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The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
Harry Bosch series Book #21
4,5★'s
From The Book:
Harry Bosch is California's newest private investigator. He doesn't advertise, he doesn't have an office, and he's picky about who he works for, but it doesn't matter. His chops from thirty years with the LAPD speak for themselves.
Soon one of Southern California's biggest moguls comes calling. The reclusive billionaire is nearing the end of his life and is haunted by one regret. When he was young, he had a relationship with a Mexican girl, his great love. But soon after becoming pregnant, she disappeared. Did she have the baby? And if so, what happened to it?
Desperate to know whether he has an heir, the dying magnate hires Bosch, the only person he can trust. With such a vast fortune at stake, Harry realizes that his mission could be risky not only for himself but for the one he's seeking. But as he begins to uncover the haunting story--and finds uncanny links to his own past--he knows he cannot rest until he finds the truth.
At the same time, unable to leave cop work behind completely, he volunteers as an investigator for a tiny cash-strapped police department and finds himself tracking a serial rapist who is one of the most baffling and dangerous foes he has ever faced.
My Thoughts:
Back in 1992 I read the first of Michael Connelly's new series about a take-charge, by the book, no holds barred police detective...Harry Bosch. I was hooked after the the last page of that book was turned and I can say that absolutely nothing has changed.
After the book before this one...
The Crossing...we saw some big changes coming for Harry including his leaving the San Francisco Police Department after throwing his commanding officer through a plate glass window. We as fans thought that perhaps Harry was going to ride off into the sunset. I was really glad to see this book appear to take it's place as #21 and bring Harry back.
Harry is working for a smaller department investigating cold cases as well as doing some private investigating work on his own. The difference is he doesn't get paid for his police work because of a new program that the department is working to allow detectives that aren't quiet ready to throw in the towel to continue to work and feel productive while lending their many years of expertise. At first it seemed the police case and the private case were not going to exist too well in the same story line but as usual Michael Connelly brought both to a glorious conclusion. Mickey Haller...the Lincoln Lawyer from another of Connelly's series and Harry half brother...has a major role in the story also. So what more could Michael Connelly's fan ask for?