Rating: Summary: Highly Entertaining But Uneven Tone Review: Isn't this what all readers dream of? Their favorite author combines several of their well-known characters in one book? That's what A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly proposes to do. I have to say that the title is just great and every book I've read by Connelly is both well-written and also one of those books you want to read as quickly as possible to find out what's going to happen. Often his books aren't about solving the mystery so much as delving into the motivations and inner demons of the detective solving the mystery. This book, more than any of his others, is more about what the two detectives, Harry Bosch and Terry McCaleb, are thinking and feeling. But since the book shifts back and forth between the two of them, the tone is uneven and a bit disorienting. Still, it was a great read, but I found that there were a few dangling characters and ideas in this book, things that are introduced and then discarded. The book does raise interesting ethical questions about legal procedure versus punishing the guilty. I would highly recommend that you read the other Harry Bosch works and the Terry McCaleb book (Blood Work) before you read this one, since it reveals a lot of the plot details from previous novels.
Rating: Summary: Good Twist on the Serial Killer Genre Review: The only book I'd read in the Harry Bosch series before this was City of Bones, and I have to say this is a fair amount better. At first, I didn't even realize it was a Harry Bosch book. It starts with the bizarro ritualistic murder of a sad case loner, which brings an ex-FBI profiler Terry McCaleb into the picture. Just as I was about to sigh and groan at yet another FBI profiler vs. serial killer story (ever since Red Dragon/Manhunter and Silence of the Lambs, why does anyone bother?), the case starts bumping into LAPD Det. Harry Bosch.Bosch is the key witness in the murder trial of a big-time Hollywood director, who is accused of having strangled a nobody actress while having sex. While the sensationalist aspect of the case and trial are pretty cliché, the details of the courtroom ebb and flow of the trial are quite interesting and well done. Intermingled with the court case, and its various last minute complications, is Terry McCaleb's off-the-record investigation of the ritual killing. His personal life gets a little cheezy as well, as he's started a new life with a younger wife and tiny daughter on a transplanted heart, but can't resist the lure of an interesting case. Saying any more about how McCaleb's case and Bosch's trial are connected might tip the plot away, but suffice to say there's a good twist or two and some deep dark secrets that come to light. I don't know if some of them relate to previous books in the series, but one might want to read them in order to avoid spoiling anything.
Rating: Summary: RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE LAST COYOTE Review: A Darkness More than Night draws you in on the first page and doesn't let you go until the last. You are drawn deep into the soul of Harry Bosch to view the good, the bad, and the ugly in this haunting book. Terry McCaleb is the perfect complement to Bosch's extremely complex character. He is drawn from retirement to help solve a baffling murder and the trail seems to lead in Bosch's direction. Not since The Last Coyote has there been such an intense Harry Bosch novel.
Rating: Summary: Bosch, Knight of Darkness????????? Review: At least this is what an ex-FBI profiler, Terry McCaleb, believes after he starts looking at allot of art books as a result of a homicide that the someone in the LA Co. Sheriff's Dept. has brought him.......right from the start I was disappointed that Connelly dragged out this character AGAIN......he was boring enough in "Blood Work" and I was disappointed that he is featured prominently in his newest book particularly as Harry nemesis. As the book progressed I found myself leafing ahead to see how much was left of McCaleb.......I have read all of Harry adventures and like him very much despite all of the baggage that he hauls around....but that is what makes him human.....unlike McCaleb who has all the answers apparently to everything.......perhaps the most hilarious aspect of this book was at the end where McCaleb declares, when he goes to Bosch's home, that he no longer wants to be his friend!!! EXCUSE ME?????? I was never aware that they were bosom buddies......infact I think Bosch says "What?" also......if I had to depend on a friend like that I might start thinking about how I select my 'friends'.......I feel the way Bosch does about him......I hope McCaleb stays on Catalina island PERMANENTLY swallowing his bottles of pills everyday, taking out fishermen in his little boat, and sitting on his front porch.......PS: Can I give 5 stars to Bosch and 1 to McCaleb in this book??????? LOL
Rating: Summary: A Sure-Fire Bestseller! Review: Michael Connelly's newest book, A Darkness More Than Night, features Terry McCaleb and Jaye Winston (from Blood Work)and Harry Bosch in a thriller that will definitely keep you glued to your seat. Be prepared for the pages to seem that they they are flying through your fingers. If you liked Blood Work, you'll greatly enjoy seeing how McCaleb tries to once again see inside a horrifyingly deranged criminal mind. What he uncovers, however, will not seem possible. In typical Connelly fashion, he develops characters, both good and bad, that are very well-developed and ones you'll feel are very real. Further, his plot will keep you engrossed from first page to last. Don't hesitate to add A Darkness More Than Night to your must-read list.
Rating: Summary: The colliding of two great characters Review: In A Darkness More than Night Michael Connelly combines two of his greatest characters, Harry Bosch and Terry McCaleb. In this book, you're not sure who you like more. In an ironic twist of fate, Bosch is the main suspect in a murder that McCaleb is investigating as a favor for an old friend. And if that weren't enough, Bosch is in the middle of an important trial, where his testimony could make or break the case and puts the responsibility of a killer punished or set free on his shoulders. With two suspenseful stories playing out, with characters we know and love, this book proves yet again Connelly's talent for writing. As of yet, I haven't been able to guess an ending yet- he keeps you on your toes! I enjoyed this book, as I've enjoyed all that came before it from Connelly. The only thing that was a little strange, was that it seemed Connelly had a hard time juggling the two characters and giving them equal time in the book. In a book that is considered part of the "Harry Bosch" series, it really was more about McCaleb and that left a little of a bad taste in my mouth. Even though I enjoy both characters, Bosch is still my favorite and I was looking forward to a book that again, focuses more on him and I didn't quite feel I got that. However, that's the only let down, BUT surprisingly, I did begin enjoy getting to know McCaleb more and more through out this book. I do hope Connelly writes another one featuring him, I just think it might be better though to keep the two characters separate and give them each their own stage.
Rating: Summary: a bit too clever and tidy Review: Connelly is a good writer but, as in THE POET, the plot is a little too contrived/clever for its own good. The opening scenes of McCaleb grudgingly accepting the case were a little too reminiscent of Will Graham in the beginning of Harris' RED DRAGON. Also, McCaleb was too quick to accept Bosch as the killer of Gunn (If Bosch was the killer, why would he leave such elaborate clues pointing to himself? And why didn't Bosch, or someone else, point this out to him?). The ending wraps everything up a little too neatly and conveniently for my taste and, at 470 pages, this novel could probably have benefited from a little trimming here and there. Finally, would the real killer(s) have had the intelligence and ability to concoct such an elaborate murder scene? Not a bad novel, but not worthy of the high praise it has garnered.
Rating: Summary: Just a good book to read Review: This book is not the best of Michael Connelly but is a good read, but if you want you can skip the last three chapters and you will miss nothing, the part of McCaleb's investigation is much better than the trial, but this part is also good, if you are a Connelly reader don't expect to much of this book and with that in mind read it.
Rating: Summary: Intelligent entertainment Review: Having read the book just 3 weeks after visiting Avalon, Catalina, I found myself enjoying the book more than I would have otherwise. The book is overall very entertaining, intelligent, and very easy to read. The ending might be predictable but the way the story comes together is quite good. Except for a few minor character/plot points that were never quite explained (spoiler; i.e., why did the apartment manager take the owl to the other building?) and a somewhat over imaginative "profiling", this is definitely worth the read.
Rating: Summary: Terrific story! Review: I really enjoyed this! I'll definitely being reading more of Connelly's books- this was my first one.
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