The Drop by Michael Connelly

On the drive to work today I was trying to figure out how to categorize Michael Connelly and Harry Bosch. Not in terms of genre. In terms of why I continue to read them. Like a good piece of chocolate, that first bite is oh so good. However, as you look at that 17th and last piece, begging you to devour it, it’s not quite as tasty. Yet, you can’t resist. And so it is with Harry Bosch and The Drop.  I’ve invested a lot of time in Harry and, as each new episode is published, I feel compelled. Yet, they aren’t as sweet as the first. It’s sad to say that my favorite character has shifted from Harry to his daughter, Maddie. Surely, The Drop isn’t as catastrophic as the horrendous Nine Dragons, but it isn’t as savory as the earlier books.

In The Drop, Harry has two cases going on simultaneously. The first deals with a serial sex offender and the second deals with the death of George Irving, the son of his nemesis, Irvin Irving. True to form, Harry does his own thing and while the cases get wrapped up neatly, Harry suffers from his trade. Was he used as a political pawn? Did he not let justice take his course?

As I said, Maddie, his fifteen year old daughter, turns out to be the best character. Smart, observant, funny, she is the comic sidekick to Harry’s serious nature.

Reed Farrel Coleman, my new favorite mystery writer, said that he must age his characters to keep them interesting. I think one of my issues with Bosch is that while he’s aged chronologically, he hasn’t aged emotionally. He’s still the same maverick he was in the Black Echo. I can’t relate to him anymore.

So, like that last piece of chocolate, I’m most probably going to read the next Bosch installment. I’m just not sure I’m going to get as much satisfaction out of it. Good thing it’s a fast read and I won’t devote a lot of time to it. Sorry, Michael.