Harry Bosch is called in after a body is found, and he recognises a former friend from Vietnam with whom he had worked. Taking this personally, he perseveres despite opposition from colleagues and others, and finally uncovers the truth. This is the first Harry Bosch novel and also introduces Eleanor Wish. It is also Michael Connelly’s first novel. It has everything I like about the series: it is well-written and witty, with a thorough plot. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found it gripping.
“The setting sun burned the sky pink and orange in the same bright hues as surfers’ bathing suits. It was beautiful deception, Bosch thought, as he drove north on the Hollywood Freeway to home. Sunsets did that here. Made you forget it was the smog that made their colors so brilliant, that behind every pretty picture there could be an ugly story.”