Bosch: Legacy Season 3 begins production (which Bosch book is it based on?)

Bosch: Legacy has just begun production on Season 3. Which of the Michael Connelly novels is it based on?

Bosch Season 7 -- Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video
Bosch Season 7 -- Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video

Bosch: Legacy has begun production on Season 3, but which of the many Harry Bosch books is it based on? Find out here!

It’s amazing that Prime Video is working on the tenth season of the adventures of Harry Bosch. Michael Connelly's cop has become a beloved character with his own series, which ran for seven seasons.

After it wrapped up, it moved to Bosch: Legacy with Titus Welliver back as Bosch, now working as a private eye while his daughter Maddie (Madison Lintz) was working as a rookie cop for the LAPD.

Season 2 ended on a dramatic note as Bosch managed to keep the FBI from going after him for murder. He and Chandler (Mimi Rogers) also proved a man’s innocence, with Chandler using the press attention to announce she was running for district attorney. 

The final scene had Maddie learning that Dockweiler, the man who abducted her earlier in the season, had been killed in prison. Answering her dad’s phone, Maddie heard Bosch’s frenemy Preston Borders saying he “took care” of Dockweiler as Bosch wanted him to. The season ended with Maddie asking what her father had done. 

That was a dramatic turn, so how will it play into Season 3?

What book is Bosch: Legacy Season 3 based on?

Michael Connelly himself shared the news on social media that Season 3 will be based on 2022’s novel Desert Star.

The novel teams Bosch with another Connelly character, LAPD detective Renee Ballard, who specializes in cold cases. Having briefly considered quitting the force, Renee is given a pass to take any case she wants. She and Bosch work together to solve the massacre of a family, a mystery that’s long haunted Bosch. 

Using this as the plot for Season 3 is interesting, as Prime Video has already ordered a full spin-off focusing on Ballard. Thus, this is likely how the series introduces her and lets audiences warm up to her before she gets her own show. 

The novel will form the backbone for the rest of the season, which will probably touch on if Bosch ordered a hit on his daughter’s kidnapper while Chandler prepares for a run at office. 

So far, there’s no word on who would be cast as Ballard. Interestingly, the audiobook for Desert Star is narrated by Welliver, with actress Christine Lakin as Ballard. 

While the casting is up in the air, this shows that Bosch: Legacy is set for an exciting Season 3 that will also help expand the Bosch universe more. 

Bosch: Legacy is available to stream on Freevee. Bosch is available to stream on Prime Video.