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"Renée Ballard works the night shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing none as each morning she turns her cases over to day shift detectives. 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 cases 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 own partner's wishes, she works both cases by day while maintaining her shift by night. As the cases 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."--… (more)
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In this case we've got a new hero, Renée Ballard, a detective on the overnight shift. It's considered a dead-end job because "late show" detectives typically don't get to follow up cases to the end, instead responding to calls and cleaning up for the daytime detectives, and they suffer the ignominy of having the least desirable working hours. Ballard is there because in her last position she reported her lieutenant for sexual harassment, and her male partner didn't back her up. She doesn't much like working graveyard hours, but anything's better than working for the lieutenant, and she gets to go to the beach in the morning. She's a paddle boarder who grew up in Hawaii.
Unfortunately for the reader, this interesting premise doesn't get any more interesting than its brief description. Ballard is emotionless even by Connelly's standards: when she does have feelings, they pace the small area between pissed off and prickly before being banished again. She has no friends. She has a sex partner she keeps at a distance. She accords her current partner a grudging respect born of necessity, and mostly works alone. (At least Bosch has an ex-wife, a daughter, and a partner he'd die for.) While it's hardly new for a detective hero to have less than a full human life, nor even to want one, those heroes generally have superhuman powers (as with Holmes), wit, or some other defining characteristic. Connelly seems to be betting that the novelty of his hero being a woman will be enough to keep our interest. To his credit, the issues of a woman in a male-dominated workplace, including harassment, the threat of sexual assault, and pervasive sexism seem to be depicted accurately and according to their importance.
The case involves five people murdered at a trendy club, with a side plot about a transgender prostitute who's beaten nearly to death and dumped in a parking lot. The main plot involves the usual tropes of a tough puzzle combined with the political complications of working within a large organization (and yes, I'm being deliberately vague). The side plot seems to exist mainly to put the hero in physical danger.
For this book Connelly has adopted a terse, more-Hemingway-than-Hemingway sentence structure. He's done his usual thorough research into the details of police work, but more than in other books, he can't stop showing it off. The exposition never stops: the jargon, the acronyms, the procedures stay in the foreground. Some readers probably enjoy this, but imagine if a Western story featured frequent interruptions explaining how the sheriff selects, maintains, holsters, and cleans his various guns, or showing him completing and sending off paperwork about his deputies for the territorial government.
Not the best detective book. Not the best Connelly.
The
Renee Ballard is a strong, well-developed character, sympathetic, tenacious, and, at the same time, flawed. She’s not good with authority and doesn’t always make the wisest decisions. Yet she dedicated and she’s fearless.
Equally believable characters and situations surround her. Spot-on authenticity in the character’s detective work, descriptions that bring the city of Los Angeles to life, and intriguing mysteries all work together to pull the reader into the story while the constantly-building tension ramps up the suspense and keeps readers on the edge of their sears. A twisting plot and unexpected reveals keep the pages turning.
Highly recommended.
Renee' Ballard works the night shift in Hollywood--also known as the Late Show--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
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.
What Did I Think?
I hope Harry Bosch is not retired but just taking a long over-due vacation. Where ever he is he should be aware that a new star has risen on the police horizons...Detective Renee' Ballard. Ballard is in her own way as complicated and scared as Harry...and like Harry this woman is driven to succeed..to leave no stone unturned in her pursuit to solve the case. When the piece fall into place for Renee'Ballard the reader shares her adrenaline jolt. When her demons come to haunt her, the reader shares her sorrow.
The book is fast paced and the character of Renee' Ballard is everything this series needs to become as big a hit...if not even bigger than Harry Bosch. Thank you Mr. Connelly... and take care of Harry.
Renee has just been demoted to "The Late Show" which is the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift that
Keeping herself safe is foremost in her mind, however, she sometimes lets the heat of the moment and the risks fall wayside leading to her abduction and near death.
I especially loved the ending. I had to read twice the part when the suspect was revealed. I could not believe it. I was so sure it was someone else. How did this other guy slip into that list? I surely did not see that one coming.
Renee Ballard is definitely and going to be one of my favorite characters. I can't wait to read more books with her as the main character. Especially now that she has a "new job".
