Instead, he took control of the investigation himself, ordering Chu about, even though Chu calls him on it and tells him he doesn't appreciate being shut out.

Chu was out of line talking to the reporter, but when Chu confronts Bosch with how he's treating him, Bosch refuses to acknowledge it, insisting on holding Chu to a standard he's not keeping for himself. He treats Chu poorly and has no guilt about it and no desire to forgive Chu. He just writes off Chu as a partner.

Another thing I didn't understand was his reaction to Hannah. They get romantic after knowing each other a short time, and Hannah tells him about her son, who committed a horrible crime. When Hannah asks how he feels about what she told him, he is at a loss to offer anything but sympathy. When Hannah says she can't ignore her feelings, that she has to deal with what her son did and that he was in prison -- a reasonable statement, in my opinion -- Harry suddenly comes to the conclusion he's made a mistake with her and blows her off. It seems a huge leap that didn't have an explanation. There was no connection between point A and B. I don't see how he came to his conclusion just from what she'd said. Maybe it's a guy thing? Hannah starts talking about feelings, Bosch jumps to "this is a mistake"? There's something missing there to me. And somehow, Hannah "knows" she "messed up" with him when they next talk. I don't see how, since he doesn't give any indication except being a little abrupt in how he ended the last conversation. If she can sense he's annoyed, I don't see how she would have figured out why. It seems Connelly was operating with more knowledge than he was sharing with the reader.

By the end of the story, Harry has made a U-turn on his opinion of Chu, presumably because of how he handles their second case. I have to assume that, because he never explains his change of heart, except that he manages to tell Chu he did a good job with the case, and later tells himself he's going to move on and stop holding a grudge. But how did he get there from the deep insult he'd felt? It didn't seem plausible.

Chu was also a bit annoying in his reaction to Harry's behavior. While he tries to stand up for himself and complains to Harry when he shut him out of the case, that's all he does. Then when Harry finds out about the reporter, Chu insists he's going to make it up to Harry and practically begs Harry for a second chance. Repeatedly. The guy needs to grow a pair.

The Hannah storyline is left dangling a bit. But at that point, I didn't much care. With Harry being a general ass, I was less than happy with this story. ( )

Another really good Harry Bosch thriller. Bosch's past boss - Irvin Irving specifically asks for Harry to look at a case of suspected suicde, of Irving's own son. This brings Bosch into direct conflict with his nemisis. A seperate cold case is also being investigated and the book finishes with a good twist in the tale ( )

Harry Bosch is investigating in the murder of councilman Irvin son and a cold case of 1989 rape and murder. Crime lab has DNA that matches a 29 yr. old Convicted rapist that would been 8 yr. old of the cold case at that time. ( )

I really like how Len Cariou reads this book. To me he sounds just like I think Harry Bosch would sound. I liked the one of the storylines but I wasn't as fond of the other.

In one storyline Harry and his partner in the cold case squad have been handed a case to investigate. Forensics have matched a blood stain on the neck of a murder victim to a known sex offender. It's a bit of a mystery because at the time of the murder the sex offender would only have been 9 years old. So that's the storyline that I liked. While they are investigating it Harry meets a woman to whom he takes an instant liking.

However, before Harry can even get started on the case he gets called in to investigate a suspicious death that occurred the night before. The son of a city councillor (and former thorn in Harry's side) was found at the base of a hotel stark naked. Did he jump or did someone throw him off the balcony? And what was he doing in the hotel in the first place? This is the "high jingo" case because the chief of police, the city councillor and Harry's former partner, Kiz Ryder, all want a quick resolution but do they really want to hear the truth?

The endings to both storylines are pretty dramatic but the good news is that Harry is around for another 5 years. Look for more interesting cases with Harry Bosch. ( )

This is one of those books in which there are two crimes to solve,and one is of very much more interest than the other.
Harry Boch is sent to investigate a potential suicide/accident/murder of the son of a longtime and powerful opponent. Strangely,this enemy of Harry's wants him to look into the case for him.
The other investigation concerns an old case which has cropped up once more in which murder and rape are connected. Harry begins to suspect that all is not as it seems. Boch is again shown as a man of principle and honour who puts straight dealing before all else. ( )

Where other series grow predictable and tiresome, Connelly seems to have found the fountain of youth; his Harry Bosch continues to make self-discoveries, plumbing his core values and his unerring sense of right and wrong, and so the work remains fresh, vital, and surprising for readers. Here we encounter political corruption, a rich man's suicide (or murder?), and a despicable sexual predator who has been busily at work for decades. It's one of his victims, together with modern technology, which allows Harry the satisfying task of hunting his prey. There's an under-developed love interest (which fits in with Harry's damage and ambivalence), and also some nice passages featuring Harry as parent. There are also media and police ethics to ponder. This is a wonderful, satisfying series that will please anyone interested in how the police get the bad guys and skillfully participate in the contact sport of urban politics. ( )

Book 15, in the Harry Bosch series

The novel opens with the aging Harry Bosch three years away from mandatory retirement working full time in the cold case squad with a new partner David Chu. In this latest installment Mr. Connelly has his protagonist eventually working two simultaneous investigations. The first, a cold case sex murder that lead to the discovery of a killer who operated in the city for three decades. The second is a politically charged investigation into the death of city councilman Irvin Irving’s son. Harry’s inquiries bring him back to a darker side of the police department when he and the councilman did not always see eye to eye.

