The Late Show
By Michael Connelly
- Release Date: 2017-07-18
- Genre: Women Sleuths
Description
In this first installment of the Renée Ballard series, #1 bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces a "complicated and driven" young detective fighting to prove herself on the LAPD's toughest beat (The New York Times).
Renee Ballard works the midnight shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing few, as each morning she turns everything over to the daytime units. It's a frustrating job for a once up-and-coming detective, but it's no accident. She's been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor.
But one night Ballard catches two assignments she doesn't want to part with. First, a prostitute is brutally beaten and left for dead in a parking lot. All signs point to a crime of premeditation, not passion, by someone with big evil on his mind. Then she sees a young waitress breathe her last after being caught up in a nightclub shooting. Though dubbed a peripheral victim, the waitress buys Ballard a way in, and this time she is determined not to give up at dawn. Against orders and her partner's wishes, she works both cases by day while maintaining her shift by night.
As the investigations intertwine, Ballard is forced to face her own demons and confront a danger she could never have imagined. To find justice for these victims who can't speak for themselves, she must put not only her career but her life on the line.
Propulsive as a jolt of adrenaline and featuring a bold and defiant new heroine, The Late Show is yet more proof that Michael Connelly is "a master of the genre" (Washington Post).
Reviews
Great read
5By sipsey wildernessLoved this book. Renee Ballard a female version of Harry Bosch I love it!I kept guessing who the perpetrator was.
4By Sid 47Ballard is an admirable character.One of his best
5By Jean-Louis-DCRead it in one scoopWell done
5By Dreamin' StevenThe story pulls you along, with a tenacious detective whose job is not simple and whose direction is not clear. I keep waiting for her to give up, but….Loved this new character
5By MeohmyohmyI have read all the Bosch books and thoroughly enjoy all these books. I saw this book with Detective Ballard and took a chance. As always, the writing, plot, and characters were perfect. I hope that there will be more books forthcoming with Detective Ballard.Pure Joy of a Read!
5By hdcp 10.4I enjoy every one of Connelly’s books! Intense, realistic & imaginative. JDingusSlow to middlin’
4By Six rivers redStarted slow - almost stopped but got better with some nice twists to the endingMichael Connelly fan and book is why!
4By HydrophillicGreat book. Michael gives you enough information that I want to know what happens next. He’s good at not giving the whole story away. You’re never quite sure how the story is going to unfold and he has several threads running at the same time. Sometimes the story jumps a little bit and I miss the filler, but the story is so good that it’s OK.Yay, can’t wait for the next one
4By Dan DailyWell written story that I had very few clues about the ending. Love not knowing!Excellent title
5By SnorkelJackFast moving story, Michael Connelly is an excellent story teller. His experience with the police department allows you to visualize from the inside how crimes are solved. Another well written mystery thriller.