Michael Connelly has become one of the most acclaimed crime writers of the past twenty years, producing a number of award-winning
novels, many featuring his recurring hero, loner homicide cop Harry Bosch.
The Black Echo is Connelly´s very first published novel (winning the prestigious Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel), and introduces readers to Hieronymous ´Harry´Bosch, a tough, jazz-loving Vietnam vet who combines his superior
detective skills with a dislike for authority and an ability to put his superiors offside at every turn, leading to much trouble on cases, even when he is in the right (which refreshingly for this genre, is not all the time).
In the Black Echo, Bosch, recently demoted from the prestigious LAPD Robbery Homicide elite squad to Hollywood Homicide, finds himself investigating an
apparent OD in a Mulholland Drive storm pipe. A death that hits close to home - that of a fellow Vietnam vet ''tunnel rat''.
As murder becomes apparent, Bosch finds himself offside with his own department, tagging along with a begrudging FBI bank robbery team, particularly the seductive FBI Agent Eleanor Wish.
As the investigation continues, the death (and more to come) intersect with both the victims and Harry´s own past, a daring modern bank heist, and many secrets that some people will kill to keep covered....
Having read four of Connelly´s novels (The Black Echo, The Poet, Concrete Blonde, and The Narrows), it is very interesting to ´go back to the start´ to see how Detective Bosch, who has become one of the most popular detectives in recent crime fiction, began. With hints of the troubles to come in later books, we are introduced to a unique character that makes you want to follow him through the investigation. Connelly´s later books (e.g. The Narrows) are polished novels from a writer at the top of his game. This very first book shows us that the reason he is considered by many one of the top crime novellists of our time was apparent right from the start....engaging characters, exciting writing, interesting plots, and believability....