Well, I'm very glad I continued with this series. This book is much much better than the first one. There are no silly politics, and very little complaining about the past... Harry just does what he needs to do, even though it is clear he is carrying a lot of baggage around with him.

The characters' behaviors make sense. The plot makes sense. Harry makes sense. All in all a very satisfying police procedural (even though some of the procedures might be outside the lines). And I'm definitely on to the next in the series.

The narration is very good, and sounds just like what you'd expect Harry to sound like. The story has some references to events in the earlier book, but stands completely alone and is wrapped up nicely in the end so you're not left hanging.

Prior to my last read, which just happened to be the first in the Michael Connelly Harry Bosch series I had not previously read a Bosch story. Now here we are at book 2, The Black Ice. I had seen a test pilot program on Amazon Instant Video proposing to serialize the Bosch genre and thought the man (Bosch) has some infirmities akin to my frailties. Could a mere detective series give me a platform of reading that would provide me with introspective? Connelly does not just write cliffhanger stories, but puts true human emotions to work in developing his plots and narratives. So yes, Bosch in The Black Ice provides more than just the simple pleasures of reading. It provides an opportunity for solipsism.

In the immediate story, The Black Ice, Connelly, takes Bosch into three or four different story plots all dovetailing throughout the novel; but keeps the reader on top of all the subplots and all in all makes for an acceptable story line. Of course, we still get the Bosch sexual escapades and an introduction into saxophone jazz. What more can one want from a pleasure listen?

Just plain fun. Not a lot of substance, but very captivating and well-written.

I went right on to the next in the series, which is just as good. I'm also listening to the Lincoln Lawyer series which ties in later in the chronology of the Bosch universe. I'm very happy with Connelly's storytelling.

I always enjoy following Harry Bosch around on his insightful wild card adventures, but this time he strikes me as the only interesting character, surrounded by a bunch of deadbeats. He doesnt quite manage to make up for the lack of interest inspired by the rest. Perhaps because its one of the earlier books in the series. This book's not a keeper.

I would recommend any of the Harry Bosch series to my friends. Harry is not a likeable guy but you end up liking him.

I so wanted to know who was doing all the kills but I had a hunch. Of course, I was wrong.

I like him

Absolutely worth my time. I got to understand Harry better after knowing where he came from.

I've said it before, so I won't belabor. . . Connelly's crime tales are superb and Dick Hill's narration only makes them better. Black Ice was really, really good! If you like detective stories, you'll like this one. I'm heading down the slippery slope of buying all of Connelly's novels! Hooked!

This is a sit on the edge of the seat, turn up the volumn, and drive around the city one more time story. five stars is all that is allowed - but it is a six.

I am a woman. Over the years I have come to realize that as a woman, my tastes in fiction *really are* different from men's. The male cliche I am complaining about in this case is the constant put-downs that are so prevalent in modern crime fiction. It is as if many male writers of crime fiction feel that they have to constantly put others down (presumably to prop themselves up).

I liked this book enough that I am downloading the next one at this very moment, but in both this book and the previous one in the series, there is not a single character--other than the protagonist--who is not either stupid or in some way less than admirable. He goes on and on about how stupidly Bosch's bosses on the force act. I kept wondering how so many stupid people could get promoted to such high positions. Don't they have to pass some kind of a test? But there are many other ways to crash and burn in this book: One cop is too pitiless. One likes to brag about how he got his scar. One is a coward and a drunk. Way too many people are willing to do the wrong thing if it will advance their careers. Bosch simply doesn't like others. There was actually one woman in this story that comes off more or less unsullied, but I could feel Connelly questing for a way to put her down. I have no doubt that if she is mentioned in any future book, she will be found to have some major flaw.

I'm not saying Connelly is a bad writer. In fact, although I've only read two of his books so far, I think he is probably a very good writer. But he seems (so far) to be a very *male* writer. So you women out there, if you prefer even your crime fiction to have people who are admirable try someone else. Try Laurie R. King, Dorothy Sayers, Mary Stewart, Ellis Peters.

There were parts of the book that were quite exciting. However, there was a lot of tedium to wade through, and too many stereotypical bad guys. I just could not finish it. I was a bit too bored.

The story links the tunnels in Vietnam to the survival of veterans of the tunnels who get mixed up in drugs from Mexico. The politics of the Los Angeles police department are so complex and occasionally so corrupt that the book is