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Renée Ballard #3
The Night Fire
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2019)Harry Bosch and LAPD Detective Renée Ballard come together again on the murder case that obsessed Bosch's mentor in this New York Times Best Crime Novel of the Year and Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist.
Back when Harry Bosch was just a rookie homicide detective, he had an inspiring mentor who taught him to take the work personally and light the fire of relentlessness for every case. Now that mentor, John Jack Thompson, is dead, and his widow gives Bosch a murder book, one that Thompson took with him when he left the LAPD twenty years before -- the unsolved killing of a troubled young man.
Bosch takes the murder book to Detective Renée Ballard and asks her to help him discover what about this crime lit Thompson's fire all those years ago. As she begins her inquiries -- while still working her own cases on the midnight shift -- Ballad finds aspects of the initial investigation that just don't add up.
The bond between Bosch and Ballard tightens as they become a formidable investigation team. And they soon arrive at a disturbing Did Thompson steal the murder book to work the case in retirement, or to make sure it never got solved?
Written with the intense pacing and masterful suspense that have made Michael Connelly "the hard-boiled fiction master of our time" (NPR), The Night Fire continues the unofficial partnership of two fierce detectives determined not to let the fire with burn out.
Back when Harry Bosch was just a rookie homicide detective, he had an inspiring mentor who taught him to take the work personally and light the fire of relentlessness for every case. Now that mentor, John Jack Thompson, is dead, and his widow gives Bosch a murder book, one that Thompson took with him when he left the LAPD twenty years before -- the unsolved killing of a troubled young man.
Bosch takes the murder book to Detective Renée Ballard and asks her to help him discover what about this crime lit Thompson's fire all those years ago. As she begins her inquiries -- while still working her own cases on the midnight shift -- Ballad finds aspects of the initial investigation that just don't add up.
The bond between Bosch and Ballard tightens as they become a formidable investigation team. And they soon arrive at a disturbing Did Thompson steal the murder book to work the case in retirement, or to make sure it never got solved?
Written with the intense pacing and masterful suspense that have made Michael Connelly "the hard-boiled fiction master of our time" (NPR), The Night Fire continues the unofficial partnership of two fierce detectives determined not to let the fire with burn out.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 22, 2019
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About the author
Michael Connelly
378 books35.3k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.
After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.
After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with over 30 more novels.
Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) .
Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael is one of the producers and writers of the TV show, “Bosch,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Michael lives with his family in Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida.
Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.
After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.
After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with over 30 more novels.
Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) .
Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael is one of the producers and writers of the TV show, “Bosch,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Michael lives with his family in Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,680 reviews
November 2, 2019
I have to preface this one by saying I am a big Connelly fan and hold him to a higher standard. That being said; I loved this book. I think the Ballard books are an amazing shift in the series and keeps the Bosh books fresh and alive. Ballard is a strong female character who is intelligent, self-motivating and fun to follow around while she tracks down her suspects.
Another thing I find amazing about this book are the secondary investigations that have nothing to do with the main plotline. With some author’s this would stop the forward motion of the story but Connelly is the master. His ancillary stories are so good they could carry the plot in their own novels.
Highly recommend.
Another thing I find amazing about this book are the secondary investigations that have nothing to do with the main plotline. With some author’s this would stop the forward motion of the story but Connelly is the master. His ancillary stories are so good they could carry the plot in their own novels.
Highly recommend.
September 12, 2019
Harry Bosch is one of my favorite detectives. And Renee Ballard is a worthy “partner”. The chapters alternate between the two. Here, they are re-examining a cold case from 20 years ago. Harry’s mentor has recently died. His widow found a murder book in his desk and hands it over to Harry. This is the case Harry and Renee partner on investigating. What’s unique is that it doesn’t appear the mentor had actually worked the case, either on the force or after his retirement. So, why did he have it?
One thing I always like about Connelly’s books is he never pretends a detective would just have a single case. Even Harry in retirement has multiple balls in the air.
Harry and Renee both search for the truth, but they also struggle with helping anyone on the defense side of things, a substory that is contained in Harry’s chapters as he helps Mickey Haller with a case. I appreciate that Connelly paints Renee as just as strong and intelligent a character as Harry. That said, they always come across as human. Several times, another character points something out to Renee and she realizes she should have picked up on it earlier.
With the actors that play Harry and Mickey firmly pictured in my head, I’m still trying to decide which actress should play Renee.
This is a great story that kept my interest throughout. I’ve got to give Connelly credit, the man continues to come up with fascinating, timely storylines.
I’ve read everything Connelly has written but I still think this book could easily be read as a standalone.
My thanks to netgalley and Little, Brown for an advance copy of this book.
One thing I always like about Connelly’s books is he never pretends a detective would just have a single case. Even Harry in retirement has multiple balls in the air.
Harry and Renee both search for the truth, but they also struggle with helping anyone on the defense side of things, a substory that is contained in Harry’s chapters as he helps Mickey Haller with a case. I appreciate that Connelly paints Renee as just as strong and intelligent a character as Harry. That said, they always come across as human. Several times, another character points something out to Renee and she realizes she should have picked up on it earlier.
With the actors that play Harry and Mickey firmly pictured in my head, I’m still trying to decide which actress should play Renee.
This is a great story that kept my interest throughout. I’ve got to give Connelly credit, the man continues to come up with fascinating, timely storylines.
I’ve read everything Connelly has written but I still think this book could easily be read as a standalone.
My thanks to netgalley and Little, Brown for an advance copy of this book.
April 12, 2020
Michael Connelly continues to pair Harry Bosch with his newest Detective Renee Ballard of LAPD's Late Show, the Hollywood police night shift, whilst bringing back lawyer, Mickey Haller, Harry's brother in this latest instalment. As a rookie cop, Bosch was mentored by John Jack Thompson, the man who instilled in him that every case and everyone matters, igniting the fire that drives a police detective to solve and close a case. Thompson is now dead, and Harry has come to pay his respects at his funeral. Thompson's wife gives Harry a murder book that Thompson had taken home, against all procedure, on a decades old murder of drug addict and ex-con John Hilton. Assuming that Thompson was working the case in his retirement, Bosch persuades Ballard to join him in working the cold case.
Ballard is called out to a fatal tent fire at night that kills a homeless man, Edison Banks Jnr, that looks like a tragic accident, that later proves to be anything but. However, the case is taken over by Robbery and Homicide, lead by Robert Olivas, responsible for Ballard's move to the Late Show, now looking for a quiet time until he retires, although he is looking for opportunities to reach a higher rank and better pension. Bosch has worries about the health issues he is facing that can be traced back to a long ago case, his concern is for his daughter, Maddie, whom he wants to ensure is financially secure and that her education is paid for. To this end, he asks Haller to fight for him and take his case on. Bosch is working as a private investigator on Haller's latest court trial, where he is defending Jeffrey Herstadt, who has confessed to murdering Superior Court Judge Walter Montgomery, and has left behind DNA evidence on the body. But is Herstadt really guilty of this heinous crime?
Once again Connelly gives us a tight and intricately plotted crime thriller, full of suspense and tension, and impressively researched with all the rich details of established legal and police procedures. The relationship between his protagonists, Bosch and Ballard, continues to develop as their trust in each other continues to grow. Both are lit by the fire within, the determination to get to the truth, even if they have to manipulate the circumstances to ensure they get a result. I am not sure for how much longer Connelly is going to be able to keep Bosch going, and it appears that he may well be laying the ground to reduce his future appearances. This continues to be a brilliant series, and the partnership of Bosch and Ballard is working out incredibly well, its remarkable how many characteristics the two of them have in common. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
Ballard is called out to a fatal tent fire at night that kills a homeless man, Edison Banks Jnr, that looks like a tragic accident, that later proves to be anything but. However, the case is taken over by Robbery and Homicide, lead by Robert Olivas, responsible for Ballard's move to the Late Show, now looking for a quiet time until he retires, although he is looking for opportunities to reach a higher rank and better pension. Bosch has worries about the health issues he is facing that can be traced back to a long ago case, his concern is for his daughter, Maddie, whom he wants to ensure is financially secure and that her education is paid for. To this end, he asks Haller to fight for him and take his case on. Bosch is working as a private investigator on Haller's latest court trial, where he is defending Jeffrey Herstadt, who has confessed to murdering Superior Court Judge Walter Montgomery, and has left behind DNA evidence on the body. But is Herstadt really guilty of this heinous crime?
