The Last Coyote by Michael ConnellyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Jacket Blurb: Harry Bosch's life is on the edge. His earthquake-damaged home has been condemned. His girlfriend has left him. He's drinking too much. And after attacking his commanding officer, he's even had to turn in his L.A.P.D. detective's badge. Now, suspended indefinitely pending a psychiatric evaluation, he's spending his time investigating an unsolved crime from 1961: the brutal slaying of a prostitute who happened to be his own mother.Even after three decades, Harry's questions generate heat among L.A.'s top politicos. And as the truth begins to emerge, it becomes more and more apparent that someone wants to keep it buried. Someone very powerful....very cunning....and very deadly.Edgar Award-winning author Michael Connelly has created a dark, fast-paced suspense thriller that cuts to the core of Harry Bosch's character. Once you start it, there's no turning back.
"Read" as an audiobook. Narrator was Dick Hill.
Two stars for the portrayal of the main character, four stars for the plot. Average being three stars.
By the end of the first chapter, I detested our protagonist, Detective Bosch. A self-centered, arrogant, obnoxious, rude, character which I simply could not sympathize or empathize with, nor, ultimately care about. I don't know why anyone would like this man or call him a "friend" given how poorly he treats people. I can't fathom any police department putting up with the behavior demonstrated in this book (and previous), including assaulting a supervisor, assaulting an investigator, illegal use of resources while on leave, inability to work with a team. He insults everyone he talks to, treats them as idiots, accuses them of some perceived slight to his character, frequently shouts at them, and to top it off, only Bosch knows what's right. Everyone else is an ignorant putz. I'm seething at Bosch's behavior just typing this review.
My second complaint with the book was the excessively long "love scene" between Bosch and Jasmine. Tedious, boring, and gratuitous - if I wanted a soft porn romance book, I'd read a soft porn romance book. I want a mystery-thriller. There are other ways to have a couple connect meaningfully that doesn't involve sex.
The only reason I finished this book was the plot - the plot was interesting. A cold case with interesting twists and turns, of perceptions being righted, and ultimately, the truth coming out. Not a pleasant truth, mind, but that's usually the case. That was very well done.
Was the plot enough to carry the book...barely. Not sure I could recommend this one.
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