I missed the cut-off for reading it via NetGalley, however purchased the book and I was not disappointed. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

Having read this book previously still found it just as good, always a fan of Harry Bosch. A new partnership, Bosch and Ballard combined to solve one of Harry’s old cases. If the first of this series is anything to go by looking forward to further them.

This is a real trial to finish.
The story just plods along and the characters just do not seem to blend together.
It may be time for the author to call it a day.
The worst of Michael Connelly's books I have read.

Ballard and Bosch are going to make a fantastic team.

When they meet on the graveyard shift, Renee Ballard knows something about the infamous Harry Bosch isn't quite right. His reasons for being in her station don't quite hit the realism mark and she is determined to find out what he's up to.

Bosch is still hung-up on a cold case. Daisy Clayton's murder. There's been nothing new for them to go at for almost ten years and Bosch isn't prepared to let it lie any longer.

I adored this one.

A great start to a new series and one I'm not going to be letting fall to the wayside.

There was a lot of build up on this one, which is only to be expected in the first of a new series, we got some decent backstory and Renee and I can see how she and Bosch are going to gel as the series develops. Harry still seems broken. He felt tired in this one and perhaps that's because Maddie wasn't around? Who knows?

Renee is a great new character. She's got her own demons and like most women in a man's world, she has a lot to prove. I really warmed to her at first and although she makes shaky decisions, she has a real potential to make a huge difference. When the going gets tough, she jumps straight in and although her decision making skills need a little work, I can see she's going to become a firm favourite on the crime fiction lovers' bookshelves!

What I will say about the plot is this ...

When the tension kicks in it doesn't let up ... the twisty turny plot is perfectly executed and will keep you guessing. And we are left with a whole new route for Bosch to take.

I cannot wait for the next one!

http://irresistibletargets.blogspot.com/2018/10/michael-connellys-dark-sacred-night.html

Night shift detective Renee Ballard is typing up her report on her investigation of a woman found dead, after days in her bathtub, earlier that night, when she notices a stranger going through the file cabinets on the other side of the detective bureau. He's Harry Bosch, and when Bosch goes off with the shift commander, Ballard isn't convinced by his explanation. A quick examination of her own and she knows Bosch lied about what he was doing, and her curiosity is piqued by what his real motives were.

It's a brilliantly understated introduction of the two detectives Michael Connelly brings together in Dark Sacred Night. When I reviewed Ballard's debut, The Late Show, last year I wrote that “Ballard is too good a character not to reappear soon, and Connelly is too good a series writer not to draw Harry Bosch into her orbit,” and so it happened. I Interviewed Michael at Waterstone's Piccadilly on that book tour, and when I asked about comparisons between the two, he said he thought of each in terms of one key word: for Ballard 'fierce' and for Bosch 'relentless'. He repeats those definitions in a short introduction to this novel, which describes his decision to tell the story primarily separately, letting us see each character through the other's eyes.

Connelly does this so well the introduction is barely required. It's sometimes overlooked, in the depth of the Bosch characterisation, just how strong the police procedural element of his stories is, and with Ballard working her night cases while joining Bosch in his relentless probing into a cold case murder. That is the killing of Daisy Clayton, the runaway daughter of a junkie Bosch met in Two Kinds Of Truth, while working undercover on the prescription opioid trade; and the mother/junkie is now living in Bosch's house. Bosch also has another cold case warming on the burner for his employer, the San Fernando PD, the assassination of a Latino gang leader a decade and a half before. Connelly mixes these stories like a magician, but the aim is not to distract, but to put the reader more fully into the mindset of the characters. The pace is as relentless as Harry, and you are left wondering, above all else, how either her or Ballard ever get any sleep.

This is what keeps, and always has kept, Connelly's work above mere gimmickry, and it comes from his understanding of those personalities he has defined in one word. As doggedly as either of them, he builds their characters through the work they do, indeed the work by which they would probably define themselves. Interviewing Michael, I asked about some of the parallels I found between them: the loss of one parent, the absence of the other; the living in a metaphorically isolated location with a tremendous view: Bosch's of the city, Ballard's of the ocean, a view that is always the same but always changing. It is not surprising that they should be drawn together, that cases should be solved, that one would save the other's life, and that there might be some tragedy and sadness involved. This is what Connelly and Bosch have always been about. If, in the end, their 'formal' agreement to work together again seems a little bit too light or contrived, it is already something to look forward to. And I would not be at all surprised to find Mickey Haller being the agency that brings Bosch and Ballard together again. In the meantime, this is a must-read detective novel, for this or any year.

Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly
Orion £20 ISBN 9780857826374

NOTE: This review will also appear at Shots (www.shotsmag.co.uk)

3.5-4*
I should say from the outset that I have never read any other Michael Connelly books. So, when I saw Dark Sacred Night on NetGalley thought here was an opportunity to put that right.

Michael Connelly has written a lot of books so I was pleased that Dark Sacred Night was just the second in the Renee Ballard series. The first book, The Late Show, has set the scene for Renee working nights for LAPD in Hollywood and that is where we find her in this second book. She gets called to a murder scene one shift and when she returns to base to write up her report she finds a stranger rifling through the files of a colleague. Renee Ballard has just met Harry Bosch – and so have I!

He’s looking into a cold case. It’s not long before they are working the case together. Renée in her spare time and Harry on his own time. Daisy Clayton was abducted and murdered nine years before but it’s become personal for Harry and he’s determined to find her killer.

We alternate between Bosch and Ballard as we learn about their day to day cases and how they fit in and investigate the Daisy Clayton case. This is a fascinating police procedural which feels very real with regard to workload, action and attitudes.

I liked the main characters of Renée and Harry they both have history, they both want to find the bad guys and put them away. Mind you Harry does have his moments and at one point only just comes back from the brink of overstepping the mark.

There is a steady pace to the book which picks up when Harry’s life is threatened and then he goes missing. The storyline with Renee also picks up as it develops along with the tension when Harry disappears and when following up leads.

This was a really interesting read with regard to the police procedural element and I enjoyed the latter part of the storyline as things came to a conclusion. It felt realistic with regards to workload and relationships, interesting how being without her normal partner (away on bereavement leave) was handled on the night shift and how Renée was able to pick up the ‘hobby’ case and work with Bosch. Also, with Harry how he is working ‘part-time’ and investigating Daisy’s case on his own time. I suppose working cold cases gives more of an opportunity to take time. The working of different sections of police and different areas also played well into the storylines. I liked Renée’s character although her personal lifestyle seemed somewhat unusual and it would be interesting to explore that further as the series goes on. Harry was more difficult to get a handle on. No doubt fans of the Bosch series would be more familiar nevertheless I liked him just not everything he did but, again, this could certainly become a part of further books especially given what was hinted at in the epilogue.

I enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend reading it. It gave a different feel to other American crime fiction so a welcome change.

Thanks

My thanks to Orion via NetGalley for an eCopy of Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly.

This is a rather run of the mill detective story/ Characters were good with some potentially interesting back stories, but the actual investigation of a cold case was all a bit too easy. Looks like this is part of a series, but I don't think I'll bother with any others.

I love Harry Bosch and love the way Michael onnelly writes, I just am not convinced about Renee Ballard and the interaction between the characters yet. However I will try the next in the series!

Big fan of Michael Connelly's books.
Have read almost all of the Harry Bosch series.
A change here with the introduction of a new character
Does it work ?
Well thats for you to decide.
Personally I was a bit non plussed to ne honest.
A solid enough read if not spectacular

Another Bosch and Ballard killer read. This was really a well written novel, and I just love the way Bosch and Ballard interact with each other. I finished it last night and really enjoyed each and every moment of it!
Recommended.

This was my first read of the Harry Bosch series of books by Michael Connelly and I will certainly take the time to go back to the previous books in the series.

Harry Bosch is a retired LAPD cop who still works as a consultant for the police force when late night show cop Renee Ballard comes across him. Initially her suspicions are raised about his intentions and interest in an old case. However they decide to work together to solve the case of a murdered young girl to put the file at rest.

Both characters are developed in a strong manner, with Harry clearly being a type who does not let things rest. I liked the introduction of Renee who has been ostracized in the force relating to some previous behavior from her superior.

Michael Connelly recently received the prestigious Diamond Dagger for a career of sustained excellence and significant contributions to crime writing. His latest, DARK SACRED NIGHT shows the modern-day master is still at the top of his game.

Banished to Hollywood’s night shift after filing a harassment claim, fierce and fascinating detective Renee Ballard (first seen in the excellent THE LATE SHOW) stumbles over an old guy rifling through old files. Harry Bosch has sneaked into old haunts, looking for any clues to crack the brutal cold case killing of a teen runaway left in a dumpster. Two lone wolves willing to put it all on the line, Ballard and Bosch recognise something in each other, unofficially partnering up as they juggle cases old and new.

