The Overlook Audio CD – 28 April 2015

Hmmm... I may just be tiring of the usual sub-plots in crime novels, films & TV series, where the cops always have to fight with the FBI and every other agency while trying to solve some murder or other. Plus the constant infighting with their current assigned partners / lieutenants / captains / Chiefs, etc., etc... and this story has elements of all those things once again (yawn...).Bosch as a character is interesting and complex, or he was at first - many books ago - but the series is getting a bit formulaic now for me. Like a crossword puzzle nerd, after a while you can guess the answers to the clues more quickly and predict 'whodunnit' more easily.For that, and other reasons to do with the basic plot, this story seemed less absorbing to me than Michael Connelly's earlier Bosch novels. One of the pitfalls of following a series of books with the same lead character (Bosch, Spenser, Jesse Stone, Jack Reacher, etc...) is that you can gradually lose interest in the same-old-same-old character flaws and personal history of the hero. I appreciate that the writer has to include some of that stuff each time for readers who haven't read a Bosch story before, so I realise that I'm the one with the problem!Anyway... I guess the book is written well enough to help you fall asleep at bedtime, but I probably need a break from Bosch for a while and get into someone else's writing and flawed characters.(NB - I hadn't read the other reviews before reading the book, and looking at some of them now - from as far back as 2008 - I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this was well below par. Others have picked up on the same points as mentioned.)

There's a murder. And Harry Bosch is called to the scene. And suddenly the FBI turns up. Seems it isn't a simple murder after all.The LAPD and the Feds don't have a totally supportive team environment. Basically they hate each other, and Harry is not one to build bridges. Turns out that he is right all along. Harry is always right all along, or almost.If you like Harry Bosch novels, and I do, then this is a cracker, with additional snide asides on how to commit the perfect crime by blaming it on terrorists.

I can't quite put my finger on why this was a slight disappointment for me, I usually enjoy Harry Bosch investigations. When the book arrived I realised it would not take long to read, there are just under 300 pages and I think if this was intended to be a "shorter" story then, in my mind, Michael Connelly made a mistake. Perhaps he had begun churning out the stories instead of developing them properly when he wrote this.A man is murdered, dangerous materials stolen, wife threatened. Who did it. I'll leave it to you to find out and it won't take too long.That could be the root of the problem here, everything got solved so easily and all of a sudden, wham, it was finished.Of course I didn't realise the story was over because several pages remained and it seemed as if there was some way to go. As I turned over from what was the last page I found Michael Connelly had "intervewed" Harry Bosch and it was printed on the next few pages. This was a novel idea and it was good to see that Bosch was just as single minded out of script as he is on it...!

Starts at a gallop and gets faster with Harry solving the case before anyone else takes a breath the only hiatus is a comic interlude of police stupidity. Short and cinematic I read it in several hours which shows the grip it exerts but it has no depth as earlier volumes have, none of Harry’s belligerent righteousness or melancholy though he still manages to listen to a bit of jazz. Not the best puzzle though for that you should read something else.

Bosch being Bosch. Falling out with Feds. Pushing his luck with his LAPD bosses. Strained romantic and personal relationships. But Using his guile, toughness and detective genius he saves the day. A really straight forward story and plot, not predictable but maybe not as much in it as other Bosch books. Still good though.

I thought I had read the full series but..............so it was a welcome read after several months of Harry Bosch withdrawal symptoms; I have read a few other crime novels in the interim but Michael Connelly is really a cut above. Harry was perhaps a little tiresome here in winding everyone up & being the only one to see a different pattern in the crime but I am still eager for more.If you haven't read any of this series go to [...].uk to see the Harry Bosch novels in sequence [over 20] & start at the beginning & work your way through............ but it's a bit like watching "The Killing" it's awful when you get to the end & you're not quite sure what to do with yourself,but hey?!!

Connelly always delivers. Another Brillant Harry Bosh thriller. Twists and turns make a great story and Bosh's mind definitely is working at his best to solve this murder or is it an international heist

Interesting story about a doctor who is killed when he is forced by terrorists to take radioactive material from a hospital as his wife is threatened.Good read with an unusual twist at the end.

Harry Bosch has returned to LAPD from retirement and is at home awaiting his first callout at Homicide Special. His new supervisor is Lt. Larry Gandle whilst Ignatio Ferras (call me "Iggy") is his new partner, 20 years his junior. Near midnight the phone rings Harryâ(tm)s. He is directed to take over a shooting at The Overlook, a roadside lookout giving a wonderful view of the city. He calls Iggy immediately and they plan their meeting at the crime scene after he obtains a car and other material from their office. The gangland slaying-style victim is Stanley Kent, a 42 year-old radiation physicist whose home is nearby though his car has been used to access the crime site. Harry does a preliminary inspection finding several key cards which give Kent access to those hospitals in the county which use radioactive material for therapy. Kentâ(tm)s role is to calculate the amount of material required for the patient and delivers this to the oncologist of treatment.Rachel Walling, Special Agent of the FBIâ(tm)s Tactical Unit and former lover to Harry arrives at the scene. He still harbours fond feelings for her and once again admires her great beauty. She bustles about acting in charge on behalf of the FBI as she tenuously claims the case has a terrorist relationship due to the radioactive connection through Kent. She confirms identity of the body indicating there is no risk at the moment as her detector had not reacted nor had special rings on two of the victimâ(tm)s fingers. She knows the victim lived nearby and suggested Harry and she go there to notify the wife, Alicia Kent.On arrival they are met by Agent Jack Brenner, Rachelâ(tm)s partner, who takes over. Harry indignantly states this is a murder case which clearly belongs to LAPD. This sets up a difficult relationship between the parties but Harry will not cede the case until terrorism trails are identified.Mrs Alicia Kent is found unconscious, naked, gagged and "hog-tied" on the main bed. Alicia starts to recover helped by Rachel, freed from ties and into a gown. She explains to the Agents and Harry that two men broke into the house and demanded certain things concerning her husbands work, or he would be murdered. Harry and Brenner head off to St Agathaâ(tm)s hospital where the countyâ(tm)s Cesium is stored ready to be taken out to other hospitals as determined by Stanley Kent. Difficulties with the hospitalâ(tm)s security staff are quickly overcome by a forthright manner and show of force by Agent Brenner whose specialist radiation team arrive on the scene. All Cesium is gone with a note left by Stanley saying he was being forced by threat of death to his wife and had been shown an email photo of her on the bed as described above.A person is admitted to hospital suffering severe radiation burns. Harry and Rachel hurry to the site the paramedics stated he was found. It eventuates he is a scavenger who had found the Cesium and other material from the original crime in dumpsters left out for pick-up. Harry had not turned on his radiation detector and receives a scare when it does go off. As the full FBI radiation team arrive led by Brenner, Harry feigns early radiation effects and Rachel takes him to the hospital though Harry diverts her on the way. They return to Kentâ(tm)s home where Harry and Rachel and put together the real story.You will have to read the ending and discover the perpetrator(s?). You just have to read it!Reviewer, Rod Eamens.

