The Black Box

Harry Bosch, Book 16

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Michael McConnohie

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In a case that spans 20 years, Harry Bosch links the bullet from a recent crime to a file from 1992, the killing of a young female photographer during the L.A. riots. Harry originally investigated the murder, but it was then handed off to the Riot Crimes Task Force and never solved.

Now Bosch's ballistics match indicates that her death was not random violence, but something more personal, and connected to a deeper intrigue. Like an investigator combing through the wreckage after a plane crash, Bosch searches for the "black box", the one piece of evidence that will pull the case together.

Riveting and relentlessly paced, The Black Box leads Harry Bosch, "one of the greats of crime fiction" (New York Daily News), into one of his most fraught and perilous cases.

©2012 Michael Connelly (P)2012 Hachette Audio

i love harry bosch!

If you could sum up The Black Box in three words, what would they be?

i think this book is excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Black Box?

as usual, there are many, many, many memorable moments.

What does Michael McConnohie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

i don' know because because i have always listened to the audiobook and have never read these books.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes, it made me laugh.

ANOTHER GREAT HARRY BOSCH STORY!!

What made the experience of listening to The Black Box the most enjoyable?

Revisiting one of my favorite characters. I really like the way Connelly has had Bosch evolve over the years.

What did you like best about this story?

Bosch's interactions with his daughter; his unwavering principles; his lack of fear of internal investigations.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are two scenes that come to mined: 1) The quiet showdown with Lt. O'Toole when he talked about the pending internal investigation and the fact that he (Bosch) would be the one still standing when it was over. 2) The statement he made to the Sherriff at the last of the book when he told him he was glad he was still alive after the helicopter crash and glad that he would live the rest of his life in prison for killing all the people he did, especially, the girl he killed 20 years earlier.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A reckoning comes to all

Any additional comments?

Near the end of this book I was afraid that Connelly was making this the end of the series. I'm so glad he didn't and I look forward to the next Harry Bosch book!

Another amazing Bosch book

Just like the rest. These books are awesome. Keep up the great work Mr. Connelly!!!!! Burning room is next then I can't wait for the one after!

Harry Bosch still grabs attention

Would you consider the audio edition of The Black Box to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version, but I prefer listening to this kind of story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, there are plot turns that keep the excitement high.

Which character – as performed by Michael McConnohie – was your favorite?

Harry's daughter, Mandy.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, not extreme. No tears or laughter. I liked the whole thing & I'm very glad he is dating Hannah.

Any additional comments?

I'm eager for my next dose of Harry & company.

Connelly Strikes Again!

What made the experience of listening to The Black Box the most enjoyable?

The Black Box is Michael Connelly's latest in the Harry Bosch detective series. Dating all the way back to 1992 where we were first introduced to Harry Bosch in "The Black Echo," we have seen irascible Harry Bosch evolve through the years. For me, the Harry Bosch detective books is one of the best series ever written.

In the Black Box, it is now 2012 and we find a more mature (Harry is now in his 60s), and even a more mellow Harry Bosch. Harry is working "unsolved murders" for the LAPD, and is assigned a case that spans 20 years. Harry Bosch links the bullet from a recent crime to a file from 1992, the killing of a young female photographer during the L.A. riots. Harry originally investigated the murder, but it was then handed off to the Riot Crimes Task Force. The case was never solved.

Through Bosch's investigative work, we discover that her death was not violence associated with the 1992 LA riots; but something more personal. Like an airline investigator exploring wreckage from a plane crash, Bosch searches for the "black box," the one piece of evidence that will pull his investigation together.

If you are into Harry Bosch, you will find THE BLACK BOX to be well written. It is written by one of the greatest crime writers of all time, and won't disappoint.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Of all the narrators Audible has used in the Harry Bosch series, I was most disappointed by the narrator chosen for this book, Michael McConnohie. I found his narrative monotonous and boring. It was difficult to differentiate between Harry Bosch and the general book narrator, because he used the same voice. Moreover, his lack of ability to breath "passion" into Harry Bosch, left a superbly written novel far short of its overall impact. Bring back Len Cariou or Dick Hill anytime.

Harry won't be derailed.

Harry Bosch solves a cold case that he was involved with earlier in his career during the LA Rodney King riots. New reader for the series that disappeared completely into the story.

The Usual Bosch Novel

If you could sum up The Black Box in three words, what would they be?

Quick, fun read.

What did you like best about this story?

Characters were well drawn--of course Connelly fans already know Bosch quite well.

What three words best describe Michael McConnohie’s voice?

The reader was ok, not quite as good as others who have done the Bosch books.

Great story, stiff reading

Clunky reading, very choppy and somewhat robotic. Titus Welliver is much better as was Len Cariou.

Great Book If You Listen at 1.5 speed! Try It!

It looks like most of the people who didn't like the audio book complained about Michael McConnohie's performance. At first I didn't like it either. It was just toooooo slow. So I decided to listen at 1.5 speed with my IPhone app and a miracle happened. At 1.5 speed Michael McConnohie sounds exactly like Bob Bailey did on the old Yours Truly Johnnie Dollar radio shows of the late 1950's and early 1960's. If you are an Old Time Radio fan, you will appreciate this.

Bob Bailey was the best radio voice around during the 1950's and 1960's and Michael McConnohie has that same rich nicotine stained baritone voice that Bailey had and most of the same expressions (only in slow motion). If McConnohie would just speed up his delivery, he could be one of the best audio book readers around. Thankfully, due to the miracle of modern computer technology, you can do it for him.

Another advantage of listening at the faster speed is that I got through the book in 2 days of commuting around town.

I gave McConnohie 4 stars because I had to speed up his performance. If he had just sped it up himself I would have given him 5 stars.

The book itself is classic Bosch. Great story. The usual procedural and political stuff mixed with twists and turns and surprises. Overall 5 stars.

Good story marred by inappropriate read

McConnahie is miscast for this one. His is an announcers style that is more appropriate for narration, The disconnect between Harry's character and his "voice" is distracting. Len Cariou, the old pro is of course a difflicult act to follow but I'm sure Audible can come with someone in that league.