Once again Connelly gives us a tight and intricately plotted crime thriller, full of suspense and tension, and impressively researched with all the rich details of established legal and police procedures. The relationship between his protagonists, Bosch and Ballard, continues to develop as their trust in each other continues to grow. Both are lit by the fire within, the determination to get to the truth, even if they have to manipulate the circumstances to ensure they get a result. I am not sure for how much longer Connelly is going to be able to keep Bosch going, and it appears that he may well be laying the ground to reduce his future appearances. This continues to be a brilliant series, and the partnership of Bosch and Ballard is working out incredibly well, its remarkable how many characteristics the two of them have in common. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
December 18, 2019
5 Fantastic Stars.
If you asked my friends who one of my favorite fictional characters was, I know for a fact that several would say “Harry Bosch.” I have a few favorites, truth be told, but Bosch is very near and dear to my heart. He’s been with me since the early 90’s when Michael Connelly first wrote “The Black Echo.” I’ve grown old with him and honestly feel like he’s a part of my family. Each year when a new Bosch novel comes out, I am both giddy with excitement and filled with trepidation, scared for what lies ahead. Bosch is like a piece of me and I can only hope that Michael Connelly will continue to write novels featuring his character for a long time to come.
Now for the good stuff:
As of late, Connelly has paired Bosch with Renee Ballard. Ballard is a Detective on the Late Show and she can more than hold her own. Bosch is now retired and mainly investigates cold cases. He’s still on reserve with the SFPD although he’s not working on any active cases.
Bosch is presently investigating a cold case - that of a young man who was killed in an alley which appears to be a drug deal gone wrong. The case was brought to his attention by the widow of his former mentor, John Jack Thompson. The murder book was found at Thompson’s home and was in Thompson’s possession for twenty years. Now it’s in the hands of Bosch and Ballard, with Ballard taking an active role in investigating the case.
Meanwhile, Ballard, working the Late Shift, finds herself on the scene where a homeless man died while in his tent overnight. Investigators are sure it’s arson and the case is transferred to Ballard’s nemesis and former Captain, Olivas. Ballard however, doesn’t want to let it go. For Ballard, perhaps the time is right to fight for what she wants.
In “The Night Fire” by Michael Connelly, Bosch and Ballard have perfected their roles as partners, as mentor and mentee and as friends. They play off each other well, stand up to each other and have each other’s back. It doesn’t get any better my friends.
This mystery / suspense included oh so many terrifying moments… moments where my heart caught and yes, I felt verklempt. It is Michael Connelly doing what he does best and I recommend it to fans of Harry Bosch, mystery/suspense novels and police procedural. I, for one, will keep tuning in to my favorite characters for as long as possible.
Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 12.16.19.
If you asked my friends who one of my favorite fictional characters was, I know for a fact that several would say “Harry Bosch.” I have a few favorites, truth be told, but Bosch is very near and dear to my heart. He’s been with me since the early 90’s when Michael Connelly first wrote “The Black Echo.” I’ve grown old with him and honestly feel like he’s a part of my family. Each year when a new Bosch novel comes out, I am both giddy with excitement and filled with trepidation, scared for what lies ahead. Bosch is like a piece of me and I can only hope that Michael Connelly will continue to write novels featuring his character for a long time to come.
Now for the good stuff:
As of late, Connelly has paired Bosch with Renee Ballard. Ballard is a Detective on the Late Show and she can more than hold her own. Bosch is now retired and mainly investigates cold cases. He’s still on reserve with the SFPD although he’s not working on any active cases.
Bosch is presently investigating a cold case - that of a young man who was killed in an alley which appears to be a drug deal gone wrong. The case was brought to his attention by the widow of his former mentor, John Jack Thompson. The murder book was found at Thompson’s home and was in Thompson’s possession for twenty years. Now it’s in the hands of Bosch and Ballard, with Ballard taking an active role in investigating the case.
Meanwhile, Ballard, working the Late Shift, finds herself on the scene where a homeless man died while in his tent overnight. Investigators are sure it’s arson and the case is transferred to Ballard’s nemesis and former Captain, Olivas. Ballard however, doesn’t want to let it go. For Ballard, perhaps the time is right to fight for what she wants.
In “The Night Fire” by Michael Connelly, Bosch and Ballard have perfected their roles as partners, as mentor and mentee and as friends. They play off each other well, stand up to each other and have each other’s back. It doesn’t get any better my friends.
This mystery / suspense included oh so many terrifying moments… moments where my heart caught and yes, I felt verklempt. It is Michael Connelly doing what he does best and I recommend it to fans of Harry Bosch, mystery/suspense novels and police procedural. I, for one, will keep tuning in to my favorite characters for as long as possible.
Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 12.16.19.
December 11, 2019
4.5 stars.
Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard return in another fantastic installment of Michael Connelly’s new series pairing two police detectives—one mostly retired, one fully immersed in her job—dogged in their pursuit of finding the truth.
When Bosch’s mentor from his early LAPD days dies, his widow gives Bosch the crime book from an unsolved murder 20 years earlier. Why did he have it all these years? Was he trying to solve the case, or was he trying to hide something? Why is a key piece of evidence blacked out in the murder book—was that from the original detectives or something Harry's mentor did?
Bosch teams up with Ballard to try and figure out what really happened—was it really just a drug deal gone wrong? Meanwhile, Ballard wants to stay on a case she was the first to respond to—a young, homeless man burned to death in his tent on the street—but it turns out there was more to this man than anyone realizes. But to get involved means tangling with her former supervisor, with whom she has a bad history.
As the two both work the cold case and Ballard tries to keep her hand in the fire investigation, Bosch also works on a third case, to try and find a murderer in an effort to ensure he didn’t help set one free. The bond between the two of them deepens, they have to confront their own issues, and realize the truth is not as clear as they thought.
Connelly is truly one of the best crime writers out there. I’ve always loved Bosch, and Ballard is a fantastic, complicated character, so their pairing is dynamic. There’s a lot going on here, so at times it got a little confusing, but Connelly’s writing brings you back into the story.
You can read this as a stand-alone or as part of the series. But if you like crime novels, you should check out his earlier Bosch novels. (There are so many of them!) You'll see what an amazing storyteller he is.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard return in another fantastic installment of Michael Connelly’s new series pairing two police detectives—one mostly retired, one fully immersed in her job—dogged in their pursuit of finding the truth.
When Bosch’s mentor from his early LAPD days dies, his widow gives Bosch the crime book from an unsolved murder 20 years earlier. Why did he have it all these years? Was he trying to solve the case, or was he trying to hide something? Why is a key piece of evidence blacked out in the murder book—was that from the original detectives or something Harry's mentor did?
Bosch teams up with Ballard to try and figure out what really happened—was it really just a drug deal gone wrong? Meanwhile, Ballard wants to stay on a case she was the first to respond to—a young, homeless man burned to death in his tent on the street—but it turns out there was more to this man than anyone realizes. But to get involved means tangling with her former supervisor, with whom she has a bad history.
As the two both work the cold case and Ballard tries to keep her hand in the fire investigation, Bosch also works on a third case, to try and find a murderer in an effort to ensure he didn’t help set one free. The bond between the two of them deepens, they have to confront their own issues, and realize the truth is not as clear as they thought.
