The Black Echo
Michael Connelly
2.5 stars
11th to 25th November, 2012

“You are a cliché cop”

This line from the book, sums up the overall feeling and experience I had while reading BLACK ECHO by Michael Connelly, featuring LAPD detective Harry Bosch. The book was full of clichés, scattered everywhere, like dead bodies in a war field!!!

So, first things first. Lets check the points, I mean the clichéd ones, in relation to a police procedural, which must have been present,

1. Bitter Detective who has been demoted – Present.

2. Hero having problems adhering to department guidelines – Present.

3. A war-scarred Vietnam veteran – Present.

4. Hero falling in love only to receive broken heart – Present.

5. Hero is a loner – Present.

6. Hero loves music – Present.

So, almost everything I expected to find in a typical American police procedural was present in this book. So, it was not a wonder, that sometimes while reading it, I found myself wondering whether Bosch is a long lost cousin of John Rebus. The similarities were so uncanny, as if it was almost a family trait. The only major difference being in the choice of music. Rebus like classic rock, while Bosch found solace in Jazz.

“....the only things he spent money on was on food, booze and jazz”

Having a feeling of déjà vu, had heard same sort of character description about a police officer from Edinburgh.

Every character starting from Bosch’s boss to the culprits were true to stereotype. The dialogues were true to form, loud mouthed, bland and clichéd. They failed to invoke any sensation whatsoever.

Now the plot. Somehow it felt, unreal. The crime and the modus operandi was ingenious. But the motive for the crime seemed somewhat farfetched to me. The pace of the book was slow too. For the first 250 odd pages the plot went nowhere. There were very few clues for the reader, and no solid suspects were introduced. I, personally, had a tough time going through those first 250 pages.

So, summing up, all I can say is that it wasn’t a pleasant read. And, it was also nothing out of the ordinary. If given a choice I would choose Morse with Oxford, over Bosch with Hollywood.

My last point is a sort of wondering aloud. I have always wondered why most American detectives have to be such lonely and broken characters. Why cant they be family men, with a normal life?? I am still waiting for the book, where I will be treated to a protagonist who leads a normal life, with a family, and for whom solving a crime is not any sort of crusade, but its just a part of his job. Someone like Inspector Wexford from the other side of the Atlantic.

P.S.

1.Though the book disappointed me, but I am certainly not giving up on Michael Connelly. I had liked his standalone novel,, VOID MOON, and I definitely believe that I am going to like the other two books I have with me in my shelf.

2. The description of the tunnels and the tunnel rats from the Vietnam war was what prompted me to give this book a 2.5 stars instead of a 2.

Skyfall

11th November, 2012

Saw SKYFALL today, and I positively think that this movie is destined to become one of the greatest BOND Film of all times. I know this is a BIG statement but as a Bond buff, I am fully satisfied with what I saw, rather experienced today!!!

Did they make any mistake, NO. There were no mistakes in this movie. Everything was perfectly placed and portrayed.  The easy transition of M, the replacement of Miss Moneypenny, the infallible loyalty of  the British Bulldog. Everything was smooth, from the word GO.

And what tributes, from that old Aston Martin from GOLDFINGER, to the good old James Bond theme in the background. Not the modern version, but the one made immortal by John Barry and Monty Norman, with the surf rock guitar playing those famous notes.

And, what about that sequence of using the Komodo dragon for jumping. Don’t we remember Roger Moore, using crocodiles to do the same in LIVE AND LET DIE?? Yes, this film was nostalgia, even the gun barrel sequence. Pure, no dilutions. Pure and Vintage bond.

What about Ralph Fieness. One of those points which made me think when will the next Bond release, I need to see Fieness as M. No comparisons with Judi Dench , Bernard Lee or Robert Brown. They all had their own immortal signature on this role. But, having Ralph Fieness in the pivotal role do change the equations a bit., with Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny.

Just one hitch though. I missed Desmond Llewelyn. His Q, was the best and will be the best. I am sure, with him at the helm of Q branch, Silva would have had a tough time to break into the MI6 system. He never gave an inch to James Bond, so any Silva, is fodder for him, any day any time.

And, lastly Silva. One of the best, one of the cruellest. Goes right to the top, with those who came before him. Remember Francisco Scaramanga??? He was a psychopath too. He even had an island like Silva. Or for that matter Auric Goldfinger?? Wasnt he cruel too, he painted that poor girl in Gold!!!

The locales used were perfect. Albert Finney with Scotland in the back was bleak, cold and captivating. And, Macau?? Another nostalgic trip, for Mr Bond?? Did he remember that gunmaker who supplied Scaramanga with his Golden Gun and bullets??