Sometimes I think if you looked up the word, “pageturner” in a dictionary, you’ll be greeted by a picture of the author Michael Connelly. I’ve read him for years – since the early 90s – and unlike other authors of whom I was a fan around that time, I’ve never tired of or outgrown his work. (Patricia Cornwell is an author I also read back then, but in that case, I think it’s more, “it’s not me, it’s her.”) Jonathan Kellerman is the only other author I can think of who’s still writing and who I still read – but my love for him doesn’t compare to my love for Connelly, or, more specifically, Hieronymous “Harry” Bosch, his most prolific and successful creation. I’m delighted to finally see great adaptations of his novels on Amazon Prime – although personally I’m more of a reader than a viewer of crime fiction.

Connelly is now facing the difficulty of Bosch having retired from the LAPD, although he does investigate cold cases pro bono as a reserve for the small San Fernando PD. So this one isn’t just a Bosch book – it also features Renée Ballard, to whom we were introduced in the very good recent novel The Late Show. Harry Bosch has had his fair share of partners over the years (Kiz Rider and Jerry Edgar immediately spring to mind), but Ballard is probably the most idiosyncratic of them all. Having spent her childhood in Hawaii, she loves the beach – to the extent she doesn’t have a permanent home, preferring instead to work her night shift (the late show, as it’s known) then drive to the beach in her van and pitch a tent, grabbing a few hours sleep after doing some paddleboarding.

Bosch and Ballard start working together on the LAPD cold case of Daisy Clayton, a 15-year-old runaway murdered 9 years previously. Ballard’s job means Bosch can gain access to LAPD material, and although the two solo operators are initially unsure how much trust to place in one another, they eventually begin to work as a team – especially after Renée extricates Bosch from a sticky situation resulting from his investigation into a gang-related murder in San Fernando. They’re actually very similar types of people – both essentially loners, married to their work; dogged investigators; and both subscribing to Bosch’s oft-cited view that “everyone counts or no one counts.” Ballard is very skilled at sizing up a crime scene and seeing exactly what occurred, something which is wonderfully demonstrated at the beginning of the novel when she is called to what looks like a particularly unpleasant murder scene. As well as Daisy’s murder, various other crimes are investigated along the way (the aforementioned crime scene Ballard’s called to, which morphs into another crime; Bosch’s gangland cold case.) They don’t all tie together the way they would in some novelists’ work; rather they demonstrate the strange and fascinating world of policing in Los Angeles – particularly at night. I also enjoyed getting an insight into how LAPD used to work, with the “shakedown”, or field interview cards. The sexism still rife in the Department is well illustrated in a “boys will be boys” case where some young teenagers are caught peeking at a strip club. Daisy’s case shows how Hollywood Boulevard – to cinema-goers and tourists, the epitome of glamour – has a much seamier side, particularly during the dark sacred night that supplies the book with it’s title.

Connelly’s success comes from knowing this city’s dark sacred nights inside out himself from his days as a crime correspondent on the Los Angeles Times (you can read some of his work as a reporter in the excellent Crime Beat.) Bosch and Ballard make a fine combination – it’s always been hard to find a partner who matches him in tenacity, and personality, as we’ve got to know him so well. His daughter Maddie is now away at college and has only a peripheral role to play in this novel, although I’ve often thought Connelly may intend to write books featuring her exploits (as a rookie cop, presumably) when the time comes. For now, though, there’s only room for one Bosch on the mean streets of LA, and this book should please dedicated fans and newbies equally. And I really wouldn’t expect anything less by now. Superb stuff indeed.

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!

Bosch and Ballard are the best crime fighting duo, Harry at his best with his younger sidekick L.A. Is in safe hands

Renee Ballard is an LAPD detective on permanent nightshift. She teams up with semi-retired veteran detective Harry Bosch to solve the cold case of Daisy Clayton's murder 9 years previously.

I've read many of the titles featuring Bosch and stopped because they were getting a bit samey. So returning to the series after a break of several years, i was pleasantly surprised ow much I enjoyed it. I am a fan of the police procedural and Michael Connolly is a great writer of this genre. It's got excitement and adventure, sleuthing, heartbreak, lowlifers, strong female lead. It's a really good book - you know what you are expecting and it delivers more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Crime for the latest Michael Connelly. Another great read from this brilliant author. Fast paced and an absolute page turner of a read. Two of my favourite characters in the one book so what is not to love about it. Each novel is so meticulously researched and it tells. I have no hesitation in recommending this book or the author.

Detective Renee Ballard returns to the office to find a stranger rifling the filing cabinets. It's Harry Bosch, still on the trail of a cold case he can't let go of. And now neither can Ballard.