Connelly is truly one of the best crime writers out there. I’ve always loved Bosch, and Ballard is a fantastic, complicated character, so their pairing is dynamic. There’s a lot going on here, so at times it got a little confusing, but Connelly’s writing brings you back into the story.
You can read this as a stand-alone or as part of the series. But if you like crime novels, you should check out his earlier Bosch novels. (There are so many of them!) You'll see what an amazing storyteller he is.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
November 25, 2019
Michael Connelly returns to continue the torch passing between two of his key police detectives, doing so in brilliant ways that will keep the reader talking for the foreseeable future. Harry Bosch is privy to an unexpected gift when attending the post-funeral party of his first partner at the LAPD. A murder book from a case back in 1990 holds much, though it would appear nothing has been done in almost three decades. He brings this nugget to Renée Ballard, his quasi-partner, who continues to light it up within the LAPD on her night shift. Working off the books together, they pry into the past and seek to determine who might have shot John Hilton, a homeless drug addict. While not an heir to the hotel fortune, Bosch and Ballard work the case as they would any other, looking into gang ties and other clues that drop at their feet. In a case from so long ago, it is hard to find those who might remember, or choose to share. While juggling the case, both find themselves caught up in some other work. Bosch is brought in by flashy defence attorney—and his half-brother—Mickey Haller, to find the killer of a judge. Haller is sure his client is being used as a scapegoat, though the evidence is strong. Ballard finds herself looking into many cases on the ‘late show’, including a fire that killed a homeless man in his make-shift tent home. While the Hilton case gains a little steam, Bosch and Ballard will have to do whatever they can, as gangs are lifelong and bringing up old skirmishes have a way of angering people anew. A wonderful addition to the series that sees Ballard stealing more of the limelight in what could be a significant change for series fans. Recommended to those who love a gritty police procedural, as well as the reader who has long enjoyed Bosch in all his permutations.
I can usually count on Michael Connelly to come up with a strong story when Harry Bosch is involved. I can now say that Renée Ballard fits that statement as well, as she seems to be a ‘Bosch-lite’, but still just as determined. This new partnership is working well and keeps the story moving at a fast pace. Ballard continues to be a star on the night shift, pushing through cases and working as hard as can be, but also finding time to dig through old cases with her quasi-partner/mentor Bosch. Her backstory remains unchanged, but she seems to be creating more of a name for herself, which is helpful as the series looks to be moving towards her as the sole protagonist. Connelly lobs a bomb of sorts for the attentive reader, as they learn more about Bosch and what awaits him. Could this be a way of moving away from the star detective and making room for Ballard to have a solo career? Only time will tell. With a brief appearance by Mickey Haller, some readers—myself included—may pine for more Haller-centred novels, which could surely keep Bosch working. That being said, I love these crime thrillers, no matter which angle—police or lawyer—takes centre stage. The story was strong and kept me curious throughout. The banter between the two protagonists is further enshrined as Connelly uses first-person narratives for each of them, providing insight and first-hand knowledge as the plot thickens. A mix of chapter lengths keeps the reader guessing which twist awaits, though there is surely no limit to the action and intensity. I have come to enjoy Ballard as she seems to take over the storyline, though have come to see that Bosch’s 22nd novel sees him as gritty as ever, which I hopes does not end too soon.
Kudos, Mr. Connelly, for another wonderful piece. You bring your stories and characters to life in these novels and I hope you have many more ideas in the near future.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I can usually count on Michael Connelly to come up with a strong story when Harry Bosch is involved. I can now say that Renée Ballard fits that statement as well, as she seems to be a ‘Bosch-lite’, but still just as determined. This new partnership is working well and keeps the story moving at a fast pace. Ballard continues to be a star on the night shift, pushing through cases and working as hard as can be, but also finding time to dig through old cases with her quasi-partner/mentor Bosch. Her backstory remains unchanged, but she seems to be creating more of a name for herself, which is helpful as the series looks to be moving towards her as the sole protagonist. Connelly lobs a bomb of sorts for the attentive reader, as they learn more about Bosch and what awaits him. Could this be a way of moving away from the star detective and making room for Ballard to have a solo career? Only time will tell. With a brief appearance by Mickey Haller, some readers—myself included—may pine for more Haller-centred novels, which could surely keep Bosch working. That being said, I love these crime thrillers, no matter which angle—police or lawyer—takes centre stage. The story was strong and kept me curious throughout. The banter between the two protagonists is further enshrined as Connelly uses first-person narratives for each of them, providing insight and first-hand knowledge as the plot thickens. A mix of chapter lengths keeps the reader guessing which twist awaits, though there is surely no limit to the action and intensity. I have come to enjoy Ballard as she seems to take over the storyline, though have come to see that Bosch’s 22nd novel sees him as gritty as ever, which I hopes does not end too soon.
Kudos, Mr. Connelly, for another wonderful piece. You bring your stories and characters to life in these novels and I hope you have many more ideas in the near future.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
January 15, 2020
I am thankful that Goodreads friends got me back to reading the Harry Bosch series, and in turn starting the new Renee Ballard series. This is the 3rd of the Ballard installments that the two have worked together and they make a formidable team.
After the death of Harry Bosch’s mentor, his wife gives Bosch a murder book that has been in her husband’s possession for years. Bosch seeks Ballard’s assistance in looking into the 20 year old murder case as she is on the LAPD staff and he is not. The big question, however, is why did his mentor have this in his possession? Was it to solve the case or to hide the murder book so no one else would take an interest?
As always, the Bosch and Ballard team take the reader down an interesting and intriguing path to solve the old case. These books are consistently of a high standard and always a pleasure to read. I prefer listening to the audiobook as Titus Welliver narrates along with Christine Lakin. I’m also a fan of the Amazon Prime series, Bosch, which Welliver stars in.
A solid 5 out of 5 stars
After the death of Harry Bosch’s mentor, his wife gives Bosch a murder book that has been in her husband’s possession for years. Bosch seeks Ballard’s assistance in looking into the 20 year old murder case as she is on the LAPD staff and he is not. The big question, however, is why did his mentor have this in his possession? Was it to solve the case or to hide the murder book so no one else would take an interest?
As always, the Bosch and Ballard team take the reader down an interesting and intriguing path to solve the old case. These books are consistently of a high standard and always a pleasure to read. I prefer listening to the audiobook as Titus Welliver narrates along with Christine Lakin. I’m also a fan of the Amazon Prime series, Bosch, which Welliver stars in.
A solid 5 out of 5 stars
August 1, 2020
4.5 stars rounded down for another great police procedural by Michael Connelly. All of of Connelly's books just flow so evenly as you are caught up in the ongoing cases. In this book, Bosch, now retired from LAPD, again teams up with LAPD Detective Renee Ballard as they work on 2 separate cases that converge at the end of the story. Although this book is 405 pages, I sped through it in 4 days.
Ballard's case is a homeless man who is burned to death in what initially appears to be an accident. Bosch's case starts when he goes to the graveside funeral of his mentor, John Jack Thompson. Thompson's wife asks him to come to her house. She tells him that she has something from John for him. It is a murder book from an unsolved 30 year old murder case. Thompson took the murder book with him when he retired in 2000. A LAPD murder book has all the information complied by the detectives who worked the case. It was illegal for Thompson to take it home and keep it for almost 20 years.
If you like police procedurals, this is one of the best series available.
This was a library book.
Ballard's case is a homeless man who is burned to death in what initially appears to be an accident. Bosch's case starts when he goes to the graveside funeral of his mentor, John Jack Thompson. Thompson's wife asks him to come to her house. She tells him that she has something from John for him. It is a murder book from an unsolved 30 year old murder case. Thompson took the murder book with him when he retired in 2000. A LAPD murder book has all the information complied by the detectives who worked the case. It was illegal for Thompson to take it home and keep it for almost 20 years.
If you like police procedurals, this is one of the best series available.
This was a library book.
November 29, 2019
Ballard and Bosch. Has a nice ring to it, a partnership formed, a detecting duo extradordinaire.
