The Drop by Michael Connelly is a crime thriller that follows the story of Harry Bosch, a detective in the Los Angeles Police Department. The novel starts with the discovery of a body that had been buried for twenty years. It is believed that the victim was murdered during the riots that rocked the city in 1992.

Harry Bosch is a seasoned detective but is also a bit of a maverick. He joined the LAPD after serving in the Vietnam War, where he was part of a Special Forces unit that operated behind enemy lines. Bosch is known for being stubborn and for following his own instincts, even when they run counter to his superiors.

At the start of the novel, Bosch is working in the Open-Unsolved Unit, which investigates cold cases. He is assigned to the case of the body that was found buried in the woods. Bosch teams up with his partner, David Chu, to investigate the case. As they dig deeper into the investigation, they discover that the victim was a young man named Arthur Delacroix, who worked at a pharmacy.

The detectives soon learn that Delacroix had fallen into debt and was forced to work for the pharmacy's owner, a man with ties to organized crime. Bosch suspects that Delacroix's murder was a hit ordered by the pharmacy's owner. However, when they investigate the pharmacy owner, they find that he is already dead, having been killed in a shootout with the police a few years earlier.

Meanwhile, Bosch is also dealing with some personal issues. He is feeling his age and is contemplating retirement. He also learns that he has a daughter, Maddie, who he had never known about. Bosch is initially hesitant to get to know her, but over time, he comes to love her and is determined to make a connection with her.

With the investigation into Delacroix's murder at a dead end, Bosch is assigned to a new case. A powerful city councilman, Irvin Irving, has requested his help in investigating a case involving his son, George Irving. George has been accused of pushing a woman off a balcony and killing her. Irvin Irving is desperate to clear his son's name and is willing to use his political clout to ensure that Bosch and Chu get the resources they need.

Bosch and Chu start investigating the case and soon find evidence that George Irving is not the killer. They discover that the victim had been staying at a hotel, and that several of the hotel staff members had a motive to kill her. The detectives soon find the real killer, who confesses to the crime.

While investigating the Irving case, Bosch also makes progress on the Delacroix case. He learns that two detectives who worked for the pharmacy owner had been involved in Delacroix's murder. They had killed Delacroix to prevent him from turning state's witness against the pharmacy owner. Bosch tracks down the two detectives, and they are arrested.

In the end, Bosch is able to solve both cases. George Irving is exonerated, and the real killer is put behind bars. Bosch also receives closure on the Delacroix case and is able to bring the two corrupt detectives to justice. The novel ends with Bosch pondering his future and making plans to spend more time with his daughter.

In conclusion, The Drop is a thrilling crime novel that keeps the reader engaged throughout. Michael Connelly's skillful prose and attention to detail brings the story to life, and the character of Harry Bosch is a complex and multi-faceted hero who is both flawed and relatable. The novel offers insight into the workings of the LAPD and the complex web of corruption and crime that can exist within a large city. Overall, The Drop is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and police procedurals alike.