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The Closers (Harry Bosch #11)

by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)

3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 · rating details · 11,938 ratings · 555 reviews

He walked away from the job three years ago. But Harry Bosch cannot resist the call to join the elite Open/Unsolved Unit. His mission: solve murders whose investigations were flawed, stalled, or abandoned to L.A.'s tides of crime. With some people openly rooting for his failure, Harry catches the case of a teenager dragged off to her death on Oat Mountain, and traces the D...more

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Published May 1st 2005 by Little, Brown and Company (first published 2005)

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Nov 20, 2008 James rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-fiction

I sometimes take a break from "serious" literature to read some genre fiction. After reading Julia Keller's review of Michael Connelly's most recent novel I decided to try one of his earlier works, The Closers, featuring Detective Harry Bosch.
I was not disappointed as the novel was tightly woven, suspenseful story of crime and detection. In it Detective Harry Bosch is brought out of retirement by a new chief of police and assigned to a new division called "Open-Unsolved"; basically a 'cold case'...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Kaitlin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like the Harry Bosch books because they're easy to read and competently written. Most people will appreciate the fact that Connelly doesn't feel the need to have all his characters speak only in curse words or to sleep with everyone they meet, and then describe that in detail. He moves the plot along nicely and provides enough twists and turns to always keep me guessing. Further, most of his plot movement is believable.

This is the second Bosch book I've read and I have the same complaints abou...more

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Mar 30, 2009 Susie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know that lots of people love this series... but its just ok for me. I listened to this by audio cd, and maybe that doesn't help, but I found myself yawning my way through it, and if it hadn't been the fact that I was trapped in a car with nothing else to do but drive, I may not gotten through it.

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Feb 08, 2009 Toni Osborne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This novel is about a police investigator who joins the elite Open/Unsolved Unit, the mission is to solve murders where the investigations have gone cold and were abandoned by the L.A. police department. His first case is one of a teenager dragged off to her death. Our hero must battle to fit the pieces together and expose the truth that shatters lives.

Although this thriller has its slow moments and the plot is somewhat predictable I did like the story and I think you will also enjoy reading it...more

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Dec 09, 2008 Gabby rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: mystery fans

Shelves: 2008, mystery

In this addition to the Harry Bosch series, Harry is called out of a 3 year retirement to work with his former partner, Kizmin Rider on the newly formed Open-Unsolved Squad of LAPD. The case assigned to Bosch and Rider concerns the murder of a teenager who'd been carried from her bedroom during the night and murdered not far from her home. The murder had originally been staged as a suicide, but even after that conclusion was ruled out, there never was a firm suspect or solution to the case.

17 ye...more In this addition to the Harry Bosch series, Harry is called out of a 3 year retirement to work with his former partner, Kizmin Rider on the newly formed Open-Unsolved Squad of LAPD. The case assigned to Bosch and Rider concerns the murder of a teenager who'd been carried from her bedroom during the night and murdered not far from her home. The murder had originally been staged as a suicide, but even after that conclusion was ruled out, there never was a firm suspect or solution to the case.

17 years later, with the inclusion of DNA as routine evidence in murder investigations, this cold case could be reopened since there had been tissue and blood left on the inside of the gun by whomever had fired it. That evidence did not belong to the victim. So Bosch and Rider begin from scratch to construct from bits and pieces of information who murdered the teenaged girl.

What I particularly liked about The Closers was the focus on what homicide detectives use to help solve the cases they are given. The attention to detail, the imagination of various scenarios to answer what appear to be unanswerable questions, and the trust a detective needs to have his his or her own instincts to move forward when the case appears to have come to a standstill. In this regard, Kizmin was certainly, as her name implies, the "rider" along for whatever clues Bosch flushes out of this case. Not only is she there to watch Bosch's brilliance at work, but she's also there to provide him with the encouragement and support he needs when some of his plans in solving the crime lead to unexpected results. In other words, Kizmin, for most of the book, is Bosch's straight man -- or, as Connelly tells it, a black, lesbian, intelligent cop. Irritated as Rider can become with Bosch, she always lets him off the hook for his blunders and gazes in awe when he succeeds. Sometimes I wonder how she doesn't gag, but that's just me.

