Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Vision (2003), 439 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:When an LAPD narcotics officer is found with a fatal bullet wound and a suicide note, Detective Harry Bosch follows a bloody trail of drug murders across the Mexico border. �??Working the case, LAPD detective Harry Bosch is reminded of the primal police rule he learned long ago: Don't look for the facts, but the glue that holds them together. Soon Harry's making some very dangerous connections, starting with a dead cop and leading to a bloody string of murders that wind from Hollywood Boulevard to the back alleys south of the border. Now this battle-scarred veteran will find himself in the center of a complex and deadly game�??one in which he may be the next and likeliest v
User reviews
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
The second outing for Heironymus 'Harry' Bosch is as entertaining as the previous volume ('The Black Echo). Harry Bosch is a surprisingly appealing protagonist. As is almost obligatory for fictional police officers, he goes his own way and has frequently been at odds with his senior officers. He
This novel opens on Christmas Day in Los Angeles. Harry Bosch is at home but provisionally on call, and as he relaxes listening to traditional jazz, he also has his police scanner on. From this he hears of the discovery of a corpse in a motel room. Realising that the motel is within his precinct's patch he decides to attend the scene, even though he has not been summoned through the formal duty officer channels. Upon arrival he finds a smattering of senior officers, and it gradually becomes evident that the corpse is believed to be that of Cal Moore, an experienced officer in the LAPD Drug Squad.
The last thing that the senior officers want is Bosch taking on the case and stirring up his customary farrago of complications. He is, therefore, dispatched to contact Moore's ex-wife to advise her of the possibility that her husband might have been killed. Bosch goes to break the news to Sylvia Moore, perhaps the hardest job within the police roll of duty, and finds himself drawn to her.
On the following day Bosch is called into his boss's office and asked to take over a few stagnating cases that had been worked by one of his colleagues who has suddenly applied for early retirement on the grounds of ill health. Reluctantly Bosch takes this job on, and starts investigating the death of an unidentified Hispanic man whose body had been found in a Hollywood alleyway. His researches uncover possible connections to local drug dealers, and Harry discovers that the body had been found by Cal Moore himself. Further connections between the two crimes emerge, and Bosch becomes enmeshed in a complex web of undercover operations in both Los Angeles and Mexico.
Connelly manages the plot very capably - there are a number of separate storylines, and he resolves all of them without compromising plausibility or characterisation. All in all, very entertaining and gripping.
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is, however, clearly a 'good' cop, empathetic to the victims of the crimes he investigates, and capable of astute judgements and inspired leaps. All of this might make the book sound rather clichéd, but Connelly pulls it off admirably.This novel opens on Christmas Day in Los Angeles. Harry Bosch is at home but provisionally on call, and as he relaxes listening to traditional jazz, he also has his police scanner on. From this he hears of the discovery of a corpse in a motel room. Realising that the motel is within his precinct's patch he decides to attend the scene, even though he has not been summoned through the formal duty officer channels. Upon arrival he finds a smattering of senior officers, and it gradually becomes evident that the corpse is believed to be that of Cal Moore, an experienced officer in the LAPD Drug Squad.
The last thing that the senior officers want is Bosch taking on the case and stirring up his customary farrago of complications. He is, therefore, dispatched to contact Moore's ex-wife to advise her of the possibility that her husband might have been killed. Bosch goes to break the news to Sylvia Moore, perhaps the hardest job within the police roll of duty, and finds himself drawn to her.
On the following day Bosch is called into his boss's office and asked to take over a few stagnating cases that had been worked by one of his colleagues who has suddenly applied for early retirement on the grounds of ill health. Reluctantly Bosch takes this job on, and starts investigating the death of an unidentified Hispanic man whose body had been found in a Hollywood alleyway. His researches uncover possible connections to local drug dealers, and Harry discovers that the body had been found by Cal Moore himself. Further connections between the two crimes emerge, and Bosch becomes enmeshed in a complex web of undercover operations in both Los Angeles and Mexico.
Connelly manages the plot very capably - there are a number of separate storylines, and he resolves all of them without compromising plausibility or characterisation. All in all, very entertaining and gripping.