Bosch, now in his seventies, is recovering from a knees surgery, is Connelly's long running detective. A character that I respect, I mean who can't love a man/cop whose motto is, "Everybody counted, or nobody counted." Ballard is a young detective, on the night shift or late show in police limbo. She has already run into the politics of being on the job, young and good looking, she is on this shift because she refused to play well with others. Her life and back story is interesting in a different way. She and Bosch met up during a cold case, she has access that Bosch no longer has, not really being attached to any police division.
Those are the two lead characters, now for the detecting part. A murder book left on the desk of a recently retired police captain, Bosch's friend and mentor, brings the duo together again. There are also side crimes, crimes seldom make an appearance alone. Connelly's plots are always interesting, diverse, and I enjoy following how the clues, the cases are put together. This one is a doozy and I never guessed where it would lead. I just hope the author keeps Bosch around for a while longer. I like Ballard but I'm not quite ready to let go of Bosch. I hope the author feels the same.
ARC from Netgalley
Bosch, now in his seventies, is recovering from a knees surgery, is Connelly's long running detective. A character that I respect, I mean who can't love a man/cop whose motto is, "Everybody counted, or nobody counted." Ballard is a young detective, on the night shift or late show in police limbo. She has already run into the politics of being on the job, young and good looking, she is on this shift because she refused to play well with others. Her life and back story is interesting in a different way. She and Bosch met up during a cold case, she has access that Bosch no longer has, not really being attached to any police division.
Those are the two lead characters, now for the detecting part. A murder book left on the desk of a recently retired police captain, Bosch's friend and mentor, brings the duo together again. There are also side crimes, crimes seldom make an appearance alone. Connelly's plots are always interesting, diverse, and I enjoy following how the clues, the cases are put together. This one is a doozy and I never guessed where it would lead. I just hope the author keeps Bosch around for a while longer. I like Ballard but I'm not quite ready to let go of Bosch. I hope the author feels the same.
ARC from Netgalley
October 20, 2019
The Night Fire by the brilliant Michael Connelly is the third book that sees Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard working together. Harry Bosch is without a doubt my favourite character and crime series. Harry has been working for a long time and is getting on in years so the introduction of Renee is a smart way to keep the series going. She is young and like Harry she never gives up. Harry has always believed "Everybody counts or nobody counts" and this comes through in every case that he works and he is instilling this belief into his new "partner" Renee.
I have read everything that that Michael Connelly has written and never get tired of his characters. A new Harry Bosch book is like coming home. It is always exciting to see what he is going to get involved in this time and which path his life is going to take. He is now a retired detective but seems to be busier than ever. In this book he has multiple cases going on as well as his own health issues and keeping an eye on his daughter Maddie who is about to graduate.
The first case is a cold case of the murder of a young kid John Hilton. This case is handed to him in the the form of a murder book, left behind by his old mentor from when he was a rookie, John Jack Thompson. At the funeral for his old colleague his widow gives him the book. After reading through it he gives it to Renee. He knows that it will intrigue her as much as it does him and the pair start to work the case.
He is also helping his brother in law Mickey Haller, otherwise known as The Lincoln Lawyer. Mickey is on the case of a murdered judge and believes that his client is innocent. Bosch also confides in him what is going on with him personally and asks for his help.
And then Renee, working the Late Show has a case of a homeless man who has died when his tent caught fire and nobody saw anything. She can't leave it as an accident, determined to find out who did this and why.
Told in chapters from both Bosch and Ballard points of view, The Night Fire is another fantastic addition to the Harry Bosch Universe. Lovers of this series will love this but also new comers will be sucked into the story and want to read more.
I can't recommend this series more and if you can't tell from my review I absolutely loved it. I am really looking forward to seeing Michael Connelly in Sydney in November and hearing him talk about all things Bosch.
Easily 5 stars and one of the best books that I have read this year.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read. I feel deeply honoured to be able to review a book from my favourite author, so thank you.
I have read everything that that Michael Connelly has written and never get tired of his characters. A new Harry Bosch book is like coming home. It is always exciting to see what he is going to get involved in this time and which path his life is going to take. He is now a retired detective but seems to be busier than ever. In this book he has multiple cases going on as well as his own health issues and keeping an eye on his daughter Maddie who is about to graduate.
The first case is a cold case of the murder of a young kid John Hilton. This case is handed to him in the the form of a murder book, left behind by his old mentor from when he was a rookie, John Jack Thompson. At the funeral for his old colleague his widow gives him the book. After reading through it he gives it to Renee. He knows that it will intrigue her as much as it does him and the pair start to work the case.
He is also helping his brother in law Mickey Haller, otherwise known as The Lincoln Lawyer. Mickey is on the case of a murdered judge and believes that his client is innocent. Bosch also confides in him what is going on with him personally and asks for his help.
And then Renee, working the Late Show has a case of a homeless man who has died when his tent caught fire and nobody saw anything. She can't leave it as an accident, determined to find out who did this and why.
Told in chapters from both Bosch and Ballard points of view, The Night Fire is another fantastic addition to the Harry Bosch Universe. Lovers of this series will love this but also new comers will be sucked into the story and want to read more.
I can't recommend this series more and if you can't tell from my review I absolutely loved it. I am really looking forward to seeing Michael Connelly in Sydney in November and hearing him talk about all things Bosch.
Easily 5 stars and one of the best books that I have read this year.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read. I feel deeply honoured to be able to review a book from my favourite author, so thank you.
August 18, 2021
Bosch sigue colaborando en esta nueva entrega con Ballard, aunque los dos van un poco por libre. Ya sabemos que nuestro querido detective se retiró, pero no por ello ha dejado de ser un sabueso. En esta novela, de hecho, acaba de ser operado de la rodilla y necesita la ayuda de un bastón, pero no ha perdido su olfato para resolver casos que aún siguen pendientes.
“The night fire”, empieza cuando fallece su antiguo compañero y mentor, dejando el dossier de un crimen sin resolver desde hace 30 años en manos de Bosch, suponiendo que este sabrá lo que hacer con él. Simultáneamente, Ballard acude al incendio de una tienda de campaña en un refugio para los sintecho, en el que fallece una persona que, paradójicamente, había heredado una buena fortuna, aunque nunca llegó a saberlo. Podría ser suicidio, pero todo indica que podría haber otras motivaciones detrás de su muerte. Y, además, tenemos el caso de un juez apuñalado a la puerta del juzgado, y un presunto culpable que será defendido por nada menos que Mickey Haller (el hermanastro de Bosch y famoso abogado del Linconl).
Todo ello, y a todos ellos, los veremos juntos y por separado en esta nueva soberbia entrega de Connelly. Tres casos que irán convergiendo de forma gradual y fluida por la maestría infinita del autor, que sabe describir una minuciosa investigación policial de forma convincente y muy entretenida. Y, además, ha conseguido que mi reticencia por Ballard, con la que todavía no he empatizado del todo, haya disminuido considerablemente. Quizás a Bosch ya no le quede mucho por dar, pero a Connelly, si sigue en la misma onda, le queda mecha para rato.
“The night fire”, empieza cuando fallece su antiguo compañero y mentor, dejando el dossier de un crimen sin resolver desde hace 30 años en manos de Bosch, suponiendo que este sabrá lo que hacer con él. Simultáneamente, Ballard acude al incendio de una tienda de campaña en un refugio para los sintecho, en el que fallece una persona que, paradójicamente, había heredado una buena fortuna, aunque nunca llegó a saberlo. Podría ser suicidio, pero todo indica que podría haber otras motivaciones detrás de su muerte. Y, además, tenemos el caso de un juez apuñalado a la puerta del juzgado, y un presunto culpable que será defendido por nada menos que Mickey Haller (el hermanastro de Bosch y famoso abogado del Linconl).
