Reviews

The Narrows by Michael Connelly

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laurenjcarter28's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

joyousone17's review against another edition

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4.0

not bad, just not my favorite

I love the Bosch series of books which is why I started at the beginning. I don’t recall this one abs while it was good, it sort of dragged in certain parts for me with explaining things that didn’t need explaining to the reader. Kinda grated on my nerves a bit. But the story line pulled me in and I have come to care about the character so I’m totally invested in what happens a now that Harry is making another career change (not to give anything away here). I enjoy watching his growth as his relationship with his daughter impacts him too.

fosterwalrus's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

lesserjoke's review against another edition

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3.0

This is one of the more serialized Harry Bosch adventures, at least of what I've read so far. Terry McCaleb, protagonist of Blood Work and the detective's reluctant partner in A Darkness More Than Night, is dead. His widow suspects foul play, and asks Harry to look into it. That investigation soon intersects with Rachel Walling, one of the FBI agents from The Poet, whose titular serial killer foe has finally resurfaced. Bosch also has a curious exchange with a secretive woman named Jane, who seems likely to be the thief Cassie Black from Void Moon, even if he doesn't realize it. These threads all link back to the disparate corners of this franchise, increasing the sense that they share a common continuity while making this novel accordingly less inviting for newcomers. I wouldn't suggest anyone start the series here.

It's another fine caper, though, brought down only by the villain's nonsensically intricate schemes and the investigators' own periodic foolhardiness. On several occasions they rush into a scene before it's secure, compromising potential leads when there's not really any urgent reason to do so. This isn't one of those stories built around genius deductive skills, flashes of insight, or plot twists either; we instead mostly just follow the procedural evidence that eventually brings the heroes to the target who's been stalking them in return. It's exciting as a thriller, but not a sign of author Michael Connelly at his best.

[Content warning for kidnapping, gun violence, drowning, and suicide.]

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