I'm always delighted when my local library gets in touch to let me know a book I've ordered has been delivered. This time it was 'Desert Star' by Michael Connelly. I had thought about buying it on several occasions in the local supermarket (£14.99) but I resisted because it's important to #supportlibraries (as the recent hashtag highlighted). 50p to place a loan request for a book is hard to beat.

Ballard and Bosch

'Desert Star' is the latest in the Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch series, coming after 2021's successful and topical 'The Dark Hours' which I thought was one of the high notes of the crime series so far. After that outing, when Renee became increasingly disillusioned with policing, it's no surprise to find her heading up the cold case unit.

Of course, when it comes to cold cases, there's no better man than Harry Bosch, he of the 'Everybody counts or nobody counts' mantra. Ballard has had these very words printed above the door in the unit, which she points out to Harry when she's showing him around. Because of course, Ballard needs him in the unit, as she knows his skills as an investigator. He's there voluntarily, but Harry is driven by a desire for justice, not financial gain. He's also haunted by what the calls the 'library of lost souls' - row after row of files containing unsolved murder cases.

But there's one case in particular that Harry is invested in, what a character later refers to as his 'white whale.' The Gallagher family, including a 13-year-old girl and nine-year-old boy, were shot with a nail gun and buried in a hole in the desert, and Harry would like to speak to one the chief suspects, Finbarr McShane, who's in the wind.

Desert Star

The 'Desert star' of the title is a hardy little flower found blooming amidst inhospitable conditions such as a makeshift stone memorial for the Gallagher family in the Mojave desert, which is where Harry goes to fuel his energy for the case.

But Ballard has another case that needs to be prioritised. Councilman Jake Pearlman has been one of the main drivers in getting the unit resourced and staffed. His sister was brutally murdered back in 2005 and there's pressure on Ballard to see if she can breathe new life into the investigation. That's why she has Harry and her team working on it.

The first observation is that there is more Harry than Ballard in this one. Renee spends more time behind a desk and on the phone, than she does in the field, chasing up DNA analysis that wasn't available back in '05. I knew that the golden state killer had been caught by advances in genetic genealogy, but I never knew about palm prints. Harry is the one out and about, which is in contrast to 'The dark hours' which was the other way around, In fact, back then I wondered if that was to be Harry's end as an investigator. Here, he's back doing what he does best, chasing up leads and knocking on doors. This is despite his advancing years.

Genetic Genealogy

If you're familiar with this crime series you'll know what you're getting - a detailed and satisfying investigation, plenty of surprises, and engaging characters. Michael Connelly also weaves in the latest advances in genetic research that investigators have at their disposal, making everything believable. Just a mystery thriller writer at the top of his game.

There's a little overlap between the two cases, but not a lot. One pretty much follows the other, but I didn't have an issue with that as Harry had been given his orders, after all. ‘Desert Star’ is the fifth installment in the Bosch and Ballard mystery thriller series and the relationship is well-established by now. Each knows how the other works and they have good chemistry, and I enjoyed the bit of banter they had with each other. Much needed brevity in what at times felt like a more sombre story, for reasons you'll have to read and find out for yourself.

Harry Bosch

I'm glad I've been with Harry Bosch the whole way through this mystery thriller series, (I think there's been 24 in all) and he's my favourite investigator in crime fiction and it's always a pleasure to catch up with him. The ending in this is particularly moving, and I won't say more than that.

Great to hear as well from another player in the Connelly universe who certainly has a few more years left, and a great excuse to listen to some King Curtis again. I always enjoy Harry's/Connelly's music suggestions, always adds background atmosphere to my reading.

Detective Fiction

I think Connelly is the greatest detective fiction writer out there right now. It’s the consistency; I’ve never been disappointed with one of his books. You’d think when he releases books at such a rate that there’d be a drop in quality - but his levels never dip. The crimes often reflect our changing world, and he’ll usually find a fresh twist.

Where does the series go after ‘Desert Star’? I trust Connelly and am happy to follow him wherever he takes these characters. Ballard definitely has legs as an investigator, though I hope she's soon back in the field. I can perhaps see Maddie playing a bigger role. Bosch, who knows but Connelly. I hope there are a few more but I also appreciate that it's coming near the end for him, as Connelly lets us know he is aging and dealing with health concerns. He could certainly have an advisory role but the days of him getting physical with suspects are becoming hard to believe. Soon be time for the old warrior to rest up and play his jazz records. I guess he’s deserved it but it'll be a sad day for this reader when he does, I can tell ye.

Book review - Desert Star by Michael Connelly

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391 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2022 by Orion Books