Todo ello, y a todos ellos, los veremos juntos y por separado en esta nueva soberbia entrega de Connelly. Tres casos que irán convergiendo de forma gradual y fluida por la maestría infinita del autor, que sabe describir una minuciosa investigación policial de forma convincente y muy entretenida. Y, además, ha conseguido que mi reticencia por Ballard, con la que todavía no he empatizado del todo, haya disminuido considerablemente. Quizás a Bosch ya no le quede mucho por dar, pero a Connelly, si sigue en la misma onda, le queda mecha para rato.
April 25, 2021
Retired L.A.P.D. homicide detective Harry Bosch again teams up with Detective Renee Ballard in another entertaining novel from Michael Connelly. After Bosch attends the funeral of John Jack Thompson, the detective who mentored him as a rookie, Thompson's widow presents him with a murder book that Thompson had taken with him when he left the force years ago. The case involved the murder of a young man who was apparently killed in a drug deal gone bad twenty years earlier. But why did Thompson take the murder book, especially when it doesn't appear that he had ever done any work on the case in the years since his retirement? The mystery--and the murder--now belong to Bosch.
Meanwhile, Harry's half brother, attorney Mickey Haller, is representing a man accused of murdering a judge. The case against Haller's client seems like a slam-dunk, but Bosch attends the trial one afternoon and notices something amiss that apparently hasn't occurred to anyone else. Naturally, he'll have to dig into this case too.
Finally, Renee Ballard is, as usual, working the "Late Show," the L.A.P.D.'s overnight shift, when she gets a call about a homeless man who has apparently fallen asleep, kicked over a lantern, and burned himself to death. Ballard is curious, though, about the circumstances surrounding the man's death and begins digging into it. She also begins working with Bosch on the cold case involving the apparent drug killing.
The story alternates between Bosch's point of view and Ballard's, and as the three investigations progress, things get increasingly complex and dangerous as well. This is another taut, gripping story from Connelly. All three of the cases are interesting, and it's especially fun to watch the evolving relationship between Bosch and Ballard. There's lots of action and another great climax--all in all, a very good read.
Meanwhile, Harry's half brother, attorney Mickey Haller, is representing a man accused of murdering a judge. The case against Haller's client seems like a slam-dunk, but Bosch attends the trial one afternoon and notices something amiss that apparently hasn't occurred to anyone else. Naturally, he'll have to dig into this case too.
Finally, Renee Ballard is, as usual, working the "Late Show," the L.A.P.D.'s overnight shift, when she gets a call about a homeless man who has apparently fallen asleep, kicked over a lantern, and burned himself to death. Ballard is curious, though, about the circumstances surrounding the man's death and begins digging into it. She also begins working with Bosch on the cold case involving the apparent drug killing.
The story alternates between Bosch's point of view and Ballard's, and as the three investigations progress, things get increasingly complex and dangerous as well. This is another taut, gripping story from Connelly. All three of the cases are interesting, and it's especially fun to watch the evolving relationship between Bosch and Ballard. There's lots of action and another great climax--all in all, a very good read.
January 1, 2020
The Renee Ballard series gets better with each story. The depth of her character development is on point. 9 of 10 stars
December 3, 2019
I am a fan of Michael Connelly. I have read many of Harry Bosch’s books. I read the first book of the new series with Renee Ballard, but somehow missed the second book of the series. This book is the third of the series.
The book is well written. Connelly has Bosch working on three cases. One is a cold case that a wife of a recently dead colleague gave him the murder book she had at home. The next case is with Renee about a dead homeless man and the third one is with Micky Haller. What is not to like about a story with three great characters. It was fascinating to see how he weaved the cases around each other and together. The book is a bit slow in getting starting, but then took off. I am looking forward to the next episode.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audiobook. The book is ten hours and four minutes. Titus Welliver and Christine Lakin do a good job narrating the book. Titus Welliver is an actor; he plays Harry Bosch on a T.V. series by Amazon. He has won an Earphone Award. Christine Lakin is an actress and has won an Earphone Award for her audiobook narration.
The book is well written. Connelly has Bosch working on three cases. One is a cold case that a wife of a recently dead colleague gave him the murder book she had at home. The next case is with Renee about a dead homeless man and the third one is with Micky Haller. What is not to like about a story with three great characters. It was fascinating to see how he weaved the cases around each other and together. The book is a bit slow in getting starting, but then took off. I am looking forward to the next episode.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audiobook. The book is ten hours and four minutes. Titus Welliver and Christine Lakin do a good job narrating the book. Titus Welliver is an actor; he plays Harry Bosch on a T.V. series by Amazon. He has won an Earphone Award. Christine Lakin is an actress and has won an Earphone Award for her audiobook narration.
October 31, 2019
The Night Fire is a slightly below average Bosch novel.
This is the third team-up between Bosch and Ballard. it seems quite obvious that Bosch is on the way out and Ballard is shaping up to be his replacement.
The story has multiple cases and while these cases are fine, it does feel a bit contrived at places. Random deus ex machina that tie plot points together etc.
I liked The Night Fire but it left me nostalgic for the earliest Bosch stories which were superb
This is the third team-up between Bosch and Ballard. it seems quite obvious that Bosch is on the way out and Ballard is shaping up to be his replacement.
The story has multiple cases and while these cases are fine, it does feel a bit contrived at places. Random deus ex machina that tie plot points together etc.
I liked The Night Fire but it left me nostalgic for the earliest Bosch stories which were superb
February 5, 2020
Bosch is now retired – again – and is handed a murder book by the wife of a recently deceased ex-colleague who was a mentor to him in his early days as a junior homicide detective with the LAPD. The unsolved case detailed in the file relates to the murder of a young man, some twenty years ago. Why had this file been taken home by his old friend when he retired from the force? It’s not clear, but Bosch intends to spend some time taking a look at the case, if for no other reason than to sate his curiosity. At the same time, he has some personal issues on his mind: a man breaking into rooms in his daughters building near her university and some health issues of his own that have recently come to light.
Meanwhile, Ballard attends a call-out relating to the burning to death of a homeless man in his tent. She and Bosch had previously agreed that they would share information and team up to work cases, so it’s not long before they’re filling each other in on the details of what they are working on and kicking around thoughts on how best to proceed. There are, of course, plenty of complications: Ballard still has ‘the badge’ and with that comes access denied to Bosch. The experienced ex-detective is hamstrung by his lack of official access to the tools of the LAPD and is also persona non grata in some quarters, courtesy of his unpleasant exit from the force in the midst of an ongoing disciplinary case. But Bosch has never been afraid of bending a few rules, in his obsessive drive to take bad people off the streets – and where there’s a will there’s a way.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but it feels like Ballard is getting to sound and act more like Bosch these days. There’s an intensity and a lack of humour about her that mirrors her informal partner. That said, they do work together well and this time as they start to make headway on their respective cases certain commonalities start to become evident. It’s all very well done, as you’d expect from this excellent series, though if I have a slight grumble it’s that there’s a degree of coincidence that feels a little unlikely and sometimes it feels as though everyone is spinning just a few too many plates. But I refuse to see too many downsides here, I just love the way Connelly tells his stories and I find it hard to think of many (if any) characters I’d rather spend time with than Harry Bosch.
I listened to this book on audio, read by Titus Welliver as Bosch and with Christine Lakin as Ballard. Welliver is, of course, the actor who plays Bosch in the Amazon television serialisation of Connelly’s novels and at the start of this book a dedication is read out on behalf of the author thanking him for ‘breathing life into Bosch’. I like the continuity between the television and audio depictions of Bosch. And I believe that Welliver really does capture the essence of the man: his voice, his manner and (in the television series) his body language just feel right.
Bring on the next Bosch episode – it's still the most polished crime fiction series I’ve come across.
