I found this one to be solid and unpredictable. Bosch is asked to look into the death of an old colleague by his wife and his discoveries lead him in an unexpected direction. He becomes involved on the periphery of an FBI investigation of a serial killer who has resurfaced. Twists and turns follow. Really well crafted work. I enjoyed it. ( )

This is the first Connelly book I've read, and I was very disappointed. I like spare thrillers, but not this spare. Where are the descriptions? What do these people look like? Sentences were barely six words long, and the constant declarative style got on my nerves. Maybe I just leaped into the series in the wrong place? ( )

Having read multiple entries from Michael Connelly’s 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.

In comparison to some of Connelly’s other novels, such as The Lincoln Lawyer, which favours a more fast-paced, courtroom-drama style, The Narrows is slower, more 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 | Tumblr

Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam ( )

Terry McCaleb and Rachel Walling, both FBI with one retired and one active, are tow of my least favorite recurring characters in the Bosch universe. McCaleb features here, with yet another resurrection of the serial killer investigation from [The Poet]. McCaleb, thankfully, buys the farm near the beginning of the book, which is why puts Bosch into the mix. He feels somewhat responsible after leaving things on poor terms and behaving toward McCaleb badly at the end of [A Darkness More than Night]. With Walling's help, Bosch retraces McCaleb's investigation and eventually they corner The Poet. Given the return of characters I don't particularly like, this is not my favorite. Perhaps part of the reason I don't like these characters is because they bring out the worst in Bosch - maybe that's why Connelly uses them.

4 bones!!!! ( )

Bosch up against The Poet a ruthless resourceful x detective who wants to take revenge on his former colleagues.
Rachel Walling is one of these and is used as bait by her colleagues to lure him out.
An interesting plot well executed showing the FBI doesn't share information within, is to worried about politics and public opinion losing site of the investigation.
. ( )