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

love the character development

great story but too neatly wrapped up
very engaging, fascinating story of researching 20 year old crimes

another great Bosch story

I really enjoyed this book. after reading reviews and listening to the sample, I thought I was going to have an issue with the narrator, but he ended up being pretty ok. true it didn't have the same emotion and touch that previous narrators had, it wasn't nearly as bad as other reviews said it was.

the writing and pacing kept me engaged the entire time, even though it became clear pretty early on what direction the case was going to take. I actually listened to the last hour in my hotel room instead of waiting until I was back in the car the next day.

*possible spoiler* the IAB subplot also felt like an unnecessary add in. once he finished writing the book outline, it seemed like the author found himself trapped with the direction the story went and he went back and added in this subplot to give himself a way out of the ending he wrote. the subplot is resolved with a throwaway paragraph in the last chapter, which tells me not much thought was given to it.

I am used to the wrap up of cases and these books taking several chapters as Bosch cleans up the loose ends of personal relationships, case details and "hijingo". the last few however have been noticeably shorter at the end, this book especially. it felt more like a Jack Reacher book (if you are not familiar, these books almost always end abruptly with Reacher sticking out his thumb on the side of the road or getting on a bus and riding off into the sunset).

I am looking forward to the next book and hope that Titus Welliver really delivers as Bosch narrating Bosch.

Excellent work.

throughly enjoyed the story, as I do for most of Connelly's novels. The story ends with a bit of a twist.

Harry Bosch fan

Agree with other reviewers the reader was rather monotone and dull. The most irritating factor was his constant mispronunciation of the name of town where the key characters were from. He pronounced the town of Manteca as mahn- tech-ah. There is even a waiter in the story who reads a note Harry has written and laughs as the word means lard in Spanish. The town of lard is pronounced Man-tea-kah.

Good installment in Bosch series

It took me a while to get into this story but it ended up being entertaining. As always, Connelly shows his outstanding ability to story tell, using fresh descriptions, believable dialogue and satisfying intrigue.

Good story

The story is good as usual. The narrator does a good job. I have listened to two books beyond this one narrated by Titus Welliver. I watched the series on Amazon (all of it). I just do not like him so this is my last of this series. I have read some of the other Connelly books and know there are more I will like

Another Great Bosch story.

I am hooked on Harry Bosch--all his good, bad, and idiosyncratic qualities. A very interesting story with lots of twists. Not my favorite narrator for Bosch, but still good.

I like Harry Bosch

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

Michael Connelly knows how to write. His characters are genuine, realistic and lasting. His plots are solid. His descriptions put the reader "into the picture". I enjoyed this tale immensely for those reasons.

What did you like best about this story?

Characterization

Have you listened to any of Michael McConnohie’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes - he is consistenly good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

No.

I always love Harry Bosch. This books is great

Where does The Black Box rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is great, love listening on my phone

What did you like best about this story?

the twist and turns

What about Michael McConnohie’s performance did you like?

He was easy to listen to

Bosch is Back looking for the "Black Box" in a 20

Would you try another book from Michael Connelly and/or Michael McConnohie?

yes

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

As in all of Connelly's books, the conclusion becomes a page turner and the pace grows faster and faster...

What aspect of Michael McConnohie’s performance would you have changed?

Earlier narrators have done a better job with dramatic reading than this one. It is a given that a dramatic reading with several characters and different genders is difficult. Too much emphasis can make the reading obnoxious; too little make it boring. This one was not boring but was less of an intensive reading than earlier books.

Do you think The Black Box needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Harry Bosch always will need a followup. I think I know where Connelly is going and will allow him a new main character (Bosch's daughter). I guess I identify with his age and know he is headed some sort of conclusion, a write out or down.

Any additional comments?

Connelly has toyed with redemption in many of Bosch's failures. He returns to the same aspects of his personality that harm his relationships and standing with his piers and superiors. I long for one of Connelly to pull one of his characters out of a longing life of loss into redemption of personality, history, relationships, and the soul.