Question about Harry Bosch books.

They're all pretty good. The latest - Nine Dragons - is somewhat different. He's not "lyrical", like say James Lee Burke. Joe R Lansdale very funny, very violent and sometimes horrific - I recommend the Hap and Leonard series.

authors a tool - fact

If you like those sort of twists, Kev, you would probably enjoy Jeffrey Deaver's novels.

Particularly the Lincoln Rhyme series.

Wasn't Blood Work a Michael Connolly book? Later made into a movie starring Clint Eastwood?

I remember noting that the film totally changed the ending (and the murderer) and wondering if Connolly was ticked off about it.

I rather enjoy them. The twists are pretty good, and they're paced well. Connelly has this habit of, when he knows NOTHING about something, researching it thoroughly and including WAY too much details. In one of his more recent ones, there's a bit where Bosch cooks a meal for his lady, and honestly it's like a recipe guide off the bbc website...it goes on for PAGES!!!

Same book, he photocopies something, and you get to learn all about how photocopiers work.

I've just read the Overlook, which was a bit of a '24' rip off, and to be honest, not that good. He's a bit right-wing too, but overall, I think his books are very readable.

That's true Sparky.

I recall one book where we learnt all about Molek the evil owl.

And talking of Clint Eastwood movies: another author the original poster may like is David Baldacci.

The Winner
The Camel Club series
Absolute Power

Bosch opened the refrigerator and removed some butter. He sliced off a small piece and added it to the frying pan, turning the heat on as he did so. When it had melted he added some onion, which had slice in the meantime..."

STOP NOW!!!

Actually to answer the question, He DID stick to a tried and tested formula for a long time, but has recently started experimenting. Along with the '24' fiasco, 'The Scarecrow' actually revealed the criminal from the start, which was very unusual. A decent book though, which I read in one night, usually a good sign!

Before I buy any more, are all the HB books written to the same formula or does he mix it up a bit?

Also - are the remaning books as good or better?

The earlier ones were written with Connely narrating , later ones with 1st person narration by Bosch

I prefer the HB ones to the Lawyer ones personally . The Poet was brilliant in which the reporter is the main character.

Id say Lost Light is his best one.

Most recent one i read was The Brass Target , which was below par for Connely, though still superior to the previous 7 or 8 thrillers by other authors i've read.

I agree Jeffrey Deaver is pretty good.

Many thanks - shall check out the authors mentioned.

The Bosch books are better than the Terry Mcaleb books imho, the legal one he did was a bit pants, The Poet is his best book, a brilliant read.

Harlen Coben, Ian Rankin, James Patterson, David Baldacci, Jeffrey Deaver are all pretty hot in the thriller market at the moment another good author who is not quite so commercially successful is Robert Crais.

Agree about Crais, but I personally think George P.Pelecanos is the daddy, though they perhaps go a bit deeper than your average thriller.

He wrote and directed a few episodes of The Wire which probably indicates where he's coming from.

recommend Henning Mankel ,author of Wallander books
ps-new series of the English production starts tonite-v watchable,especially with Mr Brannagh at his best

btw,check out BBC s run of the original Swedish series(with subtitles)-stunning scenery

Will check those guys out too - you cant have enough unread books on your shelf.

Will look in on Wallander, altho missed the first few.

If you enjoy Michael Connelly then I recommend you give Lawrence Block a try if you haven't already done so.