As the case sucks them both deeper in, will they get the better of the case, or will it get the better of them?

Just brilliant

This is the first book I have read by Michael Connelly, there are quite a few to catch up on if I ever have a dent in my reading. From what I can gather the series featuring Bosch is a lot longer than the one featuring Ballard.

The cold case involving the murder of Daisy is the one that brings both of his characters together. Two different types of police officer, Bosch is now a reserve, and they are also from different generations, have different methods but they get on well and are working as a team.

Both of the characters narrate and it was Ballard’s story I preferred. If I had known more about Bosch’s character and previous cases my feelings could have differed. But Ballard intrigued me, obviously dedicated to her job, more than capable but banished to the ‘late show’.

Whilst they are intent on finding out what happened to Daisy they both had other investigations. Bosch was looking at gang related crimes and Ballard had a variety of call outs that she had to deal with. I found this really interesting and it’s not something I have come across before. It showed how the police officer’s shift changed constantly, how much they relied on their team and how many cases they had to deal with at the same time.

Towards the end I started to see a different side to Bosch, a more sinister one. Because I haven’t read any of the earlier books I’m not sure if it how he works or whether emotions were affecting his approach.

I will, one day, read the earlier books to find out.

I've enjoyed Mr Connelly's books for a number of years, first reading The Poet, before moving on to the Harry Bosch books. But I'm a little bit behind in the series, and so this was a jump forward. As a result, I hadn't met Renée Ballard in her previous outing, but that didn't matter, as this works perfectly as a standalone. I also read it straight after watching Bosch season 5 on Amazon Prime, so that was good timing!

Bosch is no longer in the LAPD and is a reserve for the San Fernando PD, but Ballard, working the night shift, known as 'The Late Show,' finds him looking through old files. She has, of course, heard of him, but hadn't met him previously, and is soon intrigued as to what he's investigating. Once she finds out, she is determined to help him with it, treating it as a hobby case and working on it in her own time and on quiet shifts.

This is a long read, coming in at 489 pages, but well worth it. It was great to see Bosch back, and I really liked the introduction of Ballard. Those of us who have read previous books know where we are with Bosch, what to expect, and I love that familiarity. But it's also great to have someone new in the mix. I really liked Renée and think she is full of promise. She's strong and determined, having had a difficult childhood, and a bad time before moving to the night shift, She's willing to bend the rules to get to the truth, but not break them. It's also good to see that she has a bit of a life outside the job.

The relationship between her and Bosch is tentative at first, but develops as they both realise they can trust and rely on the other. They think similarly, which means they work well together, making for a good partnership. I do worry, though, that neither of them gets enough sleep!

There is a lot going on in this book. As well as Bosch and Ballard's joint investigation, which goes down several dead ends, we also see the cases Ballard works as part of her regular job. For a Brit, it's an interesting insight into the workings of US police cases.

I'm always intrigued by titles of books, especially when the relevance isn't immediately obvious. The title here comes from a sentence spoken by a religious zealot who is briefly a person of interest in the case, and could easily be missed. I like that.

There is plenty to keep the interest here, and lots of action. It's paced perfectly, and just flows very naturally. I found it an easy and immensely enjoyable read. I realise that eventually Bosch will have to retire properly, but if it's the plan that Ballard should eventually be his successor, I reckon she'll do a grand job. In the meantime, I look forward to their next adventure together.

'Dark Sacred Night' lifts its title from the Louis Armstrong classic, 'What A Wonderful World'.This may seem ironic, given that this is a novel dealing with murder and a cold case, however, not only does it reflect Renee Ballard's night time detail, it could be said to represent the hope that remains whilst people like her and Bosch are around.

They both have personailites which leap off the page, this is the second outing for Ballard and the 21st Bosch novel as well as being the first in a new series.

Ballard is introduced in a brilliant scene at the very beginning of what looks like a murder but turns out to be something very different-this establishes her as being thoughtful, quick and a great lateral thinker. So when she comes across Bosch looking for files in a place where he shouldn't be able to access, her spidey senses start tingling.

In a neat piece of fourth wall breaking, as she is ringing around trying to get background on Bosch, his legend goes before him-everyone either knows him or knows of him via an urban tale of his exploits.

This is what is so great about Michael Connelly , he manages to include anyone who is a first time reader, not talk down to his regular crew AND establish the start of a new series.

Ballard has been moved to the night time crew as a result of a sexual harrassment case against her previous boss-she got moved sideways, he got away with it.