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LibraryThing member EmScape
In Connelly’s second novel to feature demoted detective Heironymous “Harry” Bosch, Harry investigates the death of a fellow cop, as well as two other murders that seem strangely connected to the import of a new drug, Black Ice. From L.A. to the Mexican border, Harry follows the clues and
Harry’s lone wolf persona and dogged pursuit of the truth, usually not the easy answer, puts him at odds with the bureau’s higher-ups, which he generally handles by just solving cases. He’s too valuable for them to bust down, but too much of a loose cannon to be given free rein. More of his personal history is revealed, in drips and drops, which I believe will continue until we know his whole history. This serves to make him a very interesting and dynamic character.
The writing is well-paced, but I did have a problem with some of the dialogue. Fairly often, the characters seem incapable of speaking in contractions. This would work if it were consistant, or a feature of just one character, but as it is, I find myself contracting the words as I read them. “I will go and see if I cannot find out what he is not telling us” for example. I don’t know anyone who talks like this, much less when it’s interspersed with cop slang like “ten-four” and other abbreviations.
On the whole, though, I really like reading these books. I will continue my way through this series.
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uncovers a set of relationships that strangely parallel his own experience. Also, he gets more play than most other middle-aged cops I’ve known.Harry’s lone wolf persona and dogged pursuit of the truth, usually not the easy answer, puts him at odds with the bureau’s higher-ups, which he generally handles by just solving cases. He’s too valuable for them to bust down, but too much of a loose cannon to be given free rein. More of his personal history is revealed, in drips and drops, which I believe will continue until we know his whole history. This serves to make him a very interesting and dynamic character.
The writing is well-paced, but I did have a problem with some of the dialogue. Fairly often, the characters seem incapable of speaking in contractions. This would work if it were consistant, or a feature of just one character, but as it is, I find myself contracting the words as I read them. “I will go and see if I cannot find out what he is not telling us” for example. I don’t know anyone who talks like this, much less when it’s interspersed with cop slang like “ten-four” and other abbreviations.
On the whole, though, I really like reading these books. I will continue my way through this series.
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LibraryThing member AHS-Wolfy
Harry Bosch has his nose put out of joint for being on-call and not being contacted when the body of a fellow police officer is found in an apparent case of suicide so decides to check the scene out anyway. Contrary to everyone else's opinion, Harry feels that there's something not quite right
This is the 2nd in the series featuring the LA detective Harry Bosch but this time most of the action takes place between the US and Mexican border towns of Calexico and Mexicali. Harry is his usual confrontational self with just about everyone he meets and more details are fleshed out about his character and his way of living. I think the author was becoming more comfortable as a novelist with this book as the interactions between people flowed better than the previous. As the investigation deepens the atmosphere of the story becomes more tense and fraught with danger. A good 2nd book in the series and I'll definitely be picking up the next at some point.
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about this being a suicide especially when paths cross with other cases he's currently looking into. Unfortunately, those handling the dead body don't agree with him and want to close the investigation with a minimum amount of fuss as rumours abound that the cop in question may have crossed over to the other team and was working for the bad guys. Can Harry find out what was really going on before he gets in really deep trouble with his superiors and why does everything seem to point to a Mexican drug lord called Zorrillo?This is the 2nd in the series featuring the LA detective Harry Bosch but this time most of the action takes place between the US and Mexican border towns of Calexico and Mexicali. Harry is his usual confrontational self with just about everyone he meets and more details are fleshed out about his character and his way of living. I think the author was becoming more comfortable as a novelist with this book as the interactions between people flowed better than the previous. As the investigation deepens the atmosphere of the story becomes more tense and fraught with danger. A good 2nd book in the series and I'll definitely be picking up the next at some point.
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LibraryThing member claude_lambert
It is telling that most reviewers who did not like the book start by saying; "I am a great fan of Connelly, but..." We don't do that for many authors: it is like Connelly has become a friend of the family. Well, it is not his best book, however close you feel to Connelly. Bosch, the detective,
What saves the book is that it is a reflection on why some people turn bad, and in this case, through multiple small touches and symbols, we get close to an answer.
