Book Talk
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company, 2016
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Reviewed by Ken Wilkins
Beach reading
The Wrong Side of Goodbye is the 23rd book in Michael Connellys acclaimed
Harry Bosch series. Bosch is an LAPD detective who has a knack for solving
complicated cases. He is single, with a daughter, and is usually involved with
a woman somewhere along the way. A typical motif is his on-again, off-again
relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department. He seems to find a way
to upset the powers that be, usually while working diligently to solve his latest
homicide.
This book is an exception, as Harry is no longer with his department, but
rather on the permanent outs with them after he sued, alleging wrongful
termination. (The case was settled, and money is not an urgent problem as a
result.) He is working part time for the San Fernando police in a non-paying
position, and spends some of his time doing private investigation. He manages to
have a tough time with one of the higher-ups in San Fernando as he does in Los
Angeles.
His private gig sets up the plot for the current novel, as a wealthy man hires
Harry to look for a “possible” heir to his money. It turns out that as a young
man, Whitney Vance had a girlfriend who got pregnant, and his family made
the problem go away Vance wants Harry to discover whether she had the child,
and what happened to his potential heir. He is ill, elderly and has had no other
children.
Meanwhile, Harry and his San Fernando partner are looking for a serial killer
who gains access to his victims’ homes by cutting through a screen door. Bosch
inches closer to resolution of each case as the book unfolds.
Fans will appreciate Harry’s love of jazz and of Los Angeles. Connelly always
manages to plug his favorite jazz artists, and never fails to take Harry (and us) on
drives through and around the city.
Readers of earlier works in the series will recall that Harry is a Vietnam
veteran, and that he was a “tunnel rat” there. The Wrong Side of Goodbye starts in
Vietnam, and takes Bosch back to memories of his time there. That experience
significantly helps in tracking down Vance’s child.
The Harry Bosch novels are simply remarkable. Connelly has created an
Unforgettable detective, and he bows to previous giants of the genre. Perhaps the
most impressive accomplishment is that this, the 23rd rendition, is every bit as
good as earlier works. Connelly has not fallen into the trap of churning out books
to meet some publisher’s deadline.
No one would argue that these novels are fine literature, but they do have
points to make. Mostly, however, they make interesting, enjoyable reading, with
an imperfect but likable character that the reader begins to care about. It’s not the
best season for the beach, but to help remember those warm days on the sand,
curl up with The Wrong Side of Goodbye.
The Country Club
of the Crystal Coast
...where friends connect
By Bill Knecht
I hope everyone had a joyous and blessed holiday season. Happy New Year—and
I hope you achieve at least one of your New Year’s resolutions during 2017. Hope
fully, that includes taking advantage of some of the social, dining, educational,
artistic, health improvement and a variety of athletic activities that are available at
the club. The County Club of the Crystal Coast has so much to offer, including ten
nis; golf; soccer golf; tennis and golf lessons and clinics; water aerobics; swimming;
bridge; yoga classes; exercise classes; massage therapy; Bible study; plays; beach
bingo; book clubs; author book reviews; an artisan show; burger night; steak night;
seafood buffet;.pasta night; wine and tapas nights; special holiday celebrations for
Valentines Day, Easter, July 4, Labor Day, Halloween, llianksgiving, Christmas, and
New Year’s Eve; a beautiful wedding venue overlooking Bogue Sound; and many
more activities.
If you are looking for a place to have a party, a meeting (with or without lunch or
dinner), a wedding or any other special event or activity in 2017 or laten for more ’
information, please contact Assistant Manager and Director of Sales Barb Costanza
at 726-1034, ext. 16.
Congratulations to club member Susan Thomas, who had a hole in one on the
par three 10th hole on December 4.
Congratulations also to Susan and Tommy Toms, who recently won the club’s
Flight “A” mixed doubles tennis championship and Janet and John Furman, who
won the Flight “B” mixed doubles tennis championship. Both couples went un
defeated in their respective four-team round robin format. Congratulations also
to Wes Singleton and Jim Tanner for winning the Club’s Flight “A” men’s doubles
tennis championship on December 11 and Paul Becton arid Steve Dunlap, who won
the Flight “B” men’s doubles championship. Also, congratulations to the winners of
the Clubs Flight “A” women’s doubles tennis championship, Susan Toms and Sue
Dunlap, and the Flight “B” women’s doubles champions, Kathleen Boykin and
Emily Hinkle.
At the annual meeting on November 18, Mariana Goldstein and Donald Grant
were elected to their first three-year terms on the Board of Directors and John Fer
guson was reelected to his second three-year term. Congratulations to the winners,
and a special thank you to Sandy Hale and Bonnie Ferneau for their many years of
dedicated service on the board. Also serving on the board for 2017 are Bill Knecht,
Mike King, Carl Ragsdale, Jason Wordsworth, Sylvia Brodman and Greg Patterson.
Newly elected officers for 2017 are President Bill Knecht, Vice President John Fer
guson, Secretary Sylvia Brodman and Treasurer Carl Ragsdale.
The club’s first open house in 2017 for
prospective new members is on March
10 from 5 to 6 p.m. Complimentary hors
d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.
Bring a friend and come see what the
club has to offer.
From all of us at The Country Club
of the Crystal Coast, thank you for your
support and friendship in 2016. We are
looking forward to seeing you at the club
in 2017, where friends connect.
WILLIAMS HARDWARE
at Morehead Plaza
• WINDOW & SCREEN REPAIR
• POWER TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
• LAWN & GARDEN SUPPLIES
• CHAINS & FASTENERS
• PLUMBERS & ELECTRICAL
• SHARPENING SERVICE
Gerber, Buck & Case Knives • Keys
Glass Cut to Size • We Cut Thread Pipe
OPEN EVERY DAY
Mon-Sat 7:30am-6pm
Sun Noon-5pm
7£ae^6ga!.252-726-7158
January 2017 I The Shoreline . 23