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Renée Ballard #4
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Bosch og Ballard er tilbage!
Det er nytårsaften, da en grundig og metodisk morder slår til i L. A. Renée Ballard arbejder som sædvanligt på natholdet, og hun forbinder hurtigt mordet til en gammel sag, som Harry Bosch arbejdede på i sin tid.
Samtidig er Ballard på sporet efter to voldtægtsmænd, som terroriserer kvinder – tilsyneladende uden at efterlade sig det mindste spor.
Det er en konstant kamp mod vindmøller, når Ballard bekæmper kriminalitet i en verden, hvor social uro og corona-epedimien lægger hindringer i vejen for hvert skridt hun tager, og hendes demoraliserede kollegaer er mildest talt ingen hjælp.
Heldigvis kan hun regne Bosch.
Det er nytårsaften, da en grundig og metodisk morder slår til i L. A. Renée Ballard arbejder som sædvanligt på natholdet, og hun forbinder hurtigt mordet til en gammel sag, som Harry Bosch arbejdede på i sin tid.
Samtidig er Ballard på sporet efter to voldtægtsmænd, som terroriserer kvinder – tilsyneladende uden at efterlade sig det mindste spor.
Det er en konstant kamp mod vindmøller, når Ballard bekæmper kriminalitet i en verden, hvor social uro og corona-epedimien lægger hindringer i vejen for hvert skridt hun tager, og hendes demoraliserede kollegaer er mildest talt ingen hjælp.
Heldigvis kan hun regne Bosch.
357 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2021
7974 people are currently reading
13406 people want to read
About the author
Michael Connelly
372 books34.4k 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 4,876 reviews
March 5, 2022
1.5⭐
I'm already hating this one. Mask on, mask off, elbow bumping. antibodies, and vax. Not a fan of Renee to begin with. 🙄
Update:
Haha, I just can't! We are told while going door to door Ballard pulled her mask all the way up and held her badge. In another incident, she parked behind one of the patrol cars....Ballard pulled up her mask, got out, and joined the group of fellow officers.
I was holding my breath wondering!! Thank you for letting us know! There are more, A LOT more. I didn't think I would mind, but it got under my skin. Karin Slaughter includes the pandemic in her novel and she did it so well in False Witness, it put this book to shame.
Two mysteries, one involving serial rapists "The Midnight Men" and the second, a homicide on New Year's day when bullets are fired into the sky during fireworks. The victim, Javier Raffa, is a local business owner with ties to Las Palmas 13 gang. Looks like Harry's lending a hand.
The positive, Titus Welliver is reading Harry's part, but so little in between.
In short, I can find other mysteries/police procedurals to read. It's the characters really that I'm here and not for Connelly's social/political points and did I say I'm not a fan of Renee? Many big-name male authors I read (Connelly, Grisham,Baldacci Pine is getting good, Sandford?-coming soon) are cranking out strong female leads for their novels, and I can't say I've found one that wowed me.
I'm already hating this one. Mask on, mask off, elbow bumping. antibodies, and vax. Not a fan of Renee to begin with. 🙄
Update:
Haha, I just can't! We are told while going door to door Ballard pulled her mask all the way up and held her badge. In another incident, she parked behind one of the patrol cars....Ballard pulled up her mask, got out, and joined the group of fellow officers.
I was holding my breath wondering!! Thank you for letting us know! There are more, A LOT more. I didn't think I would mind, but it got under my skin. Karin Slaughter includes the pandemic in her novel and she did it so well in False Witness, it put this book to shame.
Two mysteries, one involving serial rapists "The Midnight Men" and the second, a homicide on New Year's day when bullets are fired into the sky during fireworks. The victim, Javier Raffa, is a local business owner with ties to Las Palmas 13 gang. Looks like Harry's lending a hand.
The positive, Titus Welliver is reading Harry's part, but so little in between.
In short, I can find other mysteries/police procedurals to read. It's the characters really that I'm here and not for Connelly's social/political points and did I say I'm not a fan of Renee? Many big-name male authors I read (Connelly, Grisham,
December 11, 2021
Dark Hours is quite possibly the best book Connelly has penned in recent years and yet I was uncomfortable reading it. He cut too close to the bone on this one.
Dark hours referrers to the dark hours of graveyard shift, aka The Late Show a title from another Ballard novel. Connelly doesn’t pull any punches and describes the aftermath of societies the current upheaval; the defund the police campaign, and Covid. Usually I don’t finish a book if there are political messages or even undertones. I read to be entertained, to escape the world I live in, not to rehash it. But in this case—it’s Connelly for crying out loud. I read the whole thing.
In the story there are two crimes being investigated but they take a backseat to the dark tone of the book. Both crimes are particularly heinous and double-down on that same noir mood. Connelly had to have done it on purpose and by my estimation it was masterfully done. Ballard is more cynical and callouses than before with little patience for fellow employees, no sympathy for what they are going through only judgement. Ballard’s dog is even killed off. Yikes.
The absolute brilliant part of this book is the last two pages. Connelly hits us again and again with darkness then right at the end at the bleakest point he shows us a little light. Great read but not for the faint of heart. It will make you want to curl up on your couch with a half-gallon of cookies and cream ice cream.
David Putnam the author of the Bruno Johnson series.
Dark hours referrers to the dark hours of graveyard shift, aka The Late Show a title from another Ballard novel. Connelly doesn’t pull any punches and describes the aftermath of societies the current upheaval; the defund the police campaign, and Covid. Usually I don’t finish a book if there are political messages or even undertones. I read to be entertained, to escape the world I live in, not to rehash it. But in this case—it’s Connelly for crying out loud. I read the whole thing.
In the story there are two crimes being investigated but they take a backseat to the dark tone of the book. Both crimes are particularly heinous and double-down on that same noir mood. Connelly had to have done it on purpose and by my estimation it was masterfully done. Ballard is more cynical and callouses than before with little patience for fellow employees, no sympathy for what they are going through only judgement. Ballard’s dog is even killed off. Yikes.
The absolute brilliant part of this book is the last two pages. Connelly hits us again and again with darkness then right at the end at the bleakest point he shows us a little light. Great read but not for the faint of heart. It will make you want to curl up on your couch with a half-gallon of cookies and cream ice cream.
David Putnam the author of the Bruno Johnson series.
September 24, 2021
Michael Connelly returns us to Los Angeles and a divided United States undergoing the trauma of the pandemic and the background of a socially and politically turbulent environment, including the Black Lives Matter protests, calls to defund the police, and the horrors of the insurrection. We get a picture of a LAPD that feels underappreciated and a public that views them with suspicion, officers are doing only what is absolutely necessary, being reactive rather that proactive, and not looking favourably on those police officers that are genuinely committed to solving crime. Detective Renee Ballard is still doing nights on the late shift, although she is now actually living in a apartment, and having lost her beloved dog, Lola, to bone cancer 8 months ago, she is looking for another dog for companionship, and settles on a rescue dog that is the polar opposite of Lola, Pinto.
New Year's Eve celebrations result in a gun shooting that Ballard becomes aware is murder when she examines the victim, Javier Raffa, once a gang member of Las Palmos, but now a business and family man with children. A lucky break means that the bullet casing is recovered from beneath a car, and it turns out this gun was used in another shooting years ago, the victim was Albert Lee. Coincidentally, the now retired Detective Harry Bosch worked the case. Strangely, the murder book on the cold case is missing, and Ballard assumes Bosch has it. However, this turns out to not to be true as once again the two detectives find themselves working together. Ballard is on another case, the Midnight Men, a tag team of rapists, and there is now another victim, but there are new aspects to the investigation but Detective Lisa Moore, also on the case, is seriously lacking any desire to work the case.
Ballard finds herself being let down everywhere, by fellow police officers, the department and others, the only person she can rely on, who remains steadfast and has her back is Harry. Unsurprisingly, she begins to harbour doubts about her future with the LAPD, but this is to have serious repercussions, as her determination to find the truth and seek justice leaves her isolated and in danger. Connelly, as a seasoned crime writer, once again demonstrates why he remains a popular author, providing his trademark details of policing and running investigations, along with a background of American contemporary realities. This is an entertaining and engaging addition to this wonderful crime series, well plotted, full of suspense and tension, whilst covering issues that resonate such as violence against women. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
New Year's Eve celebrations result in a gun shooting that Ballard becomes aware is murder when she examines the victim, Javier Raffa, once a gang member of Las Palmos, but now a business and family man with children. A lucky break means that the bullet casing is recovered from beneath a car, and it turns out this gun was used in another shooting years ago, the victim was Albert Lee. Coincidentally, the now retired Detective Harry Bosch worked the case. Strangely, the murder book on the cold case is missing, and Ballard assumes Bosch has it. However, this turns out to not to be true as once again the two detectives find themselves working together. Ballard is on another case, the Midnight Men, a tag team of rapists, and there is now another victim, but there are new aspects to the investigation but Detective Lisa Moore, also on the case, is seriously lacking any desire to work the case.
Ballard finds herself being let down everywhere, by fellow police officers, the department and others, the only person she can rely on, who remains steadfast and has her back is Harry. Unsurprisingly, she begins to harbour doubts about her future with the LAPD, but this is to have serious repercussions, as her determination to find the truth and seek justice leaves her isolated and in danger. Connelly, as a seasoned crime writer, once again demonstrates why he remains a popular author, providing his trademark details of policing and running investigations, along with a background of American contemporary realities. This is an entertaining and engaging addition to this wonderful crime series, well plotted, full of suspense and tension, whilst covering issues that resonate such as violence against women. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
September 30, 2021
This is the first mystery I’ve read that tackles COVID, Black Lives Matter, Defund the Police protests and the January 2021 Insurrection head on. I really appreciated that Connelly didn’t try to avoid the current times, like I see so many series doing. It’s NYE going into 2021 and the vaccine is around the corner. Renee Ballard has already had COVID. A majority of the police force is demoralized, working the bare minimum, because why bother?
