Trunk Music by Michael Connelly - 3 Stars [Listopia]

[Jeremiah]

Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
3 out of 5 Stars
Books 6 of 6 for Listopia Challenge

Back on the job after an involuntary leave of absence, LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch is ready for a challenge. But his first case is a little more than he bargained for.


It starts with the body of a Hollywood producer in the trunk of a Rolls-Royce, shot twice in the head at close range - what looks like "trunk music," a Mafia hit. But the LAPD's organized crime unit is curiously uninterested, and when Harry follows a trail of gambling debts to Las Vegas, the case suddenly becomes more complex - and much more personal.

To be honest, Trunk Music the fifth installment in the Harry Bosch series, did not live up to my expectations for Michael Connelly and this series. That is not to say that I did not enjoy this book, because I did, but not to the same riveting level.

The things that Connelly does so well, character development and dialogue, were still really well done. The more of Connelly I read the more I respect his ability to constantly grow and develop not only new characters but also those characters that he carries through the series. Furthermore, with this novel I really like the fact that he again reintroduced old characters and also developed new and interesting supporting characters in the series. Connelly is a master of character development and proved that again with this book.

What I did not like as well in Trunk Music was the story line. Normally I am on the edge of my seat to the end wondering what the last twist is going to be. However, in this novel I was not fooled at all and pretty much knew half way through the book who the guilty parties were. I don't know if it is because I am growing accustomed to Connelly's style and therefore picking up on more clues or if he just telegraphed it on this one.

I look forward to reading the next installment. I hope that maybe this one was just a fluke and that on the next story I will once again be fooled, but if not, the characters will continue to draw me back to reading this series.

[Susie]

I think this was the last one I read, and decided not to carry on. I do see that future installments get much more favourable reviews though, so perhaps I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

As an aside, I love that we are all wrapping up challenges on New Year’s Eve!