BookPath
The Black Box
Michael Connelly

The Black Box

Quick Answer

Read "The Black Box" as the 14th book in the Harry Bosch Series sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Nine Dragons" (Book 13)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 14th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

Is this helpful?
2012416 pp
In this "superb" thriller, Detective Harry Bosch links the bullet from a recent crime to the unsolved killing of a young female photographer during the 1992 L.A. riots (Wall Street Journal). In a case that spans 20 years, Harry Bosch links the bullet from a recent crime to a file from 1992, the killing of a young female photographer during the L.A. riots. Harry originally investigated the murder, but it was then handed off to the Riot Crimes Task Force and never solved. Now Bosch's ballistics match indicates that her death was not random violence, but something more personal, and connected to a deeper intrigue. Like an investigator combing through the wreckage after a plane crash, Bosch searches for the "black box," the one piece of evidence that will pull the case together. Riveting and relentlessly paced, The Black Box leads Harry Bosch, "one of the greats of crime fiction" (New York Daily News), into one of his most fraught and perilous cases.
Next Recommended Book

The Drop

Book #15 of 19 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Harry Bosch Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Black Box?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read The Black Box before Nine Dragons?

No. We recommend reading Nine Dragons first. The Black Box is the 14th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The Black Box required reading for the Harry Bosch Series?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after The Black Box in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Black Box is The Drop (Book #15).