The Wrong Side of Goodbye

Harry Bosch works as both a part-time detective for the San Fernando Police Department and a private investigator. He takes on two cases simultaneously: tracking a serial rapist known as the Screen Cutter for the SFPD, and searching for a potential heir to an aging billionaire's fortune. The heir investigation forces Bosch to dig through decades-old history involving a love affair from the Vietnam War era. Meanwhile, the Screen Cutter case becomes more urgent as the perpetrator's attacks escalate and move closer to home. The parallel investigations pull Bosch between his commitment to police work and his promise to a dying man. His experience as a Vietnam veteran gives him unique insight into the inheritance case, while his police instincts drive him to stop a predator before more victims are harmed. The story explores themes of duty, family legacy, and how the past shapes the present. Connelly uses the dual narratives to examine justice in both its official and personal forms.

Readers say this ranks among the stronger entries in the Harry Bosch series, with particular praise for how it balances two separate investigations. Many note it feels more methodical and cerebral compared to other Bosch novels, focusing on detective work rather than action. Liked: - The Vietnam War connections and personal elements - The parallel storylines maintain tension - Realistic portrayal of police procedures - Character development showing Bosch adapting to private detective work Disliked: - Slower pacing in middle sections - Some found the ending predictable - Less action than typical Bosch books - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (53,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (4,800+ ratings) "The pacing and plot complexity remind me of early Bosch books," wrote one Amazon reviewer. Another noted: "It's refreshing to see Bosch working cases that don't end in shootouts."

The Night Fire by Michael Connelly Detective Renée Ballard teams with retired detective Harry Bosch to solve a cold case involving the death of a Los Angeles judge.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A criminal psychotherapist works to uncover the truth behind a woman's act of violence against her husband, leading him through a maze of psychological mysteries and personal discoveries.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton A man must relive the same day eight times through different hosts' bodies to solve a murder and break free from a time loop at a crumbling manor house.

IQ by Joe Ide A brilliant loner in East Long Beach takes on cases the LAPD won't touch, using his deductive skills to help his community while investigating a rap mogul's attempted murder.

The Force by Don Winslow A detective sergeant in the NYPD's most elite unit faces moral choices and corruption investigations while navigating between justice and loyalty.

🔍 Harry Bosch, the book's protagonist, is named after 15th-century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, known for his fantastical and nightmarish paintings. 📚 The novel draws on Michael Connelly's real-life experience as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, where he covered the LAPD beat for several years. 🏆 "The Wrong Side of Goodbye" was named one of the best books of 2016 by The New York Times and reached #1 on multiple bestseller lists. 🎭 The book's plot involving a Vietnam veteran's secret past was partly inspired by Connelly's interviews with Vietnam veterans during his journalism career. 🌟 This is the 21st novel in the Harry Bosch series, but it's the first to show Bosch working simultaneously as a private investigator and a reserve police officer - a unique dual role in the series.