#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces Renee Ballard, a fierce young detective fighting to prove herself on the LAPD’s toughest beat–the Late Show.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, … 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 heroien, The Late Show is yet more proof that Michael Connelly is “a master of the genre” (Washington Post).
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Good female protagonist. Hope this is followed by another good one with her.
I really enjoyed this new book by Michael Connelly. This had me hooked right up to the very end. The book took an unexpected turn which I didn’t see coming. Not at all what I was thinking. I’ve read all the Mickey Haller books and several about Harry Bosch. I enjoy reading Connelly’s works. I now am hooked on Detective Renee Ballard. Looking forward to reading more about the late show and Renee, who definitely has moxy.
Not disappointed it was not a Bosch book — but glad Hiero has some new blood in town! Delicious rainy day read!
Classic Michael Connelly. Good to have a new character to supplement the wait time between Harry Bosch books.
I love Michael Connelly’s characters and his plot twists. This book does not disappoint.
Michael Connelly can be counted on to continuously amaze his readers with thrilling and suspenseful novels. Each book, and I have read them all, is always over the top and now that some of his stories are on TV, his loyal fans can thoroughly enjoy seeing these stories acted out.
Excellent character development. Michael Connelly is still at the top of his game.
Excellent reading. Similar to Harry Bosch series but different. I hope there is another book with more information on Renee’s character and then it can build just like Harry’s character did.
Another first-rate Connelly police thriller with a great new hero. I’m looking forward to her next case.
It was a great start to this series. The characters were well developed and the story flowed nicely. It kept me entertained.
Grea cliff hanging ending. There will definitely be another book about a detective who works the night shift. A detective with many layers, like Harry Bosh, only a female detective.
I loved this book. Mr Connelly has written a new, complex character who works the night shift. I could relate because that’s what I did for years. I just don’t think she got enough sleep! And of course Los Angeles itself is a major character. I look forward to seeing more of her.
Renee Ballard is a great new character, driven in her own ways like Bosch. Michael Connelly has fascinated us with his characters and their cases for years. I’d certainly like to read more about Detective Ballard. She kept me up late.
Fantastic Ballard great action good story lots of action riveting.
Good vacation mystery
Love his books, read all of them. New hero (ine) tough lady! You’ll like her.
Nice to read a Michael Connelly book with a new character. Look forward to the next book. This was a little slow at times both in plot and in characterization but that won’t stop me for buying the next book. Much as I like Harry and Mickey it will be nice to have a female with attitude and a little history.
This is not my first book by the author…This is a writer. He continues to entertain, educate and amaze. He could probably make my wife’s grocery list interesting…
Story was good, but the narrator wasn’t. Halting delivery really detracted from the story.