2004 Year in Review

The Narrows

For a fast, but interesting read, for all mystery lovers, Michael Connelly’s latest book, The Narrows, fills the bill. A serial killer who calls himself “The Poet” is causing mayhem in the Los Angeles area. Not only does Harry Bosch, one of Connelly’s longtime characters, get involved, but also an FBI agent Rachel Walling. Together they try and find and put the puzzle pieces together.

The book begins with Rachel Walling called back into action with the FBI. Unbeknownst to her, “The Poet” is pulling the strings, her strings! At the same time, the wife of his late friend, Terry McCaleb, calls Harry Bosch. Terry’s wife is both upset by her husband’s unexpected death and the uncertain circumstances. Bosch agrees to “have a look.” What he finds are newspaper clippings aboard Terry’s boat that indicate, although retired from the police force, he is still working on cases. Bosch also finds scribbles of Terry’s thoughts and progress on a certain case. Harry is intrigued and agrees to look further.

Eventually two different cases and characters come together as the puzzle begins to take shape. Rachel and Harry race from hostile vistas of the Nevada desert to the Las Vegas strip to the dark corners of Los Angeles. “The Poet” seems to be always a step ahead and definitely in charge. How do Harry and Rachel out think him and catch him at his own game becomes the challenge of the mystery.

The book is a page-turner and the characters of Rachel Walling and Harry Bosch very likeable. The Narrows is not great literature, but it is a good, light mystery.

by Anne Frame, Guest Columnist
September 7, 2004