THE DROP

Detective Harry Bosch is facing retirement, juggling two cases, getting to know a woman, and dealing with his teenage daughter. While the love interest doesn’t add much, Connelly bounces deftly between the parallel cases, and narrator Len Cariou keeps pace. While his voices for the women aren’t outstanding, he shines with the protagonist. A grizzled tone reflects the detective's mood. It is not overbearing yet is clear enough to let the listener get a good feel for Bosch’s personality. Cariou also gives distinctive inflections to Bosch’s Asian-American partner, a sought-after suspect, and a crime victim. Not-so-subtle foreshadowing suggests that Bosch will be around for a while longer. One hopes Cariou will come along for the ride. M.B. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2011]