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‘BOSCH’: One Of The Great Cop Shows You (Probably) Never Heard Of.

Posted on by Marc Avery

Back in 2017, after a successful book event in Silver Springs, Maryland, I returned home feeling quite pleased with the outcome. As I settled in, I turned on Amazon Prime and noticed an advertisement for a show called “Bosch.” The name was familiar to me as I had read a few of the novels adapted from the Michael Connelly book series. Intrigued, I clicked play. For the next five hours, I was completely absorbed in the episodes of Bosch, and over the following weeks, I eagerly devoured the entire season, as well as the preceding ones.

The Plot

The “Bosch” series revolves around Harry Bosch, a highly decorated detective known for his tendency to break rules. Despite this, Bosch never crosses the line into corruption. Throughout the series, he tackles a range of cases, from the murder of a prominent Hollywood producer to the pursuit of a serial killer targeting prostitutes in Los Angeles. Bosch’s dedication to his cases is personal, and he operates under the mantra “Everybody counts or nobody counts.” The show’s cases are intricately constructed, with a web of clues and unexpected turns that keep viewers guessing until the final moments.

The Characters

One of the standout features of “Bosch” is the show’s attention to its characters, both major and minor. Harry Bosch is a complex character whose troubled past continues to haunt him as he navigates his job as a detective. In addition to Bosch, the supporting cast is also well-developed, with characters like his partner, Jerry Edgar, Chief Irvin Irving, his daughter Madeline, his ex-wife, Eleanor, and his boss Lt. Grace Billets, all adding layers of depth and nuance to the series. Even bit characters, such as witnesses or suspects, receive attention and development, further contributing to the fully realized world of “Bosch.” The city of Los Angeles is a significant character in the series, second only to Harry, and its importance cannot be understated. As someone from the east coast, I enjoy witnessing the city’s highlights such as In-N-Out burger, The Capitol Building, Musso & Frank Grill, and more. Depending on the episode, the setting can be either glitzy or grimey, showcasing the city under several different lights. Harry and the city work in conjunction, and the series benefits greatly from this dynamic.

The Production

“Bosch” is a show that perfectly captures the gritty, noirish feel of its Los Angeles setting. The attention to detail in production design, such as the realistic depiction of crime scenes and police procedures, adds to the show’s authenticity. Each plot pits Bosch against a formidable foe, and just when you think he’s met his match, he surprises you. The variety of ways he escapes danger is believable and doesn’t require you to suspend disbelief.

There’s no wasted dialogue or scenes. Everyone has a purpose and the proper amount of screen time to justify their existence in the story. Even when characters meet at a diner, something is being plotted and strategized. It’s the small things, such as stakeouts, realism in the fight scenes, and actual solving of crimes that make the show so enjoyable and the tension palpable.

After finishing all 7 seasons, the arrival of “Bosch: Legacy” in 2022 was a thrill. The cycle continued, and after the conclusion of the first season’s 10th episode, the need for another season was overwhelming. The show’s setup allows it to continue on indefinitely, and the news of its continuation into the foreseeable future was a source of happiness. It’s my hope that more people will discover the greatness in the show that I’ve seen.

Overall, “Bosch” stands out as a cut above the rest of the police procedurals on television. It incorporates recognizable aspects of other shows, but the way it interweaves those components makes it unique. Titus Welliver was born to play Bosch, and I couldn’t imagine another actor breathing life into the character like he has. Whether you’re a fan of the books or simply looking for a new show to binge-watch, “Bosch” is a show worth investing your time in.

Thank you for reading,

Marc

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Remembering ‘BOSS’: The Chicago-based TV Show that Masterfully Depicted Power Struggles and City Politics.

Posted on by Marc Avery

For fans of political drama series, “Boss” is a must-watch TV show that aired on Starz from 2011 to 2012. Created by Farhad Safinia, the show explores the world of politics through the eyes of the fictional mayor of Chicago, Tom Kane, played by Kelsey Grammer. With its complex characters, intriguing plotlines, and excellent performances, “Boss” should’ve had a longer run in my opinion.

