100% Connelly, 100% Addictive (Echo Park - Michael Connelly)

Member Name: cazkins

Product:	Echo Park - Michael Connelly
Date:	19/07/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliantly written to with detail to capture your attention & 'bring the story to life'

Disadvantages: None

I've only recently been getting into crime novels, and decided to pick up a Michael Connelly book from the library after he was recommend to me. Connelly is a big name in crime writing, and I now I can see why.

Echo Park is part of Connelly's Bosch series, clocking in at number 12. Having not read any of Connelly's work before, let alone any previous books in the Bosch series, I thought I would be a little lost by picking this up. This wasn't the case; you don't need to have read any of the Bosch books before, although I'm sure having done so will only help build up your image of the famous detective.

The blurb on the back gives a rough of idea of what to expect, and caught my attention straight away with talk of FBI detectives and a murder mystery. The book is based around detective agent Bosch, the central character of the series, who was assigned the case of missing Marie Gesto in 1993. Unable to solve the murder due to lack of evidence and no body in sight, the case haunts Bosch, who frequently re-runs the case every few months hoping to find the missing links.

Years on and a new case opens, this time in the form of a deal presented to Bosch by other agents and a lawyer. This shady deal involves a killer confessing to several murders, including Gesto. Although this isn't the man Bosch considered to be responsible for Gesto's disappearance, the evidence is convincing as the murderer, Waits, leads him to Gesto's body.

I don't want to give the story away, but throughout the remaining pages we read of Bosch and partner, Kiz Rider, jumping through hoops to uncover the shady deal and find the truth behind Waits and Gesto's disappearance. The plot darkens as other characters become intertwined, including other members of the police force/FBI and a political campaign.

It's not all legal, political and criminal, however, as there are emotional aspects to this novel too. This includes the return of a previous character, Rachel, for whom Bosch became close to. Past events and relationships such as this are well documented without going over old ground too much, giving new readers just enough information without boring previous fans of his work.

What's it like to read? For someone who has problems lately finding something to hold her attention for longer than 10 minutes, I found this book difficult to stop reading. It drew me in from the first sentence, and kept me hooked until the very end. Connelly's writing is complex in the sense that it is detailed and eventful, yet very easy to read. Reading it is like watching a film but better; I could see each of the characters, envisage the scene clearly and felt as if I were there amongst the characters.

Echo Park does require a degree of attention as there are many names and details you need to pick up on and keep track of. I found the book kept my attention very well and didn't lose my understand at any point; whenever anything happened, Connelly was sure to make it clear and keep the reader up to date by reminding them of who and what had previously happened.

Connelly definitely has an eye for detail and his talents shine through in Echo Park. The writing is fluid and vivid, the storyline detailed and surprising. It was original, with unexpected twists and turns, and stood apart from other novels in this genre.

The back of the book reads '100% Connelly. 100% Addictive'. I would agree 100%. A fantastic read that I was sad to finish. Highly recommended!

[2006, RRP £7.99]

Summary: A fantastic read that wont leave you disappointed