Since I read Bloodwork, I've loved Michael Connelly. With some trepidation, though, due to negative reviews, I began 9 Dragons. (I left my first copy of the book on the Cornell bus to NYC, and it took me some time to gain a replacement.)Like Connelly's other Bosch books, this was a nicely-written, fast-paced read, though it sagged in some sections - I was very bored during an analysis of high rise windows in Kowloon - but I did think it was interesting to shift the action to Hong Kong and to introduce Bosch's daughter, Madeline, as a more compelling character.
On a side note, I was reading this as I taught the organizational culture unit in my OB class. In the first chapter, Bosch describes leaving the squad room and touching the nose of a boar hung over the doorway. (I choose to believe it is a faux board head.) He explains that the detectives in the elite squad must be like boars as they search through the mud for truffles - persistent and patient. I thought this was a great example of ritual-as-artifact.
Overall, it was a quick, fun read that didn't disappoint. I am worried about what the centrality of Madeline will do to future stories.
Now that I'm done with this book, I need a new mystery novel to read - preferably one that leans toward literary. Any suggestions?
I really like Barbara Vine (pen name of Ruth Rendell). The mysteries she writes as Ruth Rendell are usually "normal" mysteries (but still very well written) - the Barbara Vines are more psychologically oriented. I think everything she has written is great, but my favorites are the Barbara Vine books, particularly A House of Stairs and The Brimstone Wedding.
ReplyDeleteShe is British, and the books tend to be quite British - but British mysteries are my favorite.