She’s been partnered with Lisa Moore, of the Hollywood sex crimes unit to try and track down two tag-team serial rapists. But she also catches another case, a homicide that occurs at a NYE party. A homicide that has links to a murder Harry Bosch investigated years ago, before he retired. Of course, her LT wants her to turn over the murder to the Homicide dept. But she keeps delaying, while she and Harry begin an off the books investigation.
Connelly perfectly captures the mood of the police. It seems like Ballard is the only one that even cares anymore. As the story goes on, she walks a fine line between catching the criminals and the ire of the department.
I really enjoyed Ballard in the first three books, but she truly won my heart by adopting a rescue dog. This is truly Ballard’s story, not Harry’s. There’s a cliffhanger at the end and I’ll be curious to see how the next in the series starts off.
Once again, Connelly has put together a fabulous story. It moves quickly with a great sense of underlying suspense. I did see how the rape story was going to play out, but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment. I can only hope some studio is smart enough to tag this series for a tv mini-series.
My thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown for an advance copy of this book.
She’s been partnered with Lisa Moore, of the Hollywood sex crimes unit to try and track down two tag-team serial rapists. But she also catches another case, a homicide that occurs at a NYE party. A homicide that has links to a murder Harry Bosch investigated years ago, before he retired. Of course, her LT wants her to turn over the murder to the Homicide dept. But she keeps delaying, while she and Harry begin an off the books investigation.
Connelly perfectly captures the mood of the police. It seems like Ballard is the only one that even cares anymore. As the story goes on, she walks a fine line between catching the criminals and the ire of the department.
I really enjoyed Ballard in the first three books, but she truly won my heart by adopting a rescue dog. This is truly Ballard’s story, not Harry’s. There’s a cliffhanger at the end and I’ll be curious to see how the next in the series starts off.
Once again, Connelly has put together a fabulous story. It moves quickly with a great sense of underlying suspense. I did see how the rape story was going to play out, but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment. I can only hope some studio is smart enough to tag this series for a tv mini-series.
My thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown for an advance copy of this book.
November 14, 2021
I have numerous problems with this one. Michael Connelly has lost his way. I think his success with the Bosch TV show has gone straight to his liberal mind. He literally spent 35 or so Bosch books being completely unpolitical (I know cuz I read them ALL!) and has now gone completely high and to the left. Insanity. Not only do you get every reference to the pandemic (which I DO NOT WANT TO READ ABOUT WHEN EVERY SECOND OF EVERYDAY OF OUR LIVES REVOLVES AROUND THAT NONSENSE!!) But we also get every liberal talking point thrown in just for fun too. Put on ur mask, get ur vax, Black Lives Matter, on and on and on! This is my last Connelly book.
What really infuriated me as a Bosch lover, picturing my father in law as a Vietnam veteran badass cop who spent his entire career at LAPD kicking ass, not letting the department dictate his work ethic and basically being a complete and total badass all around, Connelly wants us to believe Bosch would sit in his house cowering during this bogus pandemic?!? I’m sorry but any Vietnam vet would never sit back and let the government shoot him up with an experimental vax. Give me a break. Sorry, Harry, I know this wasn’t you.
What a joke. Connelly, you are no longer a must buy for me. I hope that makes you happy since you caved to Hollywood liberals and sold yourself out. Bravo.
What really infuriated me as a Bosch lover, picturing my father in law as a Vietnam veteran badass cop who spent his entire career at LAPD kicking ass, not letting the department dictate his work ethic and basically being a complete and total badass all around, Connelly wants us to believe Bosch would sit in his house cowering during this bogus pandemic?!? I’m sorry but any Vietnam vet would never sit back and let the government shoot him up with an experimental vax. Give me a break. Sorry, Harry, I know this wasn’t you.
What a joke. Connelly, you are no longer a must buy for me. I hope that makes you happy since you caved to Hollywood liberals and sold yourself out. Bravo.
January 29, 2025
Renée Ballard #4; Harry Bosch #23; Harry Bosch Universe #36: Stuck on night shifts working mostly by herself Renée is assigned a temporary partner from the Sex Crimes Division to hunt down the Midnight Men a home invasion rapists' tag-team! Meanwhile back in her main job she finds out a New Years celebration random murder has the same ballistics from a much earlier Bosch case. The two outliers, to the dismay of the police authorities team-up to have a real go at both cases, regardless where they lead.
Connelly magnificently depicts the post COVID Lockdown L.A. with people including Renée still very mask observant and police morale at an all-time low post BLM and anti-COVID marches and unrest. In this climate victim-focussed Renée and Bosch find few allies in the police departments. Thirty-six books in to the Bosch universe and Connelly is still obviously taking time to not only make compelling cases and detective work, but also an overall real aging and progressing reality that runs alongside ours. Probably one of the best modern reality world builders alive today. A record for this universe 9 out of 12, strong Four Star read for me.
2025 read
Connelly magnificently depicts the post COVID Lockdown L.A. with people including Renée still very mask observant and police morale at an all-time low post BLM and anti-COVID marches and unrest. In this climate victim-focussed Renée and Bosch find few allies in the police departments. Thirty-six books in to the Bosch universe and Connelly is still obviously taking time to not only make compelling cases and detective work, but also an overall real aging and progressing reality that runs alongside ours. Probably one of the best modern reality world builders alive today. A record for this universe 9 out of 12, strong Four Star read for me.
2025 read
September 29, 2021
Review to be posted to blog: books-are-a-girls-best-friend.com
Nowadays, times appear rougher than they used to be. Danger shows itself in different ways. Here and now, you can’t always see what’s right in front of your face simply because everyone is hiding behind a mask and Covid is ever-present.
Never one to shy away from reality, Michael Connelly’s new novel, The Dark Hours brings it home.
It’s in The Dark Hours that Detective Renee Ballard does her best work. She is a night owl and she loves flying solo. When a homicide occurs on her watch in the Late Shift, she wants it, even if the investigation should go to the detectives in the Hollywood Division. Once she dives into the case, what she finds, makes her want it even more. Her case links to an old unsolved crime, a cold case of retired Detective Harry Bosch’s, and wouldn’t you know it, the two decide to work together to solve them both.
Ballard, of course, investigates other crimes as well, one of which involves several women assaulted in their homes, in the middle of the night, by a group called The Midnight Men, which brings about a different type of danger altogether.
This was a nail-biter, to say the least!
A very well-written, well-done police procedural, which took place during the pandemic. Something very few authors even attempt. I truly appreciated the care that Michael Connelly took, to center a police procedural in and around the pandemic and give major kudos to him for that.
What I love most about this series is the camaraderie between Ballard and Bosch which warms my heart. If you know me, you know how much I love these characters, Harry Bosch specifically. I could, in fact, wax poetic about my love for Harry Bosch (and have, in many a book review in this series, lol). While I wish that Bosch took a more prominent role here, I still adored this novel and love the character of Renee Ballard. It's clear that there will be some changes in store for both of these characters and I look forward to seeing where life takes them.
A huge thank you to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for the arc. Thank you for always being so generous in feeding my Harry Bosch obsession (lol).
Published on Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter.
Nowadays, times appear rougher than they used to be. Danger shows itself in different ways. Here and now, you can’t always see what’s right in front of your face simply because everyone is hiding behind a mask and Covid is ever-present.
Never one to shy away from reality, Michael Connelly’s new novel, The Dark Hours brings it home.
It’s in The Dark Hours that Detective Renee Ballard does her best work. She is a night owl and she loves flying solo. When a homicide occurs on her watch in the Late Shift, she wants it, even if the investigation should go to the detectives in the Hollywood Division. Once she dives into the case, what she finds, makes her want it even more. Her case links to an old unsolved crime, a cold case of retired Detective Harry Bosch’s, and wouldn’t you know it, the two decide to work together to solve them both.
Ballard, of course, investigates other crimes as well, one of which involves several women assaulted in their homes, in the middle of the night, by a group called The Midnight Men, which brings about a different type of danger altogether.
This was a nail-biter, to say the least!
A very well-written, well-done police procedural, which took place during the pandemic. Something very few authors even attempt. I truly appreciated the care that Michael Connelly took, to center a police procedural in and around the pandemic and give major kudos to him for that.
What I love most about this series is the camaraderie between Ballard and Bosch which warms my heart. If you know me, you know how much I love these characters, Harry Bosch specifically. I could, in fact, wax poetic about my love for Harry Bosch (and have, in many a book review in this series, lol). While I wish that Bosch took a more prominent role here, I still adored this novel and love the character of Renee Ballard. It's clear that there will be some changes in store for both of these characters and I look forward to seeing where life takes them.
A huge thank you to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for the arc. Thank you for always being so generous in feeding my Harry Bosch obsession (lol).
Published on Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter.
January 19, 2023
Os recomiendo que echéis un vistazo a la magnífica reseña de mi amiga lectora Mª Carmen sobre esta novela, porque poco más puedo añadir ( https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ).
Decir, si acaso, que Michael Connelly publicó su primera novela de la serie Harry Bosch, “The black echo” en 1992. Treinta años después, va por la número 23 de la serie, sin contar otras novelas aparte, especialmente las del abogado del Lincoln, Mickey Haller. Ahora, con un Bosch semi retirado, pero que asiste a Renée Ballard, la nueva protagonista, creo que no es exagerado decir que pocos autores han conseguido mantener un nivel de calidad en este tipo de novelas “police procedural” (investigación policial o como diantres lo llamemos en lengua española), como lo ha hecho durante todos estos años. Y, además, es productor ejecutivo de la serie homónima de Amazon, con una calidad también poco cuestionable.
