There are not many literary pleasures I enjoy more than a new novel from Michael Connelly. His latest effort, DESERT STAR, once again teams up two of his most beloved protagonists: LAPD detective Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch.

Due to the exceptional popularity of “Bosch” on Amazon Prime Video, it is impossible for me not to picture actor Titus Welliver in the role of Harry Bosch as I read Connelly’s books. He has done an incredible job of embodying such a complex character and bringing him to life for millions of fans around the globe.

"DESERT STAR represents classic Michael Connelly storytelling and is a joy to read from cover to cover. Any opportunity to spend time with Harry Bosch is always worthwhile."

Bosch is retired at this point in the series and receives a call from his former colleague, Renée Ballard, herself one year removed from the force, about the newly formed cold case unit of the Robbery-Homicide Division. Ballard needs Bosch’s expertise to move the Open-Unsolved team forward as they dive deep into many different cold cases.

What really seals the deal for Bosch is when he learns that one of these cases is quite personal to him. It involves the brutal murder of an entire family --- their bodies dumped in the desert --- by Finbar McShane, who may or may not still be alive. As eager as Bosch is to dive back into this case, which has always haunted him, first he must address the rape and murder of a young Black woman, who was killed in Los Angeles over a decade ago while working as an aide for a local political campaign.

A similar crime has taken place that leads Ballard and Bosch to believe that a serial killer has been running rampant in the city for years. The political ties involved make this an extremely sensitive and potentially high-profile investigation, so it’s crucial that they tread lightly so as to not ruffle the wrong feathers while they’re building their case against the primary suspect. Readers will love the fact that Bosch will have the chance to avenge the murdered family in shocking fashion.

DESERT STAR represents classic Michael Connelly storytelling and is a joy to read from cover to cover. Any opportunity to spend time with Harry Bosch is always worthwhile. He never disappoints his loyal readers, who recognize him as one of the finest detectives gracing the pages of modern-day thriller fiction.