Bosch

I think I’ve read about 2/3 to 3/4 of the Bosch novels and all the Lincoln Lawyer ones. I started “Trunk Music” a few weeks back and just ran out of time at the online lending library and interest. It was really going pretty good. They find a dead guy in the trunk of a car parked opposite the Hollywood Bowl. The victim is a shady film producer. It looks like his production company is basically a money laundering operation where he takes a percentage from whomever wants the laundering done.

Then the trail leads Bosch to Vegas. And it’s still pretty interesting. And then he runs into videotape that he reviews at the casino (he’s following the last movements of the guy who got murdered) and he sees an old flame of Bosch’s sitting at the same table as the guy who got murdered and they are talking to each other.

Again, okay so far. And then Bosch seems to jump completely out of character as he renews his love affair with this dame even though she very possibly could be connected to the case. Later Bosch all but tampers with evidence to try to keep her out of the local investigation that is also looking into peripheral issues surrounding the guy who was found in the trunk.

The book just seemed to step out of character for Bosch. Maybe I’ll pick it up again later.

I started one of the books where Connolly has a chick detective (Renée Ballard) as the lead. I tried to stay with the first book in this series, “The Late Show,” but it (and she) were devoid of personality and interest. That one I will not likely be returning to.

Michael Connelly Books in Order

Of all the Bosch books, the one that sticks in my brain most is “The Crossing” where Bosch temporarily goes to work on the defense side of things with his brother-in-law, Mickey Haller. If anyone wanted a good taste of Bosch, you could do worse than that although you’d lack some of the context of Bosch as the hard-nosed, I-hate-defense-lawyers detective.

Michael Connelly spent a lot of time with cops in LA. His familiarity with who, what, where, why and how police work shows up in the novels. It is what makes Bosch a believable character. Lee Child, on the other hand, clearly has little idea how agents, secret and otherwise operate and the Jack Reacher character is just a reprise of James Bond with an attitude.

So you made it through “Dark Sacred Night,” Mr. Kung? Maybe I’ll try to get back someday to “The Late Show.” It wasn’t bad. Just devoid of panache and interest. Not that that’s any deal-breaker.

I hadn’t realized you had read that many of the Bosch novels. I wish I could think back and recommend the best ones because there might be a couple “must reads” not on your list. I think two (perhaps three) of the Lincoln Lawyer ones are outstanding. But one or two of them were very so-so. Also, I think all of the Bosch novels, proper, that included his half-brother, Mickey Haller, were good. There were (I think) two of those.

Artler is a true Boschophile because he loves the character and generally wishes there were less of his daughter. That really goes for the books and even more so in the streaming series.

Bosch season six quick overview

For fans of of the first five seasons. You will not be disappointed with season six. There are several story lines with Bosh and his partner with each going off in their own direction and coming back. Bosch's daughter, Maddie is not as annoying and whiney as in previous seasons, perhaps because she is growing up, or maybe the producers listened to Brad, at any rate she is much more tolerable. 

Most of the plot revolves around Connelly's book, Dark Sacred Night, so the murder of a teenager, Daisy Clayton, consumes a lot of the plot. 

If you are a fan of Bosch and LA cop stories you will not be disappointed. As in almost every production these days there is some PC but it is mostly understated. 

Okay, so far so good 3/5 of the way in the first episode of season six.

General observations: Maddie is definitely not getting better looking as she ages.

Love the term “Shroom” as when Bosch says about the FBI “They’re going to shroom us…keep us in the dark and feed us shit.” That’s very relatable regarding the whole Wuhan virus thing.

Solid episode so far. I realize the series is in a parallel universe compared to the books. They intersect here and there but generally keep the cast together when in the books, Bosch in constantly moving on and working with other people. But I like J Edgar so that’s okay. But I don’t remember any book that featured stolen radioactive material.

So I guess they’re adding their own extension to the Dark Sacred Night novel which I did read.

Artler mentioned there is still some political correctness in the series (this season six). I think the largest aspect is the focus on this group (I forget what they call themselves) that rejects all law but common law. They drive around with home-made license plates on their cars, for instance.

This is a tremendously cowardly and dishonest theme. This is pure propaganda, the idea being that if you oppose any kind of government overreach, you’re just a kook. Shame on these series writers for this.

I’ll be waiting for Connelly and the writers to feature a revolutionary band of Eco-terrorists. But I’m not going to hold my breath.