Por lo tanto, me quito el sombrero ante él. Por añadidura, he tenido la suerte de ir “envejeciendo” con autor y protagonista, porque leí la primera en el 93….. y hasta ahora. Eso sí, procuro leerlas siempre en inglés, pues, aunque las traducciones son francamente buenas, la gozada es mayor absorbiendo las propias palabras de Connelly. No hay otra serie sobre la misma temática que me haya hecho disfrutar lo que esta. Hay similares, Ian Rankin, por poner un ejemplo. Pero Connelly es el f…. master.
Lo único que deseo es que a Ballard se le vaya endulzando un poquito el carácter, porque va a hacer bueno al gruñón de Bosch. No sabemos el camino que va a tomar en la siguiente entrega (Ballard, no Bosch), pues en ese sentido queda bastante abierta. Ya está disponible (al menos en inglés), y su título es “Desert Star”. Le daré una pequeña tregua, pues mi saca de pendientes me pide un giro hacia otros géneros. Pero caerá, no tengáis ninguna duda. Ya lo estoy deseando.
5 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
Decir, si acaso, que Michael Connelly publicó su primera novela de la serie Harry Bosch, “The black echo” en 1992. Treinta años después, va por la número 23 de la serie, sin contar otras novelas aparte, especialmente las del abogado del Lincoln, Mickey Haller. Ahora, con un Bosch semi retirado, pero que asiste a Renée Ballard, la nueva protagonista, creo que no es exagerado decir que pocos autores han conseguido mantener un nivel de calidad en este tipo de novelas “police procedural” (investigación policial o como diantres lo llamemos en lengua española), como lo ha hecho durante todos estos años. Y, además, es productor ejecutivo de la serie homónima de Amazon, con una calidad también poco cuestionable.
Por lo tanto, me quito el sombrero ante él. Por añadidura, he tenido la suerte de ir “envejeciendo” con autor y protagonista, porque leí la primera en el 93….. y hasta ahora. Eso sí, procuro leerlas siempre en inglés, pues, aunque las traducciones son francamente buenas, la gozada es mayor absorbiendo las propias palabras de Connelly. No hay otra serie sobre la misma temática que me haya hecho disfrutar lo que esta. Hay similares, Ian Rankin, por poner un ejemplo. Pero Connelly es el f…. master.
Lo único que deseo es que a Ballard se le vaya endulzando un poquito el carácter, porque va a hacer bueno al gruñón de Bosch. No sabemos el camino que va a tomar en la siguiente entrega (Ballard, no Bosch), pues en ese sentido queda bastante abierta. Ya está disponible (al menos en inglés), y su título es “Desert Star”. Le daré una pequeña tregua, pues mi saca de pendientes me pide un giro hacia otros géneros. Pero caerá, no tengáis ninguna duda. Ya lo estoy deseando.
5 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
October 17, 2021
On the Clock.
Detective Renee Ballard is back on the ‘Late Show’. Just as she likes it. A supposed punishment, she’s secretly pleased to be working the midnight to eight AM shift again. More freedom of movement and fewer people to report to.
Although this time she’s saddled with a partner who’s lazy and unmotivated. What’s a girl to do?
Well, Renee works the cases herself until her overflowing plate prompts her to contact retired cop Harry Bocsh when a potential murder investigation intersects a previous unsolved case of his. Then, it’s off to the races.
I’ve read most, if not all, of the twenty two Harry Bosch books and the three previous Renee Ballard stories. As police procedurals, I love the balance between complicated plots, explanations, with just enough detail. The Dark Hours is no exception and I didn't want this to end.
Weighing heavier on the Ballard side, Renee battles time limitations while navigating public hatred, co-worker apathy, and department politics. She’s putting in the hours, but she seems to be one of the few wanting to actually do her job.
It’s a lot to deal with, but my bet’s on the dark horse.
Thank you to Little Brown & Company, Michael Connelly, and Novel Suspects for my print copy to read in advance of the November 9 2021 publication date.
.
Detective Renee Ballard is back on the ‘Late Show’. Just as she likes it. A supposed punishment, she’s secretly pleased to be working the midnight to eight AM shift again. More freedom of movement and fewer people to report to.
Although this time she’s saddled with a partner who’s lazy and unmotivated. What’s a girl to do?
Well, Renee works the cases herself until her overflowing plate prompts her to contact retired cop Harry Bocsh when a potential murder investigation intersects a previous unsolved case of his. Then, it’s off to the races.
I’ve read most, if not all, of the twenty two Harry Bosch books and the three previous Renee Ballard stories. As police procedurals, I love the balance between complicated plots, explanations, with just enough detail. The Dark Hours is no exception and I didn't want this to end.
Weighing heavier on the Ballard side, Renee battles time limitations while navigating public hatred, co-worker apathy, and department politics. She’s putting in the hours, but she seems to be one of the few wanting to actually do her job.
It’s a lot to deal with, but my bet’s on the dark horse.
Thank you to Little Brown & Company, Michael Connelly, and Novel Suspects for my print copy to read in advance of the November 9 2021 publication date.
.
July 18, 2022
Although this book is 388 pages long, I devoured it in 2 days. Connelly's books are that good. I rate it 5 stars and it is the 37th book that I have read by Connelly. In this book, #4 in the Renee Ballard series, she is working the midnight shift when she gets called to the scene of a man killed by a gunshot. It is the New Year and people shoot off guns at midnight. While she works on this case, she is called to the scene of another crime. A rape has happened and it is the 3rd in a series of what the LAPD(Los Angeles Police Dept) calls the "Midnight Men." Two person rapes are unusual--usual M.O.(Modus Operandi) is either 1 person or a gang rape of several people raping 1 woman.
Ballard works outside dept boundaries and brings in retired detective Harry Bosch for assistance
While she incurs the wrath of superiors, she does solve both cases, with Bosch's help, at the risk of her own life.
One quote: Ballard on her sex crime partner: "Ballard had long realized that Moore had lost her empathy. Working sex crimes full time probably did that. Losing empathy for victims was a self protective measure, but Ballard hoped it never happened to her. Police work could easily hollow you out. But ash believed that losing one's empathy was losing one's soul."
I rate this library book 5 stars because Connely is a master at writing police procedurals. I now see Titus Welliver when I read Bosch's words.
Ballard works outside dept boundaries and brings in retired detective Harry Bosch for assistance
While she incurs the wrath of superiors, she does solve both cases, with Bosch's help, at the risk of her own life.
One quote: Ballard on her sex crime partner: "Ballard had long realized that Moore had lost her empathy. Working sex crimes full time probably did that. Losing empathy for victims was a self protective measure, but Ballard hoped it never happened to her. Police work could easily hollow you out. But ash believed that losing one's empathy was losing one's soul."
I rate this library book 5 stars because Connely is a master at writing police procedurals. I now see Titus Welliver when I read Bosch's words.
November 29, 2021
4+ Fostered by my mother, my love for mysteries and detective novels, began when I was a pre-teen. Long ago. Together we read Phyllis Whitney, Victoria Holt, Agatha Christie and watched on television, The Thin Man, my mom's favorite. Throughout the years I've read many series, dropped some as my reading tastes slightly changed, picked up a few. Connelly and his Bosch novels is a series I've faithfully read from the beginning.
Now retired, or supposedly retired, he works on unsolved cases. The addition of a young Ballard, a detective who reaches out to Harry, is a welcome addition, as well as keeping the series fresh. What is unique about this book is that the author doesn't shy away from the events occuring at present. A demoralized police department, social unrest, Covid, masks and vaccines are integrated into the story. The plot itself features two different cases but Harry's help is once again sought as one of the cases touched on an unsolved that Harry had worked when he was in the department.
These stories always read fast, always interesting and we'll written. Ballard is different because she doesn't shy away from using unusual and often frowned on tactics to solve a case. A little like a younger Bosch, though of course she is female. At books end Ballard will be given a choice. Alas, we have to wait for the next book to see what decision she makes.
ARC from Netgalley.
Now retired, or supposedly retired, he works on unsolved cases. The addition of a young Ballard, a detective who reaches out to Harry, is a welcome addition, as well as keeping the series fresh. What is unique about this book is that the author doesn't shy away from the events occuring at present. A demoralized police department, social unrest, Covid, masks and vaccines are integrated into the story. The plot itself features two different cases but Harry's help is once again sought as one of the cases touched on an unsolved that Harry had worked when he was in the department.
These stories always read fast, always interesting and we'll written. Ballard is different because she doesn't shy away from using unusual and often frowned on tactics to solve a case. A little like a younger Bosch, though of course she is female. At books end Ballard will be given a choice. Alas, we have to wait for the next book to see what decision she makes.
ARC from Netgalley.
November 14, 2021
Got through page 58 and had to stop
I don't know what happened to this author. I guess he got woke. Too much talk about masks, bumping elbows, vaccines, etc. Sorry but I am sick of that stuff in real life. Once I ran into the obligatory gay couple, (don't care which way you swing, just sick of it always being the topic of conversation) I thought, I am done. Book is not interesting and it's not one you can't put down. Pass..
I don't know what happened to this author. I guess he got woke. Too much talk about masks, bumping elbows, vaccines, etc. Sorry but I am sick of that stuff in real life. Once I ran into the obligatory gay couple, (don't care which way you swing, just sick of it always being the topic of conversation) I thought, I am done. Book is not interesting and it's not one you can't put down. Pass..
December 5, 2022
4,5 ⭐
Connelly es un referente en negra. Rara vez defrauda.
Mis impresiones.
