Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5)

Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5)
Trunk Music - Harry Bosch Bk 5
Author: Michael Connelly
ISBN-13: 9780316152440
ISBN-10: 0316152447
Publication Date: 2/1997
Pages: 383
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 42

4.2 stars, based on 42 ratings
Publisher: Little Brown Co (T)
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

74 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

pafmarwog avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Trunk Music is a well thought out and well written detective novel. I enjoyed the way this story unfolded and the character development. It was an engaging read and kept me enthralled from page one to the end.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent who-dun-it with mob activity, LA and Las Vegas locations, and no dragging in the story. Keeps your attention throughout!!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on
Helpful Score: 1
Back on the job after an involuntary leave of absence, LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch lands his first case: a Hollywood producer found in the trunk of his Rolls-Royce, shot twice in the head. It looks like "trunk music," a Mafia hit.
The LAPD's organized crime unit is oddly uninterested, but Harry thinks they're wrong. He follows the money trail from the producer's office to Las Vegas, where he quickly finds evidence of Mafia involvement. But something about the case doesn't add up, and Harry follows a string of odd clues â glitter in the producer's cuffs, an over-the-counter medication in the Rolls' glove box â in a different direction entirely.
Just when Harry thinks he's on firm ground, the bottom falls out. Blind sided again and again, at odds with his superiors, and overwhelmed by a romance that has cropped up in the middle of the case, Harry is as off balance as he's ever been. When the picture finally comes into focus, Harry discovers a scheme many magnitudes more deadly than he imaginedâwith himself now one of its targets. Running on instincts and nerves, with a short fuse and everything to lose, Harry must prove himself not just by breaking the case, but by surviving it.
punkinema avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 305 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another Bosch novel that leads his murder investigation to Las Vegas, the mob and seeing Eleanor Wish. The perpetrator is right under his nose and I was surprised to discover who the person was. Good read, as always.
jjares avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 3426 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Harry Bosch has returned to LAPD as a detective in the Hollywood division; his first case back is a complicated one. A movie producer is found dead in his own Rolls Royce trunk. At the outset, the case seems to be trunk music, a Mafia production.

As he follows the money to Las Vegas, the Mafia connection starts to fall apart. There are an incredible number of red herrings in this story; readers will almost need a scorecard to keep up with:

The good guys who are actually bad guys,
The good guys who really are good guys;
The bad guys who are actually good guys in disguise,
And the bad guys who are so bad, they cant even spell g-o-o-d.

Politics dominates many of the decisions made by police departments; and Harry hates politics. He gets cross-wise with most of the powerful city, state and federal leaders who cross his path. Harry is on a mission and he does not tolerate fools gladly.

To return the favor, those powerful city and federal leaders decide to cut him down to size Harry is in trouble with most of them throughout the book. Harry just redoubles his efforts to solve the case and show those politicos that they arent as smart or as powerful as they think they are.

Call me a prude, but I was disappointed in the amount of foul language that was used in this book. It did not add to the story; Id hate to think that police officers and detectives are this demeaning to each other on a regular basis.

Harry Bosch
1. The Black Echo (1992)
2. The Black Ice (1993)
3. The Concrete Blonde (1994)
4. The Last Coyote (1995)
5. Trunk Music (1996)
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Your favorite detective Harry Bosch is back on the job and working the hottest murder investigation in Hollywood. The body of a movie producer has been found stuffed into the trunk of his Rolls. Michael Connelly is masterful with his character development.
sig avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 33 more book reviews
Not one of Connelly's best. Very predictable. Loosely defined characters.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 23 more book reviews
Harry Bosch, my hero
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 46 more book reviews
A very good mystery and, in my opinion, a surprise ending!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 13 more book reviews
All his novels are excellent.
rtc917 avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 30 more book reviews
Not his best, but worth a read for another of Harry Bosch's adventures.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 3 more book reviews
Lots of twists and turns.
MichaelS avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 50 more book reviews
Another excellent Harry Bosch novel.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 23 more book reviews
I like the story line and I was definately shocked by the ending of who was who...
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 2 more book reviews
I like this book a lot. It is a good series.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 14 more book reviews
This is your average suspense.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on
Bosch books are always good.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 105 more book reviews
Connelly's books never lack for depth. Plenty of characters, storylines, twists, complications, unravelling, clues and nuances. They're never that easy to predict. The elaborate scenarios can sometimes border on the farfetched, but it's plenty of fun.

