Customer Reviews

Harry Bosch Novels, The: Volume 2: The Last Coyote, Trunk Music, Angels Flight

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Former newspaper reporter Michael Connelly has been writing intriguing and suspenseful novels for his Harry Bosch protagonist for over a decade now. The first six of these novels have been collected into two hardcover omnibus volumes.

The first volume is certainly required reading if you want to understand the complete background and motivations of this brooding LAPD detective who won't tolerate injustice or any human vice that feeds it either directly (corruption, politics) or indirectly (bureaucracy, laziness, incompetence). They're interesting reads for sure, especially "The Concrete Blonde". However, those earlier stories expose Connelly as a new novelist unsure of what type of character Bosch is destined to be.

This second volume is the work of a much more seasoned and confident author writing about a multi-dimensional and human character. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll say that these three books develop Bosch well beyond just a grim crime-solving automaton who moves from case to case in a very detached manner. He goes after crimes that have personal significance and he undertakes situations outside his role as a police detective. The result is that by the time you turn the last page, you'll be hooked on the Bosch character, not just the stories of the crimes he's solved. That's the hallmark of a great fiction series.

Plus, these three stories are varied and intriguing in their own separate ways. The universe of characters that surround Bosch rotate in and out in ways that are highly interesting without being incredible. "Trunk Music" stretches this point a bit with a story that throws in every angle imaginable and almost loses its way. However, "Angels Flight" rebounds superbly and gets my vote for the finest book of either volume.

These volumes are must-haves for anyone interested in getting acquainted with one of the best mystery writers working today. At a price less than the cost of three paperbacks, you get a well-bound and attractive hardcover book, making this package a wonderful value as well.

After reading the "Dark Tower" series, twice, I was looking for another series for my reading time. I never had read any kind of mystery/crime/police type novels before. I kind of feel like I started with the best which is kind of depressing, I will always compare anything else in this genre to Harry Bosch!

I love Harry! Yea he has an attitude, and you would too if you were lugging the steamer trunk of baggae he does.

This book is essentially 4-6 of the Harry Bosch run. Worth the time and money!

I have read most of the Harry Bosch novels and enjoy Connely's style of writing very much. With most authors, I cannot read two of their books in a row. I feel as if I am re-reading something. Although Connely's books have some of the same chaaracters and all are set in L.A., each plot stands alone and is well thought out. I read all three, back to back, on a business trip and enjoyed each one.

The author's characters are interesting and consistent without being boring. I much prefer Connely to Baldacci and Kellerman, authors with similar styles. Connely has much stronger writing technique. I have especially enjoyed his newer chaaracter in "The Street Lawyer" and hope he continues to create stories with other characters.

My only suggestion is that he stop referring to the Dollmaker book in his later works. That gets old. Since I didn't read them in order, by the time I got to the oft refered to plot, I passed on the book as I felt I had already "read" it several times.

I haven't started reading the book yet...no time available. I love all of the novels about him, so am sure that it will be a good book.

A friend recommended I read the Last Coyote. I wanted to share with him so I read it and I loved the Harry Bosch character. I enjoyed the balance between his character as a detective, and how he breaks the law which I found added to his personality. It's always more exciting to have that personality that willing to take risks and bend the rules a tad bit. I also enjoy how it brings in a bit of his personal life showing us a little of what his love life is like but it isn't overwhelming like a romance novel, it's just enough to keep you intrigued and rooting for him that he gets the girl. I enjoyed the sequence of novels and how the character refers to things he did in the previous book. That really clenched it for me. I was into Harry Bosch. I'll continue reading his entire series of novels. I highly recommend it, it's very entertaining and good reading for the pure pleasure of it.

I love the Harry Bosch novels and Michael Connelly really keeps you reading (even when you should be sleeping)! He is a great author and I have read all of the Bosch Novels and cannot wait for more.

I am at the climax of Angel's Flight and am really looking forward to the final pages. I discovered Michael Connelly on a cover whim. Looked interesting, so I will give it a try. Well, almost 6 down and all of his others to go. Harry Bosch is smart, human, weak, strong, & individualistic. Gotta love it.

I started reading the Harry Bosch series in the past 12 months. The collections of his earliest books are a great way to get started. I know the Kindle price has fluctuated over the last few months. The first time I checked, these 3 titles were $17.99, then down to $9.99 (when I purchased them -- Yay!) and now back up to $17.99. I'm not sure I understand the publisher's reasoning about that. 'Nuff said about price. I love the character Harry Bosch and these books are GREAT! That poor guy: Harry is so messed up that you just gotta love him. But just one more thing about price: I think $17.99 ($9 a piece) is a pretty decent price for three novels.

I am totally in love with Harry Bosch. M. Connelly knows how to keep you focused I feel I'm HB's partner helping to solve the crime. I just cannot put them down. Each book is just as good as the previous one. I love how M. C. characterizes HB as a complicated, somewhat high tempered, yet focused and calm individual. Having served in the military and organization with a plethora of personalities. Not knowing what each day is going to bring, who your going to be working with, and having to deal with a multitude of attitudes all the while completing the task (in this case solving the crime). The suspense he keeps me in gives me such an adrenaline rush I can feel my heart pounding as I read. Great! reading, Great! writing, Great! flow. waiting on the 3rd Volume.

I bought this and the other compiliation just to have on my Kindle. I've been a fan for years, and it's been many years since I read these first novels. I totally enjoyed going back & re-reading, as I'd forgot as much as I remembered.

For those of you thinking about 'trying' the Harry Bosch novels, this is a great way to start. Harry can be a little intense, so you may not want to sit and read all six, right in a row, but these are a great way to learn about Harry's history while enjoying great, fast-paced who-dunnits.

I can hardly wait for the new set to come out in November... it will be another great addition to my Kindle!