#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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Great new character
No one does law enforcement better than Michael Connolly. He must have shared a lot of after hours beers with friends at LAPD to understand cops like he does
Connelly now simply mailing it in and cashing checks.
Good story, new female protagonist for Connally. I prefer his Lincoln Lawyer books, though.
Big Michael Connely fan, This is not his best work.
I like this author, but I didn’t relate to the lead female character, a Hawaiian born surfer who had become a police detective as an adult. The story was original and somewhat unpredictable, just not my “cup of tea”.
If you like realistic investigation read this book!
A bit of a slow start but worth your time
This is an amazing book by Michael Connolly, It’s up there with the Lincoln Lawler and Harry Bosch…..RADARONE…..12-20-2017…..
Nobody writes a better mystery than Michael Connelly!
Great new character from a great author. Always a good read !
Readable but not up to the standard of the Bosch series
Introducing a new Michael Connelly character in the tradition of Harry Bosch. Relatable and readable.
What can you say about Mr. Connely. Top of the genra forever.
Good new, very original Michael Connelly character. I look forward to more stories told from a female police officer’s point of view.
I like the way Michael Connelly writes. This is a new character that I hope continues into a series. There were some things that seemed out of character, like a detective that sleeps in a tent at the beach. Otherwise, it kept my interest and was an easy read.
Another great character by Michael Connelly, this time a woman. Hope we see her again.
It’s not always easy to follow what’s happening in this recent Connelly procedural, but that’s the way he’s written it. The protagonist this time is Renée Ballard of the LAPD (natch). She’s personna non grata in the department because she accused her former Lieutenant of sexually harassing her and was not backed up by her partner. Now she works the Late Show, the late night shift. Her history with her present and former partners and her former superior are the context for this double manhunt. What is fascinating and well delineated by Connelly is the way a detective’s mind works. Also gripping is his command of LAPD procedures. Less gripping or convincing are Ballard’s relationships with her grandmother, her dog, and the surf. Still, I hope this is the start of a new series.
I am a Michael Connelly fan so I like most of his books. Big Harry Bosch fan.
I have read all of Connely’s books and have liked them all. I like his new character. She has an interesting back story. She also has some difficulty dealing with authority. I like characters with flaws, who make bad decisions and suffer the consequences, but are willing to pay that price. The story is compelling and watching it unfold keeps your attention.