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rhoyourboat's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This feels like an episode of every police/crime show from the 90s and 00s, but not necessarily in a bad way. While it was full of the clichés you see in most police shows from that time, it didn't take from the story too much for me.
The writing is simple and to the point, similar to the main character in a way. There's nothing inherently bad about it, at least in my opinion, but it's certainly not winning any awards.
It was an easy read that I enjoyed for the most part, nothing overly complex that let me turn off my brain and get into the mystery.
I'll more than likely keep up with the series, but I won't be in a massive rush to binge through it or anything.
The writing is simple and to the point, similar to the main character in a way. There's nothing inherently bad about it, at least in my opinion, but it's certainly not winning any awards.
It was an easy read that I enjoyed for the most part, nothing overly complex that let me turn off my brain and get into the mystery.
I'll more than likely keep up with the series, but I won't be in a massive rush to binge through it or anything.
n3croph0bia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve decided to go back to the start of the Harry Bosch novels, created by Michael Connelly, as I missed out on a fair few over the years. It was only natural to start at the beginning and re-introduce myself to Detective Hieronymus (Harry) Bosch. My plan is to try to read one a month on top of my review books, so I read The Black Echo in April.
In The Black Echo, we meet Harry Bosch for the first time when he gets a call on his pager to attend the scene of a body that has been discovered in a drainage tunnel. What he finds leads him to believe there is more at play than just a simple drug-related death.
What startles Harry more though, is the fact that he recognises the dead body as someone he served with during the Vietnam War. A tunnel rat called Billy Meadows. Meadows used to run the tunnels and flush out anyone hiding in them, and these tunnels were dubbed the black echo.
What follows, during the course of the investigation, is the uncovering of far more than just one death. Corruption, conspiracy and so much more take place in The Black Echo. I had forgotten how good Connelly is at creating such a strong plot. Whilst it moves at a slower pace, nothing is out-of-place, there is no padding. The whole story fits together effortlessly and is supported with an excellent cast of characters.
I can’t recommend Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch series highly enough. A must for crime fiction readers! I can’t wait to pick up the next book. Hopefully I can sneak it in during May.
In The Black Echo, we meet Harry Bosch for the first time when he gets a call on his pager to attend the scene of a body that has been discovered in a drainage tunnel. What he finds leads him to believe there is more at play than just a simple drug-related death.
What startles Harry more though, is the fact that he recognises the dead body as someone he served with during the Vietnam War. A tunnel rat called Billy Meadows. Meadows used to run the tunnels and flush out anyone hiding in them, and these tunnels were dubbed the black echo.
What follows, during the course of the investigation, is the uncovering of far more than just one death. Corruption, conspiracy and so much more take place in The Black Echo. I had forgotten how good Connelly is at creating such a strong plot. Whilst it moves at a slower pace, nothing is out-of-place, there is no padding. The whole story fits together effortlessly and is supported with an excellent cast of characters.
I can’t recommend Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch series highly enough. A must for crime fiction readers! I can’t wait to pick up the next book. Hopefully I can sneak it in during May.
again_dangerous_visions_4952's review against another edition
2.0
This was my first Bosch book after watching three seasons of the series, and I, who read a lot of crap mystery novels to escape emotions rather than enjoy them, am underwhelmed. Little predictable. Lotta dullsville.
This is the first book in the series, and it is the basis of the third season of the TV show. I thought season three was steps down from the previous two, and now I know why.
And in the book, Bosch wears a pimping mustache, so I kept picturing Magnum P.I. every time Bosch would be described staring in the mirror, the water, his reflection in a window, his computer screen and so on. That lead to me picturing J. Edgar as T.C. Sweet baby Jesus, the book is ruined for me twice.
This is the first book in the series, and it is the basis of the third season of the TV show. I thought season three was steps down from the previous two, and now I know why.
And in the book, Bosch wears a pimping mustache, so I kept picturing Magnum P.I. every time Bosch would be described staring in the mirror, the water, his reflection in a window, his computer screen and so on. That lead to me picturing J. Edgar as T.C. Sweet baby Jesus, the book is ruined for me twice.
anissawren's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, Transphobia, Police brutality, Grief, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, and Murder
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Stalking, and Abandonment
jmse1992's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shybane's review against another edition
3.0
Having just finished 6 seasons of Bosch on Amazon Prime, I thought I check out how it all started. Generally, I’m not into thrillers/mystery/crime. I always find them to be a bit formulaic. Surprisingly, I found that I rather enjoyed it. Was it a masterpiece? No. But, it was a bit more erudite than expected. Michael Connelly’s knowledge of the detectives and their processes seems legit.
After reading the book, I admire the show that much more. Bosch matches the tone of the novel so well. Not to make this a review of a tv series...
In summation, a good, nicely paced read. 3.5 stars
After reading the book, I admire the show that much more. Bosch matches the tone of the novel so well. Not to make this a review of a tv series...
In summation, a good, nicely paced read. 3.5 stars