Meanwhile, Ballard attends a call-out relating to the burning to death of a homeless man in his tent. She and Bosch had previously agreed that they would share information and team up to work cases, so it’s not long before they’re filling each other in on the details of what they are working on and kicking around thoughts on how best to proceed. There are, of course, plenty of complications: Ballard still has ‘the badge’ and with that comes access denied to Bosch. The experienced ex-detective is hamstrung by his lack of official access to the tools of the LAPD and is also persona non grata in some quarters, courtesy of his unpleasant exit from the force in the midst of an ongoing disciplinary case. But Bosch has never been afraid of bending a few rules, in his obsessive drive to take bad people off the streets – and where there’s a will there’s a way.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but it feels like Ballard is getting to sound and act more like Bosch these days. There’s an intensity and a lack of humour about her that mirrors her informal partner. That said, they do work together well and this time as they start to make headway on their respective cases certain commonalities start to become evident. It’s all very well done, as you’d expect from this excellent series, though if I have a slight grumble it’s that there’s a degree of coincidence that feels a little unlikely and sometimes it feels as though everyone is spinning just a few too many plates. But I refuse to see too many downsides here, I just love the way Connelly tells his stories and I find it hard to think of many (if any) characters I’d rather spend time with than Harry Bosch.
I listened to this book on audio, read by Titus Welliver as Bosch and with Christine Lakin as Ballard. Welliver is, of course, the actor who plays Bosch in the Amazon television serialisation of Connelly’s novels and at the start of this book a dedication is read out on behalf of the author thanking him for ‘breathing life into Bosch’. I like the continuity between the television and audio depictions of Bosch. And I believe that Welliver really does capture the essence of the man: his voice, his manner and (in the television series) his body language just feel right.
Bring on the next Bosch episode – it's still the most polished crime fiction series I’ve come across.
August 6, 2024
This is the 3rd book in the Renee Ballard series and some big number in the Harry Bosch series, published in 2019. I'm slowly getting caught up in this series. Uh oh, I just noticed that Book 6 is being released in October so I better get reading.
Harry's mentor, John Jack Thompson, is dead, but after his funeral his widow hands Bosch a murder book that Thompson took with him when he left the LAPD 20 years before - the unsolved killing of a troubled young man in an alley used for drug deals. Bosch brings the murder book to Renée Ballard and asks her to help him find what lit Thompson's fire all those years ago.
It's really hard to find anything wrong with a Connelly novel and this is no exception. Another well-written addition to the series with excellent plot lines, not just the 20 year old murder, and many characters that you will either love or hate. Bosch is recovering from knee surgery and I really like how the author is allowing him to age as the series progresses.
My thanks to the London Public Library for the loan of this book and to my husband for putting it on his library card for me!
Harry's mentor, John Jack Thompson, is dead, but after his funeral his widow hands Bosch a murder book that Thompson took with him when he left the LAPD 20 years before - the unsolved killing of a troubled young man in an alley used for drug deals. Bosch brings the murder book to Renée Ballard and asks her to help him find what lit Thompson's fire all those years ago.
It's really hard to find anything wrong with a Connelly novel and this is no exception. Another well-written addition to the series with excellent plot lines, not just the 20 year old murder, and many characters that you will either love or hate. Bosch is recovering from knee surgery and I really like how the author is allowing him to age as the series progresses.
My thanks to the London Public Library for the loan of this book and to my husband for putting it on his library card for me!
October 16, 2019
4.5★s
The funeral for John Jack Thompson was a sad one, especially for Harry Bosch. Thompson had taught Bosch a lot over the years as his mentor; when he’d retired Bosch had kept in contact. But it was the murder book that Thompson’s widow handed Bosch after it was all over that started the collaboration between Bosch and LAPD Detective Renee Ballard as they tried to solve a cold case from over twenty years prior.
Ballard was a detective on the Late Show; midnight to dawn. It was initially a punishment for her, but she’d found her niche and enjoyed her hours when most others were asleep and only the criminals operated. The case that Thompson had held onto – that no one knew about – intrigued both Ballard and Bosch and as they investigated, another case Ballard had been allocated kept her going. Both Harry and Renee could sense something big was coming – but would they catch it? They worked well together as an investigative team – could they finally put it to bed?
The Night Fire is the 3rd in the Renee Ballard series; the 32nd in the Harry Bosch universe by Michael Connelly and once again I loved it. I’m enjoying Renee Ballard’s character; feisty, determined, a dog lover and surfer, and like a dog with a bone – she won’t give up. Keeping Bosch in the game, even though officially he’s no longer there, is great. Though with the author mentioning in this one that Bosch is now seventy – that was a shock! Mickey Haller also had a solid role in The Night Fire as well – all the characters we’ve come to love by Michael Connelly. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The funeral for John Jack Thompson was a sad one, especially for Harry Bosch. Thompson had taught Bosch a lot over the years as his mentor; when he’d retired Bosch had kept in contact. But it was the murder book that Thompson’s widow handed Bosch after it was all over that started the collaboration between Bosch and LAPD Detective Renee Ballard as they tried to solve a cold case from over twenty years prior.
Ballard was a detective on the Late Show; midnight to dawn. It was initially a punishment for her, but she’d found her niche and enjoyed her hours when most others were asleep and only the criminals operated. The case that Thompson had held onto – that no one knew about – intrigued both Ballard and Bosch and as they investigated, another case Ballard had been allocated kept her going. Both Harry and Renee could sense something big was coming – but would they catch it? They worked well together as an investigative team – could they finally put it to bed?
The Night Fire is the 3rd in the Renee Ballard series; the 32nd in the Harry Bosch universe by Michael Connelly and once again I loved it. I’m enjoying Renee Ballard’s character; feisty, determined, a dog lover and surfer, and like a dog with a bone – she won’t give up. Keeping Bosch in the game, even though officially he’s no longer there, is great. Though with the author mentioning in this one that Bosch is now seventy – that was a shock! Mickey Haller also had a solid role in The Night Fire as well – all the characters we’ve come to love by Michael Connelly. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2019
Not a fan of Renee’s questionable tactics with the wire tap. The cases were okay but the coincidences were just too much to be believed. And I don’t care for “carry-over” criminals. We obviously haven’t seen the last of this one.
And please, authors, stop putting pets in books if the owners are not responsible. It drives me crazy that she has a dog she rarely spends time with.
And please, authors, stop putting pets in books if the owners are not responsible. It drives me crazy that she has a dog she rarely spends time with.
November 20, 2019
Harry Bosch is one of my favorite characters ever, and I wait with much anticipation for the release of every new Michael Connelly novel. The Night Fire is the third book that features both Bosch and Detective Renee Ballard, who works the LAPD night shift. I’m really loving their partnership now and have grown to care for Ballard in her own right. (Bosch will always be my true love, though.)
This is another well-researched book from Connelly, as Bosch and Ballard work a series of intriguing cases—some of which will intersect. The story starts with Bosch receiving an old murder book from the widow of his former mentor. He pulls Ballard in to investigate and off we go! There are some great twists, and the cases are fascinating. I love Bosch to death and how he and Ballard play off each other. Mickey Haller makes an appearance, and Bosch struggles with a rare moment where he’s helping the defense.
The plot, as usual, is great--you can always count on Connelly for gripping cases that are timely and interesting. He manages to do this even as our two heroes are solving a cold case: quite a feat. I'm always astonished at how Connelly can somehow have Bosch and Ballard juggle two, three, four cases at time and somehow it all works. I always think I'll be confused and lost among the plot points, yet it always comes together.
The characters, however, are what keep you coming back. I love that we get to see Bosch interacting more with his half-brother, Haller. And there are some great scenes with Bosch and Maddie, his daughter, including one involving "FOMO" that is just priceless. As Bosch ages, each book seems to have more poignant moments tucked in between mysteries and bad guys. It's Ballard pushing the limits now, and Bosch reminding her to sleep.
Definitely a gripping read even as we have to grapple with the fact that our beloved Bosch is getting older. The ending gave me some hope, though, and I hope Bosch and Ballard are around for quite some time. 4+ stars.
