City of Bones.

Michael Connelly. 2002. Read by Peter Jay Fernandez. 8 tapes. 12 hrs. Time Warner Audio. 1-58621-203-6. $39.98. Cardboard, plastic; plot, reader notes. SA

L.A. Homicide Detective Harry Bosch has found yet another scattering of bones on a hillside in Laurel Canyon. This time, the victim appears to have been a male child who died at least 20 years ago. The procedure of tracking down who he was, how he died, and who killed him makes a person wonder how anyone could get away with anything. This 20-year-old tangle of events leads to more tragedy as a female rookie Bosch is involved with gets in her own way. As always, Connelly tells a compelling tale as once more Bosch applies his own strategies and resolve to track down the killer, no matter who is involved.

Fernandez is a skilled narrator who comfortably ranges through a variety of male and female voices, and between action and dogged detective work. One minor complaint that probably won't involve libraries that use special packaging: the box this comes in opens in too many places and cassettes will cascade everywhere. Mary L Purucker, Beverly Hills PL., Beverly Hills, CA