Rating: 
Summary: Enter Harry Bosch
Review: An absolutely terrific first novel in the superb Hironymous Bosch series, introduces us to Michael Connelly's enigmatic and troubled LA detective. Harry Bosch lives for his job, and the cost to his personal life and relationships is troubling.When we meet Harry, he has already been, in essence, demoted by being kicked off of the elite Robbery/Homicide squad and stuck in Homicide in the Hollywood division. But Harry is a pure detective, and will work every case with the same single-minded tenacity that gets results while alienating him from his fellows and irritating his bosses. A throw-away death of a junkie found in a drainage pipe would have gone unnoticed if anyone but Harry Bosch had caught the call. But Bosch, while having a lousy personal life IS a superb detective, and he sees what many would miss. Not only that, but the victim is someone from Harry's past which further prompts him to look deeper. Harry's investigation causes him to cross paths with the FBI and his conflicts become even more personal when he becomes romantically involved with a female FBI agent. The story unfolds with many surprises and the meticulous detail that we will come to expect from Connelly in the series. First rate all the way. A great beginning.
Rating:
Summary: Great First Book In A Series
Review: Most first books in a series have segments which are tedious while the author is trying to establish the character, then the plot. But this is a great first book, everything moved smoothly, and Mr. Connelly showed great skill in weaving a mystery for us!! Excellent read!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Detective Novel
Review: "The Black Echo" is about L.A. detective Harry Bosch and F.B.I. agent Eleanor Wish, who, not so coincidentally, become involved in the death of a man Harry once knew in Vietnam. They set out to solve a death that appears to be a suicide overdose, but to Harry's perspicacious eyes have see too many in congruencies to be content with appearances. The story is well-hewn, but not as taut, as some of the other Bosch novels. Parts VI, VII, and VIII (about 100-200 pages, depending on edition) especially could be radically reduced with a finer sheen. The story sort of drags to bring in some characters that have only incidental merit to the overall plot. As a Californian, I knew many of the acronyms and numerical titles for PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), 405 (San Diego Freeway), 10 (Santa Monica Freeway), but Connelly uses these shorthand equivalents in a way that might make the distant reader feel confused. He's given to using these initials in the text (such as O.M. for Old Man), that's rather offputting. Overall recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Did I miss something??
Review: Why does everyone love this book? It's received such great reviews, I don't understand.
I read "The Poet" and found it to be quite enjoyable and engaging. So I eagerly wanted to visit more of Connelly's works so I started at the beginning with "The Black Echo", however this book never captured me. I found myself screaming "Would something PLEASE happen!" Perhaps I was more interested in the serial killer plotline of "The Poet," but it was a real chore to finish this one. Maybe it's the Harry Bosch character, or the slow plotting, but I'm hesitant to visit any other Connelly books now.
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