Review: Trunk Music by Michael Connelly

I actually listened to Trunk Music by Michael Connelly last month, it’s just taken me this long to write a review, so it’s just going to be brief.

This is the fifth in the Detective Harry Bosch series, which I’m listening to our of order. It’s easy enough to just jump in though. There are a few returning characters, but their re-introduction is well done, giving us enough information to know who they are and how they relate to Harry.

In this installment Harry has returned to the job after an involuntary leave of absence. His first case back is a little more than he bargained for. B-grade L.A. movie producer Tony Aliso is found shot twice in the head and stuffed into the trunk of his Rolls Royce – what looks like “trunk music,” a Mafia hit. Bosch is not so sure, and follows the money trail to Vegas. Tony had enemies, and the investigations quickly gives Harry his own share of them, from Vegas thugs to internal affairs to Tony’s killers.

Harry here is not all hung up on his own issues, he’s concentrated on getting the job done. Even the involvement of a former love, Eleanor Wish, is only a sidelight. He’s not as morose or angry or introspective as he can be at times, which was a good change of pace in my opinion. I like Harry, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I just want him to quit thinking and get back to solving the case.

I actually remember the plot in this one better than the characters. The wrap-up is great- exciting, unexpected. The clues were there, but how it all falls in place was just well-done. This is probably one of my favorites in the series so far.

On a side note Marry Bosch may be coming to tv. According to Deadline.com, Connelly has partnered with Fuse Ente”Crime novelist Michael Connelly “has partnered with Fuse Entertainment and writer-producer Eric Overmyer in hopes of finally bringing his Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch character to series TV.” But no network or pilot deal is in place yet.

4½ out of 5 stars

Category: Mystery – Police Procedural

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Harry Bosch #5
First published 1997
12 hours 41 minutes
Narrated by Dick Hill

Book source: Library

Harry Bosch Series

1. The Black Echo
2. The Black Ice
3. The Concrete Blond
4. The Last Coyote
5. Trunk Music
6. Angels Flight
7. A Darkness More Than Night
8. City of Bones
9. Lost Light
10. The Narrows
11. The Closers
12. Echo Park
13. The Overlook
14. The Brass Verdict
15. Nine Dragons
16. The Reversal
17. The Drop
18. The Black Box (expected November 2012)