The Overlook is the eighteenth novel written by Michael Connelly, and the thirteenth novel featuring Los Angeles Police Department detective Harry Bosch, as well as the fourth featuring FBI agent Rachel Walling.
The book was originally published in the New York Times Magazine in sixteen installments from 17 September 2006 to 21 January 2007, while an edited and expanded version of the novel was published on 22 May 2007.
Chapters[]
- Chapter 1 - Bosch is called to a shooting on the overlook above the Mulholland Dam. Its his first case since a transfer to the Homicide Special squad and is back on his old turf. The victim is Dr Stanley Kent according to the St Agatha's Hospital ID badge Bosch recovers from his car. Bosch takes a handover from his old partner Jerry Edgar and learns that it was an execution style killing. Rachel Walling arrives on the scene, surprising Bosch.
- Chapter 2 - Bosch and Walling discuss the murder with Joe Felton, the Medical Examiner. They learn that Kent was killed with a low caliber weapon using a coke bottle as a makeshift silencer. Time of death is estimated as 8:00 pm based on the liver temperature. Walling is able to identify Kent from a file photograph, revealing that he is on a federal watch list because his job involves handling radioactive material used in cancer treatments. Noting that a heavy item has been taken out of Kent's trunk Bosch and Walling leave the scene to check on his wife urgently, fearing that he may have been blackmailed into stealing from his work. Bosch catches Walling in a lie when she claims she has not met Kent.
- Chapter 3 - Walling admits that she visited Kent to advise him on improving security in his role. They arrive at his residence and find his wife, Alicia Kent, restrained and naked. They free her and Bosch checks in with his lieutenant given the cases's possible link to terrorist activity. Walling's partner Jack Brenner arrives at the house. Bosch fears that the FBI will exclude him from his own homicide investigation as they explain their plans to check all area hospitals when Dr Kent had access.
- Chapter 4 - Bosch and the agents interview Mrs Kent. She tells them that two men broke into the house and restrained her. They made her give them Dr Kent's gun, her car keys and her e-mail password. She recalls that they spoke to one another in a foreign language and that only one man spoke to her in English, translating for his partner. Walling checks the account and finds a ransom demand exhorting Dr Kent to steal cesium and bring them to the overlook. Bosch reveals the St Agatha's ID badge from the crime scene and they head to the hospital.
- Chapter 5 - On the drive to the hospital Bosch sizes up Brenner, uncertain of his new colleague. The investigators discuss the ramifications of the theft and the potential for a devastating terrorist attack.
- Chapter 6 - The team accesses the controlled area where cesium is stored and find that Dr Kent removed all 32 vials from the safe. He left a note explaining that his wife was being held hostage.
- Chapter 7 -
- Chapter 8 -
- Chapter 9 -
- Chapter 10 -
- Chapter 11 -
- Chapter 12 -
- Chapter 13 -
- Chapter 14 -
- Chapter 15 -
- Chapter 16 -
- Chapter 17 -
- Chapter 18 -
- Chapter 19 -
- Chapter 20 -
- Chapter 21 -
- Chapter 22 -
Characters[]
- Detective Harry Bosch, Homicide Special, Robbery Homicide Division (RHD), LAPD
- Lieutenant Larry Gandle, Homicide Special RHD, LAPD
- Detective Ignacio Ferras, Homicide Special RHD, LAPD
- Detective "Crate", Homicide Special RHD, LAPD (mentioned)
- Detective Barrel, Homicide Special RHD, LAPD (mentioned)
- Detective Jerry Edgar, Hollywood Homicide, LAPD
- Detective Kizmin Rider, Operations Division, LAPD (mentioned)
- Dr Stanley Kent
- FBI Special Agent Rachel Walling, Tactical Intelligence Unit
- Joe Felton, Medical Examiner
- Alicia Kent
- James Hadley, Police Commission member
- Captain Don Hadley, Office of Homeland Security, LAPD
- FBI Special Agent Jack Brenner, Tactical Intelligence Unit
- Ed Romo, St Agatha's Hospital Security
- Richard Romo, St Agatha's Hospital Security
- FBI Special Agent Ryan, Radiological Attack Team Leader
- FBI Special Agent Miller, Radiological Attack Team
- Jesse Mitford