LAPD homicide detective, Harry Bosch is on trial for the shooting of a suspect serial murderer. When the bones of a missing 13-year old boy are discovered on a local hillside, Bosch's own professional woes cannot compete with his need to find justice for this young victim. Working on the case also brings him into contact with Julia Brasher, a new recruit whose adventurous spirit sparks Bosch's interest.

The bones case leads Bosch and his partner J. Edgar to a convicted child molester who swears he knows nothing about the crime. Brasher and Bosch get to know each other better. At the same time, Bosch's superiors want him to just settle his ongoing court case.

Bosch and Edgar's investigation leads to a shocking and tragic result for the suspect they had been questioning, and the detectives begin to feel the weight of the collateral damage. As Bosch's own trial comes to a head, he is able to outmaneuver his formidable adversary, prosecuting attorney Honey Money Chandler. Bosch and Brasher's growing relationship turns more tumultuous under the pressures they both are confronting.

Bosch and Edgar dig into the sins of the parents as they investigate Arthur Delacroixs murder while Bosch's own failings seem to be forgiven by the system. The relief is short-lived though, as when Waits manages to escape, Bosch is left holding responsibility.

The LAPD kicks into high gear in search for killer Raynard Waits. Bosch turns his attention back to trying to unravel the mystery of what happened to Arthur Delacroix, but Waits has Bosch in his sights and begins a bloody game of cat and mouse with him.

Bosch's lieutenant and confidante Grace Billets convinces him to take advantage of the Christmas holiday to visit his daughter Maddie Buyt. When he returns to Los Angeles, Bosch immediately arrives to a maelstrom. Brasher questions Johnny Stokes, a former friend of Arthur Delacroix, but what had seemed like a simple witness questioning turns into a shooting.