City of Bones

At the top of the page she had written "City of Bones."

Bosch reached down and tapped the chart where she had written the caption. "Why do you call it that?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Because we're setting out the streets and the blocks of what will become a city to us," she said, running her fingers over some of the lines on the chart in illustration...

Bosch nodded. "In every murder is the tale of the city," he said.

Hollywood Detective Harry Bosch is called out to investigate a bone turned up by a dog. Not an occurrence to worry about usually, but the dog's owner is a doctor, and he is certain that the bone is a human child's. The bones are unearthed and the findings are even more tragic - the bones show years of trauma from physical abuse. Bosch, himself an orphan, swears that he will find the killer. He's working against time, for the evidence has been buried in the ground for twenty years, making a cold case like this nearly impossible to solve. He's also facing pressures from the media, who are entranced by the case, digging for every possible lead, and the deputy chief who wants the case cleaned up quickly. Even when they get a fortunate tip that leads to the identity of the victim, the case has only just begun. Bosch and his partner Jerry Edgar must follow the clues, entering into a world of terrible abuse, where two tragic deaths force Bosch to question himself and his methods.

Harry, in this latest addition to the series seems to be more than adequate at handling the problems. He's very charming...intelligent, quiet, and without any major flaws. He handles the situations thrown at him with bravery as well as brains. Jerry Edgar can be a little impulsive and judgmental, but they work very well together, and Edgar's personality is a good foil for Bosch. I particularly enjoyed some of the banter between the two. Some of his other characters --- Bosch's boss Grace Billits, rookie Julia Brasher and Kiz Ridder are very likable. Often, I find that a male writer tends to make police women tetchy and offensive. Bosch's police women are mostly capable and smart.

Connelly's true gift lies in plotting. He kept me turning the pages, guessing at who the murderer was. Between the action scenes we spend time with Harry and his budding relationship with Julia Brasher. Some of their conversations are wistful, creating a pretty believable budding romance.

The police procedural aspects are very well done. You feel as if the people working with Bosch have a firm understanding of what they're doing. Connelly also shows us a real understanding of office politics - and the dangers of displeasing one's superiors.

City of Bones is my first foray into Harry Bosch's world. I am looking forward to catching up with him in some of his past books, as well as reading any new ones coming up.