City of Bones

Starred ReviewCould Harry Bosch actually be a serial killer? That's the disturbing question Connelly poses in this hard-edged, smartly executed crime drama, pitting two of his most popular protagonistsDgrim L.A.P.D. detective Hieronymous ("Harry") Bosch (The Black Ice; Angels Flight, etc.) and Terry McCaleb, the crafty former FBI profiler of Blood WorkDagainst each other. At center stage is McCaleb, forced into retirement on Catalina Island following a heart transplant. When approached by an old L.A.P.D. pal, McCaleb jumps at the chance to help on a baffling murder case, the ritualistic details of which suggest a serial killer. It doesn't take McCaleb long to focus in on a prime suspect: Bosch. Not only did Bosch carry a grudge against the dead man, a murderer who narrowly escaped prison six years before, but clues at the death scene implicate the detective. While McCaleb investigates, Bosch is busy with his own case, helping prosecutors convict David Storey, a well-known Hollywood director accused of strangling a starlet. McCaleb eventually begins to wonder if the two cases are connected. Did Bosch cross over to the dark side, or is he being framed? Readers familiar with Bosch's bend-but-don't-break morality won't be stumped for long, but Connelly's 10th novel is otherwise flawless, cleverly conceived, superbly plotted and morally complex. (Jan. 23) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved