The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch #4. Harry is in a bad place, career-wise and in his personal life. He's pretty much falling apart. He has lost everything he cares about: his home, his job, his girlfriend. He drinks a lot, smokes even more, and has acted out physically against a superior. I guess you have to reach rock bottom before you can start climbing out of the self-inflicted abyss though.

Since Harry has a little "break" from work, he decides it is way past time to discover what happened to his mother when he was a child. She was a prostitute who was murdered and left in a alley to be discovered, ironically, by a cop. This mission turns out to be a lot more complicated than he thought, and not only because of how long ago it happened. Certainly, some of the interested parties are retired, deceased, living in a different state, etc., but some of the people involved are wealthy and politically-minded and don't give Harry an inch when questioned. People are also murdered because of Harry's actions, which adds guilt to Harry's already-burdened soul.

The good news is that Harry finally starts opening up with the psychiatrist, Dr. Hinojos. Not only does he start sharing some of what he is feeling, but he starts to listen to her suggestions about changes he could make in his life to be happier. It takes a lot of energy to be so negative all the time! Harry does have a couple of people in his corner, which is lucky for him. He also meets another woman, who he connects with. I was definitely surprised by this turn of events. I thought he would become more self-aware of his actions which resulted in Sylvia breaking up with him and try to get her back. He gave up way too easy on that relationship.

Harry does discover what happened to his mother. His investigation definitely ended differently than I expected however. These books are very engaging and fast-paced. I like this series a lot.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes

This had a slow start for me. I have a difficult time reading about self-entitled, smug, obnoxious people, so that might have been part of it. I was definitely not a fan of Nisha for the longest time. Nisha's husband was despicable. I also hated Sam's boss, Simon. And then there was Sam's depressed husband who refused to do anything at all to make his life better. Let's see, there were also Sam's parents who were whiney and demanding and completely annoying. It's just too much! I was able to keep reading because of the kindness of Jasmine and Andrea. These two women were steadfast, loyal, honest, supportive and pretty much "saved" the book for me.

Nisha Cantor was married to a very wealthy man who decided one day that he was done with her. So he shut down her access to their homes, money and clothing immediately. She had access to only the clothes on her back - and the shoes on her feet, which were actually not her own, since her bag got mixed up with another bag at the gym. Nisha's "replacement" was named Charlotte, who was her husband's secretary. Charlotte started wearing all of Nisha's prized attire. These people cared more about their clothes and shoes than anything else. Drove me nuts.

Sam Kemp is super kind, but stuck with a family that doesn't recognize her kindness, patience or hard work. She is also good at her job, but gets increasingly criticized about each and every thing by her new boss, who very obviously feels insecure in his own masculinity and leadership skills since he undermines everything that Sam does. I was appalled at Sam's colleagues too, who don't really stand up for her against him. Except Joel, but that's a different story. So much negativity!

Since I love Jojo Moyes, I knew to keep reading. I knew these women would find the strength to stand up for themselves against all these pitiful men. And there was a twist that I didn't see coming, which is always a nice surprise. So, my takeaway from this book is that superficial friends are worthless; you have to find your own self-worth and not try to find it in the eyes of others; stand up for yourself when you know you are being taken advantage of. Strap on those 6-inch red Louboutin shoes and walk confidently into the room to show people what you've got!

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly

Although this is only the 3rd book in the Harry Bosch series, and there are 20+ books in the series, this was my favorite so far. Harry's demotion to the Hollywood Division is explained in Book #1, but this book brings Harry to trial about the Dollmaker case, which is what got Harry demoted. Harry had shot and killed a serial killer called the Dollmaker, who was actually unarmed at the time. Harry of course thought he was reaching for a gun, so shooting him was his response for self-defense. Harry is brought to trial by the Dollmaker's widow. She doesn't believe that her husband was the Dollmaker - and she also wanted Harry to pay for killing an unarmed man. At the beginning of this book, another body is discovered ("The Concrete Blonde" since the woman was blonde and buried under cement) with the Dollmaker's trademarks. She was killed two years previously and the Dollmaker was killed by Harry four years previously. So this brings into question whether Harry killed an innocent man.

