 Hardcover edition | |
| Author | Michael Connelly |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Harry Bosch, #14 |
| Genre | Crime novel |
| Publisher | Little Brown |
| Publication date | October 13, 2009 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback), e-book |
| Pages | 544 pp. |
| ISBN | 978-0316071048 |
| Preceded by | The Scarecrow |
| Followed by | The Reversal |
Nine Dragons is the 14th novel in the Harry Bosch series and the 22nd book (21st novel) by American crime author Michael Connelly. It was published in the U.K. and Ireland on October 1, 2009, and worldwide on October 13, 2009.
The novel is partly set in Hong Kong, where Bosch's daughter Maddie and ex-wife Eleanor Wish live. The main plot involves Maddie being kidnapped by a Chinese Triad (crime syndicate), which Bosch believes is due to his investigation of an L.A. murder, in which his primary suspect is a member of a triad that was shaking down the victim. As a result, Bosch heads to Hong Kong in an effort to rescue her. The name of the most populated region of Hong Kong, Kowloon, means "nine dragons" in English.
Plot
During a slow work night, LAPD detective Harry Bosch is asked to investigate a shooting in a "rougher" section of Los Angeles. Harry and his partner, Ignacio Ferras, grudgingly take an assignment that would normally be handled by the gang unit and learn that a Chinese-American convenience store owner was murdered behind his own counter. The case draws Bosch's interest because the victim had shown him kindness during an earlier investigation. Bosch assures the owner's son, Robert Li, that he will catch the culprit.
Bosch starts to realize that the supposed robbery was possibly an execution by a Triad hitman. With the help of Detective David Chu of the Asian Gangs Unit, Bosch starts to zero in on a suspect; he soon receives a threatening call telling him to back off. Initially ignoring the threat, Bosch then receives a video showing his daughter Maddie being kidnapped in Hong Kong, which he believes to be related to his investigation. Bosch rushes off to save her, realizing that if he is not back within 48 hours, the suspect in the shooting will be set free. Because of the length of the flights, Harry will have less than 24 hours to find Maddie in Hong Kong.
Upon arriving in Hong Kong, Bosch is aided by Maddie's mother, his ex-wife Eleanor Wish, and her Chinese boyfriend. Through forensic science, Bosch is able to determine where to look for Maddie. However, Wish is killed by thieves after Bosch ill-advisedly flashes a wallet full of cash. Despite this, Bosch and Maddie's boyfriend continue the search. Bosch narrowly rescues Maddie and takes her back to Los Angeles. The Chinese government sends agents to extradite Bosch, but his half-brother, lawyer Mickey Haller, forces the Chinese to drop this attempt. However, Bosch and Chu determine that there is no connection between Maddie's kidnapping and the murder investigation. Instead, the evidence points to Robert and his best friend, Eugene Lam.
Bosch and Chu arrest Lam, leaving Ferras to follow Robert. Lam reveals that the murder was a plot concocted by Mia Li, the victim's daughter, to relieve her of the burden of her parents; Robert had come up with the idea of disguising the murder as a Triad killing. When Bosch and Chu inform Ferras, he decides to single-handedly arrest Robert as an act of defiance against Bosch. He is instead killed by Mia, who then commits suicide. After Ferras' funeral, Maddie confesses to Bosch that the "kidnapping" was initially staged to get her mother to agree to let her live with Bosch. However, when presented with the opportunity, Maddie's accomplice in the scheme made a deal with the Triad from which Harry saved her. Maddie blames herself for the deaths that followed. Harry consoles her, promising to show her how they can make up for their mistakes.
Recurring characters in Nine Dragons
- Ignacio Ferras – Bosch's current partner
- Eleanor Wish – Former FBI agent and Bosch's ex-wife
- Madeline "Maddie" Bosch – Bosch's daughter
- Mickey Haller – Lawyer and Bosch's half-brother
- Carmen Hinojos – Psychologist for the Los Angeles Police Department
- Jack McEvoy and Judge Judith Champagne are referred to but do not appear
Other characters
- David Chu – LAPD Detective with the Asian Gangs Unit, formerly known as the Asian Crimes Unit
- Sun Yee – current lover of Eleanor Wish, employed as security by the casino, and Bosch's unexpected partner in Hong Kong
- John Li – Proprietor of Fortune Liquors
- Robert Li – John Li's son and manager of Fortune Fine Foods and Liquor
- Mia Li – John Li's daughter
- Bo-Jing Chang – Bagman for the triad group Yung Kim
- Larry Gandle – LAPD Lieutenant and Bosch's boss
- Peng He – A friend of Madeline
- Peng "Quick" Qingcai – Older brother of Madeline's friend Peng He
- Eugene Lam – Assistant manager of Fortune Fine Foods and Liquor
References
- 9 Dragons preview on Michael Connelly's web site. Referenced on 28 May 2009.