The Narrows

BLUF: Ties up The Poet (Jack McEvoy Book #1)

The Narrows follows detective Hieronymus Bosch as he tries to uncover the truth about his late friend's heart attack. His late friend, Terry, is a sea charter captain who, in his spare time, helps other agencies solve cases pro bono. In order to solve Terry's death, Bosch must first determine whether Terry came too close to one of the killers in his files or if his death is closer to home.

Let me preface, this is only the third Michael Connelly story I have read. I started with The Poet and then read The Black Echo. Maybe it's a coincidence, but all three books go the same way: Main Character comes into knowledge about a case, Main Character forces way into investigation, FBI tries to block main character from investigation, Main Character has relations with FBI Detective which, oh, by the way, gains him access to the case, FBI Detective ends relations, Case ends.

The problem I have with these stories is that I cannot emotionally connect with the characters. Bosch is a notorious pain in the ass that doesn't care about anybody but himself and, somehow, gets the girl anyways. The girl then, at the end of the book, abruptly ends the relationship as if there was no meaning to it at all. In this book, they have relations once and then they pretend like nothing ever happens. Um, what? Does this happen in real life?

The detective story itself is fine. The book pieces the clues together in a way that keeps you entertained, but not enthralled. This isn't a thriller; it won't hook you into the story. It simply provides a resolution to The Poet.

Having read multiple entries from [a:Michael Connelly's 12470 Michael Connelly https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1539114448p2/12470.jpg] Harry Bosch series, I approached “The Narrows” with high expectations, and for the most part, it didn't disappoint. As one of the later books in the series, the tone is darker, more introspective, and delves into an older Bosch trying to adjust to life after the LAPD, all while being drawn into a chilling case involving a serial killer.The plot kicks off with Bosch investigating the death of a friend's husband, which also links FBI agent Rachel Walling to the resurgence of a notorious killer. Connelly's deft plotting shines through, as the story unspools with a quiet, steady tension that kept me flipping pages. There's a masterful blend of investigation and emotional weight, particularly as we see Bosch juggle the demands of the case with his tangled personal life, especially his fractured relationship with his daughter.What elevates The Narrows beyond a simple police procedural is its subtle exploration of Bosch's internal struggles. As a character, Bosch here feels weighed down by his years of service. The walls are closing in on him in many ways, and at times, the book takes on a meditative tone as Bosch confronts his past choices and his identity outside the badge.“The Narrows” is slow, methodical. While the story has its share of action, it's not relentless, instead giving space for character reflection—and that's where the novel truly shines.Though predictable at moments, the book offers a layered story with tension, driven by Bosch's relentless pursuit of justice.Four stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam