The wrong side of goodbye (2016) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The plot focuses heavily on the pursuit of a serial rapist known as the 'Screen Cutter,' who targets women in their homes. While the acts aren't depicted graphically as they happen, the aftermath involves clinical and disturbing descriptions of sexual assault, specific fetishes involving women's undergarments, and the psychological profiling of a sexual predator. Detective Harry Bosch examines the way the suspect uses a screen cutter tool to invade private spaces, which adds a chilling, voyeuristic element to the…

Violence is gritty and realistic, common for the hardboiled detective genre and Michael Connelly’s trademark realism. Scenes include a character being shot during a tactical takedown, detailed descriptions of crime scene evidence like blood spatter, and the physical struggle inherent in making high-stakes arrests. Post-mortem examinations and medical details regarding old injuries, such as those sustained in the Vietnam War or in cold case murders, are described with procedural detachment. The threat of violence…

Strong language is used throughout, consistent with the gritty tone of adult crime fiction and police procedurals. Profanity includes frequent use of the f-word, 'shit,' 'asshole,' 'goddamn,' and other moderate expletives common in high-stress law enforcement environments. The dialogue reflects the rough, often cynical environment of the LAPD and the San Fernando PD, where characters use vulgarity to express frustration or camaraderie. While the language is frequent, it is never gratuitous and always serves to…

Social drinking occurs in several scenes as characters, particularly Bosch, unwind after long shifts with beer or wine. Harry is shown drinking Fat Tire beer at his home while reflecting on the Vance case, and there are mentions of characters meeting at bars for informal briefings. There is no significant pharmacological drug abuse or illegal narcotics trade central to the plot, though the pharmacological aspects of a crime are discussed. Specifically, the investigation explores how the 'Screen Cutter' might use…

Major themes include legacy, the permanence of the past, social inequality, and the pursuit of justice for victims who have been forgotten by the system. The narrative contrasts the immense wealth of billionaire Whitney Vance with the humble lives of those he left behind, exploring how money can both protect and isolate individuals. The book also explores Bosch's personal sense of isolation as a retired detective working as a private investigator and a volunteer for the San Fernando Police Department. His driving…