Book Review: The Closers

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[5 stars]

The Closers Amazon US PB Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Michael Connelly
Class/Genre: Mystery Police Procedural
Series: Harry Bosch # 11
Little, Brown, May 2005, $26.95, 400 pp.

Three years ago Harry Bosch retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after a quarter of a century of service, but has returned to active duty. The LAPD Chief warns him that things are different from his previous stint and he is “not to break the law to enforce the law” or he will be back into retirement. Harry understands that the FBI is looking over the shoulders of LAPD and will adhere to the law as he works the Open Unsolved cases.

Among several cases, Harry and “partner” Kizmin Rider look into the 1988 murder of sixteen year old Rebecca Verloren that the detectives ruled as probable suicide by a 45 semi automatic that shattered her heart. Though their report makes it appear that the Devonshire Division cops went the extra mile, Harry realizes that the autopsy proved murder occurred and the department reacted slowly. Harry and Kiz begin making inquiries and soon learn closure has not occurred for the parents and his fellow blue knights want them to back off making him wonder if he was set up to fail.

With Harry back on the force as a Closer, this long running series is refreshed as he deals with bureaucratic roadblocks and unwillingness to cooperate with his efforts. A reference to Gibson’s Lethal Weapon adds a sense of time as well as insight into Harry. The investigation is cleverly handled with Harry struggling because key peers and superiors want him to fail. Michael Connelly provides a terrific Harry Bosch police procedural that grips the audience from the moment the Chief lectures him about behavior and never lets up until the final revelation.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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