The Burning Room (A Harry Bosch Novel Book 19)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Hieronymus (Harry) Bosch, Michael Connelly's iconic character, is in the twilight of his career as an L. A. homicide detective. In "The Burning Room," Harry is partnered with twenty-eight year old Mexican-American Lucia Soto. Harry becomes Lucy's mentor, sharing his wide-ranging knowledge of procedure (some of it not exactly by-the-book) with his eager protégé. Harry's latest case in the Open-Unsolved Unit involves Orlando Merced, who was shot ten years earlier by an unidentified shooter. Merced survived for a decade in a wheelchair, with a bullet lodged in his spine. Merced recently died and Harry wants the bullet; it may help them find the perpetrator.

Harry and Lucy make a solid team. They are both committed to getting the job done, even if it means pulling all-nighters, being less than candid with their superiors, and upsetting high-profile individuals. What they learn is explosive. As they follow the leads that emerge, Harry and Lucy suspect that what appeared to be a random act might have been deliberate. Making matters more complex is the possible connection between the assault on Merced, an arson fire, and two robberies. If these felonies turn out to be related, what is the link?

Connelly keeps his foot on the pedal throughout this fast-moving and engrossing police procedural. The interplay between Bosch and Soto is amusing and instructive. Harry is all business and Soto matches his dedication. She comes to work early, leaves late, and both doggedly pursue every piece of evidence, no matter how flimsy it may seem. The beautifully constructed plot involves political corruption, greed, lust, and vengeance. Harry is irreverent, bends the rules when it suits him, taps into a network of former colleagues who provide valuable assistance and, as usual, steps on some very important toes. The dialogue is clever, the prose is crisp, and Connelly holds our interest with fascinating tidbits about forensics, Los Angeles history, insider jargon, investigative techniques, and the foibles of human nature. "The Burning Room" is exciting and concludes with a slam-bang ending. One thing is certain--whatever the inimitable Harry does in the future, his fans will gladly accompany him on his journey.