Book Review: Echo Park by Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly has done it again, proving with his latest novel, Echo Park, that he is one of the best current crime writers. Echo Park – the latest of Connelly’s series about detective Harry Bosch - is an engaging thriller of a story that keeps the reader excited and curious until the end.Connelly is a former cops reporter for the Los Angeles Times. I interviewed him earlier this year after the release of his book, Crime Beat, and that was a personal thrill. Connelly has a gift for words and surprises and this one contains more twists and turns than the average roller coaster.

In this book, Bosch is put in the unusual position of trying to confirm whether a serial killer’s confession to killing a woman in 1993 is legitimate or if it is some kind of a hoax. Bosch, always suspicious of unexpected gifts, is skeptical; it does not help that he is his own toughest critic.Saying Harry Bosch is a bit hard on himself is like saying President Bush is hesitant about admitting mistakes in the war with Iraq. In one plot twist Bosch realizes that the serial killer apparently contacted his partner, but his call was not returned. The result was the serial killer was not stopped and went on to kill more people.

It was every detective’s nightmare. The worst-case scenario. A lead ignored or bungled, allowing something awful to be loose in the world. Something dark and evil, destroying life after life as it moved through the shadows. It was true that all detectives made mistakes and had to live with the regrets. But Bosch instinctively knew that this one was malignant. It would grow and grow inside until it darkened everything and he became the last victim, the last life destroyed.

I can’t say much more about what happens without revealing a few surprises. But I also can’t say enough good things about this book. If you are a Connelly and/or Bosch fan get this book – you won’t regret it.

Article Author: Scott Butki

Scott Butki was a newspaper reporter for more than 10 years before making a career change into education.

He is an in-house media critic, a recovering Tetris addict and a proud uncle.

Visit Scott Butki's author page — Scott Butki's Blog