In addition to Harry being involved in this trial, which doesn't appear to be going in his favor, due to the inexperience of his own lawyer vs. the expertise of the Plaintiff's lawyer, Honey Chandler, Harry is still dating the former spouse (Sylvia) of the cop gone bad in Book #2. It's already a year into their relationship and Harry loves Sylvia but she starts doubting his commitment to her. Being a cop's wife, she is super patient, but Harry's unwillingness to talk about his past and his obsession with the Dollmaker case, tries her patience.

As if that isn't intriguing enough (all of the above!), Harry starts to suspect a cop as another serial killer (referred to as the Follower) and uses a psychiatrist/author as a resource for information. This doctor, Locke, seems a little too interested in Harry's latest case, which makes me suspicious of him! And finally, Edgar does a really terrible thing to Harry and that really threw me for a loop. I don't like him so much anymore. This book was definitely a "page turner".

Wendy's Rating: ****

Conspiracy in Death by JD Robb

Book #8 in the Eve Dallas series. Eve is called to the scene of a murder of a street person whose diseased organ has been surgically removed by a skilled surgeon. This is puzzling since this series is written in future times and the use of donated organs is rare. Organs are manufactured in the 2050s and they last a lot longer than real organs. In addition to that, even in present time, no one would want to use a diseased organ for donation purposes. Eve and her team discover other similar murders in the US and in Europe. All of the people found dead had diseased organs which were surgically removed.

To add an additional layer to this story, Eve finds herself a target for a police officer that attended the Police Academy with her many years previously. Officer Bowers treats Eve with disrespect at two different crime scenes and Eve chastises her and reports her insubordination. This doesn't sit well with Officer Bowers, who pushes back. After Bowers is discovered murdered, Eve is considered a person of interest in her death. The end result is the department being forced to suspend Eve and take her badge & weapon. This sends Eve into a state of despair.

It takes Roarke and Mavis 2-3 days to force Eve out of her "funk". Eve eventually assists with the investigation into these deaths using Roarke's private resources, with behind-the scenes support from Peabody and company. Eve also undergoes some mentally challenging evaluations performed by Mira in order to prove that she is fit for her job. I like that Eve is being forced to deal with her past instead of being allowed to internalize her trauma. I like to see personal growth in main characters in all series of books.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Black Ice by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch #2. There are two meanings to the title of this book. Black Ice is the name of a drug coming out of Mexico. The original, more purer form of the drug called Ice, came from Hawaii. The Mexican drug cartel figured out a way to produce the drug cheaper - and with less overhead because they can just transport it across the border into the US (rather than ship it or fly it over like the Hawaiian's have to do). There is also the more common reference to "black ice", which relates to when rain or snow covers the roads and then freezes, so drivers have to drive with caution due to the possibility of hitting black ice, which will potentially send the driver careening off the road into a ditch. Both meanings of this phrase applies to this book.

Even though Harry is on call (on Christmas) for the next murder scene, he is not called. He finds out about the murder over his police scanner. He goes to the scene anyway, of course. The victim is a cop, who apparently committed suicide in a very graphic way. His face is blown off by a double barrel shotgun. The police department wants to control the scene - and control the information coming out about the apparent suicide - which is why Harry wasn't called. Harry soon believes that it isn't a suicide, but a murder.

It doesn't take Harry long to suspect that this cop's murder (Calexico Moore) is linked to a drug mule case he is already working on. Then, when Harry is told to take over another cop's cases who retired suddenly (Porter), he realizes that one of Porter's last cases is also linked to the first two. So these three cases lead Harry to Mexico, the Mexican authorities and the DEA. Harry has to trust his instincts when it comes to who to trust, at home and in Mexico. Anyone who tries to take down a Mexican drug boss needs to tread lightly. You never know who they have paid off.

This particular drug lord, Zorrillo, breeds bulls for bullfighting. Since Harry attends a bullfight to try to set eyes on Zorrillo, I am reminded of how much a detest bullfighting. Watching an animal suffer until death is not my idea of "sport".

This story has the usual twists and turns - and both good and evil people die. It's interesting how Harry puts it all together in the end. It's all in the details!