Mr. Connelly’s prolific mind provides each novel with fresh and entertaining plots, a feat he has managed for decades. His characters have aged with the times and taken on all of the appropriate age related attributes. As Harry nears sixty and fears retirement, we see how he handles cases with more determination and stubbornness… it must be the hormones….Mr. Connelly’s approach to a good mystery is to develop the first plot, gradually introduce the characters and just when things are about to explode he brings in a second plot to magnify and prologue the suspense. Even with the many twists and surprises that are somewhat predictable the drama is engaging and captivating till the very end.

This series is one of my favourites and I often wonder what Mr. Connelly has up his sleeve for the future. ( )

A Harry Bosch novel and the last one I’ll read. It was too long and he put two stories together that had nothing to do with each other. 3/14/12 ( )

very good

len cariou is great. i didn't find harry as obnoxious as usual. me or him? i enjoy the stories more. maybe his daughter has mellowed him. ( )

Harry Bosch and his new partner Chu investigate a cold case that leads to a serial abuser and murderer as well as investigate the accident/suicide/homicide of a councillor's son. Good pace. ( )

Good,

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/06/the-drop-harry-bosch-17-by-michael-connelly...

A seedy Las Vegas motel room. A councilman’s son has jumped to his death from a balcony at L.A.’s Chateau Marmont. Or has he? That’s what Harry Bosch and his partner are tasked with finding out. Normally Harry is closing cases in the Open and Unsolved unit, so when Harry is requested by the councilman (and bitter rival) himself, Irvin Irving, he’s shocked and immediately suspicious of Irving’s motives. Sniffing out “high jingo” (political hoops and motivations) almost immediately, Harry is determined to get to the truth of the matter. Added to his worries are DNA results on a 20 year old case that put an eight year old at the scene of the crime. An eight year old who grew up to be a convicted rapist…

The Drop is the 17th (the 15th just featuring Harry) novel in the Harry Bosch series, and it’s no less fascinating than its predecessors. Harry is as determined and stalwart as usual, although an attraction to a therapist provides a bit of distraction from his worries, and some hope for Harry in the romance department. I always root for Harry to find someone, and he’s been more unlucky than not. Since the mother of his 15 year old daughter, Maddie, was killed, he hasn’t really given much thought to romance, so it’s time that he got back in the game. Maddie is even orchestrating ways for her dad to spend time with the new woman, much to Harry’s amusement. Speaking of Maddie, she’s a delight, and has expressed her interest in becoming a cop, just like her dad. Maybe there will be a Maddie spin-off in the works? Here’s hoping, but I digress… Harry’s got plenty on his plate, and his simpering partner, Detective Chu, had me wishing Harry would give him a good slap. Seriously, the man got on my nerves. The challenges of the two cases at hand have Harry seriously considering retirement, but a twist puts him back on track. The political ins and outs of the George Irving case are fascinating, the cold case is heartbreaking, and as usual with this series, I was riveted. After 17 books, I’m still wild about Harry, and would recommend this series to any mystery/crime lover. ( )

Harry Bosch investigates a fresh case and a cold one. The results and the journey there were surprising. I especially enjoyed Harry's ruminations about his "golden years" in law enforcement and in his personal life. And, his interactions with his daughter as she enters adulthood showed his tenderness and humility. I don't think Harry should be allowed to retire. Look what happened to Morse. ( )

Not the best Connelly's work. A little tired - as much as Bosch himself in this novel. ( )

Wow! I read A LOT! I had just finished another book which I thought was good and then I picked up The Drop. Within a couple of pages you could tell the difference in the writing. When you're good, you're good. When you've got more experience writing, you're even better. This book had two cases Bosch was working on. Man. If all the police departments had detectives like Bosch, the bad guys wouldn't have a chance. Connelly just keeps getting better and better. ( )

Good read! A page turner, although some of Harry's little quirks are becoming fetishes that annoy and distract the reader. ( )

I have read all of the Bosch books. This is my favorite. It is Harry at his best. He is a righteous cop and even when he makes a mistake, justice is served. ( )

Harry Bosch is working two cases -- one a cold case and the other is investigating an apparent suicide jumper from a hotel honeymoon suite. The dead man is the son of a very powerful city councilman who was responsible for cutting overtime for the police. The other case involves a woman who was raped and murdered 20 yrs previously and the only lead brings them to a man who would have been 8 yrs old at the time. While the investigations are going on Harry looks after his 15 yr old daughter who wants to be a detective and starts dating a social worker who works at a rehab facility for criminals. ( )

A good read. Better than his last few novels. There were 2 compelling mysteries. Bosch's new love interest was underdeveloped, but maybe her information is to come. So far, she seems not a good match. ( )