Crime · Thriller
The Black Echo
A Los Angeles homicide detective with a Vietnam past is called to a body found in a drainage pipe, apparently another drug overdose. He recognises the dead man from the tunnels of the war, and a larger case opens up.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1992
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 496
- Format
- Book 1 of 25 in Harry Bosch
Read this if you like gritty, grounded police stories with a stubborn detective who refuses to let a case go.
Skip this if you want fast action throughout, because this is a careful procedural first and a thriller second.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Black Echo
- What is The Black Echo about?
- A Los Angeles homicide detective with a Vietnam past is called to a body found in a drainage pipe, apparently another drug overdose. He recognises the dead man from the tunnels of the war, and a larger case opens up.
- Who should read The Black Echo?
- Read it if you like gritty, grounded police stories with a stubborn detective who refuses to let a case go. Skip it if you want fast action throughout, because this is a careful procedural first and a thriller second.
- How long and how fast is The Black Echo?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 496 pages, first published in 1992.
- Does The Black Echo have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, War.
- Can I borrow The Black Echo for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Black Echo; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Black Echo?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Big Sleep, Killing Floor, The Cuckoo's Calling.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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