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This is another well-researched book from Connelly, as Bosch and Ballard work a series of intriguing cases—some of which will intersect. The story starts with Bosch receiving an old murder book from the widow of his former mentor. He pulls Ballard in to investigate and off we go! There are some great twists, and the cases are fascinating. I love Bosch to death and how he and Ballard play off each other. Mickey Haller makes an appearance, and Bosch struggles with a rare moment where he’s helping the defense.
The plot, as usual, is great--you can always count on Connelly for gripping cases that are timely and interesting. He manages to do this even as our two heroes are solving a cold case: quite a feat. I'm always astonished at how Connelly can somehow have Bosch and Ballard juggle two, three, four cases at time and somehow it all works. I always think I'll be confused and lost among the plot points, yet it always comes together.
The characters, however, are what keep you coming back. I love that we get to see Bosch interacting more with his half-brother, Haller. And there are some great scenes with Bosch and Maddie, his daughter, including one involving "FOMO" that is just priceless. As Bosch ages, each book seems to have more poignant moments tucked in between mysteries and bad guys. It's Ballard pushing the limits now, and Bosch reminding her to sleep.
Definitely a gripping read even as we have to grapple with the fact that our beloved Bosch is getting older. The ending gave me some hope, though, and I hope Bosch and Ballard are around for quite some time. 4+ stars.
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January 8, 2022
I found much of this book slow and slightly disconnected with forced interludes between Bosch and Ballard.
The usual intensity from Connelly is missing and the realistic elements are sparse (probably more so in the tenuous connections between cases which seemed contrived at times). Michael Connelly still writes a good book but this is not a great one.
There were times when I just didn’t care how this was going to pan-out. The last 100 pages nearly had me changing my rating but in it’s entirety I felt it was rather bland.
The usual intensity from Connelly is missing and the realistic elements are sparse (probably more so in the tenuous connections between cases which seemed contrived at times). Michael Connelly still writes a good book but this is not a great one.
There were times when I just didn’t care how this was going to pan-out. The last 100 pages nearly had me changing my rating but in it’s entirety I felt it was rather bland.
November 8, 2019
For fans of Michael Connelly as I am, this latest is another brilliant edition to the series.
Well-plotted with interesting sub-plots and as always, the characters are incredibly humane.
Highly recommended!
Well-plotted with interesting sub-plots and as always, the characters are incredibly humane.
Highly recommended!
November 9, 2019
4.5 stars, actually.
After reading the first two books that brought together retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch and detective Renee Ballard - giving each 5 stars - I was eager to read this one. I loved it as well, albeit not quite as much as the other two. It's hard to put my finger on why, but I think for the most part it was because Bosch just didn't seem to have his whole heart in the game. Granted, he's nearly 70 years old with a couple of health issues, but somehow he lacked his usual enthusiasm for the tasks at hand.
Nonetheless, this is not to be missed if you're a fan of Bosch and Ballard; both get plenty of read time here, as does Bosch's infamous half-brother Mickey Haller (the "Lincoln Lawyer," remember)? Mix them all together, stir them up and you've got a winning recipe for an enjoyable book that holds attention throughout (well, mine, at least). It begins as Bosch attends the funeral of a former LAPD partner and mentor; his widow invites Bosch back to their home, saying her late husband had something she was to give to Bosch. It's a murder book that his old partner had taken home from him when he retired 20 years earlier (had stolen, actually). But looking through it, Bosch can't figure out why the book was so important; so he shares it with Ballard and enlists her help with figuring out what to do next.
Meanwhile, Ballard, who works the midnight shift, lands an official case of her own; a homeless man dies when the street tent in which he's sleeping catches fire. At first, it appears to have been an accident - but further investigation raises a real possibility of murder. So now, she must follow up on that case as part of her job, trying to follow up on Bosch's mystery as time allows (thank goodness she doesn't need much sleep)!
Although the three storylines are well thought out, as always, the main attraction is the interaction between Bosch and Ballard (and Bosch and Haller). All told, this one stands on its own quite well. Bring on the next!
After reading the first two books that brought together retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch and detective Renee Ballard - giving each 5 stars - I was eager to read this one. I loved it as well, albeit not quite as much as the other two. It's hard to put my finger on why, but I think for the most part it was because Bosch just didn't seem to have his whole heart in the game. Granted, he's nearly 70 years old with a couple of health issues, but somehow he lacked his usual enthusiasm for the tasks at hand.
Nonetheless, this is not to be missed if you're a fan of Bosch and Ballard; both get plenty of read time here, as does Bosch's infamous half-brother Mickey Haller (the "Lincoln Lawyer," remember)? Mix them all together, stir them up and you've got a winning recipe for an enjoyable book that holds attention throughout (well, mine, at least). It begins as Bosch attends the funeral of a former LAPD partner and mentor; his widow invites Bosch back to their home, saying her late husband had something she was to give to Bosch. It's a murder book that his old partner had taken home from him when he retired 20 years earlier (had stolen, actually). But looking through it, Bosch can't figure out why the book was so important; so he shares it with Ballard and enlists her help with figuring out what to do next.
Meanwhile, Ballard, who works the midnight shift, lands an official case of her own; a homeless man dies when the street tent in which he's sleeping catches fire. At first, it appears to have been an accident - but further investigation raises a real possibility of murder. So now, she must follow up on that case as part of her job, trying to follow up on Bosch's mystery as time allows (thank goodness she doesn't need much sleep)!
Although the three storylines are well thought out, as always, the main attraction is the interaction between Bosch and Ballard (and Bosch and Haller). All told, this one stands on its own quite well. Bring on the next!
October 18, 2023
“A highly trained SWAT team had killed the wife of a suspect under arrest.”
“It was a colossal failure of tactics. Added to that, the dead woman was black and this would invariably draw massive public scrutiny and protest.”
Gosh, jathink?
THE NIGHT FIRE is a clever interweaving of three stories that blends the brains (if not the body or the brawn) of a semi-retired Harry Bosch, the legal skills and savvy of his half-brother Mickey Haller (of THE LINCOLN LAWYER fame), and the investigative skills of Renée Ballard, a new kid on the block, the out-of-favour female homicide detective whose sexual harassment complaints against a supervisor have landed her with a semi-permanent assignment on the graveyard shift. What’s going down? A judge has been murdered in a city park. A homeless man burned alive in his tent may be the victim of a gruesome arson made to look like an accident. And the widow of Bosch’s recently deceased homicide mentor has given him a murder book leaving Bosch to wonder why the case was ignored (or intentionally buried) for so many years.
Harry Bosch as a character and the Harry Bosch universe as a series may be getting long in the tooth but that doesn’t mean that Connelly is failing to keep his legion of fans entertained and eagerly continuing to turn the pages. Aside from the great plot-line (as expected), Connelly keeps it current by also dealing with issues from today’s headlines such as police militarization, racial profiling and racism, misogyny, internal police politics and cover-ups, and more.
I’m still a long-time Harry Bosch fan and I see no reason to change my willingness to buy and read anything that Michael Connelly writes.
Paul Weiss
“It was a colossal failure of tactics. Added to that, the dead woman was black and this would invariably draw massive public scrutiny and protest.”
Gosh, jathink?
THE NIGHT FIRE is a clever interweaving of three stories that blends the brains (if not the body or the brawn) of a semi-retired Harry Bosch, the legal skills and savvy of his half-brother Mickey Haller (of THE LINCOLN LAWYER fame), and the investigative skills of Renée Ballard, a new kid on the block, the out-of-favour female homicide detective whose sexual harassment complaints against a supervisor have landed her with a semi-permanent assignment on the graveyard shift. What’s going down? A judge has been murdered in a city park. A homeless man burned alive in his tent may be the victim of a gruesome arson made to look like an accident. And the widow of Bosch’s recently deceased homicide mentor has given him a murder book leaving Bosch to wonder why the case was ignored (or intentionally buried) for so many years.
