Review of "The Closers: A Harry Bosch Mystery" by Michael Connelly

In this 11th book in the 'Harry Bosch' series, the detective teams up with his old partner Kiz Rider to solve a cold case. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

LAPD Detective Harry Bosch retired three years ago, in 1985, thinking he'd work on unsolved cases and spend time with his newly discovered young daughter Maddie. Maddie's now been whisked off to live in Hong Kong with her mother - a professional poker player - and Harry's bored and missing his badge and gun.

Harry's influential former partner, Kiz Rider, helps get him back in the LAPD - and the two of them are assigned to the Open- Unsolved Unit (cold cases).



The duo immediately land a case involving the murder of a biracial teenage girl, Rebecca Verloren, 17 years ago.



The probe just heated up because recent DNA analysis of blood from the murder gun points to ex-convict Roland Mackey, who used to run with neo-Nazis. The blood only links Roland to the weapon, not the murder, but it's a good start.



Harry and Kiz begin their inquiries by studying the murder book (case files) and talking to detectives, witnesses, and suspects from 17 years ago. The partners hit on new clues and discover that 'higher ups' in the police department may have derailed the original investigation. Thus it's no surprise that Harry's long-time nemesis - Deputy Chief Irvin Irving - 'runs into' Harry....and nastily asserts Harry will soon mess up and be out on his ass.



The book is essentially a police procedural, and provides an interesting view of how investigators identify suspects, get search warrants, bug phones, follow persons of interest, do stake-outs, etc. In this case, Harry and Kiz's hasty actions result in an additional death, and Harry JUST MIGHT get the heave ho. 😨



The story also demonstrates the repercussions of a tragic murder on the victim's family. Rebecca's father, once a successful restaurateur, became a homeless drunk. And Rebecca's mother - lonely, grief-stricken, and unable to move on - kept her daughter's old bedroom intact. This actually turns out to be beneficial, because the room 'tickles' Harry's intuition.



The book has an array of interesting characters, including Rebecca's old high school friends and teachers; some former skinheads; the new Police Chief Abel Pratt; and Harry's gossipy onetime partner Jerry Edward.

This isn't one of Connelly's best novels (IMO), being a bit slow and plodding, but I enjoyed trying to figure out 'whodunit.' I'd recommend the book to readers who like mysteries, especially Harry Bosch fans.

Rating: 3 stars