The Late Show (Renée Ballard, #1; Harry Bosch Universe, #30) The Late Show question


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Never hit the mark.
Chancy Wooldridge Chancy Dec 15, 2017 11:19AM
I think he had a graduate student write this book. All one has to do is read the chapters of the forthcoming Bosch book in the back pages to see how The Late Show never hit the mark. Will try the next in the series because i have faith he can tighten this up. I've been reading him since day one. This is the first disappointing outing.



I really liked the book, was a departure from the Bosch angle but with some common themes, looking at LA a different way. Connected with Renée, likely because of her flaws as much as anything (similar to Harry) and am looking forward to reading more about her and getting to know her better


sublimosa (last edited Mar 01, 2018 02:13PM ) Dec 24, 2017 04:35PM   0 votes
I thought it was good enough, overall. There was a major point I thought was trite and overused, but certainly good enough for me to read the next one. I just read The Lincoln Lawyer last month and was thoroughly disappointed. I don't really care for the character of Harry Bosch, MC's writing is good enough to keep me reading the series. I read one of the Haller/Bosch crossovers and like Mickey much better so I thought I'd like his series. I doubt I'll read another of the LL series after the first. It seemed very simplistic.


I very much enjoyed the new detective and (hopefully) series! Would love for Renee' to hook up on a case with Bosch!

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Cindy Ehrenreich Connelly has a book coming out later this year that features both of them
Feb 02, 2018 11:51AM · flag

I wasn't crazy about this one, either. Maybe he just doesn't do female characters well? I thought the whole abduction thing was trite and tired, and I was quite surprised Connelly took that route.

Love his Bosch and, to a slightly lesser degree, Haller novels.

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sublimosa I actually found the character interesting, but TA on the abduction being trite and tired.
Mar 01, 2018 02:12PM · flag

I don't think I can be reading the same book as all the 5* reviews? This is laboured, generic, impossible to care about the characters, hackneyed, and hard work to get through. The writing is pedestrian. Dialogue "XXX, he said" "yyyy she said", clunks along. This is one for people who enjoy Dan Brown.


I'll admit up front I'm a big Michael Connelly fan. I have yet to read a book of his I didn't like.
Having said that, I liked Renee, not as much as Harry and Mickey but enough that I'll read other books in the series.
Mehitabel may have a point in that Connelly doesn't do female characters well. Of all his books, the one I'd rate at the bottom is Void Moon which also has a female lead.
But on the other hand, Rachel Walling is a prime character in 5 books and she comes across fine.


I have to disagree with those who didn't enjoy this book. I, in fact, liked Renee. Yes, she may not be a fully matured character yet and certainly Connelly may have some difficulty making the transition from a male to female lead character, but I think that will come with time. The first Bosch book wasn't a success at first, I'm sure. In fact, I started reading it several years ago and put it aside. When I finished the Late Show I went back and picked up Black Echo and finally finished.


I have been such a Connelly fan but I agree that The Late Show never hit the mark. Here, Connelly is too enamored with police procedure and the whole thing was a predictable snore. Better luck with the new Bosch/Ballard release.


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