Cuarta entrega del tándem Renée Ballard - Harry Bosch. En esta ocasión Ballard es la protagonista central. La participación de Bosch está supeditada a la suya. No sé si Connelly está buscando jubilar poco a poco a Bosch, dándole menos protagonismo en las novelas en las que interviene con otros personajes (ya lo hizo en "La ley de la inocencia"), o es simple casualidad, pero lo cierto es que echo de menos más protagonismo por su parte. Por supuesto, esto último es totalmente subjetivo. Bosch es mi preferido con mucho entre las creaciones que han salido de la pluma de este autor.
Desarrolla dos tramas, correspondientes cada una a un caso que se le plantea a Renée Ballard. Son casos independientes que no guardan relación entre sí. Como suele ser habitual en el autor, despliega un conocimiento profundo de lo que son los estamentos policiales de Los Ángeles y de su funcionamiento. La investigación de ambos casos es impecable. No hay casualidades aquí, solo revisión de los expedientes y trabajo policial meticuloso.
La trama comienza el 31 de diciembre del 2020. La pandemia sigue presente, aunque ya se está procediendo a vacunar a los primeros colectivos. Las restricciones derivadas de la situación sanitaria golpearon a un cuerpo de policía, que ya arrastraba una situación difícil. El desencanto y la desidia reinan en el departamento. En este contexto, Ballard (una versión femenina de Bosch), que cree en lo que hace y en la necesidad de hacerlo bien, es un verso suelto, que chocará con las actitudes de algunos de sus compañeros.
La ambientación en la ciudad de Los Ángeles, al final del primer año de pandemia, es muy buena. Quedan retratados no solo los lugares sino el ambiente que se vivía. Señalar que la novela se hace eco de los disturbios sobre el asalto al Capitolio. La estupefacción de Bosch ante este hecho refleja lo que sintieron muchos estadounidenses, que jamás pensaron que algo así pudiera pasar.
El final correcto. Cierra bien ambos casos y nos deja con incógnitas sobre el futuro profesional de Renée. Habrá que esperar a la siguiente entrega para despejarlas.
En conclusión. Una novela policíaca con el inconfundible sello de calidad de Connelly. Recomendable.
Connelly es un referente en negra. Rara vez defrauda.
Mis impresiones.
Cuarta entrega del tándem Renée Ballard - Harry Bosch. En esta ocasión Ballard es la protagonista central. La participación de Bosch está supeditada a la suya. No sé si Connelly está buscando jubilar poco a poco a Bosch, dándole menos protagonismo en las novelas en las que interviene con otros personajes (ya lo hizo en "La ley de la inocencia"), o es simple casualidad, pero lo cierto es que echo de menos más protagonismo por su parte. Por supuesto, esto último es totalmente subjetivo. Bosch es mi preferido con mucho entre las creaciones que han salido de la pluma de este autor.
Desarrolla dos tramas, correspondientes cada una a un caso que se le plantea a Renée Ballard. Son casos independientes que no guardan relación entre sí. Como suele ser habitual en el autor, despliega un conocimiento profundo de lo que son los estamentos policiales de Los Ángeles y de su funcionamiento. La investigación de ambos casos es impecable. No hay casualidades aquí, solo revisión de los expedientes y trabajo policial meticuloso.
La trama comienza el 31 de diciembre del 2020. La pandemia sigue presente, aunque ya se está procediendo a vacunar a los primeros colectivos. Las restricciones derivadas de la situación sanitaria golpearon a un cuerpo de policía, que ya arrastraba una situación difícil. El desencanto y la desidia reinan en el departamento. En este contexto, Ballard (una versión femenina de Bosch), que cree en lo que hace y en la necesidad de hacerlo bien, es un verso suelto, que chocará con las actitudes de algunos de sus compañeros.
La ambientación en la ciudad de Los Ángeles, al final del primer año de pandemia, es muy buena. Quedan retratados no solo los lugares sino el ambiente que se vivía. Señalar que la novela se hace eco de los disturbios sobre el asalto al Capitolio. La estupefacción de Bosch ante este hecho refleja lo que sintieron muchos estadounidenses, que jamás pensaron que algo así pudiera pasar.
El final correcto. Cierra bien ambos casos y nos deja con incógnitas sobre el futuro profesional de Renée. Habrá que esperar a la siguiente entrega para despejarlas.
En conclusión. Una novela policíaca con el inconfundible sello de calidad de Connelly. Recomendable.
November 9, 2021
LAPD Detective Renee Ballard loved working the dark hours, her graveyard shift and on New Year’s Eve she and her partner were parked under a bridge among the homeless people, waiting for the traditional ‘rain of lead’ as guns went off into the night air to celebrate the arrival of a new year. But not long into the New Year, Ballard received a call of a body found at a street party – when the bullets go up, they must come down – so did the ex-gangster die from one of those random bullets, or was he murdered?
Meanwhile a team of two rapists had been brutally attacking women across the city and Ballard was determined to stop them. With her teamed up with ex-LAPD Detective – now retired – Harry Bosch, because of the ex-gangster case, she picked his brain and used his considerable experience to work on the two cases. She was being ostracized by her department, even down to her superior, and although she liked working alone, in some situations it was preferable to have a partner. It was when she’d gone home to sleep after working almost twenty-four hours straight, that danger came closer and Ballard knew she must be near to having the answers she needed...
The Dark Hours is the 4th in the Renee Ballard series by Michael Connelly and once again it was an outstanding read! With plenty of action, lots of twists, the pandemic creating change in every situation, and Ballard crossing the line to get the job done, I thoroughly enjoyed every part of Mr Connelly’s latest title. I love Renee’s feisty, gutsy passion to get the bad guy at almost any cost, and her interaction with Bosch is proving to be an excellent partnership. The Dark Hours is another great police procedural from the pen of a master, which I recommend highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Meanwhile a team of two rapists had been brutally attacking women across the city and Ballard was determined to stop them. With her teamed up with ex-LAPD Detective – now retired – Harry Bosch, because of the ex-gangster case, she picked his brain and used his considerable experience to work on the two cases. She was being ostracized by her department, even down to her superior, and although she liked working alone, in some situations it was preferable to have a partner. It was when she’d gone home to sleep after working almost twenty-four hours straight, that danger came closer and Ballard knew she must be near to having the answers she needed...
The Dark Hours is the 4th in the Renee Ballard series by Michael Connelly and once again it was an outstanding read! With plenty of action, lots of twists, the pandemic creating change in every situation, and Ballard crossing the line to get the job done, I thoroughly enjoyed every part of Mr Connelly’s latest title. I love Renee’s feisty, gutsy passion to get the bad guy at almost any cost, and her interaction with Bosch is proving to be an excellent partnership. The Dark Hours is another great police procedural from the pen of a master, which I recommend highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2021
Covid, masks, covid, vaccine, blah, blah, blah. I only made it 15 minutes on the audiobook. FAIL!
February 19, 2022
There’s nothing like a great novel by Michael Connelly to remind me of the power of a stellar police procedural. Transitioning from his stalwart protagonist, Harry Bosch, to a new and gritty detective, Renée Ballard, Connelly shows that police investigations come in all shapes and sizes. LAPD Detective Renée Ballard is working the New Year’s shift, hoping to catch a pair of serial rapists known as the Midnight Men. When a murder pulls her in another direction, Detective Ballard begins her investigation. It would seem some forensics ties the murder to an old case, one investigated by retired Detective Harry Bosch. Ballard and Bosch work together on both cases, peeling back deceptions and truths to find what really happened. Willing to risk it all, Ballard forges ahead to get the cases solved, mentored by Bosch, who still revels in being considered a pariah within the LAPD. Connelly dazzles again and kept me reading late into the night.
LAPD Detective Renée Ballard is used to seeing a great deal on her overnight shift, but nothing prepares her for the intense night that New Year’s Eve brings. While she is counting down the minutes until her shift ends, she’s called to the scene of a street party, where one man has been fatally shot, but no one seems to be talking. What a way to end one year and begin another!
If that were not enough, Ballard has been keeping an eye open for an attack by the Midnight Men, a pair of rapists who have been striking around each holiday. Ballard is not sure what to make of it all, but she’s keen to get some answers, when time permits. It is sure to be an exciting and exhausting beginning to January, but what does Ballard have to lose?
Some early sleuthing and forensics helps Ballard determine that the shooting victim could not have died from an errant bullet that fell from above, but rather a targeted attack that was meant to rile up the community. She traces the bullet back to a gun that was used in another unsolved murder years before. That case, though it remains cold, was investigated by retired Detective Harry Bosch, a friend of Ballard��s but surely not of the LAPD.
Working once again with the gritty and no-nonsense detective, Ballard and Bosch begin their own investigation, pushing the limits in order to put the pieces together. When they seek a little distraction, they discuss and work the Midnight Men case, which has some interesting facts piling up and potential pre-planning. Could the rape victims be anything but random attacks?
Ballard finds herself picking up more than simply investigation tips from Bosch, as she sees her time in the LAPD coming to a close. She has the grit and determination to bring down two sets of criminals, but it may require a slight bending of the rules to do it. Could Ballard be headed down the same path as her mentor? If so, does she really care all that much? Another classic police procedural that will leave readers begging Connelly for more and hoping that this duo is back once again soon.
I have long admired Michael Connelly for his work on this series, which keeps getting better with more twists than a soft pretzel. While Harry Bosch was a sensational protagonist, his stepping side for Renée Ballard has not lessened the impact of the novels, nor does it make me want to read them any less. There is a great connection between Bosch and Ballard, without causing either one of them to force the other to stand in the shadows. The stories are still as gritty as ever and the cases are strong with just enough humour to cut through some of the tension. Connelly had not lost his knack.
