THE NARROWS by Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly is at his best when utilizing his fictional character Harry Bosch in his stories. Bosch is the main focus of Connelly's new novel THE NARROWS and the story is all the better for it. This detective gives the story its air of sadness and also its moral imperative.
When the book opens we find that Terry McCaleb, the "star" of Connelly's BLOOD WORK is dead. Bosch is asked by his widow to investigate his death. At the same time FBI Agent Rachel Wallings has been called to a case that might involve her old nemesis "the Poet." Some bodies have been found that point to his handiwork.
These two characters find their investigations lead them to the same spot and the same killer. They join forces and work to finally capture or kill a man who has been their enemy for a long, long time.
The story culminates in a chase along the "narrows" of Los Angeles. These are the viaducts or canals that run through the city. In these waters Harry finds redemption and a chance to right some of the wrongs of his past.
Bosch is a wonderful character because he is so flawed. In the last "Bosch novel" Harry learned he was a father. In this book he makes contact with his daughter in one of the most mystical scenes Connelly has ever written. It is a testament to fatherly love but total estrangement.
One flaw in Connelly's writing is he sometimes is just too clever. This occurs in THE NARROWS with his handling of the movie version of BLOOD WORK. He writes about Clint Eastwood being too old to play McCaleb, and the changes that were made in the movie version which altered the status of characters in the book. This is more inside information than the readers need or want.
Where Connelly soars as a writer is in his melancholy approach to Bosch's life. Harry is not a happy man and he doesn't even know what it will take to make him happy. He works for the righting of wrongs but his whole life seems to be one big wrong turn. The reader suffers with Harry and empathizes with his torments.
This is a good novel not so much for its plot but because of the charisma of the lead character and the beauty of Connelly's writing style. It is so moody and musical in its depictions you can almost hear a haunting saxophone in the background.
THE NARROWS is published by Little, Brown and Company. It contains 416 pages and sells for $25.95.