The Late Show by Michael Connelly
Series: Renée Ballard #1
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: July 18, 2017
Date Read: September 2, 2017
Length: 405 pages
Source: NetGalley
★★★★☆
#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces Renée Ballard, a fierce young detective fighting to prove herself on the LAPD’s toughest beat—the Late Show.
Renée Ballard works the night shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing none, as each morning she turns everything over to the day shift. A once up-and-coming detective, she’s been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor.
But one night she catches two assignments she doesn’t want to part with: the brutal beating of a prostitute left for dead in a parking lot and the killing of a young woman in a nightclub shooting. Ballard is determined not to give up at dawn. Against orders and her partner’s wishes, she works both cases by day while maintaining her shift by night. As the investigations entwine, they pull her closer to her own demons and the reason she won’t give up her job, no matter what the department throws at her.
I really enjoyed this book. It has been quite a few years since I last read a book by Michael Connelly. I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy his writing but it came back to me pretty quickly once I started reading this book. I made the decision to read this book largely based on the fact that it was the start of a new series that sounded pretty interesting. Once I started reading, I had a really hard time stopping because I had to know how things would work out.
This book features Renée Ballard. She is a detective in Hollywood working the midnight shift or the Late Show. Renée and her partner don’t keep the cases that come up on their shift instead they focus on doing the initial processing before handing it off to someone on the day shift. Renée was transferred to the Late Show after accusing her former supervisor of sexual harassment.
The book opens with Renée and her partner on the job. They deal with a theft and then go immediately to deal with a severe assault that has left the victim near death. Before they can leave the hospital to collect evidence at the scene, they are pulled to work on a night club shooting that has left several people dead. Renée doesn’t want to let these cases go and keeps trying to figure out what really happened.
I liked Renée even though I didn’t always like the things she did. There were a few times that she seemed to step over the line just a bit. As the book progressed and I got to know Renée better, I understood that she really wanted to do what needed to be done to find justice for the victims. She was a really unique character and her home life was not at all what I would have expected.
The story was really exciting and the mystery was rather complex. There were a few things that happen in the story that I didn’t see coming at all. I love all of the twists that this story took and I honestly didn’t figure anything out until it was revealed in the story. I loved how the story flowed with equal focus on the mystery and learning about the characters as they worked to solve the cases.
I would highly recommend this book to mystery fans. I found this to be a very well-written story filled with interesting characters and a solid mystery. I am really looking forward to following Renée on more cases as this series continues.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley.
About the AuthorMichael Connelly is the author of twenty-nine previous novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Wrong Side of Goodbye and The Crossing. His books, which include the Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series, have sold more than sixty million copies worldwide. Connelly is a former newspaper reporter who has won numerous awards for his journalism and his novels and is the executive producer of Bosch, starring Titus Welliver. He spends his time in California and Florida.
I didn't know about this one, but if you say it has interesting characters and a solid mystery, then I think it might be worth a shot!
I really enjoyed it, Silvia!
This sounds good! I haven't read one of his books in many years…have to check this one! Great review!
This is the start of a very promising series! I need to make sure that I don't forget about authors like Connelly.
I like Michael Connelly's talented writing, though I've only read a handful of his Bosch series' books (and watch the Amazon show). This one wasn't a home run for me, but I wasn't really sure why. Did I miss Harry? Did I not click with Renee? I felt more detached during the reading, but it is a first book and not sure what will happen moving on.
Anyway, everyone has a different take on books, so I welcome your wonderful review and so glad you enjoyed it!
I haven't watched the show yet but hope to at some point. At first, I wasn't sure about Renee but by the end of the book, I liked her.
Hmmm, I have not really tried that many books like this. I mean I only recently started reading thrillers, but no crime
I really read a mix of everything and do enjoy a good crime thriller. Michael Connelly is such a talented writer.
I haven't read this author but this sounds like a good mystery.
I loved how detailed it was and the fact that I couldn't figure it out was a huge plus.
Love a good mystery and this sounds really good. Kind of sounds more interesting that she did step over the line. Nice review. ~Aleen
I got a little nervous for her a couple of times. It is great when a book can make you feel like that.
Connelly is a name I know but have never read and for some reason in my head I associate him with science fiction. This one sounds awesome and definitely like one I'd enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
He writes detective books and he does a great job with them. This is his first with a female lead so I was very curious about it but I enjoyed it.
I am glad to hear you liked this one, Carole. I really like Michael Connelly's books and this sounds like one I will enjoy. It's already on my wish list. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I can't wait to see what you think of it, Wendy! I think he did a great job with the characters in this one.
This was my first book of his in ages too and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Renee is a complex character and I got totally swept up in this because of her.
I really liked how unique Renee was and am looking forward to more of her.
I have heard of this author before because his mystery novels are widely known and his writing style is a famous one. I am glad it all came flooding back to you as to why you love his style and his writing is so good for you!
It did come back to me very quickly. I hope to read more from him soon.