I like the Bosch series. Harry is the kind of detective you'd want working your case if you either were or knew the victim. Yeah, occasionally he blunders, but his conscience never lets him off the hook for mistakes he makes. He believes he is there to speak for the victim and to provide that victim with the justice (s)he deserves. I like that. It's obvious that Connelly knows his stuff when he writes these novels because the plotting is so realistic as the case unfolds.
And then there are those endings. No one writes endings to mysteries like Michael Connelly does. Sometimes they are unrealistic, sometimes they are thrillers down to the last page, and sometimes, after all the smoke has cleared, they could break your heart. That's why I keep on reading whatever Connelly writes. I think he's THAT good.(less)

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May 15, 2013 Tony rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY

In Connelly's previous novel, The Narrows, Harry Bosch was seriously considering coming out of "retirement" and returning to service with the LAPD, despite several misgivings, one of which was the entrenched corruption throughout the force. However a new police chief is on board with a mission to clean house. Harr...more THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY

In Connelly's previous novel, The Narrows, Harry Bosch was seriously considering coming out of "retirement" and returning to service with the LAPD, despite several misgivings, one of which was the entrenched corruption throughout the force. However a new police chief is on board with a mission to clean house. Harry's old enemy, Deputy Chief Irving, a self-serving political player, wants Harry to fail and will do anything to achieve this end. Bosch has been assigned to the Open-Unsolved Unit, (cold cases) teamed up with his old partner, Kiz Rider, a no nonsense police woman in a predominately male domain, embark on an unsolved seventeen year old murder of a young girl, shot through the chest and taken out of her bedroom and dumped in a field. Harry attacks this unsolved murder with calculated zeal, leading to possible corruption in the force, pushing the case to it limits to find the perpetrator. The Closers begins at breakneck speed and doesn't let up until the last page is turned.

Reading The Closers was like meeting an old friend after a year of absence. Harry Bosch is one of the great characters in crime fiction, a man with an incredible sense of justice and an over bearing conscience, that pulls him into trouble from time to time. His relationship with Kiz Rider, as his partner, is a perfect match, as they know each other well, can read each other's thoughts before a word is spoken. Kiz never rides on Harry's coattails, but contributes to the motion, adding her own special skills to the investigation. Harry is older but he's a little smarter, and careful to stay within the bounds of the law. Kiz keeps Harry in line and is there to prevent him from slipping into his old, unorthodox habits.

As a piece of crime fiction, The Closers is by no means a character study, it is entirely plot driven, following Harry Bosch at work to every twist and turn of the case. Connelly knows how to write a crime novel and does not leave anything to the imagination. I have come to believe that the crime genre is an art form all its own, and Connelly has become one of its masters.

This is the real thing. Modern detective fiction doesn't get any better, and in the hands of Connelly, one can be sure the ride will be thoroughly entertaining; and The Closers delivers on all counts - a five star effort.

This book was written before Echo Park. Bosch has just returned from retirement and reunited with Kiz Rider, his black, gay partner. Irvin Irving the bald police chief gets the boot at the end of this book after threatening Bosch not to make a mistake. Irving is running for some elected position in Echo Park. Anyway, Rebecca Verloren was murdered by her science teacher who had made her pregnant and who she later wanted to dump. A guy, Roland Mackey, had provided the gun to the science teacher and it had his DNA on it because he had fired it and the hammer took some skin and blood from between his thumb and index finger. Anyway, Bosch and Rider know he was in the murder but don't know how much. He ends up getting run over by the science teacher. (reread 5/13)(less)

