#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
I hope there will be a follow up story because this book is really good.
You can never go wrong with a Michael Connelly book – he is one of the best mystery/thriller writers ever. I have read all his books and never tire of them. He always has fresh twists and plots and unpredictable endings . 5 Stars for sure!
Great new character; hope this becomes a series.
Ballard was an interesting character. I hope if I ever need a detective I would get someone like her. Good story line.
Michael Connelly writes the best police procedurals around. Great plots and characters.
Always enjoy Michael Connelly!! This was no exception!!
Did not like the new character
First in new series. Great book, as are all of Michael Connelly’s books!!
Not as good as other Connelly books.
Connelly has a new detective and she is good.
Pretty good, but I missed Detective Bosch.
Great character. Would like to see more of her. If Harry Bosch had a little sister, this would be her.
Well written and told. I enjoy seeing the characters interaction and they are well developed.
I truly don’t believe this was written by Michael Connelly…clearly it was ghost written. The plot lines were never resolved with any answers as to why the crimes occurred. The female detective lead of the story is (get this) homeless, defiant, and unlikeable. The “author” used too many police abbreviations which are not commonly used and therefore unexplained. Even LAPD doesn’t operate in this disjointed a manner…Don’t buy, borrow this book.
Personal but realistic. Very human characters.
Michael Connelly has created another interesting character. Would love to see more stories based on this female cop.
I didn’t like the narrator of the Audible book or the way it was written
One of the best
Michael Connelly never disappoints and this new character is no exception. Appropriately cynical and tightly reasoned with ample detail. A must read.