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always behaves as he pleases and defies authority, which is pleasant, but in this book his amusing rebellion goes too far: I don't think any real police force would put up with it. In fact, I don't know any professional group who would put up with it, be it the world of fashion, lawyers, or hospitals. We all work within ground rules, even the mavericks of this world. This contributes to the many details which make the story incredible. There is something wrong in the plot with the details of this suicide turned murder. And Bosch's sex life is so random, it is really getting on my nerves.What saves the book is that it is a reflection on why some people turn bad, and in this case, through multiple small touches and symbols, we get close to an answer.
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LibraryThing member Joycepa
Harry Bosch returns in the second in the series.
On Christmas Day, Bosch, who is on call, notices on the police scanner that a call about a dead body has been routed to Central detective dvision. Given that the body was found in a motel in the Hollywood district, Bosch can not understand why he did
Then another officer is found dead in what seems like an unrelated murder. But there are too many coincidences for Bosch, and he stubbornly continues to try to find the "glue" that will tie these and other deaths together. Eventually, he winds up in Mexico, in a seedy town called Mexicali, the origin of all the homicides.
As far as I'm concerned, The Balck Ice has everything a book in the mystery/thriller genre should have--great plotting, believable characters and situations, an excellent sense of locales, great action and page-turning writing. You can't ask for much better.
Highly recommended.
On Christmas Day, Bosch, who is on call, notices on the police scanner that a call about a dead body has been routed to Central detective dvision. Given that the body was found in a motel in the Hollywood district, Bosch can not understand why he did
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not receve the call. He decides to visit the scene; the body turns out to be that of a Narcotics officer, Cal Moore, with whom Bosch had been working on the death of one of his informants. Moore's death is labelled a suicide, but there is evidence to the contrary. More or less on his own, with the threadiest of authorization, Bosch begins to investigate the death. Then another officer is found dead in what seems like an unrelated murder. But there are too many coincidences for Bosch, and he stubbornly continues to try to find the "glue" that will tie these and other deaths together. Eventually, he winds up in Mexico, in a seedy town called Mexicali, the origin of all the homicides.
As far as I'm concerned, The Balck Ice has everything a book in the mystery/thriller genre should have--great plotting, believable characters and situations, an excellent sense of locales, great action and page-turning writing. You can't ask for much better.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member Darrol
I like Harry Bosch and his struggles with his police department, but the plot is too elaborate.
LibraryThing member edwardsgt
Pretty good but not quite top drawer Harry Bosch. On this assignment Harry investigates the suspicious death of a fellow cop which takes him down to Baja California, in the Mexicali area.
LibraryThing member debavp
This is second in the Harry Bosch series. Not as good as the first, but not off by much.
I think Connelly is a truly gifted writer in that he can flesh out the main and secondary characters without drowning you in the details all the while not short changing the the story line.
I think Connelly is a truly gifted writer in that he can flesh out the main and secondary characters without drowning you in the details all the while not short changing the the story line.
LibraryThing member raizel
The second Harry Bosch book is not as good as the first. Too much violence, too much of it caused directly by Harry, who gets to disapprove of other people being violent. I didn't guess the mystery, but, this time around, I didn't care enough about the characters to care.
LibraryThing member LBM007
Missed this early story from the Harry Bosch series until now, but found it to be a page turner just like the other books in the series.
As an aside, always have to laugh at how minor details from the early '90s now seem dated. Like Bosch having to seek out a pay phone to return a page. Pay phones?
As an aside, always have to laugh at how minor details from the early '90s now seem dated. Like Bosch having to seek out a pay phone to return a page. Pay phones?
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Pagers? Do those things even still exist? Show Less
LibraryThing member wiccked
I enjoyed this. After reading two more "literary" offerings this was back to my more usual style. Quick and easy to read, and plenty of killing.
I like Harry Bosch - he's growing on me a lot. I'm enjoying getting to know him better now I've started trying to read the books in order. Despite knowing
I enjoyed this story too. There were some parts that seemed a little obvious, but after reading the whole story, they made more sense, and that fact that they did seem obvious had a reason. I'm looking forward to my next Harry Bosch book!
I like Harry Bosch - he's growing on me a lot. I'm enjoying getting to know him better now I've started trying to read the books in order. Despite knowing
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some of what's coming for Harry, in his personal life, it's worthwhile doing this.I enjoyed this story too. There were some parts that seemed a little obvious, but after reading the whole story, they made more sense, and that fact that they did seem obvious had a reason. I'm looking forward to my next Harry Bosch book!
