Echo Park, Michael Connelly

"Echo Park" by Michael Connelly is the latest novel of Harry Bosch. It holds its own as a very good mystery and shows the quality writing of Connelly. In 1993 Bosch is given a case of a 22 year old equestrian who had disappeared at a local stables. Her car was found but no body was ever recovered. Bosch was able to come up with a suspect, the son of a wealthy oil tycoon, but had insufficient evidence to prosecute. Thirteen years later a serial killer was caught with body parts in his vehicle and to avoid the death penalty he pleas guilty to several murders including the Gesto case, the equestrian death. For many years Bosch looked at the file and wanted a closure of the case so her parents could have peace and the body for a decent burial. The confession was hard for Bosch to accept, it did not seem right. With the help of an old flame, an FBI profiler Rachael Waller, they come up with some angles that don't quite fit. The DA, Rich O'Shea, is seeking re-election and tries to use this case as publicity. Raynard Waits, the serial killer, leads a group of lawmen to the burial site of Gesto but escapes after killing two officers and disappears in the city. Bosch blames O'Shea for this, but the truth comes out and leads Bosch and Waller on a journey that proves to be a very exciting adventure. Connelly writes a great story that is a page turner and easy to read. Glad to see Bosch still active in these stories!