The Plot

The series follows Tom Kane, a powerful and ruthless politician who will do whatever it takes to maintain his grip on power. However, he is diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disease that threatens to derail his career as well as his personal life. Over the course of the series, Kane must navigate the dangerous waters of Chicago politics, while also battling his own health issues and personal demons.

The Characters

One of the strengths of “Boss” is its well-developed characters, each with their own motivations and flaws. Kelsey Grammer gives a standout performance as Tom Kane, a character who is both charismatic and terrifying. The supporting cast is equally strong, with actors like Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, and Jeff Hephner delivering nuanced performances. Even minor characters, such as political aides and reporters, are given attention and development, making the world of “Boss” feel lived-in, believable and authentic.

The Production

From the writing to the acting to the production design, “Boss” is a top-notch TV series. The show has a gritty, realistic feel that is perfectly suited to its political setting. The attention to detail in the production design, such as the realistic depiction of Chicago’s streets and landmarks, adds to the authenticity of the show. The performances by the cast, particularly Kelsey Grammer, are captivating and powerful.

For some reason the show failed to be a ratings darling and didn’t exactly pull the viewers in. With a show as rich and interesting as it was its baffling to me that it wasn’t more popular. This what the showrunner had to say about the show’s cancelation:

“After much deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with [a third season of] Boss,” Starz said in a statement Tuesday. “We remain proud of this award-winning show, its exceptional cast and writers, and are grateful to Kelsey Grammer, [creator] Farhad Safinia and our partners at Lionsgate TV.” 

I appreciated the two years I had with the show and was hopeful it would push forward, but that wasn’t to be. Every time I get nostalgic I stream the episodes on STARZ. Although I’ll never get a new episode, I’ll always cherish the old ones.

Overall, “Boss” is a TV series that is not to be missed. Its intricate plotlines, well-developed characters, and expertly executed production make it one of the best political drama series on TV. Whether you’re a fan of political drama or simply looking for a new show to binge-watch, “Boss” is definitely worth your time.

Thank you for reading,

Marc

Have You Ever Experienced Social Media Burnout?

Posted on by Marc Avery

In December 2020,

I wasn’t satisfied with my follower count. So, I decided to research ways to boost my engagement. I found the usual fluff articles about how to increase my numbers. A lot of this you’re already familiar with. Post 1-3 times everyday. Make impactful comments on people’s statuses. Then there’s the three E’s of social media: Educate, Entertain, and Eroticize.

I try to do two out of three. (Entertain and Educate) It all comes down to what people get from your content. I always wanna strike a balance between what I like to do and what people enjoy. It’s a very fine line to walk.

I would probably post 3–5 times a day on Instagram. And I noticed the engagement levels would spike. The analytics told me what posts did well and which ones didn’t. It also told me which times people were most active. (Which is very important)

You can gameplan all you want but sometimes the algorithm is all over the place. Sometimes things are random. And things are constantly changing and shifting within social media. What worked a couple of months ago might not be so impactful now. I’m always researching so I stay well informed.

In 2021, I posted on Instagram consistently and engaged with other accounts. I tried to offer meaningful commentary and most importantly I aimed to be social.

Sometimes account growth can be slow. Like mind-numbingly slow. I felt like visibility was the key to success. More posts mean more visibility right?

Yes and no.

Some posts just do better than others. There is no rhyme or reason for it. People follow you for different reasons. The major one is that they find value in what you post. They have to like you and your posts in some capacity.

These last few months my posts weren’t reaching the heights they once did and I couldn’t understand why. Then, last week I hit a brick wall. I couldn’t think of anything to post. More importantly, I didn’t feel like posting. For the first time in almost a year, I didn’t post a single thing for several days.

