Two Kinds of Truth, by Michael Connelly

The Book

    Subject Matter Trigger Warning

Bosch is back working at the SFPD, when he gets a heads up from fellow detective Bella Lourdes that LAPD and the DA's office are here to see him. The recently elected new DA has made it a project to make sure, in light of advanced forenssic tests, that all innocent people are cleared of their crimes. Back in 1987, when Bosch was a young homicide detective, he and his then partner, Frankie Sheehan arrest a man named Preston Borders for the brutal rape and murder of a young aspiring actress. Bosch is shocked, as he believes he and the late detective Sheehan made a solid bust. But the evidence box shows no signs of tampering, and new DNA analysis reveals another serial rapists DNA on the victim's clothing.  Bosch is at a lost to explain it. He's convinced they got the right guy the first time. While his head is still reeling from this information, and he's trying to figure out how to talk to the investigators, Bella Lourdes informs him that they have a live murder scene. Bosch leaves his former partner, Lucia Soto  and her partner behind to go work the live scene, without telling them. It increasing their hostility to him, but he doesn't care. He knows he didn't do anything wrong. He'll figure out how to clear his own name and solve what looks like a mob hit at the same time. 

 Meanwhile, the two victims of the pro hit are a father and son team of pharmacists who own their own tiny drug store. Bosch believes because of the brutalities committed against the son, he's the intended target. He rallies the other detectives, teaches them how to lead the cases, and is even more surprised that the son was a straight shooter and not the usual gangbanger the neighborhood puts out. Ashamed of his own prejudice, Bosch vows to find justice for Jr., going as far as it takes, including an undercover assignment that puts his life at risk. 

    While he's deep undercover, the LA Times gets wind Bosch may have planted evidence, and that case heats up. But the leaker doesn't know where or how Bosch is undercover, and when they find out, Bosch is yet again in a kill or be killed situation. One of these days, even for a fictional detective, his luck is going to run out. 

My Thoughts

    This book is well paced. It has a healthy dose of Mikey Haller in, enough to keep me interested. Mickey may be a manipulative SOB, but he has a good heart, and wants justice for his clients. Bosch shows some character growth, there are fewer of his lone wolf antics, as he reaches out for help. It's also the first book in a long time where we see Bosch's softer side. He meets and then tries to sober up a a drug addict. It's quixotic, but it is also who Bosch is. We don't often see this side of him. 

    Maddie's appearance in this book is quick, but realistic. The theme is clearly stated in the title, and indeed it is never far from Bosch's mind. It would have been easy to go a little heavy handed on the theme, since it is also the title of the book, but Connelly is a master story teller and doesn't cross the line. All in all this is a solid outing on Connelly's part. 

    I am now just 4 books from completing Bosch's current releases. I will then take a break from Connelly's work and pick it up again in December, when I am out of NaNoWriMo. Which by then, there will be a new book out. 

How Much My Library Card Saved Me

    This is a first edition hard cover copy of this book It entered my library on Oct 31, 2017. It was easy to hold, despite it's 402 page length, which indicates it has been well read. There are no markings, smudges, or dog ears, and I found no errors inside of the book. The cover says this book cost $29.00

This Book                          $29.00

This Summer                  $573.86

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