The Black Box (A Harry Bosch Novel Book 16)

Reviews

1. 

   Jane – July 29, 2024

   Another excellent book in the series. The only negative was one question not answered at the end.
   The negative:On the second to last page Connelly wrote “She would not tell Bosch why she …” did something. That bothered me. It was important. I hope he answers it in the next book. But I have to wait a year? I believe the author said he was late finishing this book. Maybe that’s why he left it unexplained.The positive:One of the things he does so well is: When Harry first starts a case, I’m thinking how can he possibly solve this? How will he find anything? What can he do? Then he finds one small piece of something and follows it. He gathers a couple more odd pieces of information and I’m still thinking how could he possibly ever solve this? Even later in the book, I’m still thinking that. Yes this is a mystery slowly uncovering evidence. But Connelly does it in a special way which is not predictable and keeps me wondering. That’s a neat talent. I was immersed all the way through. I didn’t want to stop reading. At the end the mystery was solved, but I wanted to see what Harry would do next. I wanted to continue reading about Harry’s life which I guess is the next book – next year. So, it was done before I was ready to be done. But I suppose that’s good.DATA:Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 403 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual content: none. Setting: 1992 and 2012 California. Copyright: 2012. Genre: crime mystery with a little suspense.OTHER BOOKS – FOUR SERIES (Bosch, McEvoy, McCaleb, Haller):I recommend reading the Harry Bosch books in order, but it would be ok to try “The Last Coyote” or “Lost Light” first, just to see if you like the style. Then go back and read the rest in order. Following is my recommended reading order. I’ve included four series within this list because there is a date flow and the characters interact. All of these books could be read as stand-alones, but reading them in order provides richer character development.3 stars. The Black Echo (Bosch #1)3 ½ stars. The Black Ice (Bosch #2)4 stars. The Concrete Blonde (Bosch #3)5 stars. The Last Coyote (Bosch #4)4 stars. Trunk Music (Bosch #5)4 stars. Angels Flight (Bosch #6)4 ½ stars. Blood Work (McCaleb #1) Bosch is not in this.3 ½ stars. A Darkness More Than Night (McCaleb #2) (Bosch #7) McCaleb is the primary investigator, but he interacts with Bosch.3 ½ stars. City Of Bones (Bosch #8)5 stars. Lost Light (Bosch #9)5 stars. The Poet (McEvoy #1) Bosch is not in this. Read this any time before “The Narrows.”4 stars. The Narrows (sequel to The Poet) (Bosch #10) Bosch is the main investigator.3 stars. The Closers (Bosch #11)3 ½ stars. Echo Park (Bosch #12)4 stars. The Overlook (short, half-length) (Bosch #13)4 ½ stars. The Lincoln Lawyer (Haller #1) Bosch is not in this.4 stars. The Brass Verdict (Haller #2) (Bosch #14) Bosch has a small part in this.4 ½ stars. Nine Dragons. (Bosch #15) Haller has a small part in this.3 stars. The Reversal. (Haller #3) (Bosch #16) Mostly Haller. Bosch has a secondary role.3 stars. The Fifth Witness (Haller #4)5 stars. The Drop (Bosch #17)5 stars. The Black Box (Bosch #18)5 stars. The Gods of Guilt (Haller #5)

2. 

   Josh Mauthe – July 29, 2024

   A solid, if somewhat unexceptional, entry in the Bosch series
   As the 20-year “anniversary” of the Rodney King riots creeps ever closer, the LAPD makes an effort to reopen the investigations into some of the murders that occurred during the riots as a show of good faith – which means that Harry Bosch is digging into an old case that’s bothered him for years: the murder of a Danish journalist during the riots that never seemed to settle quite right with him. So begins The Black Box, a solid, if unexceptional, entry in the Harry Bosch series that finds Connelly doing what he does very well, but not really breaking much new ground. The choice to move Bosch to cold crimes a few books back in the series was a wise one by Connelly; it’s allowed Bosch to become almost more of an avatar of justice than he already was, and it’s allowed Connelly to play with time and its effects in rich and compelling ways. And when the idea of the book is to dig back into one of the most tumultuous and infamous periods in LA history, that seems like it’s going to play perfectly into the books’ strengths. The reality, though – and this isn’t much of a spoiler – is that the murder doesn’t have all that much to do with the riots, and that means that we have a more traditional murder mystery here. That’s not to say that The Black Box isn’t a solid and compelling piece of work; Connelly knows how to pace a mystery, and the revelations here are good ones, and doled out at just the right pace to keep you dying to know what’s next. And even though one aspect of the climax seems a little too convenient (it’s all but a deus ex machina, honestly), it’s set up enough to work, just not enough to be entirely satisfying. But all in all, The Black Box is a good mystery, one that’s filled with Bosch’s usual world-weariness but dogged belief in justice, and it’s a joy to see how Connelly has kept the man working after so many years and made his age and his past as much a part of him as anything else. The Black Box may not be top-tier Connelly, but it’s a solid read still, and worth checking out for any fan of the series to date.

3. 

   Glen A Phillips – July 29, 2024

   Another great Book in the Bosch series – keep them coming

4. 

   Client d’Amazon – July 29, 2024

   Excellent comme tous les romans de Michael Connelly.

5. 

   BISWAJIT GHOSH – July 29, 2024

   I purchased a kindle version of this book, the story is very addictive and I bet you will try to read it in one attempt. Its my first book on connely and target to complete others too.

6. 

   Cai Danbo – July 29, 2024

   久しぶりのボッシュ刑事もの。20年前のロス暴動、湾岸派兵等が絡んだコールドケース。毎回、期待を裏切らないコナリーの才能は枯れることはない様子。定年延長もあと5年、65才のボッシュ刑事。マディ巡査???早く、次作を読みたい。

7. 

   Everardo C. C. Fo – July 29, 2024

   Trama bem urduda, personagem muito humano e convicente e que foge ao padrão usual do gênero. Desfecho emocionante, amei! Recomendo