Michael Connelly has published three novels about L.A. defense attorney Mickey Haller, whose office in the first book is the back of a Lincoln Town Car. A fourth Haller novel is due out this spring. Connelly’s novels also feature a far better-known character, veteran L.A. homicide detective Harry Bosch. Bosch has his own series and has also appeared in some of the Haller books. Although I don’t plan to read any more Bosch novels (more on that later), I would watch a Bosch movie.
This morning on imdb.com I noticed a link to the trailer for The Lincoln Lawyer. The movie, due out in March from Lionsgate, stars Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller. The screenplay is based on Michael Connelly’s 2005 novel. The Lincoln Lawyer is a thrilling read, and based on the trailer, the movie looks like it captures the essence of the novel. But if you are wondering, like I am, who might play Bosch in a movie, you won’t find out in The Lincoln Lawyer. Connelly doesn’t insert the detective into the Haller series until the second book, The Brass Verdict. At the end of that novel we learn that Bosch and Haller are half brothers.
Bosch is the main character in 15 novels beginning with The Black Echo, published in 1992. Obviously, I am, or was, a Bosch fan as I have read all of them. A Bosch novel is always a classic case of the end justifying the means with Bosch often single-handedly pursuing justice for a murder victim. He can be hard to take at times—brooding, stubborn, dangerous, reckless—but until 2009’s Nine Dragons, at least he was always a good cop. And based on a rough childhood plus a series of corrupt bosses in the early novels, you had to cut him some slack. But he is so out of control in Dragons that you wonder if the book is a parody. In pursuing a group who kidnapped his daughter, Bosch ignores police procedure, public safety, and international law with a resulting high body count. One of the dead is the girl’s mother, Bosch’s ex-wife.
Although I’m not sure whom I’m punishing, when I finished Dragons, I made a rule: no more Bosch novels. But I would watch a movie based on one of the older books.
Unfortunately so far no Bosch novel has been made into a movie. According to a FAQ on Michael Connelly’s web site, most of them have been optioned, but cameras are a long way from rolling. The difficulty seems to be in adapting the screen plays. Whether any casting has been done isn’t clear. Connelly isn’t much help. When asked who he sees playing Bosch, he wrote:
As far as who I would like to see play Harry—I never see anyone. My characters have visible images that come from inside me. I don’t write him or any other character with a movie actor in mind.
Last night when I started reading The Reversal, the third Haller novel, I thought I might have to break the no-Bosch rule. Right off, I learned that Bosch has a supporting role in the book as an investigator on a case defense attorney Haller (in a switch) is prosecuting. Instead I modified the rule. Under the reasoning that he is better behaved when he’s a guest, I will read books where he isn’t the main character. So I plan to finish The Reversal and hope Bosch redeems himself.
Mud Bay Blog 
Bosch has always been a favorite of mine also. And, although I didn’t like Nine Dragons I’m afraid I lack your moral fiber and will read another if the opportunity presents itself.
J have read them all. The reviews didn’t like the Dragon either but Reversal was considered back to form. I will read whatever Connelly publishes next.