Renée Ballard has grown on me over the past few novels, having to fill shoes that are almost impossible to do effectively. She’s got a backstory, though Connelly has left this on the sidelines for the most part. Rather, there is her constant growth and development that comes to pass throughout the novel, as Ballard uses her mentor, Harry Bosch, to hone her skills and become a better cop, if not a more determined person. She has what it takes to make a difference and knows what she needs to do, even if that means crossing the line on occasion as well.
I am never disappointed when it comes to a Michael Connelly novel, as I can be assured of a strong story, great character interactions, and wonderful banter throughout. Connelly has developed these skills over a long period, with a narrative that is both dark and easy to follow, which builds throughout the process and uses twists to keep the reader guessing. The pace allows readers to become ensconced in all that is taking place around them, while finding something intriguing about the characters who set things up effectively for all to see. Plot lines are not always linear, which helps keep the story feeling fresh and some sense of wonder throughout. While I know Bosch was somewhat sidelined a few novels ago, his presence remains strong as Ballard utilises him for some of her own needs and keeps things fresh throughout. There’s something to be said for this duo and I can only hope Connelly has at least a few more novels in him where they can work together, even if that means pushing the LAPD to the side.
Kudos, Mr. Connelly, for keeping the Bosch spirit alive, while allowing Renée Ballard to rise up and make a name for herself as well.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
LAPD Detective Renée Ballard is used to seeing a great deal on her overnight shift, but nothing prepares her for the intense night that New Year’s Eve brings. While she is counting down the minutes until her shift ends, she’s called to the scene of a street party, where one man has been fatally shot, but no one seems to be talking. What a way to end one year and begin another!
If that were not enough, Ballard has been keeping an eye open for an attack by the Midnight Men, a pair of rapists who have been striking around each holiday. Ballard is not sure what to make of it all, but she’s keen to get some answers, when time permits. It is sure to be an exciting and exhausting beginning to January, but what does Ballard have to lose?
Some early sleuthing and forensics helps Ballard determine that the shooting victim could not have died from an errant bullet that fell from above, but rather a targeted attack that was meant to rile up the community. She traces the bullet back to a gun that was used in another unsolved murder years before. That case, though it remains cold, was investigated by retired Detective Harry Bosch, a friend of Ballard��s but surely not of the LAPD.
Working once again with the gritty and no-nonsense detective, Ballard and Bosch begin their own investigation, pushing the limits in order to put the pieces together. When they seek a little distraction, they discuss and work the Midnight Men case, which has some interesting facts piling up and potential pre-planning. Could the rape victims be anything but random attacks?
Ballard finds herself picking up more than simply investigation tips from Bosch, as she sees her time in the LAPD coming to a close. She has the grit and determination to bring down two sets of criminals, but it may require a slight bending of the rules to do it. Could Ballard be headed down the same path as her mentor? If so, does she really care all that much? Another classic police procedural that will leave readers begging Connelly for more and hoping that this duo is back once again soon.
I have long admired Michael Connelly for his work on this series, which keeps getting better with more twists than a soft pretzel. While Harry Bosch was a sensational protagonist, his stepping side for Renée Ballard has not lessened the impact of the novels, nor does it make me want to read them any less. There is a great connection between Bosch and Ballard, without causing either one of them to force the other to stand in the shadows. The stories are still as gritty as ever and the cases are strong with just enough humour to cut through some of the tension. Connelly had not lost his knack.
Renée Ballard has grown on me over the past few novels, having to fill shoes that are almost impossible to do effectively. She’s got a backstory, though Connelly has left this on the sidelines for the most part. Rather, there is her constant growth and development that comes to pass throughout the novel, as Ballard uses her mentor, Harry Bosch, to hone her skills and become a better cop, if not a more determined person. She has what it takes to make a difference and knows what she needs to do, even if that means crossing the line on occasion as well.
I am never disappointed when it comes to a Michael Connelly novel, as I can be assured of a strong story, great character interactions, and wonderful banter throughout. Connelly has developed these skills over a long period, with a narrative that is both dark and easy to follow, which builds throughout the process and uses twists to keep the reader guessing. The pace allows readers to become ensconced in all that is taking place around them, while finding something intriguing about the characters who set things up effectively for all to see. Plot lines are not always linear, which helps keep the story feeling fresh and some sense of wonder throughout. While I know Bosch was somewhat sidelined a few novels ago, his presence remains strong as Ballard utilises him for some of her own needs and keeps things fresh throughout. There’s something to be said for this duo and I can only hope Connelly has at least a few more novels in him where they can work together, even if that means pushing the LAPD to the side.
Kudos, Mr. Connelly, for keeping the Bosch spirit alive, while allowing Renée Ballard to rise up and make a name for herself as well.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 15, 2021
The Dark Hours (A Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel 4), Michael Connelly, author; Titus Welliver, Christine Likin, narrators
In this fourth book in the Renee Ballard series, The plot is obvious from the beginning. From the get-go, it is obvious that there are two crimes being investigated. One is the murder of a former gang member gone straight, and the other is the rape of several women. There is a little mystery, as the reader knows that the crimes will be solved by the indomitable Renee Ballard, who is the protégé of Harry Bosch. Both are rogue cups.
Arrogant and defiant, because she really wants to work homicides, as she once did, Renee is not viewed as a team player. Often acting on her own, defying the rules, she attracts even more negative attention. Since she does not trust the department to have her back, so she often calls on Harry, instead, to back her up and protect her. This conflict makes her think about leaving the force and joining Harry Bosch doing private investigation. Her thoughts trouble her because Harry’s daughter is in the police academy. Shouldn’t she be more supportive? At the end of the book, the reader is left to wonder whether or not she will remain a police officer or join forces with Harry Bosch. Both ideas are now attractive to her, but it is a difficult choice.
Although the story is laden with hackneyed phrases and trite sounding conversations and often seems like a treatise on male toxicity vs. women’s rights and inequality, it is also eye opening in one respect. It seems that having to follow the watered down current regulations and policies of the police department actually inhibits the solving of crimes. The bureaucracy and power structure make it hard to do one’s job. Also, the “honor among thieves”, code of silence, that protects wrongdoing in the department, often punishes the victim and not the perpetrator.
The progressive, pro Democrat messages are unwelcome interruptions in the novel. The final insulting, political straw for me, was when the January 6th so-called insurrection is raised, and the murder of a policeman is mentioned. It is a false message, which has already been discredited, since the only murder that day was of an unarmed woman, climbing through a window in the Capital. The Capital Police Officer whose identity was hidden, at first, was not charged.
In this fourth book in the Renee Ballard series, The plot is obvious from the beginning. From the get-go, it is obvious that there are two crimes being investigated. One is the murder of a former gang member gone straight, and the other is the rape of several women. There is a little mystery, as the reader knows that the crimes will be solved by the indomitable Renee Ballard, who is the protégé of Harry Bosch. Both are rogue cups.
Arrogant and defiant, because she really wants to work homicides, as she once did, Renee is not viewed as a team player. Often acting on her own, defying the rules, she attracts even more negative attention. Since she does not trust the department to have her back, so she often calls on Harry, instead, to back her up and protect her. This conflict makes her think about leaving the force and joining Harry Bosch doing private investigation. Her thoughts trouble her because Harry’s daughter is in the police academy. Shouldn’t she be more supportive? At the end of the book, the reader is left to wonder whether or not she will remain a police officer or join forces with Harry Bosch. Both ideas are now attractive to her, but it is a difficult choice.
Although the story is laden with hackneyed phrases and trite sounding conversations and often seems like a treatise on male toxicity vs. women’s rights and inequality, it is also eye opening in one respect. It seems that having to follow the watered down current regulations and policies of the police department actually inhibits the solving of crimes. The bureaucracy and power structure make it hard to do one’s job. Also, the “honor among thieves”, code of silence, that protects wrongdoing in the department, often punishes the victim and not the perpetrator.
The progressive, pro Democrat messages are unwelcome interruptions in the novel. The final insulting, political straw for me, was when the January 6th so-called insurrection is raised, and the murder of a policeman is mentioned. It is a false message, which has already been discredited, since the only murder that day was of an unarmed woman, climbing through a window in the Capital. The Capital Police Officer whose identity was hidden, at first, was not charged.
March 21, 2022
3.5 stars
This review was first posted on Mystery and Suspense. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-dark-h...
In this 23rd book in the Bosch World series, Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch work together to solve two related homicides and Renee tries to track down a tag team of rapists. The book works fine as a standalone but knowledge of the characters is a bonus.
*****
LAPD Detective Renee Ballard worked in the elite Robbery Homicide Division until she accused her boss of sexual harassment and got transferred to the night shift.
On the graveyard shift Ballard gets to start investigations, but then has to pass them off to the day watch. Renee resents this and often finds a way to continue the investigations, to the chagrin of her superiors.
On New Year's Eve 2020 Ballard and her temporary partner, Detective Lisa Moore of the Sex Crimes Unit, are sheltering beneath an underpass while Angelenos follow the tradition of firing guns into the air. Falling bullets often shatter windshields, so the detectives are staying out of the way while they anticipate a call about the Midnight Men, a team of two rapists known to strike on holiday eves.
Shortly after midnight, Ballard and Moore are called to the scene of a death. Auto shop owner Javier Raffa, who hosts a neighborhood party every New Year's Eve, was shot in the head.
Renee would normally turn the Raffa case over to West Bureau Homicide, but they're overtaxed so Renee gets to keep the case for the time being.
As it turns out, a shell casing connects Raffa's homicide to the unsolved murder of rapper Albert Lee ten years ago, a case investigated by Detective Harry Bosch.