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Apr 17, 2013 Denniger Bolton rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Harry Bosch is back. He's been retired for three years after 25 years with the L.A.P.D. Now he's the new kid on the block working with the Open-Unsolved unit. It used to be called the Cold Case file, but L.A.P.D. is changing it image. For those of us who love Harry Bosch, we've followed this independent minded cop through many a case, looked over his shoulder at many a murder book, watched him defy authority, were with him in his relationships with women, up to his retirement. He has a brief sti...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Ellen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Again at the top of my list, March 29, 2013
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: The Closers (Harry Bosch)
It's always a pleasure to read or re-read a Harry Bosch mystery and this was no exception...other than it being on CD.

This was not the first H.B. on CD performed/narrated by Len Cariou that I've enjoyed and hopefully it won't be my last. Each novel is done in such a professional way that it only makes me want to continue with the team of Connelly & Cariou.

If you enjoy a su...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Harry rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: detective-mystery

Time saver tip: if you've read my review of any Harry Bosch book, you've read 'em all. Since I don't reveal plots and reserve my comments to the overall book/author, characterization, style, etc...I just don't feel the need to repeat myself as in most cases series books if any good at all do remain consistent. The star ratings might change, but not my opinion of the series as a whole.

Michael Connelly is a well know and very popular author in the mystery/detective and police procedural genres. E...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Ubik 2.0 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“…scoprirete che l’ostacolo maggiore alla risoluzione di questi casi potrebbe dimostrarsi proprio il dipartimento.”

Un Bosch (l’undicesimo della serie, se non sbaglio) caratterizzato da un’inattesa partenza in sordina, ma per due buoni motivi.
Uno è che questo è l’episodio del rientro del detective Harry Bosch nel LAPD dopo 3 anni di ritiro volontario ed egli si sente ancora un po’ inadeguato, lento, propenso a commettere errori (veniali ma H.B. è sempre severo con sè stesso) per cui si muove c...more “…scoprirete che l’ostacolo maggiore alla risoluzione di questi casi potrebbe dimostrarsi proprio il dipartimento.”

Un Bosch (l’undicesimo della serie, se non sbaglio) caratterizzato da un’inattesa partenza in sordina, ma per due buoni motivi.
Uno è che questo è l’episodio del rientro del detective Harry Bosch nel LAPD dopo 3 anni di ritiro volontario ed egli si sente ancora un po’ inadeguato, lento, propenso a commettere errori (veniali ma H.B. è sempre severo con sè stesso) per cui si muove con cautela, salvo poi riprendere, a metà libro circa, il ritmo instancabile, ed anche un po’ nevrotico se vogliamo, che ne ha sempre caratterizzato le gesta.
Il secondo motivo contingente è che ora Bosch è stato assegnato all’Unità “Casi Irrisolti” quindi omicidi avvenuti molto tempo prima (17 anni nel caso che gli viene assegnato!) per cui almeno ci risparmiamo il consueto incipit con la chiamata, il soprallluogo, la scoperta del cadavere, l’avvio delle indagini che caratterizza il 90% dei polizieschi in circolazione.

“La ragazza di polvere” ci si presenta quindi con l’approccio originale di un’indagine riaperta per la disponibilità di mezzi analitici (DNA, balistica, impronte digitali) non disponibili nell’inchiesta del 1988, caratterizzata anche da una certa incuria da parte dei detectives, che si scoprirà non del tutto disinteressata…

Attraverso riletture dei rapporti, nuovi interrogatori di parenti, insegnanti e amici della vittima, riesame delle prove con nuovi mezzi tecnologici, il romanzo, procede con l’abituale precisione ma con una linearità inconsueta nei precedenti Connelly/Bosch dove i percorsi dell’indagine spesso si mescolavano in grovigli poco districabili. Poi più o meno a metà libro ed in modo impercettibilmente progressivo il ritmo aumenta finché diventa impossibile abbandonare la storia fino alla parola Fine.