It felt good to not be up against any pressure. People might not talk about it, but it takes a lot out of you to consistently come up with new content. And when that content doesn’t resonate it sucks. Slowly but surely I’m learning to simply log off and spend less time on social media. (Easier said than done)

Scheduling is also a big thing because if I can batch content and post then I can focus my attention on other stuff…like writing.

Have you ever experienced social media burnout?

Don’t forget to text BOOKS to (917) 905–8801 to join my email list.

There will be giveaways, updates, sneak peeks, and more.

Thank you for reading.

-Marc

3 Marketing Questions For Authors #writingcommunity #amwriting

Posted on by Marc Avery

  1. What’s unique about your novel? Know what’s unique about your novel and exploit that. Use it to your advantage.
  2. Who is your target audience? Know your target audience and where they congregate. Meet them where they are.
  3. Do you have a team to help you? Build a team brick by brick. To experience true success you need a team of people who support you.

Don’t forget to text BOOKS to (917) 905-8801 to join my mailing list.

There will be giveaways, updates, sneak peeks, and more.

**For authors: When you join my mailing list I’ll send you a marketing plan template.

“Local” isn’t a dirty word.

Posted on by Marc Avery

As authors sometimes our goals are on a straight line:

Worldwide fame and notoriety. A lot of money.

As much as we would love to explode right to the top it doesn’t work that way. In order to be a national bestselling author you have to go through two preceding steps:

Being a local and regional author first.

Somewhere along the way the word local has become a dirty word. No one wants that word attached to their artistry. The thing about being local is every author has a starting point and that’s not a negative thing.

The trajectory of an author would be local ➡️ regional ➡️ national. Once every level is saturated you can go to the next one. None of the levels after local can be attained before you master the local scene.

Support indie booksellers and libraries by buying books online and checking out books at your local library.

Build a rapport with your community booksellers and readers. You should know their names and they should know yours. The further along you get in your journey the more people you met. The goal is to convert those people into supporters. Give them incentives to continue their support and let them know what they mean to your journey.

Those supporters will make up your distribution network. That distribution network will carry your future titles to success. All because you went from local, regional, to national.

Welcome.

Posted on by Marc Avery

I appreciate you visiting me here on my website. While you’re here feel free to look around and explore. I try to blog multiple times a week. If you enjoy the content don’t hesitate to Text BOOKS to (917) 905-8801 to join my email list. Or email me here: mqw184@gmail.com

Author Bio:

Philadelphia native Marc Avery is a a husband, father, entrepreneur and habitual coffee drinker with a great imagination and an awesome beard. His debut novel, Redemption Lost, is a story of risk, restitution, and retribution. Marc lives in Delaware with his wife and children. When he’s not working, or writing his new crime fiction series, you can probably find him at Starbucks drinking an iced latte.

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Why The Hell Isn’t New York Undercover Streaming Yet?

Posted on by Marc Avery

I know we have a lot of dope TV shows on the air right now, but Fox’s Thursday night trifecta of Living Single, Martin, and New York Undercover couldn’t be touched.

I watched the show faithfully right up until they killed Eddie off.

That stunt was unforgivable and they really tried to continue the show, too. The operative word being ‘tried’.

They bricked the attempt.

The show had an unforced coolness. It looked natural and the backdrop of New York City helped enhance the visual.

I wanted to go to Natalie’s like it existed in real life.

Andre Harrell and Dick Wolf seemed to fuse two worlds together perfectly.

I assumed that I would just cop the first three seasons and be a happy man.

NOPE.

The show has never appeared on DVD. It ain’t on Netflix. It ain’t on HULU. It’s barely in syndication.

Truth be told it pisses me off.

It was a great show and I hope sometime in the near future it gets a proper release to a streaming service or on DVD.

In the meantime I’ll keep listening to this.

Don’t forget to text BOOKS to (917) 905-8801 to join my email list.

There will be giveaways, updates, sneak peeks, and more.