A Darkness More Than Night
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Michael Connelly |
| Products | Crime novel |
A Darkness More Than Night represents the tenth installment by American crime writer Michael Connelly; it is the seventh book to feature Los Angeles detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch and the second to include FBI profiler Terry McCaleb. Additionally, reporter Jack McEvoy (from The Poet) appears in a supporting capacity.
This novel, together with The Black Echo, served as source material for the 2017 third season of the television series Bosch, which stars Titus Welliver as Bosch.
Plot
Terry McCaleb, who now operates a fishing charter on Catalina Island alongside his partner Graciela Rivers and their baby daughter Cielo, is approached by sheriff's deputy Jaye Winston to assist in probing the ritualistic slaying of Edward Gunn. Evidence points toward LAPD detective Harry Bosch, a figure McCaleb is acquainted with from a prior investigation. Bosch also plays a pivotal role as a witness in a prominent murder case involving film director David Storey, accused of killing an actress and disguising the death as autoerotic asphyxiation. Reporter Jack McEvoy covers the proceedings.
Upon McCaleb alerting authorities about Bosch’s suspected involvement, Bosch arrives on Catalina to dispute these accusations and asks McCaleb to re-examine the case details. A parking citation suggests that Storey framed Bosch to undermine his credibility; however, a crucial post office surveillance recording is being erased and fails to provide usable proof.
Bosch and McCaleb pretend to have recovered data from the tape, prompting Rudy Tafero—Gunn’s actual murderer and former police officer who worked security for Storey—to target McCaleb. During the ensuing conflict, Bosch kills Rudy’s brother Jesse. Rudy avoids felony murder charges by providing evidence against Storey, who then consents to plead guilty. Nevertheless, McCaleb discovers that Bosch manipulated events by withholding information about Gunn’s murder and ends their renewed partnership. Subsequently, Bosch commits himself to starting anew.
Adaptation
The storyline of A Darkness More Than Night, along with elements from The Black Echo, was adapted into the third season of Bosch in 2017, featuring Titus Welliver in the lead role. In this adaptation, Jerry Edgar replaces McCaleb as the unofficial investigator of Gunn’s homicide, assisting LAPD detectives Jimmy Robertson and Rondell Pierce in their official inquiry. Character names were modified: David Storey becomes Andrew Holland, while prosecutor Janis Langweiser is renamed Deputy District Attorney Anita Benitez, who is also Bosch’s romantic partner. The narrative resolution differs as Rudy Tafero cooperates following Bosch leaking surveillance footage showing Jesse breaking into Gunn’s residence, leading to Jesse's arrest. Rudy then agrees to wear a wire to gather evidence against Holland. Edgar deduces that Bosch witnessed Gunn’s murder when Bosch references details about the Taferos’ vehicle before Rudy does—information not captured by the spy camera.
Awards
The book earned a nomination for the 2002 Barry Award in the "Best Novel" category.