In conclusione, anche da un punto di partenza diverso dal solito e assumendo un ritmo inizialmente soft, Connelly si conferma (senza eccezione nei romanzi della serie Harry Bosch) il maestro che non delude mai e che, dietro allo stesso personaggio, alla stessa città e allo stesso genere, riesce sempre, sottolineo sempre, a trovare varianti originali e nuovi motivi di interesse.

Dimenticavo: anche questa volta come nell’immediatamente successivo “Il cerchio del lupo”, la traduzione italiana del titolo è del tutto astrusa. Se non mi sono perso qualcosa, l’unico accenno alla polvere è che un personaggio-comparsa risponde sbrigativamente a Bosch mentre sta leggendo “Chiedi alla polvere” di John Fante…
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Nov 04, 2012 Dean Hamilton rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch is back where he belongs, rejoining the LAPD after three years in exile as a private investigator. Bosch is dropped into the Open-Unsolved Unit, the "closers", a squad focused on cold cases - unsolved homicides - tracking down a DNA hit from a 17-year old murder of a teenage girl.

The Closers is Michael Connelly's 11th mystery featuring Harry Bosch and he delves into it with all the verve and strength of the previous novels, building a deepening mystery that slo...more Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch is back where he belongs, rejoining the LAPD after three years in exile as a private investigator. Bosch is dropped into the Open-Unsolved Unit, the "closers", a squad focused on cold cases - unsolved homicides - tracking down a DNA hit from a 17-year old murder of a teenage girl.

The Closers is Michael Connelly's 11th mystery featuring Harry Bosch and he delves into it with all the verve and strength of the previous novels, building a deepening mystery that slowly unfolds and develops. Connelly's Bosch is dogged, resourceful and persistent, bring his own tattered and haunted past to bear on uncovering the truth behind the killing, while tracing the echoing wake of the tragedy on the family and friends of the young victim.

The 'cold case' concept seems to be in vogue now, partially due to the success of television shows like CSI but The Closers does an excellent job building the reasoning, logic and evidence behind the case, and dropping in a enough mysterious twists to give life to the storyline that goes beyond just being a solid and robust police procedural. Well written, well-paced and taut, The Closers is well worth your time.

One notable relief in the book is the absence of any Hannibal Lector-type serial killer, a characterization that is frankly all-to-frequently used in murder mysteries - to the detriment of both the mystery and the skills of the author at drawing more vivid, purpose-driven characters, rather then another remorseless, uniquely twisted cartoon caricature. Much of the current crop of crime fiction that is replete and obsessed with serial killers reminds me a little of how the Agatha Christie school of murder (exotic poisons, locked room mysteries, esoteric motives...you get the picture) was so very out-of-touch with the real world. It took Raymond Chandler's mysteries to bring murder back to the street, back to real motives and real weapons, with real passions that spoke to the experiences of the world. Here's hoping that Connelly and some of his fellow authors are finally moving away from the serial killer writer's trap.

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Sep 20, 2011 Jane Stewart rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-mystery

Too slow moving. Not as good as other books in the series.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is one of the weaker books in the Harry Bosch series. If you want to read just a few of them, skip this one. Me, I intend to read them all, and I’m glad I read it. I did it as an audiobook, keeping me company while I was doing other things, so I didn’t mind the slowness. As a mystery it was average and slow at times. Nothing special was done during the investigation, kind of plodding along. But there was one neat s...more

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Apr 21, 2011 Tony rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Michael Connelly- The Closers (Grand Central Publishing 2006) 3.75 Stars

Returning to the job after retiring, Harry Bosch is now part of a new sector of the homicide squad, they are called The Closers. They look into cases that have remained unsolved for many years, and are hoping to close the file after all these years. They have the DNA of a man connected to the murder, but they quickly discover that there may be more to this case than there seems.

