The Bone Chamber (Susp-Sydney Fitzpatrick-Virginia/Italy-Cont) – 2nd in series – Robin Burcell LJ – DNF – I am hesitant to even rate it as a DNF as I quickly realized I disliked both the author’s style—which read as though this was intended for a young adult audience—and the characters so much I couldn’t get past the first few pages.
The Black Echo (Pol Proc-Det. Harry Bosch-Los Angeles-Cont) – 1st in series – Michael Connelly LJ – Ex - Written and set in 1992, it is interesting to see how times have changed in these 18 years. There were no cell phones, the police used radios, pagers, call boxes, and pay phones; there were no PCs, only a few computer terminals within each police station; no digital cameras, Polaroid cameras were used at crime scenes; and will getting better, there was still sexism and prejudice against gays. That said, the fundamental elements of a police procedural and a cracking good story demonstrate why Connelly and the Harry Bosch series, are one of the best. Our introduction to Harry not only sets the scene but tells us quite a bit about his life. Harry is 40 years’ old in this first book, grew up in institutions after his mother was murdered, also providing an explanation as to why Harry dislike rock music, and was a tunnel rat in Vietnam before joining the police force, where he tends to be an outsider. It is this level of detail in our introduction to Harry, although better editing might have the redundancies of that detail, that sets the scene for this book. Connelly’s attention to detail is also exemplified in his sense of place. We can not only see where Bosch is going, but almost hear and smell it as well. You don’t have to have visited Los Angeles to know Bosch’s Los Angeles. And lastly, the plot: the story was meticulously plotted with some of the best twists I’ve read. There’s even a twist upon a twists. It takes real skill to pull that off. I first read this book in November 1996 but hadn’t kept any notes. When my mystery group selected it for this month, I decided to re-read it, not only for the group but to see whether it had held up and was as good as I remembered. I originally rated it “Ex,” and have downgraded it to “VG+” only because of the redundancy, but the overall quality of the writing is there and has remained true in this book and in every subsequent book Connelly has written.
Exit Music (Pol Proc-Insp. John Rebus-Scotland-Cont) – 17th in series – Ian Rankin Corona – Okay – This was the first Rebus book she’d read. She did not like the character and found the writing sophomoric. However, she did read it all the way through. Linda F – Okay – Had she been more interested in the series, she would have regretted starting with the last book. The only characters she found interesting were the victims. There was not enough information about the Scottish culture to have a very strong sense of place. It could almost have been set in any large city. LJ – Ex - I put off reading this book because I was concerned as to how Rankin would close out Rebus’ career. I need not have worried. This is quintessential Rebus who has given up almost everything in his life for his job. The case seemed to start off as a simple killing, but layers build upon layers and twists upon turns. Rankin has done such a fine job creating Rebus, he is very real. I don’t always like him, but you know that is intentional. Rankin hasn’t glamorized Edinburgh, as many authors do, but presents it as a city of people and problems as is any city, and he makes that city alive to us. For me, the ending was perfect and just the right touch. I’m anxious to see what Rankin does next, but I do sincerely hope Rebus reappears from time-to-time. Bravo, Mr. Rankin. (Read July 2008)
LJ – DNF – I am hesitant to even rate it as a DNF as I quickly realized I disliked both the author’s style—which read as though this was intended for a young adult audience—and the characters so much I couldn’t get past the first few pages.
The Black Echo (Pol Proc-Det. Harry Bosch-Los Angeles-Cont) – 1st in series – Michael Connelly
LJ – Ex - Written and set in 1992, it is interesting to see how times have changed in these 18 years. There were no cell phones, the police used radios, pagers, call boxes, and pay phones; there were no PCs, only a few computer terminals within each police station; no digital cameras, Polaroid cameras were used at crime scenes; and will getting better, there was still sexism and prejudice against gays. That said, the fundamental elements of a police procedural and a cracking good story demonstrate why Connelly and the Harry Bosch series, are one of the best. Our introduction to Harry not only sets the scene but tells us quite a bit about his life. Harry is 40 years’ old in this first book, grew up in institutions after his mother was murdered, also providing an explanation as to why Harry dislike rock music, and was a tunnel rat in Vietnam before joining the police force, where he tends to be an outsider. It is this level of detail in our introduction to Harry, although better editing might have the redundancies of that detail, that sets the scene for this book. Connelly’s attention to detail is also exemplified in his sense of place. We can not only see where Bosch is going, but almost hear and smell it as well. You don’t have to have visited Los Angeles to know Bosch’s Los Angeles. And lastly, the plot: the story was meticulously plotted with some of the best twists I’ve read. There’s even a twist upon a twists. It takes real skill to pull that off. I first read this book in November 1996 but hadn’t kept any notes. When my mystery group selected it for this month, I decided to re-read it, not only for the group but to see whether it had held up and was as good as I remembered. I originally rated it “Ex,” and have downgraded it to “VG+” only because of the redundancy, but the overall quality of the writing is there and has remained true in this book and in every subsequent book Connelly has written.
Exit Music (Pol Proc-Insp. John Rebus-Scotland-Cont) – 17th in series – Ian Rankin
Corona – Okay – This was the first Rebus book she’d read. She did not like the character and found the writing sophomoric. However, she did read it all the way through.
Linda F – Okay – Had she been more interested in the series, she would have regretted starting with the last book. The only characters she found interesting were the victims. There was not enough information about the Scottish culture to have a very strong sense of place. It could almost have been set in any large city.
LJ – Ex - I put off reading this book because I was concerned as to how Rankin would close out Rebus’ career. I need not have worried. This is quintessential Rebus who has given up almost everything in his life for his job. The case seemed to start off as a simple killing, but layers build upon layers and twists upon turns. Rankin has done such a fine job creating Rebus, he is very real. I don’t always like him, but you know that is intentional. Rankin hasn’t glamorized Edinburgh, as many authors do, but presents it as a city of people and problems as is any city, and he makes that city alive to us. For me, the ending was perfect and just the right touch. I’m anxious to see what Rankin does next, but I do sincerely hope Rebus reappears from time-to-time. Bravo, Mr. Rankin. (Read July 2008)