The Overlook was such a thrill ride after the tamed down version of Bosch since he returned to the force two novels ago. No mistaking i enjoyed the last two but in this one it's like Bosch has been given a new infusion of obnoxious bull headed jerk behaviour which i found delightfully entertaining. Seemed like a much shorter read but was a lively thrill ride. Great tale with good twists as always. Stay salty Bosch!

Während die früheren Bände der Harry-Bosch-Serie doch eher betulich daherkamen, war "Echo Park" schon deutlich rasanter. Und in diesem Buch spielt sich die ganze Handlung in einem Zeitfenster von 12 Stunden ab, von Mitternacht bis zum Mittag des folgenden Tages.Hary Bosch ist wieder bei der Mordkommission und wird zu einem Tatort gerufen. Schnell wird klar, dass es sich bei dem Mordopfer um einen Krebs-Facharzt handelt, der mit radioaktiven Substanzen hantiert. Dies ruft das FBI in Form von Agent Walling (die wir schon aus früheren Romanen kennen) auf den Plan.Leider hatte ich die Lösung schon nach 20 Seiten geahnt, aber das tat dem Lesevergnügen wenig Abbruch. Aber dann gibt's auch "nur" 4 Sterne.Wer schnelle Action und kantige Polizisten mag, der ist hier gut aufgehoben. Daumen hoch, Kaufempfehlung.

You cannot read a Harry Bosch novel without being captivated by the details that go into it. Follow the clues. Piece together the details and you come to a conclusion. That is what Harry does every time. Long live Harry. Long live Michael. May the stories go on and on forever.

Connelly is a master of misdirection in this thrilling mystery where nothing can be taken at face value. Bosch is called out to a murder scene and the FBI quickly becomes involved when terrorists are suspected of stealing cesium to mount an attack. There are a lot of lies and backstabbing between Bosch and the FBI but Bosch ultimately solves the murder. Extremely well-written!

This was a nice quick read for me. I felt like I was visiting old friends. There was a new twist to the story which I enjoyed. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Not a typical HB book. MC has not put in his best in creating this small novel.The novel is based around a homicide investigation where a cancer surgeon is killed and all clues point to nuclear theft and terrorists are involved. With terrorists in the picture, FBI (read Rachel Walling) is in too. But, sadly enough, no romance between HB and RW.Not the best HB book but you would probably need to read it to ensure continuity. Nine Dragons is next for me.

Great Harry book. In keeping with his adventures, this one is a nailbiter with his usual twist at the end. Connelly combines just the right amount of romantic reference to keep you guessing, but doesn't overdue it as some authors do. Great read!

Quelle déception ! Cela commence par un crime hors du commun qui laisse entrevoir une menace rien de moins qu'atomique avec un vol de matériau nucléaire, et cela se termine en eau de boudin par la "révélation" que le crime n'était que passionnel, après des déductions foireuses de Harry Bosch sur la base d'un poster accroché au mur... Du grand n'importe quoi. J'espère que ma prochaine lecture de cet écrivain que j'apprécie généralement sera meilleure.

Ich "arbeite" mich gerade durch die gesamte Reihe und allein das zeigt, dass die Harry Bosch Reihe sehr unterhaltsam ist. Ich lese die Bücher auf Englisch, um in der Sprache fit zu bleiben und finde einen für mich optimale Kombination aus Wortschatz, Spannung und Unterhaltung. bisher waren alle Bände der Reihe, die ich gelesen habe, bis auf Nuancen sehr gut. Nur manchmal sind die "Zufälle", die gerade Harry Bosch passieren, etwas zu zufällig.

Where does Michael get his ideas?What an imagination!As always on tenterhooks through the whole storey.And no sex!

The Overlook for me has failed to reach the high standards MC usually maintains. The story is kind of dull in a way. I would say, go for it , if you are in to read the whole series ( for the continuity). If you haven't read any MCs , I would suggest you to go for another one, because this will really make you under estimate his other books.

Terrific plot design. Great twist at the end. The continuity from previous books is excellent and believable. A very good read but I suggest you start with the Black Echo.

Im am totally hooked on Michael Connelly and his Harry Borsh books, I gradually reading my way through all of them.

This is an OK book....not particularly tense, gripping, or fast-paced. The inductive/deductive elements are interesting.