Rating: 
Summary: Early Bosch but still GREAT
Review: Michael Connelly is fast becoming the pre-eminent Mystery/Crime novelist and rightly so. Having read all his books I can't think of anyone who I've enjoyed more consistently. Whether his main character is the endearing Detective Hieronymous (Harry)Bosch, Retired FBI profiler Terry McCaleb, FBI agent Rachael Walling or none of the above, I've enjoyed every story, all fourteen of them.
Of course my favorite main character has to be the intractable Detective Bosch, offspring of a call girl whose murder in 1961 left young Harry orphaned at the age of twelve. The Last Coyote, Connelly's fourth novel, sees Bosch, placed on indefinite leave for putting his Lieutenant's head through a plate glass window and taking advantage of his new found free time to reopen the aged cold case of his mother's murder.
Everybody or Nobody
As far as Harry is concerned, everybody, no matter what their station in life, gets equal treatment under the law. That's why his personal motto is "Everybody or Nobody" and he lives by that creed. Is that a coincidence, I think not. It probably goes back to his childhood and his mother's unsolved murder.
Harry's Mother's name was Marjorie Lowe. After receiving a card five years previously from Marjorie's best friend, Merideth Roman, Harry pulled the murder file to try to reopen the case but he wasn't yet ready emotionally. So now he decided to try again. He had plenty of time between the three weekly visits to Carmen Hinojos, the departments anger management consultant (shrink), so he decided to give it another go. This time Harry got far enough into the murder book to decide that as he suspected, the investigation was whitewashed and some V.I.P.s were involved. Harry discovers Marjorie was seeing Arlo Conklin a former DA. Also possibly involved was Gordan Mittel, Conklin's former aid and now political kingmaker.
Harry has plenty of time but he has no authority and no gun, so when he starts nosing around it disturbs some people. He is still angry at Harvey Pounds, his lieutenant and he needs a badge so he steals Pound's, on the sly. He also throws Pounds name around and this turns out to be a mistake, as it ends badly.
Harry's an endearing character but he's certainly not delicate. Sometimes his investigating style is like a bull in a china shop. He gets results but some dishes get broken. In this case Harry's investigation leads to a couple more murders and almost Harry's demise. But let me tell you, I found the ending to be most surprising, even the second time around. If you can guess the ending before he gives it to you in the last fifteen or so pages, you're a better sleuth than me and I'm pretty good.
CONCLUSION
Bosch is a complex character who doesn't even seem to know himself. On one hand he is a resolutely honorable human being while being both difficult and uncompromising. This dichotomy is not appreciated among his superiors but because he is a extremely competent at his job, they cut him some slack. I think he is so popular a character because many of his readers identify with him in his travails against both bad guys, unfairness and bureaucracies.
Author Michael Connelly is/was a crime reporter for the LA Times for years, which seems to give him a special insight into the world of crime and crime fighters, which is evident in his books. Having been a writer before an author also gives him a concise, economical, smooth writing style that is user friendly, which this reader appreciates. I just finished reading this book for the second time - actually the first time was an audio book - and I'm still amazed how Connelly can jerk the reader around, in a good sense, continuously making the reader guess the wrong bad guy and the wrong outcome. He is a master at misdirection.
Rating:
Summary: Connelly Strikes Again
Review: THE LAST COYOTE is the fourth Harry Bosch novel in Michael Connelly's series and the fourth one I've read. I haven't been disappointed yet. Connelly writes taut, suspenseful mysteries that keep you guessing right to the end. His background as an L.A. jornalist gives him the experience necessary to depict criminal investigations in a realistic and believable way. His stories are gritty and graphic, so be prepared for that, but he definitely keeps you turning the page to see what happens next.In THE LAST COYOTE, Harry Bosch is on suspension and under psychiatric evaluation. With time on his hands, he decides to take up the investigation of an unsolved murder from thirty years ago. The victim was his mother. Connelly's Harry Bosch series is great. THE LAST COYOTE is the fourth one for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all (if you're new to Harry Bosch, start with THE BLACK ECHO and read them in order). The characterization has depth, the plots are well-constructed and full of surprises, and Connelly's writing is well-executed. I recommend this, and all of the previous Harry Bosch books, very highly.
Rating: 
Summary: The best Bosch novel?
Review: The Last Coyote might be the best of Connelly's Bosch series. I hesitate to lay such a claim upon this book if only because it does have some weaknesses in that there is much in the way of unnecessary plot additions here. A love affair that is tired and stalls the stories development comes to mind. Later in this series, you will find tighter stories, but they run into the far fetched over the top sensationalism that makes these books read like a Hollywood blockbuster rather than a serious crime drama. With that aside, I whole-heartedly recommend this book. You should enjoy it for the guilty pleasure that it is. I would say that you should build up to it, don't skip the first books in the series. It is not necessary, but it adds quite a bit to know Bosch's past history.
Try Hillerman or Block for consistent good books in a mystery series, or `Becker's Ring,' by Steven Martin Cohen for a good mystery read. On the more adult side try Quincunx by Palliser or `Wind Up Bird Chronicle' by Murakami. Try Hammett, Chandler, Jim Harrison, or Edward Bunkers Dog Eat Dog. These are all mysteries that are a little more serious and just as enjoyable as what Bosch offers.
Rating:
Summary: The Last Coyote,
Review: The Last Coyote, by exciting writer, Michael Connelly, may not be the best in the Detective Harry Bosch Mystery Series, but the series overall was absolutely the best. I enjoy stories that go from one book to the next. I find the ongoing storylines very exciting and think most people who enjoy this genre will feel the same way. I like getting to know the characters on an intimate level. Makes the story seem very real.
Rating:
Summary: The Last Coyote,
Review: The Last Coyote, by exciting writer, Michael Connelly, may not be the best in the Detective Harry Bosch Mystery Series, but the series overall was absolutely the best. I enjoy stories that go from one book to the next. I find the ongoing storylines very exciting and think most people who enjoy this genre will feel the same way. I like getting to know the characters on an intimate level. Makes the story seem very real.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful Entertainment
Review: This is the fourth installment in the Harry Bosch series, and overall it was excellent. Fast paced, action packed, a terrific thriller. Harry still has S#@t for taste in woman, but that is actually par for the course in this genre. But, overall, this is a great story.
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