Angels Flight (novel)

Angels Flight is a 1999 crime novel by Michael Connelly, featuring the Los Angeles Police Department detective Harry Bosch. It is the seventh novel in the Harry Bosch series.

The novel centers on the murder of Howard Elias, a prominent black lawyer known for his advocacy against police brutality, particularly in the case of the LAPD. Elias is found dead on Angels Flight, a historic funicular railway in downtown Los Angeles. Bosch is assigned to the case, which quickly becomes politically charged due to Elias's controversial reputation and the potential for racial tensions.

As Bosch investigates, he uncovers a complex web of connections involving the LAPD's Internal Affairs Division (IAD), various street gangs, and Elias's personal life. He faces challenges from within the department, including pressure to quickly solve the case and accusations of misconduct against him.

The investigation forces Bosch to confront his own biases and the deep-seated issues of race and corruption within the LAPD. The novel explores themes of justice, accountability, and the complexities of law enforcement in a diverse and often volatile urban environment. The title, Angels Flight, serves as both the location of the initial crime and a symbolic representation of the fall from grace experienced by various characters throughout the story.