Bosch worked for the LAPD for over thirty years, but was always a maverick, and was finally pushed out. Bosch now works independently, looking into cold cases. Ballard contacts Bosch - who's her mentor and friend - about the deaths of Raffa and Lee , and the duo decide to investigate the homicides together.
Renee and Harry discover that Raffa had been a member of the Las Palmas gang, but borrowed $25,000 to buy himself out.
As it happens, victim Albert Lee had also borrowed a large sum of money, and the detectives speculate that the debts connect the murdered men with their killer.
Meanwhile, on New Year's Day, a woman named Cindy Carpenter reports that two men raped her the night before, and the modus operandi proves they're the Midnight Men.
Ballard has to pursue the rapists on her own because Detective Lisa Moore has sneaked off for a vacation with her boyfriend. This lackadaisical attitude has become common in the LAPD due to the Covid pandemic, public vilification of the cops, violent protests, and the defund the police movement.
The malaise hasn't spread to Renee though, who works day and night to capture criminals.
Meticulous police work by Ballard and Bosch uncovers clues about the Raffa and Lee shootings, and a man walking his dog gives Renee a lead on the tag team rapists. Ballard's fervent pursuit of the perpetrators puts her life in danger, and flouting the rules gets her in trouble with her lieutenant. As the murder and rape cases head toward resolution Ballard considers leaving the LAPD and working with Bosch full-time. Will a visit from the chief of police change Renee's mind?
On the light side, Ballard adopts a chihuahua mix from Wags and Walks. The rescue pooch, named Pinto, goes paddle-boarding with Renee on her days off and stays in 24-hour doggy daycare when Renee's working.
Ballard also meets an attractive EMT called Garrett Single, who helps Renee out in a pinch and invites her to a firehouse dinner. Is there romance in Renee's future?
This is an excellent thriller, and I look forward to seeing Ballard and Bosch work together again.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
November 15, 2021
I have been a fan of Michael Connelly for many, many years. I have enjoyed Harry Bosch and have read every single book in his series. I've also read all of the spin off series. We all knew that Harry was getting older and realistically there was going to be a limit to how much longer his character was going to be able to continue. So, I thought the teaming up with Renee Ballard was a smart idea.
Unfortunately, this is another author who has made the decision to insert the woke politics of today and certain views on masks, the vaccine, defund the police and BLM into the story. I lost count of how many times "masks" were mentioned. Either being put on, taken off, describing the masks by color - even the people who chose not to wear one. It was so often and at times, so very not relevant to whatever was happening on the page. It does truly pull the reader out of the story. The inclusion of the "hate Trump" graffiti, the January "insurrection", the BLM "protestors” (rioters) and many, many other similar events just seemed superfluous and wasn't really necessary for the story. I'm not sure why it was needed- especially since this entire series has been a police procedural series that have centered on the actions and cases of a cop and the LAPD. Besides that, I have grown to really like Harry. Harry Bosch was a cop. He devoted his entire life to the LAPD and was already screwed enough by them. Now, we have the police department shown in an even more horrible light. Who knows, maybe the LAPD is completely corrupt, but it seems to take everything that Harry worked for and believed in and throw it back in our face.
Anyway, that is neither here nor there. That was just an observation. I didn't find the plot and the story itself up to what we have come to expect from Mr. Connelly. I didn't finish the last page with a feeling of accomplishment on the part of the protagonists. I really felt just...sad.
There is enough going on in the real world today that I don't want to come away from a book feeling even worse. I'm hoping this was just a one off and that we can get back to what made the series great in the first place. If not, it might be time to say goodbye to this series. But...I truly hope not.
Unfortunately, this is another author who has made the decision to insert the woke politics of today and certain views on masks, the vaccine, defund the police and BLM into the story. I lost count of how many times "masks" were mentioned. Either being put on, taken off, describing the masks by color - even the people who chose not to wear one. It was so often and at times, so very not relevant to whatever was happening on the page. It does truly pull the reader out of the story. The inclusion of the "hate Trump" graffiti, the January "insurrection", the BLM "protestors” (rioters) and many, many other similar events just seemed superfluous and wasn't really necessary for the story. I'm not sure why it was needed- especially since this entire series has been a police procedural series that have centered on the actions and cases of a cop and the LAPD. Besides that, I have grown to really like Harry. Harry Bosch was a cop. He devoted his entire life to the LAPD and was already screwed enough by them. Now, we have the police department shown in an even more horrible light. Who knows, maybe the LAPD is completely corrupt, but it seems to take everything that Harry worked for and believed in and throw it back in our face.
Anyway, that is neither here nor there. That was just an observation. I didn't find the plot and the story itself up to what we have come to expect from Mr. Connelly. I didn't finish the last page with a feeling of accomplishment on the part of the protagonists. I really felt just...sad.
There is enough going on in the real world today that I don't want to come away from a book feeling even worse. I'm hoping this was just a one off and that we can get back to what made the series great in the first place. If not, it might be time to say goodbye to this series. But...I truly hope not.
April 30, 2022
I've been a huge fan of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosh series since the first book, The Black Echo, appeared in 1992, and I've eagerly looked forward to each new installment in the series. Bosh was introduced as a veteran of the Vietnam war and was in his middle thirties when he first appeared, and Connelly made the decision to age the character in real time so that Harry is now in his late sixties. This decision has presented the author with some significant problems, principally in that Harry was forced to retire from the L.A.P.D. and is obviously not the man he used to be, physically at least.
Connelly kept the character relevant by allowing him to investigate cold cases, by having him get his license and do some work as a P.I., and by temporarily detailing him to a small police department outside of the city. But several years ago, he introduced a new and younger detective, Renee Ballard, who is as much an outsider in the L.A.P.D. as Bosch was. This is now the fourth novel to feature Ballard and along the way, she has managed to team up with Harry who serves as a mentor to Ballard and who assists her off the books with her investigations.
This book begins on New Year's Eve as 2020 turns into 2021. Ballard is soon working two cases and, like Bosch before her, is managing to antagonize her superior officers and a number of her fellow cops as well. One of the cases involves two men, known as the Midnight Men, who have committed a series of rapes. The other involves the murder on New Year's Eve of an auto shop owner. Ballard soon discovers that the gun that was used to kill the man ties back into an old, unsolved case that Bosch once worked. Naturally, she turns to Harry for the details of his case and in short order, the two are working together again with Bosch as Ballard's silent partner.
The investigations play out against the backdrop of the Covid Pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and the Capitol insurrection. Much of the book moves pretty slowly, and it doesn't really pick up speed until the last quarter of the book.
Part of my problem with the book is that I love the character of Harry Bosh but I still have not been able to warm up to Renee Ballard who seems to be a pale imitation of Bosch. And in my humble opinion, the author is having something of the same problem. Bosh has always been a riveting character and the stories Connelly created around him were always charged with tension and pulled the reader along at a breakneck pace. With Ballard, it often seems to me that Connelly is basically going through the motions, giving us a lot of police procedure without much spark. Back in the day, when I opened a typical Harry Bosch novel, I was basically out of circulation until I finished it. But I don't find Ballard or these stories to be nearly as compelling. I read this book over the space of four days and had no problem at all frequently putting it aside and going on to other things.
In the end, this may simply come down to the fact that I hate the idea of an iconic character like Harry Bosch being reduced to the role of somebody's sidekick. I realize that Connelly basically painted himself into a corner by letting Bosch age in real time, but I wish he had come up with a better approach to keeping the character relevant. Perhaps at this stage of the game, he might have gone back in time to tell a story from earlier in Bosch's life when Harry was a younger and more vigorous man. Lawrence Block did this once with his series character, Matthew Scudder to very good effect.
Ultimately, I don't know if I really care to read any more "Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch" novels, but I'm comforted by the fact that I have a shelf full of real Harry Bosch novels that I can return to whenever I need a great read.
Connelly kept the character relevant by allowing him to investigate cold cases, by having him get his license and do some work as a P.I., and by temporarily detailing him to a small police department outside of the city. But several years ago, he introduced a new and younger detective, Renee Ballard, who is as much an outsider in the L.A.P.D. as Bosch was. This is now the fourth novel to feature Ballard and along the way, she has managed to team up with Harry who serves as a mentor to Ballard and who assists her off the books with her investigations.
This book begins on New Year's Eve as 2020 turns into 2021. Ballard is soon working two cases and, like Bosch before her, is managing to antagonize her superior officers and a number of her fellow cops as well. One of the cases involves two men, known as the Midnight Men, who have committed a series of rapes. The other involves the murder on New Year's Eve of an auto shop owner. Ballard soon discovers that the gun that was used to kill the man ties back into an old, unsolved case that Bosch once worked. Naturally, she turns to Harry for the details of his case and in short order, the two are working together again with Bosch as Ballard's silent partner.
The investigations play out against the backdrop of the Covid Pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and the Capitol insurrection. Much of the book moves pretty slowly, and it doesn't really pick up speed until the last quarter of the book.
Part of my problem with the book is that I love the character of Harry Bosh but I still have not been able to warm up to Renee Ballard who seems to be a pale imitation of Bosch. And in my humble opinion, the author is having something of the same problem. Bosh has always been a riveting character and the stories Connelly created around him were always charged with tension and pulled the reader along at a breakneck pace. With Ballard, it often seems to me that Connelly is basically going through the motions, giving us a lot of police procedure without much spark. Back in the day, when I opened a typical Harry Bosch novel, I was basically out of circulation until I finished it. But I don't find Ballard or these stories to be nearly as compelling. I read this book over the space of four days and had no problem at all frequently putting it aside and going on to other things.
