The Blue Religion (2008)
Mystery Writers of America Presents The Blue Religion: New Stories about Cops, Criminals, and the Chase. Edited by Michael Connelly.
Nineteen original short stories — including a contribution by Michael Connelly — about riveting showdowns between cops and criminals.
From Hawaii at the turn of the twentieth century to the post-Civil War frontier, from smoggy Los Angeles to the woods of Idaho, these gripping stories trace the perils and occasional triumphs of lawmen and women who put themselves in harm’s way to face down the bad guys. Some of them even walk the edge of becoming bad guys themselves.
In T. Jefferson Parker’s “Skinhead Central,” an ex-cop and his wife find unexpected menace in the idyllic setting they have chosen for their retirement. In Alafair Burke’s “Winning,” a female officer who is attacked in the line of duty must protect her own husband from his worst impulses. In Edward D. Hoch’s “Friday Night Luck,” a wanna-be cop blows his chance at a spot on the force — and breaks his case. In Michael Connelly’s “Father’s Day,” Harry Bosch faces one of his most emotionally trying cases, investigating a young boy’s death.
This collection features stories from T. Jefferson Parker, John Harvey, James O. Born, Paula Woods, Jon L. Breen, John Buentello, Jack Frederickson, Leslie Glass, Persia Walker, Edward D. Hoch, Laurie R. King, Polly Nelson, Diana Hansen-Young, Peter Robinson, Greg Rucka, Bev Vincent, Paul Guyot, Alafair Burke, and Michael Connelly.
Michael Connelly’s story is called “Father’s Day,” featuring Harry Bosch.