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly

I liked this book, although I didn't like it as much as Lilac Girls by this same author. I've been trying to figure out why. The thing that bothers me the most is that both Arlette and Josie were taken by people they should have been more suspicious of. If these two were intelligent enough to join the French Resistance at the age of 17 - and survive Ravensbruck - then how is it that they so willingly went along with people I certainly didn't trust! When someone seems too good to be true, then take a step back and consider all the angles. Look at the evidence!

Other than that, I did like the book and I learned a few things I didn't know. I actually wasn't aware of Operation Paperclip and I am appalled at how many top Nazi's were given new identities to leave their crimes behind and live comfortably and safely in other countries. To know that they were assisted by members of the Red Cross and the Vatican is disgusting. All of the medical experiments, the killing of innocent children (including newborns), the starving of children in the Kinderzimmer at Ravensbruck, and all the other, endless, horrific things that went on because of Hitler and his Nazi's, is truly hard to believe. 

The one thing I have never been able to understand about Nazi Germany is how so many people thought these actions (to achieve a superior race) were okay. It's one thing to be taken in by a charismatic leader, or to follow what you are told to do as a child, or to get "caught up in the moment", but what about our innate sense of morality and ethics? How is torturing men, women and children ever beneficial to any cause at all? Even the top scientists and doctors of the time had to see how incredibly wrong it all was. How do you get that brainwashed by a man, or even by a movement? 

I think about how difficult it would have been to trust people during World War II and the aftermath. There were so many spies and double agents from all countries that were assimilated into each community. Russia, Israel and the US each had their own agenda for tracking down Nazi war criminals. When Arlette met Luc and Josie met Aaron, they should have been immediately suspicious. But, Arlette and Josie also had their own agendas (Arlette  to find her son and Josie to find Dr. Snow), so it's somewhat understandable that they "went along" to find out what information they could. But I was sad that some key, wonderful people died along the way.

World War II continues to be one of my favorite topics to read about. I am intrigued with how incredibly brave people were and how they managed to survive living in Europe and/or the camps during the war. From a psychological standpoint, I want to try to understand why the people running these camps thought it was acceptable to treat people the way they did.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

Just what I needed, to start another detective series! The Black Echo is the first book in the Harry Bosch series. I believe there are 27 books in the series now, with some additional short stories. So.... lots to read, too little time. ;)

Harry is a LAPD homicide detective. In this introduction to Harry, we find out that he was a "tunnel rat" in the Vietnam War. When a man is found dead in a drain pipe often used by drug addicts and homeless people, Harry is called to the scene. Everyone wants to write off this death as another drug addict who overdosed, especially since he has fresh tracks in his arm. Harry notices quickly though that not all is what it seems to be. When the man is finally taken out of the drain pipe, Harry is shocked to realize that the dead man (Billy Meadows) was a fellow "tunnel rat" that had served with Harry. Harry had not seen him in 20 years, although Billy had called him once the previous year and Harry was under the impression that Billy had kicked his drug habit.

Harry's reputation with the police department has been tarnished due to the way he handled his last case. (A man ended up dead, at the hands of Harry.) Internal Affairs is especially "out for him", wanting him to be discharged from the department completely. So Harry has his work cut out for him when it comes to trying to investigate how Billy ended up in the drain pipe. This becomes even more mysterious when other people that Harry talks to end up dead. Harry is not allowed to work with his partner on the case (Jerry Edgar) and instead is told to work with an FBI agent by the name of Eleanor Wish. Harry falls for Eleanor, which complicates a few things as well.

Fortunately, there are colleagues in the department that are still loyal to Harry and they help him track down information he needs to solve this case. There are definitely some twists and turns in the story and I was suspicious of a variety of people along the way, wondering who could really be trusted. (For good reason, you will find out at the end!) The story involves the end of the Viet Nam war, the people who were there at the end, and their actions to profit. It's a very delayed "conclusion of events" from 20 years earlier.

I already ordered books #2-#4. I am thinking that Harry and Edgar will soon be partners again. (Fingers crossed.)

Wendy's Rating: ****