Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard are back in Michael Connelly’s excellent and latest police procedural. The chapters switch back and forth between Bosch and Ballard. Harry is investigating a 20-year cold case. Retired detective John Jack Thompson “borrowed” a murder book that Thompson’s widow hands over to Bosch. Why did Thompson take the murder book? He didn’t seem to investigate the case. Bosch gets Ballard involved in helping find out more about the case which first appears to be a homicide about a drug deal gone bad. There is much more to it as we will find out.
While both are juggling the case, the duo get themselves involved in other cases. Bosch helps his half-brother Mickey Haller, find out who killed a judge. Haller’s positive his client is being set-up. Ballad meanwhile finds herself being squeezed out by her superior in a case that killed a homeless man in a fire.
Connelly remains at the top of his game in this gritty novel that continues to set up Renee Ballard as Bosch’s successor as our hero ages out.
John Greco Author/Photographer 
It’s a good book John, happy you liked it too. I would rather though, that Ballard remain a stand alone character as in the first book. As much as I love Bosch, she’s a breath of newness.
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June, I believe I read somewhere that’s Connelly’s plan as Bosch ages out. Ballard will become his main character.
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