Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "Two Kinds of Truth: A Harry Bosch Novel" by Michael Connelly

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Review of "Two Kinds of Truth: A Harry Bosch Novel" by Michael Connelly

In this 30th book in the 'Harry Bosch universe', the detective looks into pill-mills and re-examines one of his old cases. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Detective Harry Bosch worked for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for more than three decades before he retired. Not happy being a 'man of leisure' Harry took a volunteer job with the tiny San Fernando Police Department (SFPD), looking into cold cases.

Harry also agreed to train the SFPD's three young detectives, playfully nicknamed Huey, Duey, and Louie.

In his capacity as a mentor Harry accompanies Detective Bella Lourdes (probably Louie) to the scene of a double homicide.

Two druggists - a father and son - were shot in their pharmacy. It turns out the drug store was part of a 'pill-mill' operation - a gangster-run enterprise in which prescriptions for pain killers from phony clinics are filled by pharmacies that turn a blind eye.

The shooting was meant to look like a robbery gone wrong, but evidence points to deliberate cold-blooded murder.....and Lourdes takes lead on the case.

Wanting to catch the 'pill-mill' gang leader, the DEA decides to send in an undercover cop who'll pretend to be an addict needing pain meds - and Harry gets picked for the job. Harry pretends to be a smelly bum with a knee injury, but infiltrating the drug ring turns out to be SUPER dangerous.

Meanwhile, Harry is also involved with another investigation. Thirty years ago Harry helped put a man named Preston Borders on death row for a vicious rape and murder. Now, new DNA evidence points to a different perp - a serial rapist who recently died in prison. Even worse, Harry is being accused of planting evidence during the original inquiry. As a result, the district attorney is looking to vacate Borders' conviction, and a court hearing is scheduled.

Harry is sure the 'new DNA' was planted and that he's being framed - especially since Harry KNOWS he did nothing wrong. Unfortunately, the DA - and some detectives in the LAPD - seem to think Harry is a dirty cop. (This is par for the course in these books. Harry's usually on the outs with one or more LAPD honchos.)

Luckily Harry's half-brother is attorney Mickey Haller - who's probably the smartest, craftiest lawyer in Los Angeles.

Harry and Mickey - along with Mickey's investigator Cisco - dig up some useful information to use against Borders and his attorneys.....and that's all I'll say about that.

In this book Harry shows a little of his softer side. He's very solicitous toward his college-age daughter Maddie and demonstrates sympathy for a drug addict, whom he tries to help.....though he knows it might be a losing proposition.

I always enjoy Michael Connelly's books, which provide a fascinating peek at crime and criminal investigation around Los Angeles. In "Two Kinds of Truth", though, Harry seems to slide through the book a tad too easily. Harry and/or Mickey just happen to have exactly the right contact; or unearth exactly the right piece(s) of evidence; or carry exactly the correct unconventional (or jury-rigged) weapon; and so on. This occurs again and again and again, to the point where it stretched credibility (for me).

Still, I liked the book and highly recommend it to mystery fans.

Rating: 3.5 stars

2 comments:

JacquiDecember 22, 2017 at 11:28 AM
Just reading this one. I read your review with one eye closed though I knew you wouldn't add a spoiler! I am quite enjoying it.
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Barb SafferDecember 23, 2017 at 9:07 PM
Kali, Michael Connelly writes great crime novels. I'm glad you're enjoying the book. :):)
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Barb's Book Reviews

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Review of "Two Kinds of Truth: A Harry Bosch Novel" by Michael Connelly

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