Thanks to Little, Brown and Company and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
On the other hand this is a good police procedural up to his usual standard and a step in the right direction in giving us a strong female character as an alternative to Bosch. However I want to see her develop in different ways to Bosch and I want to know more about her backstory. So far it’s good but not sufficiently different
The Late Show is one compelling adrenaline rush of a story and Ballard is the perfect protagonist to match the furious speed. She’s a complicated woman - brash, brave, and willing to buck authority when she thinks, no, knows she’s the woman for the job even while realizing she is putting, not only her job but her life on the line but she also has flaws that make her sympathetic. She may not be Bosch but she’s plenty good enough to get the job done and keep the reader’s attention. A high recommendation from me for fans of Connelly or anyone who likes fast-paced thrillers and strong female protagonists.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
I read tons of crime fiction, and I've read a number with a female protagonist but I've read very few second or third entries in such series over the years. The only current exception is Harry Bingham's Fiona Griffiths 6 book series which is terrific and highly recommended. I have found too many other series to be a bit over the top, regardless of the author's gender. I think Connelly has his character nailed here, but time will tell. What makes LS so good is not only the lead character, police detective Renee Ballard, but the supporting cast as well, an interesting plot and sub-plot, the fast pace, and the little details of police investigations. Connelly has done a great job in researching for this book. While the main plot deals with the shooting of five people in a bar, the sub-plot dealing with the assault of a transgender woman holds great interest as well.
But it all centers around Ballard. She is on the Late Show (midnight shift) because she filed a complaint against a police lieutenant for inappropriate behavior - and the powers that be ruled that her charges were not proven. Consequently, she was moved off the team and onto the Late Show. Her relations with her colleagues are mixed. Ballard is close to her dog and her Gramma - and she spends many nights in a tent on one of the nearby beaches. She has/had an occasional lover or two. Lots of little nuggets about life in LA. So far, I like Ballard but I'm not in love yet. It'll be interesting to see how I feel about her after another book or two.
MICHAEL CONNELLY
MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER Little Brown/Hachette Audio
PUBLISHED July 18, 2017
NARRATED Katherine Moennig
An exciting new series by Michael Connelly featuring a determined and resilient female detective, who is both impressive and rather intriguing.
SUMMARY
Renée Ballard works the “late show” at the LAPD, the night shift. She's there because her previous supervisor made a pass at her, and she pushed back with a sexual harassment complaint that went no where. She doesn't mind working the late show, she gets in on the ground floor of lots of cases, the problem is, she never gets to finish any of them. She has to turn each of them all over to the day shift each morning.
One night she catches two cases that she doesn't want to let go of. One is the brutal beating of a prostitute left for dead in a parking lot. The other is the death of a young woman in a nightclub shooting. It's a huge case with four others dead. Her previous supervisor is in charge of the scene, he hasn't forgiven her for the complaint, and he doesn't want her around any of his cases. Ballard steps lightly but keeps working these two cases even when she's off the clock. It's against orders and her partner's wishes. But she wants to solve a case, and the more she uncovers the harder she digs in. She won't give up.
REVIEW
THE LATE SHOW is a exciting new series by author MICHAEL CONNELLY featuring Renée Ballard who is in her mid-30’s, single, and loves to paddle board. She is a smart, strong-willed police detective with plenty of determination. Renee is courageous and certainly not afraid to do what it takes to get the job done. But what I love about her the most is her emotional resilience, her ability to get right back up after being dealt a difficult hand. I’m so elated to have started this series and am already looking forward to the next book, and the next and the next. It’s always nice to have something to look forward to!
MICHAEL CONNELLY delivers a fast-paced crime mystery that masterfully weaves multiple plot lines together like a beautiful braided necklace. THE LATE SHOW was engaging and I highly recommend it. Looks like the start of something good! I listened to the Audible version of the book and thought Katherine Moennig’s narration of the book was good.
Well by the third page I was hooked, seems good authors, dependable authors can do that, just
The cases are varied, and actually the author got me with a zinger of a twist, in a case big reveal. Just love when they do that. Definitely a good start to a new series, as always tightly plotted, well written and well researched. First girl lead Connelly has introduced, so I don't have to feel as if I am cheating on Bosch. Also to answer my second question, heard he will come out with a new Bosch n the Fall, so win, win.
Meet Renée Ballard, a detective in the
On the night shift, she and her new partner field calls, but pass them on to the day crew to pursue. But Renée's drive and determination to find answers and justice for victims is hard to suppress. She fields two calls one evening - the beating of a prostitute and a waitress killed on the periphery of a seeming gangland shooting. Against all protocol she decides to pursue both cases on her own in the day while still working the night shift.