This book was good. It moved rather slowly and...more

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Nov 25, 2010 Daniel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Saddy's book 'tour de farce' continues with The Closers. Before I begin this story isn't about Wall Street (which I was hoping for), it's about a retired detective who just can't stay retired and comes back to work on unsolved murders, the hardest cases to crack. (I hope you read that last story in the epic movie trailer voice) He'll come across destroyed evidence, tampering, blah blah blah but he must find a way to solve this 17 year old murder case blah blah blah. Cue the heartstrings she was...more Saddy's book 'tour de farce' continues with The Closers. Before I begin this story isn't about Wall Street (which I was hoping for), it's about a retired detective who just can't stay retired and comes back to work on unsolved murders, the hardest cases to crack. (I hope you read that last story in the epic movie trailer voice) He'll come across destroyed evidence, tampering, blah blah blah but he must find a way to solve this 17 year old murder case blah blah blah. Cue the heartstrings she was a little heartbreaker and the mother has kept the room the same way since the day of the murder! Another book 4/5 full of bullshit just laying down fat smelly cable for everyone to sniff up before revealing the surprise twist at the end where the author, after a huge night out on the Double Browns and a healthy double dosing of Vindaloo curry, drops his pants, pulls his ass cheeks apart and spins around in a circle sharting all over you and whoever else decided to waste their time with this book.

The teacher did it, he was in love with this student girl so he killed her after she dumped his old pedo-ass. The father of the murdered girl, who was an alcoholic and homeless, then killed the teacher when he found out.

No need to read it now, the end.

Fucking books with Twists. Like M. Night Shamalamadingdong movies they lose their appeal after you find out Bruce Willis is dead. Woops, spoiler alert! Darth Vader is Lukes father, Keyser Soze is Verbal Kint, Optimus Prime dies in the movie (the cartoon version not the hollyfood fuckbag version), The Teacher did it.

Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? I bet the author wrote this book using the voice of the Epic Movie Trailer guy the whole time.

Check this, just opened to a random page in the book, scanned down page 162 to see some dialogue and what do we have here... tough talk. Cue Epic Movie Trailer voice..

"Look, buddy, don't be telling me how to do my job. You suits are all the same. You think ----"

"Look, Sargeant, I'm going to check the crime reports in the morinng. If I read that somebody got hurt down here and the suspects were a black and white team, then you're going to have more suits around you than at the Men's Warehouse. I guarantee it."

Sigh.

The little grey text to the right says I have 17,500 more characters left for this review.

Guess those 17,500 characters are going to have to wait until I get a better book. (less)

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Feb 05, 2010 Nanette Bulebosh rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Protagonist: Harry Bosch (such a great name!), jazz enthusiast, all-around cynic, LAPD detective in the Open Unsolved (cold cases) unit after a two-year absence from department. His partner is Kiz Rider, a competent woman with strong computer skills and a solid understanding of Bosch's strengths and vulnerabilities. They make a good match. Bosch's strengths include a willingness to follow his hunches, despite others' skepticism, to the solutions they invariably provide. The book is written in th...more Protagonist: Harry Bosch (such a great name!), jazz enthusiast, all-around cynic, LAPD detective in the Open Unsolved (cold cases) unit after a two-year absence from department. His partner is Kiz Rider, a competent woman with strong computer skills and a solid understanding of Bosch's strengths and vulnerabilities. They make a good match. Bosch's strengths include a willingness to follow his hunches, despite others' skepticism, to the solutions they invariably provide. The book is written in the third-person but almost exclusively from Bosch's viewpoint. Connelly's first book featuring Bosch, The Black Echo, won the Edgar Award for best first novel in 1992. He's since attracted a huge following.

This was my first, but definitely not my last, Harry Bosch story. I met the music before I met the man; an earlier book in the series came with a CD featuring "the music of Harry Bosch." It's pretty decent jazz too. It's obviously meant to be played while reading the book.

