The Black Echo: Harry Bosch Series, Book 1 by Michael Connelly
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Summary
For LAPD homicide cop Harry Bosch -- hero, maverick, nighthawk -- the body in the drainpipe at Mulholland Dam is more than another anonymous statistic. This one is personal. The dead man, Billy Meadows, was a fellow Vietnam "tunnel rat" who fought side by side with him in a nightmare underground war that brought them to the depths of hell. Now, Bosch is about to relive the horror of Nam. From a dangerous maze of blind alleys to a daring criminal heist beneath the city to the torturous link that must be uncovered, his survival instincts will once again be tested to their limit. Joining with an enigmatic and seductive female FBI agent, pitted against enemies inside his own department, Bosch must make the agonizing choice between justice and vengeance, as he tracks down a killer whose true face will shock him.
After catching Michael Connelly's live discussion on Facebook, sponsored by the service, I decided to dive into "The Black Echo: Harry Bosch Series, Book 1". The discussion was amazing, and I was eager to explore the backstory of Eleanor and Harry. Connelly himself recommended "Black Echo" as the perfect choice. However, I must admit that out of all the Bosch books I've read, this one was the least enjoyable.
Unfortunately, the plot tends to lose momentum in the middle, making it a bit of a struggle to stay engaged. While the storyline itself is easy enough to follow, it simply lacks that captivating factor. Despite this, my curiosity about how Harry and Eleanor's relationship unfolded compelled me to continue reading. There are definitely more revelations to be discovered, although I'm not entirely sure if I'll actively seek them out.
The narration, I must say, is the weakest aspect of the audiobook. It adds an extra layer of difficulty while pushing through the slow middle section. Hill's portrayal of Eleanor gives her an unfortunate depiction as a young, frightened individual with limited intelligence. Furthermore, even though several characters are from New Iberia, LA, Hill delivers them all with a New York accent, which is quite jarring. In my experience, it's one of the most disappointing performances I've ever heard.
Another disappointment comes from the portrayal of Harry Bosch himself. In other books, particularly "9 Dragons", I found Harry to be a compelling character. However, in "The Black Echo", he comes across as rather creepy. It's difficult to relate to him or find any sympathy for his actions.
Overall, "The Black Echo" falls short compared to other books in the Bosch series. It may be some time before I decide to venture into another one.
I wanted to start reading the Bosch series, so I decided to give this book a try. I found the pacing to be well-done and the characters to be believable.
However, I must admit that the twist in the story was somewhat predictable. Additionally, the IAD investigation, which plays a significant role in the plot, was not adequately explained or justified. By the end of the book, I still felt unclear about the reasons behind Bosch being under investigation and labeled as "bad."
Furthermore, I wasn't particularly fond of the military sub-storyline, as it had a slight political undertone that didn't quite resonate with me. Additionally, I struggled to fully grasp the motivations of the antagonist, even though they were explained towards the end of the book.
On a positive note, the narration was well-done, which enhanced the overall listening experience.
Despite my criticisms, I am still intrigued by Bosch as a character and want to see how he develops. Therefore, I will definitely give the next book in the series a read.
If you've made up your mind to dive into the entire series after checking out some of the later books, then this one's for you. It's got a bit of that 80's cop movie vibe that might not be everyone's cup of tea (with drug dealers, Vietnam, and corrupt cops), but it's definitely worth investing your time in.
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