Rating: 
Summary: A highly political book!
Review: Those who do not like this novel too much expect a thriller to be just that: a thriller. They perhaps do not want to be reminded of the fact that a good author - and Michael Connelly is excellent - does not write novels that exclude reality, even when it means that this reality is sad and disappointing. But Connelly does put his plot in the real world with its real problems. And this is why this book is so good. And this is why the novel is a very political novel, and a very pessimistic one. Very often it is not the truth that the authorities are after, but their first interest is to survive politically. In the most delicate field of racism this attitude becomes even more apparent than in just normal homicide cases. In describing this Connelly can prove that he is a first rate author - second to almost none in his field. We want our authors to mirror reality and comment on it. It is not the world of easy thrillers with their black and white view of human nature, which has always been wrong and which turns good plots into bad novels.But the novel has also qualities of a real thriller: it is a page turner, so full of suspense that you cannot lay the book down. Its characters - even the superficially contradictory ones - are full-fledged human beings, believable even in the smallest details. This time the ever present side-plot of Bosch's ever present personal difficulties remains quite inobtrusive and surfaces only in a few scenes. This gives the book speed and a strong narrative quality. The breathless atmosphere in this situation, which is on the edge of exploding at any moment, would be broken by lengthy psychologically reflective moments, which are the trademark of his other novels. Here they would disturb the necessarily hectic progress of the story. In form and content this novel is simply excellent!
Rating:
Summary: They don't get much more "noir" than this one
Review: Ever since I read Connelly's *The Black Echo*, the first of the Harry Bosch mysteries, I've been hooked on these wonderfully complex, fabulously written novels. Bosch is (predictably) "hard-boiled and melancholy, but with a heart of gold," as befits this venerable fictional genre. Yes, there are many, MANY cop/P.I. detective series out there, but in my estimation, Connelly's Bosch series is the best, and *Angels Flight* shows why. The theme in this novel is the atmosphere of racial distrust and recriminations against the Los Angeles police that has emerged in the wake of the Rodney King cases and the O.J. Simpson trial. Connelly succeeds for the most part in capturing the tragic essence of what has been wrought by the legacy of police misconduct and the African American reaction to it in the city of angels. Not surprisingly, he is most effective in presenting the police perspective here: the outrage and frustration at the deterioration of police credibilty in the community overall; the combination of anger and grudging admiration that a get-the-police black attorney might elicit from conscientious police professionals; the increasing disillusionment as the politicization of police affairs becomes ever more complete. If there is a weakness in Connelly's adventuresome foray into political territory, it's related to the delicate and difficult race-related theme he has addressed here. To succeed totally in this endeavor, Connelly must navigate through some extremely tricky sociological issues, and it becomes apparent that he might be in a bit over his head in this regard. When attempting to provide the African American perspective on police presence and conduct in LA, for example, Connelly does a decent but not outstanding job. Clearly, here he is an "outsider." This flaw is forgiveable, of course, in light of the fact that his principal task is to provide an engrossing police mystery. Here, he succeeds brilliantly, as always. Along the way, he presents a picture of contemporary society that is dark, frightening, almost hopeless. To say that this novel is "noir" is an understatement. Connelly's portrayal of human nature, contemporary police and civil politics, and the ongoing deterioration of "the California dream" in the city of angels is stunningly powerful. This is not a book that will appeal to the faint of heart. As always, there is a thread in this novel that continues "the story" where it left off in his previous mystery in which Bosch was the protagonist. Consequently, whereas this book certainly can provide a can't-put-it-down read for those who have never read any of the previous Bosch mysteries, these books are best appreciated if they are read in chronological order, beginning with *The Black Echo*. Currently, I've been reading Dennis Lehane and Robert Crais mysteries. These are terrific, but as I turn the pages I can't wait for the next Bosch novel to be released.
Rating:
Summary: A Shakespeare Tragedy of a police novel
Review: Angel's Flight by Michael Connelly is an excellent, exciting read as are all his Harry Bosch books. Bosch this time is more vulnerable, because of his declining marriage. The story moves along at a fast pace and keeps you guessing as to who the perpetrator is. Plot involves many twists and turns and in the end turns into a Shakespearian Tragedy.
Rating: 
Summary: Connelly doesn't disappoint!
Review: Angels Flight is not as good as Void Moon, but it is still a great crime novel. Connelly is your better-than-average crime/suspense novelist and he doesn't disappoint with Angels Flight. Harry Bosch is great & the story basically is about the murder of 2 people, one being a high-profile lawyer. It is better than just your average 'whodunit' as it is still political enough to be interesting and still clever enough to keep you guessing throughout the book, with enough twists to make it believable. After a few crappy crime/suspense novels that I have read in the last couple of days, Connelly was just the ticket to get me back into great ones again & I have just ordered all his books!
Rating:
Summary: Connelly is great
Review: This is a great murder mystery. Connelly is great at keeping the reader off balance. The characters were rich and the story line was compelling. This was my first Bosch novel so I can't comment on the change of Bosch's personality from past books but if you take that out of the equation this book is a great read. I can't wait to read through his other works.
Rating:
Summary: MY VERY FAVORITE CONNELLY NOVEL!
Review: I have read every single book that Michael Connelly has written except Void Moon, and I believe that Angels Flight is his very best. It seems like that every novel of Connelly's gets better and better. I have noticed a repetitive pattern of this. I enjoy Harry Bosch VERY much. I think Harry is the perfect person to be a detective. I finished this one in two days. Mr. Connelly ranks right up there with the big wigs like Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford, and Mary Higgins Clark. Void Moon is next on my list!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT
Review: I started with the Black Echo and have gone through the entire series. This was a great addition to the Bosch series. A must read...
Rating: 
Summary: Flawed but Compelling
Review: I hadn't read any of Connelly's books before Angels Flight, which was given to me by a Connelly fan. Happily, Angels Flight turned out to be an above-average crime novel with a sympathetic main character and a compelling ripped-from-the-headlines plot. It's too bad Connelly's not a better writer: much of his dialogue is stilted and his descriptions often lack color. Also, the novel's climax feels contrived and is consequently unsatisfying; suffice it to say that Connelly goes a little bit over the top.
Rating:
Summary: More Bosch, more politics.
Review: Some reviewers are bummed out because Bosch has gone soft. I find Bosch to still be the tough and sharp character that he always was. I also think that the dialogue is more plentiful and crisper compared to the earlier works. What's different are the stories. They aren't serial murders anymore. Since there is not a murder happening regularly, we get more time with Bosch. We understand him a little more. We also get to encounter more of those maddening politics inside the LAPD, city hall, the public mob and the LA media machine. Those will get you more riled up than the crimes! Connelly does a stellar job at portraying Bosch fighting to solve cases while dealing with all the other forces dogging him in the name of "going along to get along."
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Narration!
Review: I listen to a lot of books on cassette (due to a long commute), and a good narrator makes all the difference. Burt Reynolds was great.
| 
