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Harry attacked his commanding officer and is suspended indefinitely, pending a psychiatric evaluation. At first he resists the LAPD shrink, but finally recognizes that something is troubling him and has for a long time. In 1961, when Harry was twelve, his mother, a prostitute, was brutally murdered, and no one has ever been accused of the crime.
With the spare time a suspension brings, Harry opens up the thirty-year-old file on the case and is irresistibly drawn into a past he has always avoided. It's clear that the case was fumbled and the smell of a cover-up is unmistakable. Someone powerful was able to divert justice and Harry vows to uncover the truth. As he relentlessly follows the broken pieces of the case, the stirred interest causes new murders and pushes Harry to the edge of his job... and his life.
The bestselling author of The Concrete Blonde delivers another Harry Bosch book, one that delves more psychologically into Bosch's past. In 1961, 12-year-old Harry lost his murder in a brutal murder. As he begins his relentless investigation, Harry uncovers a trail that leads upward, toward prominent people who want to protect their reputation.
MICHAEL CONNELLY is a former journalist and author of over a dozen bestselling books, including the Harry Bosch novels and Blood Work, which was a major motion picture. He has won numerous awards for his journalism, as well as an Edgar Award, a Nero Wolfe prize, a Macavity Award, and an Anthony Award for his books. Michael Connelly lives in Florida.
Consistently exquisite prose and engrossing storylines play an integral role in his swelling success. However, Connelly believes that solid character development is the most important key. As he explained to MagnaCumMurder.com, "I think books with weak or translucent plots can survive if the character being drawn along the path is rich, interesting and multi-faceted. The opposite is not true."
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connelly attended the University of Florida; there he discovered the works of Raymond Chandler -- author of many classic Los Angeles-based noir dramas such as The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye, and Farewell, My Lovely. The cases of Philip Marlowe inspired Connelly to be a crime novelist -- and by studying journalism, he put himself in the perfect position. "I went into journalism to learn the craft of writing and to get close to the world I wanted to write about -- police and criminals, the criminal justice system," he told MagnaCumMurder.com.
After graduation, Connelly worked the crime beat for two Florida newspapers. When a story he and a colleague wrote about the disastrous 1985 crash of Delta Flight 191 was short-listed for the Pulitzer, Connelly landed a gig in Marlowe's backyard, covering crime for one of the nation's largest newspapers -- The Los Angeles Times. Three years later, Harry Bosch was introduced in The Black Echo, which earned Connelly the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Connelly has since won every major mystery honor, including the Anthony (The Poet, Blood Work) and the Macavity Award (Blood Work).
While Connelly has written stand-alone novels that don't feature his tragic protagonist Harry Bosch, he is best identified by his rigid, contentious and fiery -- but also immensely skilled and compassionate -- detective. According to The Boston Globe, the Bosch series "raises the hard-boiled detective novel to a new level...adding substance and depth to modern crime fiction."
Called "one of the most compelling, complex protagonists in recent crime fiction" (Newsweek) and "a terrific...wonderful, old-fashioned hero who isn't afraid to walk through the flames -- and suffer the pain for the rest of us" (The New York Times Book Review), Bosch faces unforgettable horrors every day -- either on the street or in his own mind. "Bosch is making up for wrongs done to him when he rights wrongs as a homicide detective," Connelly explained in an interview with his publisher. "In a way, he is an avenging angel."
Bosch is clearly a product of his deadly, unforgiving environment. "The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote that when you look into the darkness of the abyss the abyss looks into you. Probably no other line or thought more inspires or informs my work," said Connelly in the same interview. With each passing novel, Bosch looks deeper and deeper into the abyss; and readers continue to return to see just how far he will gaze.
"I wrote a mystery story as a class paper in high school. It was called The Perfect Murder. The protagonist's named was McEvoy, a name I later used for the protagonist in The Poet. Being a witness to a crime when I was 16 was what made me interested in crime novels and mystery stories."
"I wrote my first real murder story as a journalist for the Daytona Beach News Journal in 1980. It was about a body found in the woods. Later, the murder was linked to a serial killer who was later caught and executed for his crimes."
"Everything I want people to know about me is in my books."
Earlier this year I started reading the Bosch series in order. The premise of this one didn't exactly fill me with enthusiasm, and it did start out a little slow. If you like Connelly/Bosch - get it, stick with it and see it all the way through. So much of Harry's inner being is revealed and you gain an ever greater understanding and rooting interest for him. Characters are rich and deep and one can see how Connelly has gradually honed his craft with each new book in the series. The plot is far better than I imagined and it left me rushing right into #5 in the series - Trunk Music. Loved this book.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.bluesi
Posted August 19, 2012
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I am so glad that I discovered this series. Harry has a great
personality and analytical mind that keeps the story interesting.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2012
Harry Bosch has a down to earth, regular fellow personality. He has to bear his soul to the shrink to get his old job back, and although he resists at first, he ends this book knowing himself better than even he thought possible. He is like the last coyote he is afraid he may never see again......