Oh, The Late Show is so very, very good on so many levels. Renée is intelligent, driven and tough. She has to be to do what she does - and to put up with what her superiors and fellow officers throw at her. I like her back story - it has some depth, unusual elements, is believable and makes this lead even more 'human'. Connelly's plotting in this latest is impeccable - intricate, detailed and oh so addicting. The 'who' question in the one case is at the heart of everything. The reader is alongside Renée as she puts together the pieces. I enjoy not having 'insider' information that the lead doesn't have. Danger and action are part of this book as well as the police work. There are a few scenes where my heart was in my throat and I couldn't put the book down. (And I admit I did peek ahead a few pages as I had to know the outcome.) The settings are detailed and the police procedures detailed and with the ring of authenticity.
The Late Show was a fantastic read for me and I can't wait to see more of this character. Highly recommended! Read an excerpt of The Late Show.
The author's notes at the end intrigued me..."A great debt of thanks goes to LAPD Detective Mitzi Roberts, who served in so many ways as the inspiration for Renée." Of course I had to google her - and yeah, she's a heck of a inspiration. She worked the Black Dahlia case amongst many others. Connelly also sneaks in a cameo reference to Bosch the television series in the plot.
In it, Connelly introduces his new character, Detective Rene Ballard, a ferocious tenacious determined police detective who could give Angie Dickinson a run for her money. Ballard is a fully-fleshed out character, who while having some of Bosch's tendencies to run solo and not fully within approved policy, is quite an interesting character, living often out of her surfer van, paddle boarding Venice Beach after her night shift called the Late Show.
This book, which is obviously the start of a new series (we can all hope), demonstrates Connelly's years of refining his craft as a novelist. It hits all the right notes as a story, is perfectly paced, and a thrill to read. Five stars.
Ballard is a detective on 'the late show', or the night shift. It's not a good thing for a detective to be assigned to that duty, but she's been victimized by internal politics and is making the most of it. She's extremely competent and is chafing at the bit to do more. She grabs an assignment to investigate a violent sexual assault but is also drawn into a multi-victim homicide at a bar that has some ominous undertones.
As with most of Connelly's work, the procedural stuff is rock solid. The writing is just OK... Connelly favors straightforward declarative sentences for the most part but will never be considered Hemingway-esque. The passages with dialogue sometimes seem to be a bit 'off', but that wasn't a huge problem. The plot was good, which I think separates it from some of his recent stinkers. The interaction between law enforcement personnel at different levels is always interesting, and when corruption is involved it's really complicated. 'The Late Show' has these interactions and their after-effects in spades.
I've docked 'The Late Show' a star since the first hundred or so pages were very boring, but the remainder kicked it up a notch. It's not one of Connelly's best (you'd need to go back a long way for that....) but it's very good and hopefully a return to form.
In "The Late Show" by Michael
It isn't polite to look in through other people’s windows. I knew this but still I would do it. It isn't an obsession, it isn't voyeuristic. No. But sometimes things would catch my eye as I walked past. A nice vase, a sleeping cat, a glimpse of a print on a wall, random "stuff" that makes a home a home. I liked to imagine who would surround themselves with these things, what do they look like? How do they live? In one window, I know is a tiny figurine of a young ballet dancer - cheap, pastel, glazed. Nondescript. Given a place of prominence through love.
I once saw the woman who owned that dancer.
It was her feet, the size of her feet. Sitting on the bus, I was just mesmerized by her feet. Spilling over her cheap plastic slip-on shoes. Feet that looked bulbous and par boiled like a body rising from a too hot bath. Veins cracking and breaking under the strain of their burden. Sad, shuffling feet trudging homeward, kicking carrier bags straining under the weight of their contents.
I followed the feet really, not the woman. I honestly don't recall what she looked like. Large I suppose, judging by her feet. Those feet. And, as I passed the door she had disappeared through, I took a glance to the side - there was this little dancer. More delicate in that moment than anything I had seen before.
I walked on and away. I have never been back to that street, but sometimes I think about that figurine and wonder if those feet might dream of dancing. I try not to look in windows any more.
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.
The plotting was pretty solid Connelly. His stories just pull you along. There were a few clunky things that were I a multi-award winning author translated into