The Closers (Harry Bosch #11), by Michael Connelly
The Closers by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My expectations were naturally high as I ventured back alongside Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch as he re-joins the force in “The Closers“. This novel does bring a different tempo, quite unlike the whirlwind of suspense we often associate with Bosch’s live-wire cases. Instead, he delves into a cold case, bringing a slower, perhaps more methodical, feel to this venture.
Initially, my excitement ebbed slightly as the urgency I’m familiar with in Bosch novels was subdued due to the nature of a cold case. However, as Bosch’s intricate world unfurled, the story’s pace began to pick up, rendering my initial reservations (mostly) moot. Detours from urgency can indeed provide new spaces for character exploration and narrative depth. This novel proved that slow-burning embers could have the potential to ignite an inferno.
The inclusion, perhaps reintroduction, of Irvin Irving added a nuanced blend to the storyline. Though I found Irving’s character portrayal to be somewhat dissonant with previous depictions, it provided a refreshing dimension. It’s these unexpected character arcs that might polarise views but undeniably stir the plot’s dynamic.
Also, Kizmin “Kiz” Rider’s return from administrative duties to being Harry’s partner on “sixth floor” made for a welcome addition. Sadly, she remains somewhat bland and underused but at least she’s back.
Lastly, the narrative’s gradual acceleration led to a climax that, while not as adrenaline-pumped as some of Connelly’s others, was satisfyingly appropriate given the plot’s trajectory.
Connelly proves with “The Closers” that revisiting cold cases need not be a cold affair; rather, it can kindle new respect for nuances in crime-solving that fresher cases rarely provide the space to explore.
While the novel initially felt like a quiet murmur compared to the thunderous exploits of Bosch, it evolved nicely into a rhythmic soliloquy, deserving a solid four-star rating.
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
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