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LibraryThing member miyurose
If you like straight-forward police procedurals with no quirks, Michael Connelly is the man for you. Bosch may have a bit of an independent streak and a penchant for lonely, sad women, but he’s surprisingly normal. When a fellow officer is found dead in a motel room, and Bosch doesn’t get the
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call, he knows something is hinky. He eventually finds himself embroiled in drugs, murder, and family matters — on both sides of the border. This series reflects the best of Michael Connelly. Show Less
LibraryThing member markatread
The second of the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly. Some of the first novel problems that occurred in the first Harry Bosch book are improved in this one, especially the dialogue. Being a journalist first, Michael Connelly could write the narrative and action sequences from page one of the
The first book was based on an actual crime that occurred in LA. This book is all Michael Connelly and in some ways it shows in a positive way. He doesn't seemed hemmed in by the facts this time and Harry becomes more three dimensional. The sequences involving Harry being in state custody are revealing and well done. There are some glitches along the way but the only one that really stands out is the relationship Harry has with women. And he might have gotten away with this as well except for the final scene at the funeral. That felt very clumsy.
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first book. In fact, Connelly is better at that element of writing than most writers. He doesn't waste a lot of words getting where he needs to be. But being a journalist, his dialogue was somewhat stilted in the first novel. Not so in the Black Ice. In fact the dialogue flows and enhances the plot rather than being clumsily added into the mix this time. The first book was based on an actual crime that occurred in LA. This book is all Michael Connelly and in some ways it shows in a positive way. He doesn't seemed hemmed in by the facts this time and Harry becomes more three dimensional. The sequences involving Harry being in state custody are revealing and well done. There are some glitches along the way but the only one that really stands out is the relationship Harry has with women. And he might have gotten away with this as well except for the final scene at the funeral. That felt very clumsy.
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LibraryThing member crazybatcow
Well, I'm very glad I continued with this series. This book is much much better than the first one. There is no silly politics, and very little moaning about the past... Harry just does what he needs to do, even though he has a lot of baggage around for the trip.
The characters' behaviors make
The characters' behaviors make
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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. Show Less
LibraryThing member ConnieJackson
A Thrilling Mystery Tale!
This is the second novel of the Harry Bosch series and I enjoyed this book more than Black Echo, the first novel of the series. In Black Ice, there is a new drug on the streets and the plot unfolds giving the reader an insight into the vicious drug dealing world that
This is the second novel of the Harry Bosch series and I enjoyed this book more than Black Echo, the first novel of the series. In Black Ice, there is a new drug on the streets and the plot unfolds giving the reader an insight into the vicious drug dealing world that
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generates crooked cops, with lots of twists and turns. There are numerous subplots in the story, and about the midway point I was a bit confused, but the author ensured that I didn't stay lost and it all worked out in the end. If you enjoy a great mystery, coupled with a thrilling tale then check this book out or any of the books in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member mahallett
i like michael connelly but harry gets on my tits. he's so confrontational he wears me out. i can't read him for too long. everyone he ever meet is an asshole and he can't do anything he's told and he can't say anything pleasant.
LibraryThing member emigre
Is Harry Bosch an anti-hero or a hero? The things he does in this book are so unlikable at times. Bosch's investigation of a LAPD detective's suicide leads him across a police bureaucratic jungle, seedy bars, then eventually barrios and a drug kingpin's compound in Mexico. The ending is a shocker,
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as always for Connelly. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrtall
Harry goes to the bitter borderlands to track down the truth about an LA cop gone bad. The Black Ice is stylish, gritty and compulsively readable. Recommended.
LibraryThing member afyfe
I got this book at the amazing free book exchange (oh how I miss you!). I listened to his book The Scarecrow about a year ago and enjoyed it for a thriller type of book. So Connelly was an author I was keeping my eye out for when I want a good thriller. This book is about a police officer who is
I don't think I enjoyed this book as much as the last one I read by him. The first half I kept wondering where things were going and the book seemed to move slowly. The last half all the way to the end got pretty interesting, but there were still some down moments where I felt like the story slowed or even came to a stop. You also aren't sure for most of the book who is a good guy and who is a bad guy which is nice for some mystery but I felt like there was a little too much of that and after a while it just got annoying. Before I recommend this book I would first recommend reading The Scarecrow (or possibly one of his other books). And if you have read that, and liked it, I would say you might like this one, too. I'm also not sure if because I listened to The Scarecrow I liked it more, so maybe try out this book on audio if you can find it. If this were the first book I read by him I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but since I know he can do better I say give one of his other books a chance first.