The book opens with Bosch being called in to a meeting with his new boss, LAPD chief, who has (re)hired Bosch over others' objections and has personally taken him under his wing. Finally (according to reviewers) Bosch is working for people he can respect, and we do end up liking the chief in the few scenes in which we see him. The plot focuses on only one murder, which took place 17 years ago. It's been re-opened because of new DNA technology that wasn't available in the 1980s. The victim was a 16-year-old girl of mixed race found murdered in the woods near her upscale home. While Kiz Rider, the partner, uses her Internet searching skills to track down old newspaper clippings, previously gathered evidence, and other key evidence, Bosch goes out to interview suspects, potential witnesses, the girl's now-grown friends, former teachers, and her shell-shocked parents.

Bosch is an easy hero to like, in part because he treats his partner and other sympathetic characters with a great deal of respect and dignity, but also because he is, ultimately, an idealist (not that he'd ever admit to it). He wants to believe in the goodness of people, and that justice is till possible. He a world-weary detective forced to start all over as a rookie. There's' a great deal of humiliation involved, not to mention hassles with police corruption, bureaucratic ineptitude, and rivalries in the office, but Bosch handles all of this well.

But mostly I like the moral choices he makes. He is the only one to wonder why no one ever thought to investigate the murder as a hate crime. He (rightly) questions the ethics of one of the two original investigators of the case. And he understands which survivors need to be dealt with kindly, and which ones should not be trusted. He's even honest with the women who are attracted to him. "Okay," he tells one. "I'll spend the night, but you know this is only about sex, don't you?"

The author, Michael Connelly, "comes as close as anyone to being today's Dostoyevsky of crime literature, and this is one of his finest novels to date," wrote a reviewer for Publisher's Weekly. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but the story grabbed me and held me throughout, primarily because of the affection I developed for ol' Harry. Another reviewer wrote, "Connelly sets up a great premise here - the cop determined to reinvent himself in the face of a thoroughly recalcitrant world - and he makes the most of it. Hard-boiled fans don't like traditional commitment much (it makes them itchy), but Bosch turns us into believers."

Count me in as a believer. I've been seeking out Harry Bosch books ever since I discovered this one.
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Dec 25, 2009 Weavre rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-set-here-and-nowish

A pretty good example of what I conceptualize as "TV books"--nothing instructive or enlightening, just plain fiction that I read quickly for the same kind of mindless entertainment other people seek by turning on the television. I occasionally like to watch TV, too, and tend toward (OK, documentaries, but other than that) shows that apply science to criminal justice, medicine, etc. This novel, for example, would probably appeal to people who enjoy shows like CSI. I don't like graphic violence on...more

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Sep 14, 2009 Linda J rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: michael-connelly

Bosch is back at LAPD. In this book, Harry is less introspective, less intense, and much more inclined to follow police procedure rather than be a cowboy. Perhaps the difference can be attributed to his relief at having a badge. In a moment of deep disillusionment, Harry had retired from the LAPD and had worked a few of his unsolved cases on his own. He realized how hard it would be to solve them because he did not have access to the resources he needed to take the case to the next level. In his...more

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Jun 18, 2009 Monica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

Much like the vintage black and white crime scene photos Harry Bosch describes hanging on the walls of his new office, this book has the feel of vintage crime novels like those of Dashiell Hammet or Raymond Chandler. The narrative is filled with detailed descriptions of modern Los Angeles that become integral to Harry's attempt to close a "cold case." Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch has returned to LAPD after 3 years' retirement to join his old partner in a unit devoted to closing unsolved cases. Thus...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Bruce Snell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the 11th book in the Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series. Harry is reinstated to the LAPD, working in the Open Unsolved (Cold Case) division. Harry has been warned that he is on probation again, and that rocking the boat will not be tolerated, so (of course) his first case takes him into a history of racial problems, LADP cover-up and the possibility of the case being intentionally left unsolved for political reasons. But Harry is back, and fearless in his knowledge that they can't do...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Matt Carlton rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Closers follows Harry Bosch as he returns to the LAPD after a three year retirement. He's been placed into the Open-Unsolved, the cold case unit. He and his old partner Kiz Rider, who's stuck her neck out to help Harry get back on the force, are assigned a case from 1988. The case was reopened after DNA from a handgun used in the murder of a sixteen year old was ran and matched. The story follows a cover up, racially motivated hate crimes, and the family of the murdered young girl who’s been...more

