Two Kinds of Truth Review
7:29 PM
Title // Two Kinds of Truth
Author // Michael Connelly
Publication Date // October 2017
Publisher // Allen & Unwin
Readership // Adult
Genre // Crime
Australian RRP // $32.99
Rating // ✭✭✭☆
Synopsis
The 20th Bosch novel: Harry Bosch searches for the truth as an old case from his LAPD days comes back to haunt him in this gripping thriller from mega-bestseller Michael Connelly.
Harry Bosch is back as a volunteer working cold cases for the San Fernando police and is called out to a local drug store where a young pharmacist has been murdered. Bosch and the town's three-person detective squad sift through the clues, which lead into the dangerous, big business world of prescription drug abuse.
Meanwhile, an old case from Bosch's LAPD days comes back to haunt him when a long-imprisoned killer claims Harry framed him, and seems to have new evidence to prove it. Bosch left the LAPD on bad terms, so his former colleagues aren't keen to protect his reputation. He must fend for himself in clearing his name and keeping a clever killer in prison.
The two unrelated cases wind around each other like strands of barbed wire. Along the way Bosch discovers that there are two kinds of truth: the kind that sets you free and the kind that leaves you buried in darkness.
Review
Two Kinds of Truth is the second Michael Connelly book I’ve read this year, and the first of his Bosch series that I’ve picked up. In true crime series fashion, it’s fairly easy to pick up and read despite being the twentieth book in the series (which is great if you read random crime books, just like me). Connelly gives readers just enough backstory to fill in any necessary gaps, while still moving the story along at a reasonable pace.
Harry Bosch is a former LAPD officer working cold-cases in San Fernando as a volunteer for the local police department. Bosch, and the three full-time detectives are called out to investigate the death of a young pharmacist, leading to a wider investigation of the world of prescription drugs and the cartels who traffic them. Parallel to this, a former case comes back to haunt Bosch when a criminal he put on death row claims Bosch framed him and has the evidence to back it up.
It was really interesting to read a two-crime story, wherein both storylines are constantly weaving around one another, with their only common point being Bosch, but never actually meeting. Bosch, as a character, juggles both these pressing cases, but handles each of them very differently. It’s easy to see where he’s been in previous books, and to assume the growth of his character since then, as his actions have repercussions for both himself and the people around him.
Two Kinds of Truth is not the fastest paced crime novel I’ve read - in the middle, there’s a lot of information given to readers that does slow the book down a fraction - but the two cases are compelling, and you want to see both resolved, to whatever end. I was particularly fascinated by the look at prescription drug-running, which is not something I’ve thought much about, but Connelly details it in such a way that makes the whole storyline feel raw, gritty and real.
This is definitely a book for those people who enjoy a good crime story that will leave you guessing up until the end.
I gave Two Kinds of Truth 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of Two Kinds of Truth from Allen and Unwin in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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