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found dead and it is assumed to be a suicide. However one of the other members of the police force is having a hard time believing that. He takes on some of the cases that were left from his fallen co worker and starts uncovering things to help his suspicion that it wasn't a suicide. The story takes places in LA as well as just over the border in Mexico as he is trying to find all the answers.I don't think I enjoyed this book as much as the last one I read by him. The first half I kept wondering where things were going and the book seemed to move slowly. The last half all the way to the end got pretty interesting, but there were still some down moments where I felt like the story slowed or even came to a stop. You also aren't sure for most of the book who is a good guy and who is a bad guy which is nice for some mystery but I felt like there was a little too much of that and after a while it just got annoying. Before I recommend this book I would first recommend reading The Scarecrow (or possibly one of his other books). And if you have read that, and liked it, I would say you might like this one, too. I'm also not sure if because I listened to The Scarecrow I liked it more, so maybe try out this book on audio if you can find it. If this were the first book I read by him I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but since I know he can do better I say give one of his other books a chance first.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
I like Harry Boesch but didn't really care for this book. Harry is investigating the apparent suicide of a cop which leads his to drug dealers in Mexico. Didn't enjoy that part of the book at all where he's dealing with Drug Enforcement Beaucrats, crooked Mexican Federalis, etc. Maybe because I was
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half-heartedly listening to the audiobook, I was surprised by the ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member hayduke
Second in the Harry bosch series. An entertaining page-turner that gets a little corny when Harry starts making goo-goo eyes at the widow of a recently slain cop.
LibraryThing member auntieknickers
Harry Bosch investigates the apparent suicide of a fellow LAPD cop whose life has some disturbing parallels with his own. The search leads him to Mexico and a thrilling drug raid, and then to a shocking revelation. Through it all Harry goes his own way, regardless of departmental strictures and
(Note: corrected review, I erroneously posted the review of BLACK ECHO under this book.)
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politics. Another excellent book from Connelly. The setting of Calexico/Mexicali is particularly well-drawn.(Note: corrected review, I erroneously posted the review of BLACK ECHO under this book.)
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LibraryThing member Condorena
This story is about the manufacture, shipping, and merchandizing a new designer drug, Black Ice. Originating in Hawaii it now it being made in Mexico. Harry Bosch who can apparently hardly do anything right if you listen to the tones of other characters in the book is trying to track down who
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killed a policeman who may have returned to his dark roots. Harry 's superiors mostly just put roadblocks in his way for reasons that are never completely clear and I found this detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I call it the McCloud syndrome because of the old Tv series in which MCCloud solved every case but his bosses treated like someone who always messed up. Show Less
LibraryThing member ricaustria
Nice ride. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Dirty Harry he's not.
Homicide detective Harry Bosch is spending another holiday alone when the call comes in over the scanner - the body in the sleazy motel appears to be narcotics officer Cal Moore, and everything points to suicide. Except Harry isn't convinced, and as the brass pushes for the
Grit, blood, drugs and murder - not much optimism here, but a solid read if you like your cops determined, weathered , and years past naive, and your investigations stymied and stone-walled at every turn.
Homicide detective Harry Bosch is spending another holiday alone when the call comes in over the scanner - the body in the sleazy motel appears to be narcotics officer Cal Moore, and everything points to suicide. Except Harry isn't convinced, and as the brass pushes for the
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quick and easy conclusion, he digs in his heels and keeps right on poking his nose into places better left alone.Grit, blood, drugs and murder - not much optimism here, but a solid read if you like your cops determined, weathered , and years past naive, and your investigations stymied and stone-walled at every turn.
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Subjects
Awards
Anthony Award (Nominee — Novel — 1994)
Hammett Prize (Nominee — 1993)
Falcon Award (1995)
This Mystery is Amazing! (#9 — 1995)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1993
Physical description
439 p.; 4.25 inches
ISBN
0446613444 / 9780446613446