I haven't read any of Connelly's other books and would like to in order to compare the writing. I found the writing in this book choppy and stilted. I felt, particularly in the first two thirds, as though I was being talked down to. I think he was writing for (or was edited for) the lowest common denominator and it shows.

That said, the story was an enjoyable one. I was a little disappointed at the rushed ending. I felt as though I was being tossed a ball of noodles in an effort to close things off. He could have taken a little more time to wrap things up.

I have read just about all the Michael Connelly books and I particularly enjoy the Harry Bosch books . This one, however, disappoints me somewhat. It reads like an airport thriller, not the considered dramas we have come to expect. The basic plot is a good one, and we would anticipate a great read as Harry goes about his business.
Unfortunately, the premise of a LA cop flitting off to Hong Kong to tackle the Triads (about which he knows very little)in a weekend and be back to LA in time for work on Monday morning beggars belief, especially given the number of bodies he leaves behind. I thought bringing in the Lincoln Lawyer to help keep Harry out of trouble with the HK constabulary was a nice touch, although slighy unreal in the manner they were dealt with.
Methinks Mr Connelly didn't put in as much effort into this book as he could have. Overall, only a fair read for the Harry Bosch fan, but shoot-em-up thriller readers who aren't as much concerned with plot and character development will probably enjoy it. In any case, after so many good reads, we have to expect an occasional bomb, so we shouldn't be too harsh. ( )

This is #15 in the Harry Bosch Series and the first one I've read. I usually never read a book from a series out of order, but with 14 before it, I decided to break my own rule for the first and probably the last time. Bosch is an LAPD Detective and in this book he enters a world he is unfamiliar with. The store owner of Fortune Liquors, John Li, who he has known for years, is murdered. He promises the Li family that he will find whoever killed him. He uncovers a link to a Hong Kong triad, a lethal and far-reaching crime ring that follows immigrants to their new lives in the U.S. Bosch's 13 year old daughter is kidnapped by members of the crime ring to try and force him to stop his investigation. The book was full of action and kept me interested, but the plot seemed very unlikely to me and I didn't like the way the book seemed to stereotype Asians. I don't think all people within a race are the same, which is what the book seemed to imply. There were a few sad moments in the book and some that made me laugh although I don't know if that was the authors intent, since I've been told I have a strange sense of humor. The ending seemed strange, but maybe it was Connelly's way of leaving the door open for another in this series. I can't say I loved this book but I did enjoy it. ( )

What can you say? It's Harry Bosch. As a long time reader of this character it's always a pleasure to reconnect. Connelly always rights a well paced thriller and often times you manage to learn a little something. That said, this one kind of peters out at the end. A suspension of disbelief is always required with these books but this time its a bit much. Still I would recommend this one. ( )

Excellent entry in the Harry Bosch series. Nearly impossible to put down until your eyes dry out and you can't even blink. Connelly breaks a couple of his plot patterns in this book, which is a nice change, but still drives the narrative at break-neck speed.You can read this as a stand-alone too.

Harry's personal risks escalate as complexities mount and he makes his way to Hong Kong, where his teenage daughter is living with her Mom, Eleanor Wish. ( )