Author Michael Connelly's Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch-An Identity Crisis?

I rarely read mystery novels,
with one major exception- Michael Connelly.

Prior to 2003, I had never
heard of him.

My first awareness of his
existence came in 2003, post-publication of Black
Dahlia Avenger,  when the two of us were scheduled to speak at the 2003 Bouchercon
Convention in Las Vegas and as president that year of the Mystery Writers of America, Connelly would preside over the Edgar Awards in NYC. (BDA was one of the
six nominees in the running for an Edgar Award in the True Fact category.)

Based on those two imminent
meetings with Connelly, I figured the least I could do was read one of his
books. But, which one? I threw a dart and it landed on–The Last Coyote.

I picked up a copy and read
it non-stop. I WAS HOOKED.  I went
back and began reading his novels chronologically and as of this writing I am
just completing his 14^th novel, The
Brass Verdict and find myself a bit depressed at the prospect that there
are but a handful remaining. Then what do I do?

Harry Bosch- An Identity Crisis?

In my opinion, Michael Connelly is the best police procedural writer
on the planet. He’s got it down to near perfection. His character Hieronymus
“Harry” Bosch is my hero. He’s an “out-of-the-box,” thinking detective, who
plays it straight, has a high solve rate, and gets it right most of the time,
but occasionally screws up. What’s not to love?

But, I have to admit; Connelly has created a character whose
biography so closely mimics my own on so many levels that I cannot help but IDENTIFY
with him.

As you review the below bullet points, keep in mind while
Connelly has publicly indicated that Harry Bosch “is a composite of several
real life individuals” (along with some fictional characteristics of his own) -I
am not one of those individuals.

To my knowledge, Connelly, while giving my book one of my
favorite “author blurbs” still, did not know me, nor is it doubtful he had ever
heard of me prior to the publication of my book in 2003.  I retired from LAPD in 1986 after nearly
24-years of service. Connelly didn’t publish his first novel, The Black Echo, until 1992.  

The below bullet points list a few of the reasons why I have
a bit of an identity crisis with my good friend–Detective Hieronymus “Harry”
Bosch. Harry will tell you, “There are no coincidences.” Steve would for the
most part AGREE. So, for the moment, let’s just call them: “SYNCHRONICITIES”

Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch (Fictional)          

• Born at Queen of
  Angels Hospital., Los Angeles

•   His mother named him after one of her favorite 15^th century artist’s, Hieronymus Bosch.

• Sent to MacLaren Hall and temporary foster homes from
  Hollywood in his youth due to his mother’s untimely death. (She was a prostitute murdered in Hollywood.)

• Joined the military as a teenager, where he obtained
  his GED.

• Joined LAPD at age-21, and promoted to detective after
  working patrol for five-years.

• Promoted to Detective III (Detective Supervisor) the
  highest attainable rank within the detective bureau.

•   Assigned to Hollywood Detective Division–Homicide

• Had one of the highest solve/clearance rates in LAPD
  and was possessed of a strong disdain for any abuse of power.

•   Owned a home high-up in the Hollywood Hills and had
  multiple marriages.

•   Retired from LAPD and became a P.I. working criminal
  cases             

 

Steve Hodel (Real life)

•   Born at Queen of
  Angels Hospital., Los Angeles

•  His mother named him after a character (Stephen
  Daedalus) created by her favorite author, James Joyce, in his bestselling novel, ULYSSES. 

• Sent to MacLaren Hall and temporary foster homes from
  Hollywood in his youth due to his mother’s repeated arrests for child neglect and alcoholism. (Public drunkenness).

•  Joined the military as a teenager, where he obtained
  his GED.

•   Joined LAPD at age-21, and promoted to detective after
  working patrol for five-years.

•  Promoted to Detective III (Detective Supervisor) the
  highest attainable rank within the detective bureau.

• Assigned to Hollywood Detective Division–Homicide

•   Had one of the highest solve/clearance rates in LAPD
  and was possessed of a strong disdain for any abuse of power.

• Owned a home high-up in the Hollywood Hills and had
  multiple marriages.

• Retired from LAPD and became a P.I. working criminal
  cases.

 All of bestselling author Michael Connelly’s
novels come highly recommended. Check out his website at:

 http://www.michaelconnelly.com/

 See my previous blog on author Michael Connelly HERE.