Book

The Crossing

📖 Overview

Former LAPD detective Harry Bosch, now retired, takes on his first case as a private investigator. His half-brother Mickey Haller, a defense attorney, convinces him to investigate a murder case where Haller's client stands accused. The investigation forces Bosch to cross a personal line he never imagined - working for the defense instead of prosecution. As he pursues leads across Los Angeles, he must confront both his own principles and the resistance of his former LAPD colleagues. The case proves more complex than it appears, leading Bosch through a web of police procedures, crime scene evidence, and competing theories about what really happened on the night of the murder. The novel explores themes of loyalty, justice, and what happens when long-held beliefs collide with new realities. At its core, it examines how personal integrity survives when professional lines begin to blur.

👀 Reviews

Readers found this to be a solid but not standout entry in the Harry Bosch series. The police procedural elements and investigation details earned praise for their authenticity, with multiple reviewers noting the realistic portrayal of detective work. Liked: - Deep character development of Harry Bosch - Accurate portrayal of LAPD procedures - Strong narrative pacing - Complex plotting across multiple cases Disliked: - Some found the parallel storylines confusing - Less action than previous books - Too much focus on personal drama - Several readers felt the ending was rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (78,949 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (5,287 ratings) "The police work feels real but the personal stuff slows it down," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user commented: "The dual cases make this more complicated than it needs to be, but Bosch's character development makes up for it."

📚 Similar books

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn A detective must track a woman who vanishes on her wedding anniversary while uncovering complex layers of deception and manipulation.

In the Woods by Tana French A murder detective returns to his hometown to solve a case that connects to his own childhood trauma and a decades-old mystery.

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly Detective Harry Bosch investigates a murder that leads him back to an unsolved tunnel heist from his days as a Vietnam veteran.

The Last Child by John Hart A thirteen-year-old boy conducts his own investigation into his twin sister's disappearance while a detective races to protect him from mounting dangers.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A criminal psychotherapist works to uncover the truth behind a woman who murdered her husband and hasn't spoken a word since the crime.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔍 The Crossing is the 20th novel in the Harry Bosch series and the first time Bosch works "for the other side" of the justice system. ⚖️ The book's author, Michael Connelly, worked as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times before becoming a novelist, giving him deep insight into LAPD operations. 🚔 The term "crossing" in police jargon refers to when a cop switches sides to work for the defense - considered taboo among many law enforcement officers. 🎬 The character Mickey Haller was inspired by a real-life defense attorney Connelly met at a Dodgers game, who told him about running his practice from the back of his car. 📚 While writing The Crossing, Connelly consulted with several retired LAPD detectives to ensure the investigative details were authentic and accurate.