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Mar 25, 2011 Bonnie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoy Mr. Connelly's books, mostly because of what they have and also because of what they don't, that is explicit sex, excessive foul language and gory violence. What they do have is intelligent plotting, surprises and interesting characters. I've never been in the police and fortunately haven't had to have many dealings with the law, but Mr. Connelly seems to know what he's writing about.

"The Closers" is one of his books featuring Harry Bosch, who has just come out of retirement to jo...more

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Sep 29, 2009 Nancy (Hrdcovers) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bottom of the Ninth, Harry Bosch In For The Close

I'm on a mission right now to get all caught up with the Harry Bosch series in time to read Connelly's newest, Nine Dragons, when it comes out in October. I have Echo Park and The Overlook to finish in order to be ready in time. That sounds like a quest I might be able to accomplish.

In starting The Closers, once again, I had no idea what closers were. I knew what it was in baseball but had no idea what it was in "Harry Bosch Land". The explanatio...more Bottom of the Ninth, Harry Bosch In For The Close

I'm on a mission right now to get all caught up with the Harry Bosch series in time to read Connelly's newest, Nine Dragons, when it comes out in October. I have Echo Park and The Overlook to finish in order to be ready in time. That sounds like a quest I might be able to accomplish.

In starting The Closers, once again, I had no idea what closers were. I knew what it was in baseball but had no idea what it was in "Harry Bosch Land". The explanation comes pretty quickly in the book when Connelly explains that it's very much like the pitchers who come in for the ninth inning to win or lose the game. But in this case, it's the homicide detectives who come in after many year have gone by and try to close out a case. What they do is apply new techniques and technology to old cases that have gone unsolved. Right now you're probably thinking that it sounds like the TV show Cold Case and you would be right. And, in The Closers, Bosch has come out of retirement and is back at the LAPD working those unsolved cases. In the Los Angeles police department, they say it's the noblest place to work because "a city that forgets its murder victims is a city lost." Harry Bosch will now become the voice of all of these murder victims and, one by one, he will give them and their families what rightfully belongs to them.....their killers.

I sometimes think that no one writes a police procedural better than Michael Connelly. This author knows that while Bosch is trying to solve the crime, so are his readers. He makes sure that Bosch covers every angle and does it in such a way that the reader isn't scratching his/her head wondering why he did what he did. Because when Connelly writes a book, it all just makes sense. There is no confusion when you get to the end of the book. You know how you got there and why you got there.

In The Closers, there was never a moment where I was bored and never a page I didn't find interesting. The case Harry is following is one that took place in 1988 when racial relations between the police department and the community were at a simmer getting ready to boil over. A sixteen year old bi-racial girl had been taken from her home and shot in the chest. Autopsy reports will reveal things her parents and friends didn't know. Harry will uncover things he feels the department pushed under the rug. New DNA technology will lead him to a suspect. While all this is going on, fingers will point to Harry's nemesis Chief Irvin Irving. There's not a fan out there who wouldn't love to see Harry take this guy down. And one of the best things is that Harry is partnered once again with Kiz Rider....a definite fan favorite relationship.

Readers will find that Harry is the perfect detective for this job because he just doesn't give up and, since the crime is so old, there's no one breathing down his neck to get it solved. His only problem will come when he tries to resurrect the old records better known as "the murder book." Many things have been lost, some things have been intentionally removed and other things have been filed in the wrong place. But since Harry is so great at reading between the lines and analyzing each case to the bone, the freedom for these killers will be short-lived. One by one he is going to find them and is going to give one last voice to the victims. That voice is going to be saying, "I can finally rest."

