Harry Bosch is called out to investigate a murder that involved stolen radioactive materials.
A doctor, with access to nuclear particles used in his cancer research in a hospital environment, had just been murdered on the overlook.
The crime scene is located at a spot just above the Mulholland Dam in LA.
Bosch, during his investigation, discovers that a large quantity of these particles of cesium had been stolen before the doctor's death.
The cesium, in the wrong hands, was a dangerous situation to be sure.
It could be a terrorist plan to cause havoc in a large city like Los Angeles.
Bosch is pressured to help solve the mysterious killing as many people could be harmed.
Homeland Security and FBI forces are already in overdrive.
This is a high priority case.
Harry's one time lover, Rachel Walling is also on the same trail.
She believes it is too important for the LAPD to be involved with.
It is a job for the FBI of which she is a part.
Harry is unconvinced of her assertion.
He believes he can solve the riddle of the missing substance.
This is Harry's first case since he joined the elite Homicide Special organization.
Harry Bosch has now involved himself with an important case of national interest.
He would do a good job and prove he can determine the killer.
Soon he will get lucky.
Dr.
Stanley Kent was found shot twice in the back of the head.
It looked like a gangland crime or one with a terrorist plot.
It was an exciting case and finding a witness was a great find.
Bosch found the young man who had witnessed the crime from his sleep position.
The man was just passing through the area.
He had spent the night across from the overlook and then planned to pack up his gear and get back on his transient journey.
He didn't see or hear much but he knew there had been a killing and the words praise Allah spoken he thought.
This suggested a Mideast connection and a possible terrorist plot.
Bosch is training a new partner, Iggy Ferras.
This was just the case they needed to build a working relationship.
He could also show him how the LAPD and FBI didn't always work in complete harmony.
The FBI always wanted to control an investigation.
When it is determined by the FBI that the stolen materials could be used to make a dirty bomb, they try to get rid of the LAPD since it is too important to involve Bosch.
Harry put up a stink and is determined to stay on the investigation.
He and Rachel Walling are at odds on the issue but Harry remains much to her disappointment.
Bosch then works around the FBI and tracks down the doctor's killer.
His new partner is concerned about his career as a police investigator after seeing Bosch's unorthodox maneuvers.
Iggy is not sure he likes being partnered with Harry.
Bosch has always been quite unconventional.
The FBI agents think Bosch may screw up the investigation but they let him slide.
Despite their concern, Harry's instinct and experience seem to allow him to see things in a somewhat logical view.
He eventually finds revealing details that are not seen by the average bloodhound.
Iggy prefers to go by the book bur Harry has another idea.
He later tells Bosch that he wants a new partner.
Harry can't help himself.
He has always done his investigations differently yet he has solved more cases than the average detective.
Izzy wants no part of it.
It is soon discovered that the doctor's wife was having an affair with an FBI agent.
Harry never liked agent Cliff Maxwell.
Alice Kent had conspired with Maxwell to kill her husband.
It was all a setup.
Harry Bosch had suspected another agent of his involvement.
When he discovered it was really Maxwell, he couldn't believe it.
Rachel Walling told him about the guy.
Bosch didn't like him but he was surprised.
Where is Maxwell now, they wondered? The eyewitness, Jesse Mitford, was put up at the Mark Twain Hotel.
Then it occurred to them, Maxwell knows where he is.
He may try to kill him.
They decided to go there immediately.
Bosch called Hollywood Division and asked the officer there to send a patrol car to the hotel immediately.
Harry called the hotel front desk and asked him to check on his witness.
He wasn't really trustful of the desk man but he was desperate at this point.
He didn't want anything to happen to the guy.
Bosch sped along with Walling in the passenger seat.
Harry was thinking Maxwell would kill his witness and then eliminate Alice Kent.
Survival instincts will cause Maxwell to cancel his witnesses and then try to get away free.
Bosch and Walling were at odds on what Maxwell would do next.
They just needed to find him fast.
Bosch stopped short and it hit him.
He forgets the hotel and heads for Highland Ave.
He makes a U-turn and on to the Hollywood Freeway.
Walling asked where he was going? Alice is the greater threat to Maxwell.
He would go there first.
With flashing lights and siren blaring, Bosch called Iggy.
Ignacio, stop what you're doing and meet me at the Million Dollar Theater building.
I'll explain when you arrive.
When they all arrive, the twists and turns of this novel go into overdrive.
The novel keeps you interested from cover to cover.
I highly recommend you read this book and the bonus chapter at the end, too.