3.5 stars out of 5
bellasgranny avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 468 more book reviews
Another solid entry in the Harry Bosch series. Love the character, secondary characters and the setting. Connelly's stories never lag or seem unbelievable. I'm on to the next in the series. Very highly recommend.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 95 more book reviews
another good book by this author, Michael Connelly, lots of twists and turns, surprising ending
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 2 more book reviews
Great book.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 298 more book reviews
really like this author..
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 15 more book reviews
Harry Bosch is always a delight to read.
pigwoman avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 82 more book reviews
All Harry Bosch books are great. I now have my Hubby hooked after only one. Great Read!
susieqdancing avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 4 more book reviews
This was an exciting book with lots of twists and turns so as to keep you in suspense.
louiealf avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 27 more book reviews
Excellent book.
grannysharon avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 25 more book reviews
Murder, mystery, good cops v bad (very) cops is all you need to stay awake and read until your spouse cries: "Please, I have to get up in 3 hours...turn off the light!" Yep, this book will cause you to get the flashlight and go 'under-cover'. This is my first glimpse of Michael Connelly, definitely not my last. Superb!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 69 more book reviews
good book
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on
Excellent book!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 5 more book reviews
Another fast moving Harry Bosch Novel. Worth the time to read.
AlisaLea avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 19 more book reviews
I love all the Harry Bosch books!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 44 more book reviews
A very good mystery novel, with great suspense. Very good plot.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 9 more book reviews
Michael Connelly always makes you think. This book was excellent mystery. Very detailed and a surprise ending.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on
Enjoying this series!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 96 more book reviews
I love Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch series. This one is great. Keeps you guessing!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 5 more book reviews
Good reading for Michael Connelly readers!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 17 more book reviews
Bosch is back along with Rider, Edgar and Eleanor Wish. I especially liked the interaction between Bosch and his boss, Lt. Billets. I think I've read this one before, but author Connelly is so good it all seemed new and exciting. Well worth reading.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 29 more book reviews
Good mystery. I like the Harry Bosch books and am starting near the beginning and working my way forward!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 377 more book reviews
Good Bosh story. Its nice to read after seeing the series as there is a face to the names. Body found in trunk in LA, twists and turns till they figure it out.
jdocop avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 66 more book reviews
Harry gets better all the time! Hard to put down.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 2 more book reviews
It's a good mystery book. It will keep you glued to the book and the suspense is very very good. Recommended.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 25 more book reviews
great story, great characters
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 15 more book reviews
As always, Harry Bosch kept me interested...
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 57 more book reviews
The FIFTH book in the series featuring Harry Bosch, a homicide detective in Los Angeles, California.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 8 more book reviews
detective Harry Bosch is back on the job and working on the hottest homicie in hollywood. the body of a movie producer is found inthe trunk of his Rolls.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 4 more book reviews
Another great Harry Bosch series!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 21 more book reviews
This is part of his Harry Bosch series and a great read. Harry is a great subject since he is flawed and it doesn't make light of it. He is a normal person with normal issues but is an extrodinary detective and great stories to go with him.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 159 more book reviews
I am a Detective Harry Bosch fan, or a Michael Connelly fan, or both. This was the 13th book by this author I've read. This should be a sufficient review.