Let's put it this way, Harry could pitch for my team in the 9th inning any day he wants. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: harry-bosch-novels, i-love-la, social-issues, thriller

The death of a teenage girl--long thought to be a suicide--lands in the lap of Harry Bosch, now back with the LAPD and working Open-Unsolved cases with partner Kizmin Rider. Bosch finds that the previous detectives, Garcia and Green, somehow didn't push hard enough when initially investigating this case and wonders why. The girl's death destroyed her parents marriage and caused one of the detectives to commit suicide much later, but now Bosch has DNA to go on.

One of the more exciting chapters i...more

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Feb 24, 2010 Georg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english, crime

After all my praise for Connelly I have now to correct myself a little bit. Admittedly the plot of “The Closers” is good. As always Connelly knows how to lead the reader through the story, build up a lot of suspense and the end was really surprising and satisfying to me.

But the middle part of the book has its length. It takes page after page to describe how they set the trap (telephone bugs, false tattoos, choosing of the right car, etc.) before the action begins. And, no, “Reichert” is not the...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 23, 2012 Urszula rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I liked this book very much. Trying to solve old crimes always fascinated me. Yet 17 years is a long time to solve a case even if a DNA can be recovered and used. Harry Bosch was a great character. He had the old style about him that suited his new job role in the “open unsolved unit”. He was very experienced and motivated. His partner Kizmin Rider on the other hand had a softer approach.

It was interesting to see what they can bring to the old case of a killed 16 year old girl. They took many d...more

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Nov 28, 2010 Shiree rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 14, 2011 David rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you have never read a Michael Connelly book, and pick this one up, you will likely be pleased. However, for those of us who have read his other works (I am reading through them in order), this book is a bit disappointing. It is hard to cite any fatal flaws in the book, since Connelly employs his usual solid construction and highly realistic police procedural approach. But the book feels a bit flat.

The characterization is perhaps the cuplrit. Bosch and his partner, Kiz Rider, are well-develope...more

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Sep 27, 2009 martin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I tend to read most crime thrillers when someone else leaves them in the house. Glad they left this one as it was fun to read on the exercise bike.

It's a traditional whodunnit and even though it was fairly clear to me long before the end who actually "dunnit", I enjoyed the process of detection and deduction that is the key to this kind of book. In some ways it reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel as Connelly leaves little clues scattered among the pages to allow the reader to possibly think...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Jeff rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

This was a pretty good book and I really enjoyed the story. It was intense and the author, Connelly, kept the story moving and didn't let the plot stagnate as some detective books do. You also are really rooting for the protagonist Harry Bosch who is a detective in the unsolved unit of the LAPD investigating old cases. I also liked how at the end of the story the detective did not blow the murderer away. Too many books and movies do end that way, but the detective here had a commitment to the ju...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Melanie Cook added it · review of another edition

Shelves: unowned, 2009

(Now I've gone and done it, this is #11 and the last one I read was #4!!)

But I can't help myself. I'm really enjoying them! I've resorted to requesting the books I don't have from the library. I just hope I don't have to wait too long for them!

This one I think I especially enjoyed. I'm not sure why this one was more enjoyable then the others, or whether it's just that I'm more used to them. It could be that they actually do get better the more the author writes them! I think that's more the case...more

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About Michael Connelly

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teache...more Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.
After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.
After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with 18 more novels.
Connelly's books have been translated in 35 languages and have won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), and Premio Bancarella Award (Italy).
Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael was one of the creators, writers, and consulting producers of Level 9, a TV show about a task force fighting cyber crime, that ran on UPN in the Fall of 2000.
Michael lives with his family in Florida.

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The Closers (Harry Bosch #11)

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