Connelly gives readers a fascinating ‘compare and contrast’, switching perspectives between two of his great creations. His crime tales are both timely and timeless, addressing deeper societal issues alongside the struggles and humanity of his characters. A new classic in a career filled with them.

[This review was originally published in the New Zealand Listener magazine in November 2018]

Michael Connelly is back with another masterful read. Blending the characters of Harry Bosch with Renee Ballard this tells the story of a cold case that comes back to haunt everyone. The plotting and characterisation is a tight and engaging as ever and it all comes together into a wonderfully entertaining read. The Ballard character marks an interesting turn for Connelly and hopefully there will be more novels in this series.

What’s it About? It’s a detective novel by the guy who I only knew from the Lincoln Lawyer series (although I have had his Harry Bosch books on my Kindle for a while). This is a Harry Bosch novel, but it also features a new detective: Renee Ballard. Harry and Renee team up to solve a cold case – that of the murder of a 15 year old girl.
What I liked I liked it a lot, actually: I love a good police procedural and this ticked a lot of boxes for me. It’s twisty and turny and the story keeps you turning the pages. The balance between the police case-solving stuff and the getting to know the characters stuff is just right. I love Harry and Renee both separately and as a team. It’s a good, easy, perfectly tense read.
What I liked Less I think, honestly, that I would have benefitted from having read the Harry Bosch novels before coming to this. It does work as a standalone, but, in terms of characterisation, I think that in places I’d have gotten more out of it for knowing the back story. That’s my fault though, obviously. Also, as a fan of my bed I wonder why nobody in this book ever sleeps and I feel sad for Renee’s dog, which is in day care all of the time

I do like Michael Connelly as a writer. You are guaranteed a good story, a tight plot and a satisfactory ending. This isn't one of his best as it is introducing the two characters (Bosch and Ballard) to each other but there is enough here to keep you occupied. Bosch is trying to solve an old cold case and Renee Ballard, who's working the night shift after a disagreement with her previous management, helps him. There are some difficult moments and some twists and turns but the ending leaves hope of further adventures.

Recommended if you wanted to catch up with Bosch but weren't sure where to start as you don't need to have read any previous books to enjoy this one.

I was given copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest reveiw.

It was great to catch up with Harry and Renee Ballard. It was good to see Harry have a new friend in his world.

Combining two of the best fictional detectives this is for any fans of detective Harry Bosh old and young and also a great introduction to new readers. Down as being book number 31 you can still open this one and read perfectly even if this is your first Bosh novel.
Brilliant as always!

I have read all of Michael Connellys Harry Bosch books and this latest one did not disappoint. It was refreshing to link him to the character of Rennee Ballard and I look forward to reading another instalment of their work together. Thoroughly recommended.

case, and Daisy’s story has seized hold of him.

My review:

Although I haven’t read the Harry Bosch novels, I have watched the tv series, so I believe I know him and his story well. And believe me, I love Bosch. On the other hand, I read the first book in this series The Late Show last year and really enjoyed it, especially because of the main character, Renee, and the way she investigates the cases.

Renee always does everyting she can for anyone and she’s brave and relentless. At the same time, she barely has a personal life and she lives for the job, but she’s fierce and strong and I will continue reading her adventures for a long time. If she works with Bosch, then I’ll be even happier.

These books are heavy on the procedural aspect of police novels and I must admit I find that fascinating. If you prefer reading about the lives of police detectives outside their job, then this is not the right series for you. You won’t find any emotional moments, either. These are simply police procedurals and while it’s not an easy genre, but Michael Connelly certainly knows how to write them.

There are two main cases going on in this book, and then a handful of small crimes that our main character also comes across during her night rounds. I had never read a crime novel featuring a detective working on the night shift, so she’s a bit of fresh air. What I love about this series is that it feels more realistic than others, maybe because the characters go through a lot of clues and suspects before they eventually find the actual killer. They get it wrong many times before they get it right.

Have you read any of Michael Connelly’s books? Do you know the Renee Ballard series? If you love the genre, then this is a solid read for you! 💙

Old coppers don’t retire, they just ‘plod’ on!

Harry Bosch has taken his pension but is still unable to fully retire. He is particularly troubled with a cold case in which a young girl, Daisy Clayton, was brutally murdered. And he has a personal connection to the case.

LAPD detective Harry is rifling through some drawers in the Hollywood Station when detective Renee Ballard first comes across him. Within a short space of time, she, too, is looking into this case and lo and behold, we have a new team emerging of Ballard & Bosch.

This may not be the best of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels but I think we could grant him a little slack as he sets up the opening story for this new partnership.

Sméagol

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review