The Black Ice: Harry Bosch Series, Book 2

Good Listen

I'm a Michael Connelly fan so I couldn't wait to listen to these first Bosch novels recently added to the Audible Library.

The first book, The Black Echo, was TERIFFIC!

This one is good, but definitely not as good as the first.

Like the first novel, there were a lot of complexities in this story, and Connelly somehow managed to tie them up nicely.

But this story simply didn't grab me like the first book and other Bosch novels.

I would rank this one in the bottom half of Connelly novels I've listened to, but the below average Connelly novel is still above average compared to other offerings.

The story is still "can't put down" at times - and a recommended listen.

89 of 90 people found this review helpful

Bosch is on the case, harder than ever!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, not the best Bosch, but still well worth the effort

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Got a bit slow in places but once I got into it, I got the usual Bosch rush.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

Dick Hill is Bosch, listened to others try but dick Hill just nails Harry, bet he even looks like him!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I needed a break here and there, didn't grip me like some of the other Bosch novels, still worth the listen..

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

This Is What Hooks You On Harry Bosch and Connelly

I've read and/or listened to all of Connely's work. Until the recent influx of Northern European authors, he was easily my favorite novelist. It dawned on me that I could not remember all of the earlier Bosch novels so I picked up Black Ice through the Whisper Sync phenomenon that allows you to purchase the audible version so cheaply.

Black Ice is essential to the Bosch series because it is truly a great procedural on its on. In the first chapter Connelly introduces his hero as the hard nosed outsider on the detective squad who never lets politics or personal gain interfere with his work.

When the author came to Greensboro to promote The Overlook, (that mystery begins in Greensboro), he was asked about Harry's love for jazz. Connelly explained that when writing, jazz instrumentals are not the distraction that blues and rock, his first loves, are. In Black Ice we are introduced to Harry's love for the saxophone in particular. So I found the Coleman Hawkins & Ben Webster channel on Pandora. It's been remarkable background music while listening and working!

Dick Hill is a huge improvement over Len Cariou, who is the narrator in some of the later books.

As for the story itself, it's a great mystery with a great twist I never saw coming.
Highly recommended!

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

A Great Harry Bosch

What made the experience of listening to The Black Ice: Harry Bosch Series, Book 2 the most enjoyable?

Two things need to come together to make a great audio book - A great story and a great narrator. I'd say this audiobook has it both.

The story here, though not perfect, is very entertaining and even teaches you a thing or two. Dick Hill is really great narrator and out of all the books I've heard to date he is my absolute favorite. In fact, I'm going to get some of his other books just to enjoy his performance.

In short, if you like detective stories, I highly recommend this one.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable but not the best...

I enjoy winding down at bedtime with a M. Connelly listen... I enjoyed this one, but not as much as some of the others. The climax was a little too deus ex machina for my tastes. That said, I'm using my new credit on another Connelly, so I'm still a huge fan!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Mixed Emotions

In the end I liked it. The story came around very nicely. But, I guess I'm not a Dick Hill fan. Sorry Dick. Your one of the greats, but there's something about the style that doesn't always work for me. Perhaps it's because he's done so many books, that his distinctive style blurs the characters for me. Not sure about that, but I'm sure I'll be listening to this duo again.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

An early Harry Bosch Book

This is book 2 in the series. I have read some of the later books and am now going back and reading the early books. This shows a typical Bosch unable to follow orders, he is told the case of the dead cop was not his but he investigates anyway. Was interesting the information of the Med-fly and the release of the sterile flies. Guess this was just after the straying. I lived thorough all this but had forgotten about it. Nice thing about books that include items and current events in the story writing, because eventually the story becomes a brief history lesson. This book also introduces Harry to his father. Dick Hill does a great job narrating the story.

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Narcotics before xmas

Disclaimer: I am a big fan of Harry Bosch serie.
After introducing series on audible, I started to listen to it from the beginning. Although this book has all characteristics of the series (lonely wolf Harry, thrilling story, different environment), I found the plot where key part is internal politics less interesting.
Still worth to listen, narrator is excellent.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Like Harry I ABHOR politics.

Harry Bosch is back in the second installment -- still an outsider even among his piers, still hardened and flawed, still bright and strong. I like Harry very much. And, like him, I hate politics, which is exactly why this book only merited three stars. I didn't like the plot of this book. I didn't like the internal politics of Harry's department which played such a big part in the story. It was, for me, boring rather than intriguing. Harry being Harry is what saves the book. He is a character who I am looking forward to learning more about, a man I am looking forward to knowing better. And for that reason I am sticking with this series.

Dick Hill is superb. There is nothing else to say, except Bravo Dick. You continue to be the best.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

An average book

This is the third Bosch book that I've listened to and I still have two awaiting me in my library. This story played like a chess game with Bosch and the bad guy(s) anticipating how each would react to situations and then making decisions accordingly. It's difficult for me to precisely explain exactly what made this book very "underwhelming" for me. Perhaps it was the outrageous premises that were revealed as the story progressed. Harry's character is not very upbeat and when the story slows the tedium is aggravated. I'm a fan of this genre, so even three star books hold my interest. And having Dick Hill doing the narration certainly doesn't hurt.

25 of 31 people found this review helpful