I have failed. I have read the Harry Bosch novels out of sequence. I blame myself. That disclaimer aside I was lucky enough to happen upon the first novel in the series the other day, and read it with great plum and vigor (ok now I'm just teasing). Such an awesome story, and in my subconsiously guilty way I think knowing the characters after this novel helped me appreciate them as they first started. A true endorsement of Connelly's writing style, as he has committed to these characters and their types for so many novels afterwards. The story starts in medias res with Bosch already a troubled cop (not himself but with the police "family" for being a lone wolf). It's a testament to Connelly's storytelling that one doesn't worry about these other previous cases the characters allude to, as the current story picks up and runs easily on its own. In fact I seem to remember there's another novel that goes back in time to this first first case, so maybe after all it's Connelly's fault I don't read them in order. I really am actually quite in awe (more so) of his thoroughly engrossing world of L.A. cops he has developed over these years. I am not however impressed with that last sentence.

If you like The Lincoln Lawyer--you should really read Connelly's Bosch series--there's just more of those books :D