Harry Bosch #15. Harry is back in the Open-Unsolved Unit. Harry's partner is David Chu. Harry & Chu handle the "special cases". They are handed one that the Lieutenant (Gail Duvall) wants investigated quietly. Apparently, the recently-tested DNA on this cold case comes from a "suspect" that was only eight years old at the time of the murder. If the original investigators messed up by submitting the wrong DNA to the lab (or the lab mislabeled or mis-handled it), it would look bad for the department and then all other cases would be suspect. That's why Duvall wants Harry to look into it.
Then, Harry is suddenly assigned a new case, on the order of his nemesis: Councilman Irvin Irving. Irving's son was found dead after he jumped (or was dropped) off the balcony of the top floor of the Chateau Marmont on the Sunset Strip. The original cause of death was determined to be suicide, but Irving doesn't believe it and that's why he wants Harry to investigate his son's death. He doesn't like Harry (and Harry certainly doesn't like him!), but he knows Harry won't stop until he uncovers the truth. Obviously, this new case has to be Harry's priority, but he keeps working on the cold case in the background, having Chu do some of the legwork.
It would be very difficult to be Harry's partner. Harry is always doing his own thing and keeping details he discovers close to the cuff. Chu, like most of Harry's partners over the years, doesn't like Harry's style and wants a new partner. Harry has a tough time trusting his partners too. But to be fair, his partners have not always turned out to be trustworthy, including Chu. Sometimes people make stupid decisions, not understanding what the potential consequences could be.
On the home front, Harry's daughter, Maddie, is growing up. He actually talks through some of the details of his cases with her. She is observant and always shares her opinions with him. She wants to follow in his footsteps. Harry also becomes instantly infatuated with the psychotherapist (Hannah) of the young sex offender he is investigating on the cold case. He jumps into a relationship - and then of course has regrets. He really doesn't do anything slowly or halfway!
The title of this book has a double meaning. Irving believes his son was "dropped" from his hotel balcony - and Harry finds out they are giving him 39 more months to work for them. He had applied for an extension on his DROP. He had asked for five years, the maximum, and received three and a quarter years. What will Harry do then??
Wendy's Rating: ****
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