Flying at Twenty-three

That's 23 Harry Bosch novels - but this isn't a Harry Bosch novel. It's Connelly's other protagonist, Renee Ballard, collaborating with Bosch. In his 23rd appearance. But this is very much a Ballard novel,, and here's the thing: I mention 23 because by that time, most novelists have started to tire of their characters. The envelope warps, The behaviors shift. And it shows.
But Connelly is not just another crime author. He thinks, his thinking ages gracefully, and that sure as heck shows. His characters are real people, they have timelines that we learn about through the wonderfully delineated police-procedural fabric of his books. And because he is a thinking author, his background of the pandemic is picture-perfect. It is not there as a nod, it affects his individuals and organizations as it has us, in real life. and his skill allows him - a it has before - to interweave plots and crimes with consummate ease, against this complex backdrop.
And that skill draws us into this, another superbly paced, well-told, Connelly page-turner
I have avoided (so far) watching the Bosch TV series, only because my imagination has been given such a wondrously crafted Bosch/Haller/Ballard world that I am loathe to have any visuals superimposed on my version of it.
But.. I know the TV series has been done well - and that is my segue into heaping all the praise I can onto the narrators, Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver. The latter IS Harry Bosch in every nuance of his voice and intonation. That's well known fact.
Lakin shines here, doing Ballard proud. I am hyper-critical of poor narration, of characters who sound wrong - and one of my cardinal audiobook sins - of female narrators who feel constrained to put on male voices for the male parts. It is an act of violation and I have hurled headsets across the room in frustration at it.
And then there's readers like Christine Lakin, who understand that all you have to do is get the feel of the character, get the intonation, the emotion right - and the character appears fully-formed in your head, male, female or other.
So for me this audiobook hit the jackpot. a 555-alarmer and note perfect, like the jazz greats that Bosch loves.
And Michael C... thank you. What a fabulous journey you are still taking us on!

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An LA classic

In the tradition of LA detective stories this is one of the best, great performance by all concerned.

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Michael Connelly never ceases to amaze

loved the book, look forward to the next one. Have read all the Bosch books so far and the only crime author who keeps pace with the times
Of course Titus Velliver is outstanding as always and have found Christine Lakin a perfect fit for the book

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Loved it

I really enjoyed this novel. I think it’s my favorite with Renee Ballard. I like the direction the author is taking with Bosch & Renee. Can’t wait for the next one.

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2 people found this helpful

Great story but please stop with the music!!

Another great michael Connelly book - Ballard and Bosch make a great storyline - the only thing that spoils the narration is the music interludes - def not needed or wanted! Please stop!

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Great book

Great book, Michael Connoly has delivered again. there is an issue with the two narrators tho: Bosh sounds like he is standing at the back of the room somewhere…

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Extremely entertaining.

Loved every minute of it. Sorry when it finished..
Thoroughly recomend it.. Don't hesitate.

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Glaring Mistake.

just one mistake Michael Connelly. There was one person died on Jan 6 and that was a female unarmed Veteran shot by a Capital Hill policeman. The policeman died days after from a heart attack. Not related to Jan 6. Great book and story.

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Excellent as always

I look forward in listening to every book as they always have a twist, seems very realistic of what it could be like for police.

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Most enjoyable

I’ve not usually enjoyed these stories but I really loved this. Terrific narration and great to have two. It’s wasn’t too violent either.

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