In the end, this may simply come down to the fact that I hate the idea of an iconic character like Harry Bosch being reduced to the role of somebody's sidekick. I realize that Connelly basically painted himself into a corner by letting Bosch age in real time, but I wish he had come up with a better approach to keeping the character relevant. Perhaps at this stage of the game, he might have gone back in time to tell a story from earlier in Bosch's life when Harry was a younger and more vigorous man. Lawrence Block did this once with his series character, Matthew Scudder to very good effect.
Ultimately, I don't know if I really care to read any more "Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch" novels, but I'm comforted by the fact that I have a shelf full of real Harry Bosch novels that I can return to whenever I need a great read.
November 20, 2021
This is the 23rd book in the Harry Bosch series by author Michael Connelly but is the character Renee Ballard features just as prominently. Michael Connelly is probably my favourite author so I was eager to read this and not surprisingly read it in one sitting. All the usual ingredients are there, great characters, interesting plot and expertly written.
LAPD Detective Renée Ballard and ex detective Harry Bosch team up to try and solve two cases where investigation appear to have hit a brick wall. In Hollywood on New Year’s Eve Ballard is called to a crime scene where an auto shop owner has been fatally hit by a bullet in the middle of a crowded street party.
Ballard’s investigation leads her to look into another unsolved murder that was previously worked by Detective Harry Bosch. Together Ballard and Bosch try to solve the shooting and search for a two rapists who have been called ‘the Midnight Men’ and team up to terrorise the public committing awful crimes.
400 pages went so quick as I raced through this novel, fast paced full of action and I loved every minute of it, I just wished there were another 400 pages.
LAPD Detective Renée Ballard and ex detective Harry Bosch team up to try and solve two cases where investigation appear to have hit a brick wall. In Hollywood on New Year’s Eve Ballard is called to a crime scene where an auto shop owner has been fatally hit by a bullet in the middle of a crowded street party.
Ballard’s investigation leads her to look into another unsolved murder that was previously worked by Detective Harry Bosch. Together Ballard and Bosch try to solve the shooting and search for a two rapists who have been called ‘the Midnight Men’ and team up to terrorise the public committing awful crimes.
400 pages went so quick as I raced through this novel, fast paced full of action and I loved every minute of it, I just wished there were another 400 pages.
November 14, 2021
As one of my favourite authors, a new Michael Connelly book is like Christmas come early for me. His books were some of the first police procedural books that I ever read, thanks to my dad who thought I would like them. And he was right. All these years later and Harry Bosch is my all time favourite fictional detective. There was a happy dance happening when I opened this bookmail in the middle of lockdown in Sydney 2021. A very big thank you to Allen and Unwin, who understand my obsession with all things Michael Connelly.
This is the 4th Renee Ballard book and I am liking her more and more each book. She is one tough cookie, working the Late Show (or graveyard shift) for the LAPD in Hollywood. She sees the more hidden and darker side of the city and that is the way that she likes it. This book starts on new years eve 2020 during the pandemic. It has been a tough year with lockdowns, department politics, Black Lives Matter and the scrutiny of the police force as a whole. On the job is now more dangerous than it has ever been.
As always with a Connelly book, there is alot going on. Renee is called to the scene of a homicide early on new years day. She wants to hold on to the case and gives it everything she has. When she finds a link to an old case that her friend and mentor, Harry Bosch worked on, the pair team up once again to hunt down the killer. While she is doing this, she is also working on the Midnight Men case where women are being in attacked in her own home.
A serious page turner, The Dark Hours shows the lesser seen side of the law. Renee is not one to stick to the rules and probably why she gets on with Harry so well. They are a team that will never give up and really care about the victims of the crimes. They question the system and it is not always taken well by the higher ups.
It will come as no suprise to anybody that this was a 5 star read for me and will be one of my favourite books of 2021. Do yourself a favour and pick up a Connelly book, sooner rather than later.
The Dark Hours is released November 9th.
This is the 4th Renee Ballard book and I am liking her more and more each book. She is one tough cookie, working the Late Show (or graveyard shift) for the LAPD in Hollywood. She sees the more hidden and darker side of the city and that is the way that she likes it. This book starts on new years eve 2020 during the pandemic. It has been a tough year with lockdowns, department politics, Black Lives Matter and the scrutiny of the police force as a whole. On the job is now more dangerous than it has ever been.
As always with a Connelly book, there is alot going on. Renee is called to the scene of a homicide early on new years day. She wants to hold on to the case and gives it everything she has. When she finds a link to an old case that her friend and mentor, Harry Bosch worked on, the pair team up once again to hunt down the killer. While she is doing this, she is also working on the Midnight Men case where women are being in attacked in her own home.
A serious page turner, The Dark Hours shows the lesser seen side of the law. Renee is not one to stick to the rules and probably why she gets on with Harry so well. They are a team that will never give up and really care about the victims of the crimes. They question the system and it is not always taken well by the higher ups.
It will come as no suprise to anybody that this was a 5 star read for me and will be one of my favourite books of 2021. Do yourself a favour and pick up a Connelly book, sooner rather than later.
The Dark Hours is released November 9th.
July 29, 2022
Fabulous.
December 14, 2021
Harry Bosch is ageing (aren’t we all!) and has been retired from the LAPD for some time now. We’ve been through his temporary return to work on cold cases and also a period working for the San Fernando Police Department, but now he’s completed that stint too. So what to do with him? He’s too good a character to lose so why not team him up with a younger cop who has many of the behaviours and traits we’ve witnessed Harry display for years and then tag Harry along as a mentor and sometime helper? That might do the trick. And that’s what Connelly has done – and done it pretty well too, in my view.
Renée Ballard was initially introduced as a new stand-alone character, a detective with an interesting past who’d been relegated to the night shift after raising a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor. She’s strong willed and punchy – just like Bosch – but she’s just different enough to avoid notions of a new mini-Bosch creeping into my thoughts. Well okay, not quite. I enjoyed the first Ballard book The Late Show and then in her second outing Harry appeared on the scene and he’s been there ever since as a friend, mentor and sometimes a coincidental holder of information on relevant past cases. The combination does work well, although at times the fit does seem a little forced to me. But in this latest book there's the suggestion that Bosch maybe handing over the mantle to his younger counterpart - this is clearly Ballard’s story, with the old star making what feels like just a cameo appearance.
The plot concerns two cases: that of a couple of guys who are on a break-in and rape spree in the City of Angels and the murder of an ex-gang member who’d been shot just as the clock struck twelve on New Year’s Eve. I won’t go into the detail but you can take it as read that both cases are interesting and the combination works well to maintain both variety and pace. As always, Connelly seems to get all the detail right, the cop talk feels authentic and some interesting insights into how the LAPD works are dropped in for good measure. The author is brilliant at this, he never loses me in his linear telling of a story or causes me to doubt actions taken by either the chasers or the chased. He’s simply a brilliant story teller.
This is the first book I’ve read in which the COVID-19 pandemic has featured in such a prominent way. It’s not that a big thing is made of it, it’s more that it effects routines and behaviours very visibly. There’s also mention of the violent insurrection in Washington lest you have any doubt that MC keeps the clock ticking real time in his books. I’m not going to say this is his very best work, I just feel that the Bosch/Ballard combo feels just a little too clunky for that. But I did enjoy spending time with both of them and I’d be very happy if they could be brought back together in a partnership that feels more natural. The good news is that there are hints here that something maybe afoot in this regard - we’ll see how that plays out in due course.
Renée Ballard was initially introduced as a new stand-alone character, a detective with an interesting past who’d been relegated to the night shift after raising a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor. She’s strong willed and punchy – just like Bosch – but she’s just different enough to avoid notions of a new mini-Bosch creeping into my thoughts. Well okay, not quite. I enjoyed the first Ballard book The Late Show and then in her second outing Harry appeared on the scene and he’s been there ever since as a friend, mentor and sometimes a coincidental holder of information on relevant past cases. The combination does work well, although at times the fit does seem a little forced to me. But in this latest book there's the suggestion that Bosch maybe handing over the mantle to his younger counterpart - this is clearly Ballard’s story, with the old star making what feels like just a cameo appearance.
The plot concerns two cases: that of a couple of guys who are on a break-in and rape spree in the City of Angels and the murder of an ex-gang member who’d been shot just as the clock struck twelve on New Year’s Eve. I won’t go into the detail but you can take it as read that both cases are interesting and the combination works well to maintain both variety and pace. As always, Connelly seems to get all the detail right, the cop talk feels authentic and some interesting insights into how the LAPD works are dropped in for good measure. The author is brilliant at this, he never loses me in his linear telling of a story or causes me to doubt actions taken by either the chasers or the chased. He’s simply a brilliant story teller.
This is the first book I’ve read in which the COVID-19 pandemic has featured in such a prominent way. It’s not that a big thing is made of it, it’s more that it effects routines and behaviours very visibly. There’s also mention of the violent insurrection in Washington lest you have any doubt that MC keeps the clock ticking real time in his books. I’m not going to say this is his very best work, I just feel that the Bosch/Ballard combo feels just a little too clunky for that. But I did enjoy spending time with both of them and I’d be very happy if they could be brought back together in a partnership that feels more natural. The good news is that there are hints here that something maybe afoot in this regard - we’ll see how that plays out in due course.
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December 15, 2021
4.5-Stars > to 4.0-Stars. - "I Really Liked It"
Audiobook - 11:04 Hours - Narrated by Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver.
"The Dark Hours" is definitely a Renée Ballard book, with quite a few, mostly short, appearances by the beloved Harry Bosch throughout the latter half of the story. I have now read (listened to), the four Ballard novels released so far and I have enjoyed the development of her identity and persona with each book. I have no doubt that she will become a 'mainstay' character for Michael Connelly's books for the future. May Odin bless me with the longevity required to enjoy the next twenty or so!