Harry Bosch as a character and the Harry Bosch universe as a series may be getting long in the tooth but that doesn’t mean that Connelly is failing to keep his legion of fans entertained and eagerly continuing to turn the pages. Aside from the great plot-line (as expected), Connelly keeps it current by also dealing with issues from today’s headlines such as police militarization, racial profiling and racism, misogyny, internal police politics and cover-ups, and more.
I’m still a long-time Harry Bosch fan and I see no reason to change my willingness to buy and read anything that Michael Connelly writes.
Paul Weiss
December 15, 2019
The Bosch universe is in full effect with Ballard, Haller, and Bosch all getting page time as the trio manage an interlocking caseload; some of it official, some not so much. The headliner; a cold case murder book long locked away in the home of a retired detective. Cold cases aren’t new to Bosch, now moonlighting as a vigilante of sorts with help on the lawful side of things by late show regular Ballard, but this one seems ‘off’. Enter the dangerous world of murder, gangsters, corruption and missing evidence…
Ballard is a great character, however, she’s one that works best without Bosch in my opinion. I found the cases she was involved in much more readable and enjoyable than the father/daughter interactions with Bosch – which became repetitive and dull.
On the cases themselves; I don’t mind coincidence in crime fiction, but it does need to be coincidence with a cause, not because it’s convenient, and that’s the way this played out, with the Bosch/Ballard/Haller triangle forming a Bermuda of believability; it just didn’t work. The case connections were just too forced to add any real plausibility.
I know I’m criticizing, but it’s more aimed the formula over the remainder, with the book largely being enjoyable despite my misgivings.
Final thought; Come for the Bosch, stay for the Ballard.
Ballard is a great character, however, she’s one that works best without Bosch in my opinion. I found the cases she was involved in much more readable and enjoyable than the father/daughter interactions with Bosch – which became repetitive and dull.
On the cases themselves; I don’t mind coincidence in crime fiction, but it does need to be coincidence with a cause, not because it’s convenient, and that’s the way this played out, with the Bosch/Ballard/Haller triangle forming a Bermuda of believability; it just didn’t work. The case connections were just too forced to add any real plausibility.
I know I’m criticizing, but it’s more aimed the formula over the remainder, with the book largely being enjoyable despite my misgivings.
Final thought; Come for the Bosch, stay for the Ballard.
April 25, 2020
This is the 32nd book in the Harry Bosch series but would work as a stand alone no problem. The more novels you read by Michael Connelly the better they get and I just can't get enough of his work.
The main character Harry Bosch is now retired but still investigates cold cases with Renée Ballard, who was exiled to the Hollywood Division night shift when she complained of being sexually harassed by her supervisor.
The novel starts the funeral of Bosch’s mentor John Jack Thompson. Bosch is handed a Murder book by his widow which was in her husbands possession when he died. Murder books should never leave the precinct so why had Thompson got it. Like a lot of Connelly novels there are many cases going on at the same time which adds to the reality. There is also a murder of a Superior Court judge, which involves Mickey Haller who is defending the man accused of the crime. Haller is convinced of his innocence despite DNA evidence. Renée Ballard is also dealing with a homeless man who was burnt to death while heavily drugged in his shelter.
Sounds complicated but Connelly is a genius at making sense of it all and writing the plots so that they are page turning. Great characters, well thought out plots and expertly written.
The main character Harry Bosch is now retired but still investigates cold cases with Renée Ballard, who was exiled to the Hollywood Division night shift when she complained of being sexually harassed by her supervisor.
The novel starts the funeral of Bosch’s mentor John Jack Thompson. Bosch is handed a Murder book by his widow which was in her husbands possession when he died. Murder books should never leave the precinct so why had Thompson got it. Like a lot of Connelly novels there are many cases going on at the same time which adds to the reality. There is also a murder of a Superior Court judge, which involves Mickey Haller who is defending the man accused of the crime. Haller is convinced of his innocence despite DNA evidence. Renée Ballard is also dealing with a homeless man who was burnt to death while heavily drugged in his shelter.
Sounds complicated but Connelly is a genius at making sense of it all and writing the plots so that they are page turning. Great characters, well thought out plots and expertly written.
February 19, 2023
Best Bosch and Ballard of the 3
I really liked this book. This is the third Bosch and Ballard I’ve read, and in my opinion, the best. There are multiple cases going on that Bosch and Ballard are investigating. There is a cameo by the Lincoln lawyer, and one of his cases is connected to theirs.
I liked the juggling of cases and how they were multi faceted. Several of the cases came together and were connected. One case in particular had a personal connection to Bosch. It was related to his mentor, the man who taught him everybody counts, or nobody counts.
Things pick up as cases are connected launching the rocket ride of the last hundred pages. What I love about this series is that Bosch ages, we get to see his physical ailments, and his attempts to navigate new phases of his life. We also get to see how his relationship with his daughter evolves as does her path/relationship with a future career related to the law. This is definitely a book for die hard Bosch fans, but fans of police procedural’s as well.
I really liked this book. This is the third Bosch and Ballard I’ve read, and in my opinion, the best. There are multiple cases going on that Bosch and Ballard are investigating. There is a cameo by the Lincoln lawyer, and one of his cases is connected to theirs.
I liked the juggling of cases and how they were multi faceted. Several of the cases came together and were connected. One case in particular had a personal connection to Bosch. It was related to his mentor, the man who taught him everybody counts, or nobody counts.
Things pick up as cases are connected launching the rocket ride of the last hundred pages. What I love about this series is that Bosch ages, we get to see his physical ailments, and his attempts to navigate new phases of his life. We also get to see how his relationship with his daughter evolves as does her path/relationship with a future career related to the law. This is definitely a book for die hard Bosch fans, but fans of police procedural’s as well.
July 23, 2025
When the widow of Harry Bosch's mentor in Homicide, John Jack Thompson, gives him an old murder book that the retired detective sat on for years, Bosch is suddenly thrust into a cold case that could explode in his face.
Meanwhile, Renee Ballard---still working the late show---is investigating an arson case that left a homeless man burnt to death.
Bosch and Ballard team up to investigate both cases in Michael Connelly's novel "The Night Fire", which also includes an extended cameo by Mickey "The Lincoln Lawyer" Haller.
As always, the investigation leads to completely unexpected places, none of which I can even mention for fear of dropping spoilers.
It's a Connelly novel: just read it.
Meanwhile, Renee Ballard---still working the late show---is investigating an arson case that left a homeless man burnt to death.
Bosch and Ballard team up to investigate both cases in Michael Connelly's novel "The Night Fire", which also includes an extended cameo by Mickey "The Lincoln Lawyer" Haller.
As always, the investigation leads to completely unexpected places, none of which I can even mention for fear of dropping spoilers.
It's a Connelly novel: just read it.
February 2, 2020
I am loving these Renee Ballard books! I still need to go back and fit in the ones I’ve missed along the way.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.
September 17, 2025
Бош и Балард се сработват все по-добре. И все пак, на мен ми се струва, че тя е по-слабото звено в неформалния им екип - твърде лъскавка, твърде модерна за моя вкус е нещо. Няма нищо характерно или запомнящо се в образа ѝ. Дори и след три книги, Рене си остава предимно незадоволителна наброска.
В тази част от серията, те разследват паралелно две престъпления - стар случай за неразкрито убиство, свързано с банди и наркотици и "самозапалването" на бездомен пияница.
Бош помага и на своя брат Мики Холър в дело за убийството на местен съдия и това води до поредица от необичайни събития, които поставят него и Балард в доста опасни ситуации.
В тази част от серията, те разследват паралелно две престъпления - стар случай за неразкрито убиство, свързано с банди и наркотици и "самозапалването" на бездомен пияница.
Бош помага и на своя брат Мики Холър в дело за убийството на местен съдия и това води до поредица от необичайни събития, които поставят него и Балард в доста опасни ситуации.
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