Desert Star: The Brand New Blockbuster Ballard & Bosch Thriller

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Harry and Renee pull into a real estate office, and Harry remembers that it used to be a jewelry store and he was involved in a case where two brothers were murdered there by "bent cops". That was The Crossing. Murphy, the editor-in-chief of CrimeReads who now lives in Miami, adds to “An Honest Living” the smell and feel of old books as well as a few well-placed crimes, such as conspiracy, which the lawyer says is sometimes “just another word for life carrying on without you.” Reading this book felt more like having a close friend share a very personal experience with you that revealed their inner self and strengthened your relationship with them. This felt very personal to Harry Bosch in several ways, especially in his relationship with his daughter, Maddie, and his on-and-off partnership with Ballard. Connelly masterfully weaves in the investigation casework, builds on the mystery elements, and thrown in surprising twists that all amplify what is going on in Harry’s personal life and the struggles he is working through to close a case with such meaning and importance to his work. There have been cases that Bosch has continued to work on, but none of them have haunted him as much as the brutal murders of the Gallagher family members – dad, mom, and two children – which has turned into his personal “white whale” hunt for justice. Earlier in his career, Bosch was sure he had the killer caught and while building his case, the suspect fled into hiding. Harry was never ever able to get enough evidence to charge and chase after the man he is positive committed the murders. Connelly poignantly shows the cold case unit’s new homicide archive where the murder books of the unsolved cases are stored. Bosch and Ballard often run their fingers over these murder books when they are passing, as if connecting with those deceased. This is “hallowed ground to Bosch. The library of lost souls.”

I am a huge fan of Michael Connelly, enjoying all his different series. This story, where once again Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch work together, continues his ability to put out well written, intriguing stories. But before he can get his hands on the Gallagher case he must help Ballard and the team on the Sarah Pearlman murder. Sarah was killed in her bedroom in the 90s. Her body was discovered by her brother who has since gone on to become an LA councilman. It’s his funding that has made it possible to reopen the unit. As the team searched for what was now a serial killer, Harry continued his search for the killer of the Gallagher Family. They had the name of the killer, but had been unable to trace him. Harry was determined to find him this time...With 24 Harry Bosch books behind us we’re well aware that Bosch doesn’t play well with others. But with Ballard he’s about as much of a team player as he might ever be. When gets on the trail there’s little that will stand in his way and that’s part of what makes this such a compelling series - and has done over an extended period.

She frowned as though she had expected a warmer reception. But Bosch didn’t know why she would have, after the way things had ended last year. Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch are reunited in this story when Renée asks Harry to join her in the newly reformed cold case unit where she is in charge. If Harry will join he can work a cold case that has been his white whale and have LAPD resources. A nice bone to toss his way since he is retired.Ballard and Bosch will be forced to face new tensions, old resentments, and personal secrets that will drive Bosch to behave in ways that she never would have expected from him in the pursuit of two psycho killers that could create incredible political fallout and destroy both of their law enforcement careers. I am sorry, Mike Connelly fans. This review is going to be harsh. In my defense, I too am a fan of Michael Connelly. (notice the present tense?) This is a somber yet excellent entry in the Bosch and Ballard series. We see Ballard dealing with the politics and stress that comes with being the boss of the cold case unit--including handling Bosch, a lone wolf for life. Bosch is in a bad place and also determined to solve the Gallagher case, no matter what. The cold cases Connelly presents are all intricate and detailed (as always) with his usual research and police authenticity.