BookPath
The Drop
Michael Connelly

The Drop

Quick Answer

Read "The Drop" as the 15th book in the Harry Bosch Series sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "The Black Box" (Book 14)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

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

Verdict Insight: As the 15th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2011448 ppWikidataSource
In his fierce search for a new case, Detective Harry Bosch discovers a killer hiding behind suspicious DNA evidence -- and a political conspiracy that could destroy the Los Angeles Police Department. DNA from a 1989 rape and murder matches a 29-year-old convicted rapist. Was he an eight-year-old killer or has something gone terribly wrong in the new Regional Crime Lab? The latter possibility could compromise all of the lab's DNA cases currently in court. Then Bosch and his partner are called to a death scene fraught with internal politics. Councilman Irvin Irving's son jumped or was pushed from a window at the Chateau Marmont. Irving, Bosch's longtime nemesis, has demanded that Harry handle the investigation. Relentlessly pursuing both cases, Bosch makes two chilling discoveries: a killer operating unknown in the city for as many as three decades, and a political conspiracy that goes back into the dark history of the police department.
Next Recommended Book

The Burning Room

Book #16 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 Drop?

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

Can I read The Drop before The Black Box?

No. We recommend reading The Black Box first. The Drop is the 15th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The Drop 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 Drop in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Drop is The Burning Room (Book #16).