Herdedwords.com uses affiliate links. This means we receive a commission on the sale of certain items. This is at NO additional cost to you. Visit the policies page to learn more.
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE, published in 2016, is a mystery, thriller, & suspense novel by Michael Connelly. It’s book 19 in the Harry Bosch series.
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE spent 2 weeks at #1 on the NYT Bestseller List. Between 2009 and 2018, Michael Connelly spent a total of 12 weeks at #1 on the NYT Bestseller list.
“By ‘taken advantage of,’ are you talking about me?” Bosch asked.
Table of Contents
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE Synopsis
Harry Bosch is California’s newest private investigator. He doesn’t advertise, he doesn’t have an office, and he’s picky about who he works for, but it doesn’t matter. His chops from thirty years with the LAPD speak for themselves.
Soon one of Southern California’s biggest moguls comes calling. The reclusive billionaire is nearing the end of his life and is haunted by one regret. When he was young, he had a relationship with a Mexican girl, his great love. But soon after becoming pregnant, she disappeared. Did she have the baby? And if so, what happened to it?
Desperate to know whether he has an heir, the dying magnate hires Bosch, the only person he can trust. With such a vast fortune at stake, Harry realizes that his mission could be risky not only for himself but for the one he’s seeking. But as he begins to uncover the haunting story–and finds uncanny links to his own past–he knows he cannot rest until he finds the truth.
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE Analysis Of:
The Wrong Side of Goodbye is used as an example in the following posts. Check them out!
| Comparison of Point of View | A comparison of point of view in literature (first, third limited, and omniscient) including modern fiction examples. Which is right for your novel? |
| Third Person Limited Point of View | She, himself and them are examples of third person limited. Learn 4 times you should use 3rd limited for your book. |
| Exposition | Nail your exposition period with these 5 techniques. |
| Resolution | What’s the purpose of the resolution? Find out and see if you should skip it. |
| Show & Tell | “Show don’t tell” is bad advice. Learn why you need to show AND tell in your story (plus tips to help you improve your showing). |
| Chapter One | Your first chapter is one of the most important. Learn 5 must-have elements of the first chapter. |
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE Reviews
The Wrong Side of Goodbye is the 19th book of the series. NINETEEN! And yet, it works just fine as a standalone book. It’s the only book I’ve read in the series and I never felt bewildered or unsure about anything. With that being said, it’s probably a better book if you’ve read other entries in the series.
If this style of cop-crime-thriller-mystery fiction is something you enjoy, The Wrong Side of Goodbye will be a satisfying read. Even if it’s not your regular style of fiction (like me), it’s still an easy read.
There aren’t a lot of reviews online, so I’ll send you over to this one (or check Amazon):
Harry may have grown older, but he is still the most compelling anti-crime figure to have come out of L.A. fiction since the days of Raymond Chandler.
NY Journal of Books
Writing Practice
Check out these writing exercises and prompts using THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE as inspiration.
Prompt: The Opening Paragraph(s)
This is the opening paragraph of the novel. Ignore everything you know about the story and use it as a writing prompt.
Your Task: Using as much detail as possible, write another 300+ words.
Chapter 1
Bosch didn’t mind the wait. The view was spectacular. He didn’t bother with the waiting room couch. Instead he stood with his face a foot from the glass and took in the view that ranged from the rooftops of downtown to the Pacific Ocean. He was fifty-nine floors up in the U.S. Bank Tower, and Creighton was making him wait because it was something he always did, going all the way back to his days at Parker Center, where the waiting room only had a low-angle view of the back of City Hall. Creighton had moved a mere five blocks west since his days with the Los Angeles Police Department but he certainly had risen far beyond that to the lofty heights of the city’s financial gods.
Exercise: Mix & Match
This exercise is all about being creative. We’re going to merge a character from THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE with a setting from LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.
Your Task: Choose a scene from RED and write it featuring one of the characters from THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE.
Need An Idea?
- Perhaps Bosch is investigating what happened at grandmas house.
- Or, make Bosch the hunter who arrives at the end of the story.
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE Facts
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE Thoughts?
Have you read THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE?
If so, what did you think? If not, will you?
Like this post? Please PIN IT and follow me on social media. Thanks!
PS. share your exercises in the comments below. I’d love to see them.
Back
Next
