Book Review: Lost Light

Reviewed By: Fiona Walker

Lost Light     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Michael Connelly
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Harry Bosch # 9
2003, Orion, 361pages

Harry Bosch, now officially retired, has time on his hands. But, he still feels the pull of the job, and knows deep down that finding justice for the dead is, for him, not just a job, but a life. And so, he begins to look into a four year old unsolved case that has fallen by the investigatorial wayside, the vicious murder of Angella Benton, a film production assistant, killer just a few days before a daring $2million robbery on a movie set. Bosch gradually uncovers new information, throwing the case into an entirely different light, and finds that, even though he’s now left the LAPD, trouble still won’t leave him alone…

This is a tremendously successful Bosch novel from Connelly, surely the finest American exponent of the gritty cop thriller. It’s plot may not be entirely engrossing, but this book has so much in it about Bosch ­ no doubt helped by the fact that it’s told in the first person ­ that that doesn’t matter. Indeed, I don’t think Connelly has ever dug quite so deep, or shined his light quite so far into the mysterious dark cavern that is Harry Bosch, which makes this book a real delight for all fans of the series. To be honest, I feel that this book is primarily about Bosch, Bosch and Bosch (oh, and maybe L.A. too), so if you want a novel with a strong plot, maybe pass this by just for now. Although, I’d certainly recommend Lost Light to all those who are already fans. But, as the plot isn’t Connelly’s best (even though it does turn into something quite special at the books fascinating climax) those looking to just try the series out, should probably try an earlier one.

It’s fresh, it’s very well written, it’s engaging, and it even has another final page revelation to shock the reader, making this another gem among the treasure-trove that is Connelly’s work.

Fiona Walker

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Fiona Walker