The 'pixies' meddled with my listening for the first week or so, and I was forced to go back pretty much to the beginning of the audiobook and re-listen to it without many breaks. This solved the problem that I was experiencing with two things: a) I was expecting Bosch to appear much earlier in the book and I think his non-emergence was disappointing me; and b) was the confusion I experienced with the melding of the first and second crimes. The first crime was a pretty straight-forward, well-written 'police procedural', and the latter was way more complicated and really the guts of the book, although it duly satisfied my need for Bosch to make his appearance.
The narration by Christine Lakin, primarily as Ballard, but also as a number of other characters, was outstanding. Her vocal interpretation used for Ballard was excellent and well maintained, while her characterising of the lesser players was very good. Titus Welliver again re-created the quintessential voice of Harry Bosch. I know the Dick Hill lovers might disagree, but I think Welliver's is the best vocal characterisation of Hieronymus Bosch I have heard during "the current era"😊, that is, since he was Harry Bosch in the TV series.
I have a great admiration for Michael Connelly and I happen to share his political viewpoints, but I would have preferred that the politics surrounding the USA presidential election and subsequent events had not featured throughout the story. In my opinion their inclusion had an opportunistic, 'added-in' feel, and contributed little of literary merit to the book.
(Final para edited 2021/12/15)
Audiobook - 11:04 Hours - Narrated by Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver.
"The Dark Hours" is definitely a Renée Ballard book, with quite a few, mostly short, appearances by the beloved Harry Bosch throughout the latter half of the story. I have now read (listened to), the four Ballard novels released so far and I have enjoyed the development of her identity and persona with each book. I have no doubt that she will become a 'mainstay' character for Michael Connelly's books for the future. May Odin bless me with the longevity required to enjoy the next twenty or so!
The 'pixies' meddled with my listening for the first week or so, and I was forced to go back pretty much to the beginning of the audiobook and re-listen to it without many breaks. This solved the problem that I was experiencing with two things: a) I was expecting Bosch to appear much earlier in the book and I think his non-emergence was disappointing me; and b) was the confusion I experienced with the melding of the first and second crimes. The first crime was a pretty straight-forward, well-written 'police procedural', and the latter was way more complicated and really the guts of the book, although it duly satisfied my need for Bosch to make his appearance.
The narration by Christine Lakin, primarily as Ballard, but also as a number of other characters, was outstanding. Her vocal interpretation used for Ballard was excellent and well maintained, while her characterising of the lesser players was very good. Titus Welliver again re-created the quintessential voice of Harry Bosch. I know the Dick Hill lovers might disagree, but I think Welliver's is the best vocal characterisation of Hieronymus Bosch I have heard during "the current era"😊, that is, since he was Harry Bosch in the TV series.
I have a great admiration for Michael Connelly and I happen to share his political viewpoints, but I would have preferred that the politics surrounding the USA presidential election and subsequent events had not featured throughout the story. In my opinion their inclusion had an opportunistic, 'added-in' feel, and contributed little of literary merit to the book.
(Final para edited 2021/12/15)
January 21, 2023
As a fan of the Harry Bosch series, I enjoyed Connelly's latest police procedural story. Renee Ballard is the main character, and she works The Dark Hours, meaning the midnight shift. She enlists retired cop, now private detective, Harry Bosch, to help her solve the two crimes she's investigating. Ballard is a loner, a surfer, and a good cop, but she doesn't always let department policy get in the way of finding the bad guys. She has a few narrow escapes, plus a new love interest. She also adopts a puppy, Pinto, a cute chihuahua mix. I didn't like a lot of the police jargon but it provided authenticity, a trademark of the Bosch series.
December 30, 2021
Renee Ballard… you are my hero!
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Renee Ballard is back on the job during the pandemic, wading through COVID, murder, and rapists (oh my). A former gang banger is shot on New Year’s Eve and Ballard rightfully suspects foul play, leading her to consult (TA-da!) Harry Bosch, the original investigator on a related case. Renee is teamed with a sex crimes detective who swims in the shallow “doesn’t give a crap” part of the police pool and winds up taking lead on finding some serial rapists. But Renee is learning yet again that the state of public service today is in shambles, just like our political culture, and she’s not sure she’s willing to fight much longer…
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This comes darn close to police drama perfection. I’ve read EVERY Connelly book, and yes I’m a fan, so I know that Connelly has extensive police procedure knowledge (how it REALLY goes down) and man, did he nail it during COVID/Protests/2021 - the year of crazy.
As a teacher, weirdly I related to this one - I’m also in a profession where people are leaving in droves and few are lining up to fill the vacancies. Relatively thankless jobs with long hours, pay that isn’t commiserate to experience OR education, and I’ve been pondering the, “WHY AM I DOING THIS?” too Renee. I’m lucky in that I’m at a school I like (hello students reading my review!) but it’s COVID and being high risk and a chronic illness warrior, losing my planning periods regularly to sub due to teacher shortages…. Ugh Renee… we are simpatico when it comes to career fatigue.
I found it so realistic, Renee Ballard’s tenacity and true love for her job - that hook (that keeps me teaching): I AM MAKING A DIFFERENCE. And Ballard no doubt does. She’s a good egg. A rare egg. Love that she is basically morphing into a female Bosch and Bosch is like Stetson cologne - a comfortable classic you recognize. I never tire of Bosch’s appearances, and his mentorship of Renee is perfection.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Police Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Ohhhh definitely in my top 5 Connelly books. All the fans will love it.
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re burned out on 2021 and can’t read another word about this sucky world.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Co. for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for helping me have an end-of-Breakfast-Club-John-Bender-fist-in-the-air moment.
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Renee Ballard is back on the job during the pandemic, wading through COVID, murder, and rapists (oh my). A former gang banger is shot on New Year’s Eve and Ballard rightfully suspects foul play, leading her to consult (TA-da!) Harry Bosch, the original investigator on a related case. Renee is teamed with a sex crimes detective who swims in the shallow “doesn’t give a crap” part of the police pool and winds up taking lead on finding some serial rapists. But Renee is learning yet again that the state of public service today is in shambles, just like our political culture, and she’s not sure she’s willing to fight much longer…
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This comes darn close to police drama perfection. I’ve read EVERY Connelly book, and yes I’m a fan, so I know that Connelly has extensive police procedure knowledge (how it REALLY goes down) and man, did he nail it during COVID/Protests/2021 - the year of crazy.
As a teacher, weirdly I related to this one - I’m also in a profession where people are leaving in droves and few are lining up to fill the vacancies. Relatively thankless jobs with long hours, pay that isn’t commiserate to experience OR education, and I’ve been pondering the, “WHY AM I DOING THIS?” too Renee. I’m lucky in that I’m at a school I like (hello students reading my review!) but it’s COVID and being high risk and a chronic illness warrior, losing my planning periods regularly to sub due to teacher shortages…. Ugh Renee… we are simpatico when it comes to career fatigue.
I found it so realistic, Renee Ballard’s tenacity and true love for her job - that hook (that keeps me teaching): I AM MAKING A DIFFERENCE. And Ballard no doubt does. She’s a good egg. A rare egg. Love that she is basically morphing into a female Bosch and Bosch is like Stetson cologne - a comfortable classic you recognize. I never tire of Bosch’s appearances, and his mentorship of Renee is perfection.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Police Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Ohhhh definitely in my top 5 Connelly books. All the fans will love it.
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re burned out on 2021 and can’t read another word about this sucky world.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Co. for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for helping me have an end-of-Breakfast-Club-John-Bender-fist-in-the-air moment.
January 15, 2022
Good writing. Good writer. Good end. 8 of 10 stars
August 5, 2025
It's New Year's Eve, 2020. LAPD detective Renee Ballard is, along with about every active-duty officer in the Los Angeles area, out on the streets. New Years is apparently a holiday rife with violence and idiots committing crimes, so the police are always out in force.
Right out of the gate, minutes after the ball drops, Ballard and her partner are called to a potential homicide. An auto shop owner is killed by a stray bullet during a raucous block party. It could just be an accident, but when the victim is discovered to have a background with one of LA's deadliest Latin gangs, the focus of the investigation changes.
Ballard and her partner have also been investigating a string of rapes, committed by two men in ski masks. A new victim provides some new clues which could help.
Ballard's plate being full, she asks Harry Bosch---now a private detective---for help.
"The Dark Hours" is the fourth Ballard book and the 23rd Bosch book. Author Michael Connelly could spend the rest of his career writing nothing but Ballard-Bosch novels and I'd be happy.
Right out of the gate, minutes after the ball drops, Ballard and her partner are called to a potential homicide. An auto shop owner is killed by a stray bullet during a raucous block party. It could just be an accident, but when the victim is discovered to have a background with one of LA's deadliest Latin gangs, the focus of the investigation changes.
Ballard and her partner have also been investigating a string of rapes, committed by two men in ski masks. A new victim provides some new clues which could help.
Ballard's plate being full, she asks Harry Bosch---now a private detective---for help.
"The Dark Hours" is the fourth Ballard book and the 23rd Bosch book. Author Michael Connelly could spend the rest of his career writing nothing but Ballard-Bosch novels and I'd be happy.
November 30, 2021
3.5 stars. I struggled to rate this book because it's not a Harry Bosch novel and that's what I wanted it to be. Yeah, I get it. It's now the Harry Bosch Universe. He's retired. He's going to be a secondary character from now on, but I'm just not as intrigued or compelled by Ballard. She's a good cop. A bit of a hothead, but her heart's in the right place. I just don't feel like I can get close to her as a reader, and that disconnect impacts the whole story. It's well-written, as all of Connelly's books are, but it's missing the spark that Bosch or Haller provide.
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