Terrific dual plot sustains suspense right till dramatic ending!

Having discovered the fine mysteries by author Connelly about a year ago, we're catching up on his (lengthening) booklist. While "Darkness" is another entry in the LAPD Homicide Detective Harry Bosch series, it really features as protagonist ex-FBI agent Terry MaCaleb, leading man from the earlier tale "Blood Work", later turned into the Clint Eastwood movie. Terry has started life anew as a heart transplant survivor, and is happily retired as a new husband with a new baby girl. When Det. Jaye Winston consults with him for a quick profile on a murder she's working, Terry not only gets involved, but is soon deeply engrossed in a deed that many signals point to Bosch as the potential killer. Along the way we're treated to a lengthy exposition on the Renaissance painter Hieronymus Bosch (our detective's namesake) - indeed his art provides many of the clues pointing to the perpetrator.

Meanwhile, Harry is a key witness in a trial of Hollywood producer Jack Story, who looks to get off for the murder of an unfortunate party girl unless Bosch and the DA's office can prevail. As McCaleb and Winston continue pursuing their case, suddenly events begin to converge, and in a climactic denouement, we finally discover the genius behind multiple crimes. In an intriguing prologue of sorts, will McCaleb and Bosch toast success and discuss some realities that never do come to light?

As usual, Connelly has plotted a fine tale. As if the court case didn't create enough tension, the new murder under investigation, with almost too many clues with which to track various police theories, get us flipping those pages until the final chapter or two. The surprising twist at the end was the cherry on top of an already sweet sundae - one that entertained throughout. We can easily see why these stories have found such a faithful following, and highly commend this entry in the Bosch/McCaleb set to your attention!