Nine Dragons
Michael Connelly
Little, Brown & Company
ISBN 978-0-316-16631-7
Hardcover $27.99 CA, $34.99 US
374 pages
Reviewed by Amanda Capper
Fans of crime writer Michael Connelly will not be disappointed in the latest of the Hieronymus Bosch series. This veteran writer consistently delivers page-turning novels without appearing repetitive.
Harry Bosch is a L. A. detective for the elite Homicide Special. Covering a routine call for an under-staffed South L.A. squad, Harry and his partner investigate the murder of a Chinese liquor store owner. The dead owner manages to give Harry clues and the family give him motives. Seems like an open and shut case; until Harry’s thirteen year old daughter Maddie is kidnapped in Hong Kong, where she lives with Harry’s ex-wife Eleanor. Finding out that Harry is still in love with his ex-wife, and that he didn’t know he had a daughter until nine years ago, gives this tough hero a vulnerable side and emotional edge that other books in this genre don’t always have.
In Hong Kong Harry attempts to track down Maddie and her captors with the help of Eleanor and her new Chinese suitor, a man who admits to ties with a triad. Believing there is a leak in the Department and forced to co-operate with people he only just met, who he can trust is a constant question on Harry’s mind. Tragedies happen, bodies are discovered and there is hardly time to breathe before Connelly turns another table. This experienced writer excels at delivering information through dialogue; technical procedures never sound monotonous. I never once skimmed.
As all good crime stories should, Nine Dragons has clues, twists and plots that tie up neatly, but not predictably, in the final few pages. I fully recommend all books in the Harry Bosch series, as well as the Mickey Haller (Harry’s half-brother) series.
Copyright ⓒ2010 Amanda Capper