The Crossing by Michael Connelly

The Crossing is Michael Connelly’s twentieth Harry Bosch novel but this time features Mickey Haller, Harry’s half-brother and famed Lincoln Lawyer in a supporting role.

Bosch has retired from the LAPD after being side lined for breaking into the captain’s office after hours to secure information to advance a case he was working.  Regardless of the reason, this is a violation and convenient grounds for his political enemies to force Harry into retirement.  His half-brother Mickey Haller is representing him in a law suit against the department when Mickey asks for Harry’s assistance.  Seems Haller’s regular PI has been injured in a motor cycle accident and Haller needs Harry’s skill set in defense of a client arrested for murder.  Harry finds the idea of working for a defense attorney repellant but Haller assures him his client, Da’Quan Foster is being framed and only an experienced detective can save the former gang member.  Harry reluctantly agrees to investigate but on the provision that if evidence points against Foster, that will be turned over to the prosecution.  With a copy of the murder book in hand, Harry digs in.

The victim, Lexi Parks had no apparent association with the accused but he is arrested when his DNA is mapped from the semen found on Parks’ body.  Even though Foster is a reformed gang banger, his recent activities and lack of rap sheet entries support his apparent rehabilitation.  He did however have one remaining and closeted vice… having sex with transvestite prostitutes.  He sheepishly reveals this to Bosch while explaining that his alibi for the Parks’ murder was male prostitute, James Allen.  When Bosch finds out James Allen was murdered earlier this year as well, the adrenalin kicks in for Harry and the hunt begins.

Bosch contacts his last partner at LAPD and she gets him a peek at James Allen’s murder book.  He visits both Lexi Parks’ and James Allen’s crime scenes as covertly as possible and unearths the scent of their connection… the crossing of the two victim‘s lives.  If they were killed as a cover-up as Harry suspects, several others are at risk including him and Haller… and maybe even his daughter.

The Crossing is classic Michael Connelly and classic Harry Bosch.  Just when you think the series is over and there’s no where else to take this character, Connelly churns out another winner with all the never-give-up tenacity that is Harry Bosch.  Great stuff and another example of why Connelly remains number one in my power rotation.  This is a must read.