The Washington Post said: "Compelling...Connelly displays a wonderful atmospheric feel for the posh and the poor...The last pages bring things to a shocking end that should satisfy Connelly's growing audience."
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 209 more book reviews
Harry Bosch is at his best here. In hot water up to his butt with the police department but stubbornly refusing to let go of a case he has been taken off of. Very good read with a lot of character development.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on
Another great Harry Bosch story!
debs avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 650 more book reviews
A really good page-turner; Connelly is such a good story-teller. Nice twists, fast-paced, keeps your interest throughout.
nccorthu avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 569 more book reviews
A really fine book. It brings out real emotions that carry the reader along. A Great read for a reader of detective/police novels. You'll love it.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 52 more book reviews
Enjoyed by my husband.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 32 more book reviews
Another fun Connelly romp in the Harry Bosch series... with plenty of Las Vegas thrown in.
MyLikeIt avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 450 more book reviews
Very, very good. I think Michael Connelly is at the top of the mystery/thriller genre. It just doesn't get better.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 17 more book reviews
Book five in the Harry Bosch series. Good story.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 68 more book reviews
Another in the great Harry Bosch series...I think the best. This mystery is full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know "who done it", you're wrong again. Also, his old love interest, Eleanor Wish, pops up to stay! Very enjoyable.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 437 more book reviews
Entertaining detective story
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 40 more book reviews
Another great read from Connelly.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 174 more book reviews
Connelly has done it again, Harry Bosch is a great character and this is a great read.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 45 more book reviews
Excellent story
Tunerlady avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 581 more book reviews
This, the 5th in the Harry Bosch series does not disappoint! It's full of twists, turns, and surprises. Harry tirelessly follows the clues, the hunches, etc., until he solves the crime! Love it!
robinmy avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 2115 more book reviews
Harry Bosch picks up a tough case on his first day back with the Detective Division. Movie Producer Tony Aliso has been found in the trunk of his Rolls Royce, two bullets in his head. As Harry looks into Aliso's life, he finds Tony was laundering money for the mob. When Harry flies to Las Vegas to follow up on some leads, he finds it harder and harder to tell the good guys from the bad.

This is an excellent addition to Connelly's Harry Bosch series. Harry seems to be in a good place since the events in the last book. He is working for a new boss who seems to trust him, and he and Edgar are working with a new detective on this case. The case has a lot of red herrings that lead Harry (and me) in the wrong direction. I was totally surprised when the villain was uncovered. And, Harry's ex-girlfriend is back in the picture. I think this will lead to an interesting change in the series. My rating: 5 Stars.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 38 more book reviews
Kept me guessing until the end.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 10 more book reviews
His usual high quality.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 9 more book reviews
Another great Harry Bosch novel.
eadieburke avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 1642 more book reviews
Book Description
Back on the job after an involuntary leave of absence, LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch is ready for a challenge. But his first case is a little more than he bargained for.

It starts with the body of a Hollywood producer in the trunk of a Rolls-Royce, shot twice in the head at close range - what looks like "trunk music," a Mafia hit. But the LAPD's organized crime unit is curiously uninterested, and when Harry follows a trail of gambling debts to Las Vegas, the case suddenly becomes more complex - and much more personal.

A rekindled romance with an old girlfriend opens new perspectives on the murder, and he begins to glimpse a shocking triangle of corruption and collusion. Yanked off the case, Harry himself is soon the one being investigated. But only a bullet can stop Harry when he's searching for the truth . . .

My Review
This is another great Harry Bosch novel with lots of twists that kept me turning the pages until the end. I liked that his love interest from The Black Echo shows up again. That was a pleasant surprise! I love Harry's lingo and expressions and they keep me chuckling to myself. The end of the book came quickly and what a surprise that was. I'm now looking forward to the next book to see what's in store for Harry.
msk1757 avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 14 more book reviews
To me,it was something to read.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 161 more book reviews
I REALLY ENJOY THESE HARRY BOSCH DETECTIVE MYSTERIES. HARRY IS BACK WITH THE LAPD HOLLYWOOD DIVISION AND HIS FIRST MURDER CASE TAKES HIM TO LAS VEGAS FOR INVESTIGATION. HAS A GOOD SURPRISE ENDING. A FAST READ. GOOD FOR BEACH, POOL OR PLANE.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on
rip on back cover
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 3584 more book reviews
Number 5 in the Harry Bosch series and still moving along. I probably found this to be an exciting plot of the books to date. It was full of procedural detail and there were so many different cons going on at once I was occasionally confused, but figured it out before the end. Nevertheless Bosch, as usual, came out on top. I like his new boss who was able to bend the rules occasionally and stood up for him. I found the story line of Eleanor Wish different and a little strange. I raced through this book in record time and on to Book 6! I need to start watching the TV series!
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on
Another great Bosch book.
reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 3160 more book reviews
Usually look forward to Michael Connelly books, but this one is too long with too many characters to keep track of and story is too confusing to be interesting.
mamatraub avatar reviewed Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Bk 5) on + 151 more book reviews
Too many F words. He didn't use to be so bad.