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.First off, Michael Connelly is my favorite mystery writer (very different from crime writers such as George Pelecanos and Richard Price, whom I advise to check out). Connelly created a great character in Bosch, a detective that is very easy to identify with and learn to greatly admire. This is my fourth Connelly novel (I am reading them in order, which I would advise any new Connelly readers to do, because of the way he connects each novel, despite who the central character is) and so far, it is impossible for me to pick a favorite. His first three are written so well, compelling me to read so much in a short period of time, and The Last Coyote is no different.
I never give away too much plot in my reviews so all I'll say is that Connelly allows Bosch to solve his most personal case in the Last Coyote, the murder of his mother in 1961. Bosch goes to great lengths and danger to solve the case, and it was a pleasure to follow him on his journey.
I'm very new to Connelly's work and I intend for that to change as I continue to read his novels. Not that this is difficult to do, because his books are just so great. Connelly is a master of mystery fiction and reader's unaware of his work should read them, just remember, read them in order, you's understand why.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 12, 2012
I love Harry Bosch books, but this one has been my favorite thus far. I am always on the edge of my seat and absolutely can't put them down. I am looking forward to reading the rest in this series.
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2011
Like all other Connelly books, this one grabs you on the first page and doesn't let go until last. A murder mystery at its best, this story is complicated enough to keep you guessing, while at the same time, easy to pick up from your bookmark.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 11, 2006
My only mistake was reading City of Bones and Lost Light before I read the first 3 Harry Bosch novels (great books, just wish I would have started from the beginning to understand Bosch better) - if you like the Harry Bosch novels, then you have to read this book to know the man. Harry is so complex - he can't seem to help himself, but you really can't help but like him. Michael Connelly really delved deep into Harry's soul in this book and the storyline was wonderful - just when you think you might have it figured out - you don't. Read this book.....
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 15, 2012
The book held my interest all the way through. Good read.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 29, 2011
Great look at the inner works of Harry Bosch.
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 6, 2011
Once you get hooked on the character of Harry you want to read each of the books in the series. This one does not disappoint and continues to make you want to flip the page to see what happens next.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 23, 2011
This is my third Connelly book, and he does not disappoint. I especially liked this book because due to the personal nature of the case for Bosch, you really get to know the character...where he came from and what makes him tick.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 20, 2011
I have enjoyed all of Connelly's books about Harry Bosch. I love getting to know him, finding about his background and upbringing and can't wait for more. I am currently on the last book of the first trilligy and look forward to the Angle coming out Nov.1st.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I'd never read Connelly before I read this book. I have since read every book in the series. Harry Bosch just makes you want to be better and do better. The world tries to knock him down, but he just keeps fighting back. His motto in every one of his books is 'everybody counts or nobody counts' - that motto is personified in this book when he searches for the truth behind his mother's murder. To say anything more would be giving away key details. Just know that this book is a winner.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 17, 2005
Harry is determined to find out what happened to his mother and will stop at nothing to do so. Ya gotta love a guy who just doesn't give up! I've read all the Harry Bosch novels with the exception of the last three (Angels Flight, City of Bones, Lost Light), up to now, all have been fantastic reads! If you're on the fence about jumping in, make sure to with both feet - you won't regret it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 24, 2013
I am currently reading all of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series in order, and I LOVE them. I am a big mystery/detective story fan, and I have tried so many different series from different authors, but I finally found the one for me! What can I say? I often find myself not really liking the main characters in novels, but I truly like Harry; he is a good guy - not perfect, but he works hard, isn't a womanizer, and isn't overly macho. All of the stories are well-written, realistic, contain surprises and twists, and keep me hooked until the very end. My favorites have been The Black Echo (#1), The Concrete Blonde (#3), Trunk Music (#5), City of Bones (#8), The Narrows (#10), although again - I enjoyed all of them. If you like detective mystery novels, you won't be disappointed with Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch.
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Posted March 29, 2013
This is the Fourth Harry Bosh book I've read and I would recommend all of them.
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Posted January 25, 2013
enjoy the story line and the drama involved! keeps me reading.
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Posted January 7, 2013
Great read, hated for it to end. The discriptive powers relating to his childhood and other people can range from heartbreaking to slapstick funny!
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Posted November 21, 2012
Connelly takes a different tack with this one. You get a more introspective view into the psyche of Harry Bosch and what makes him tick. I'm definitely enjoying the series! On to Trunk Music!
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Posted November 11, 2012
Great characters. Great story keep guessing until the very end.
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Overview
Harry attacked his commanding officer and is suspended indefinitely, pending a psychiatric evaluation. At first he resists the LAPD shrink, but finally recognizes that something is troubling him and has for a long time. In 1961, when Harry was twelve, his mother, a prostitute, was brutally murdered, and no one has ever been accused of the crime.
With the spare time a suspension brings, Harry opens up the thirty-year-old file on the case and is...