#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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I was hesitant at first when I started reading this book. The main character, Renee Ballard is unlike Michael Connelly’s other characters, Micky Halley and H. Bosch. It took a while for me to like Renee. I did by the end. The story was decent, a lot going on, a lot of characters. Everything came together by the end.
While this isn’t my favorite Michael Connelly book (I really enjoyed The Lincoln Lawyer), the plotting is superb, and the twists surprising. Definitely worth a read.
A new protagonist is introduced and we get clues about her throughout the book Excellent story about police work and the twists and turns in solving a case where the criminal has an inside advantage. Can’t wait to read another story with these characters. And Bosch!
Intriguing, readable, and worth investing time reading.
Michael Connelly is one of the world’s best suspense writers. His characters are wonderful, as are his story lines. I’ve read every one of his novels and can’t wait for the next one to come out. Highly recommended.
A great read from a great author, with plenty of plot twists, and great characters
Wow, this book had me from the first page. Meet Detective Renee Ballard, she works the night shift and it is not by choice. You will get to know many detectives in this story and they all work differently but you hope with the same outcome. Ballard gets involved in two cases one night and does not want to give either up, one involves a shooting at a night club that leaves 5 people dead at the club and her former partner dead the next morning. This book will keep glued to the pages.
Great reading, a new character for Mr Connelly, really looking forward to another.
Always love Harry Bosch and this one didn’t disappoint!
Excellent read by Michael Connelly
A really great new character! Connelly works hard at creating the hard-boiled atmosphere and then successfully immerses the reader in it. One of Connelly’s very best.
Michael Connelly is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite Connelly books. Love Renée Ballard and the other new characters. Can’t wait for their return in another adventure.
good read a page turner
As usual, Michael Connelly is a very engaging author. He fully develops Renee Ballard’s character and holds your interest throughout this novel. The Late Show is a riveting read from the first page to the last..
I really like the Bosch series. This no exception. If you have not read any, Detective Bosch is a thinking detective.
This is not a fights, guns and bombs type of murder mystery. His process of solving the mystery is analytical and entertaining and not always by following the rules.
Connelly always delivers a great read and Bosch is one of the best cop characters ever.
Count on a good read. Not full of swearing, good character development, not have graphic sex. He’s a good guy (the protaginist).
It’s great to read one of my favorite authors (the Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series) still on his game. He’s introduced a believable new woman LA Police detective and he continues to stay up on police jargon and culture. As a strong writer he also scared me in a shocking way I didn’t see coming. He also kept me guessing until the last page. I want more Renee Ballard books!
Classic Connolly. I like his new character, I hope to see more
I liked the introduction of new characters!