Her interest is piqued by the fact that Bosch is looking into a cold case of a 15 year old girl who was murdered and dumped, the disposability of women and their bodies/careers/future is an underlying them throughout the book as Ballard becomes increasingly keen to bring home justice to Daisy, prove herself as a detective AND work with Bosch . She does the night, he does the day. She can get to places that he can't as he is retired, but he can get places/start conversations that a woman can't.

Apart from being a cracking police procedural novel, this is an exciting kickoff for a new partnership for Bosch. I am looking forward to finding out more about Ballard in her third outing (this time she and Bosch are bringing Connelly stalwart Mickey Haller along for the ride).

Out in October, 'The Night Fire' looks like another must read! The paperback edition of 'Dark Sacred Night has a sampler of 'The Night Fire' , and it has definitely made me eager to read more.

This was not my alltime favourite Connelly book, that will always be 'The Black Echo', but I would absolutely recommend it and also the Bosch tv series on Amazon Prime. Series 5 has just started and it is just everything. Love it love it love it! It keeps the flavour of the books and adds another dimension to the characters which deepens your love for the books.

Although I know of many readers who love Michael Connelly's books and more again who are fans of the television series, Bosch, I have to confess that I came to Dark Sacred Night with fresh eyes - and high expectations. I wasn't disappointed, this is top quality writing in what proved to be an addictive read.
The pairing of Bosch with Renée Ballard works superbly, there are enough similarities between them to create a fascinating spark to their relationship as they work out ways to work together. There's a moment where Bosch shares some of his memories of his time in Vietnam with her and in return, she remembers her father who also served over there and it's a poignant scene which underlines their common need to try to make some order of a messed-up world. Both are highly driven individuals who are prepared to bend the rules if the end justifies the means.
The storyline alternates between following Bosch and Ballard's perspectives which means that alongside the central plot there are numerous smaller sub-plots, including several of Renée's late show call-outs. What is striking throughout is just how much of the book is concerned with sexual violence towards women. Ballard is working the graveyard shift because she spoke out after her former lieutenant tried to force himself on her - she was moved to a posting nobody would choose to work in, 'a slot normally reserved for the department's freaks and fuckups.' while he stayed put and in light of the Me Too movement resulting in countless scandals in Hollywood is now a supervisor in the special task force put together to investigate claims of sexual harassment and worse. Throughout the book, Ballard deals with male privilege and misogyny; whether from members of the public, such as the strip club owner whose response to women officers answering his call of a possible break-in is to offer them a part-time job, to the male bias of her colleague who is more concerned about the career of a top male comedian accused of rape than of the young woman he may have attacked.
Meanwhile, Bosch is now retired from active police work but still volunteering at the San Fernando police department, investigating cold cases. One involves the murder of a former gang member and as a result, Bosch finds himself in a perilous situation. The juxtaposition between his dogged determination to seek justice, “Everybody matters, or nobody matters.” and his fear and anger when his daughter becomes affected by the case, is a masterclass in how to create a believable, compelling lead character.
It's the investigation into the death of Daisy Clayton, a teenage prostitute killed over a decade ago which really draws the different themes explored in the novel together. Bosch is involved after he met her mother, Elizabeth in a previous story, Two Kinds of Truth and has offered his home to the woman who became addicted to opioids in the depth of her grief and guilt. Renée's decision to assist him leads to them both questioning just how far they are prepared to go amid the stark realisation that formal justice doesn't always prevail and for scores of women like Daisy there is little impetus to investigate their disappearance from the streets. It's a sombre book in many ways and highlights the division between the high-profile cases which make the news and those which are seen as an almost inevitable consequence of the victim's lifestyle.
The conclusion suggests that this temporary partnership between Bosch and Ballard will become a more permanent relationship and it's a mouthwatering prospect. Dark Sacred Night is compulsive, complex and thought-provoking, I thoroughly recommend it.

This isn’t my first Michael Connelly book, but it is the first I’ve read featuring the legendary Harry Bosch I’ve heard so much about. Here, he is teamed up with new character Renée Ballard, who was introduced in Connelly’s last book The Late Show.

Dark Sacred Night is an intriguing thriller that kept me on my toes and interested throughout. Even though I hadn’t read any Bosch books before I soon settled into the story, enjoying the twists, turns and exemplary characterisation that Michael Connelly is so good at. This novel is not quite as fast paced as some of the thrillers I’m used to, but is still a brilliantly written and suspenseful novel that I enjoyed immensely.

Although there are several different strands to this story, the main (and most interesting) one is the cold case of Daisy Clayton that Harry and Renée are working on together. Will they be able to piece together what happened to her? And, even more importantly, is her killer still out there and ready to strike yet again?

But for me, without a doubt, the highlight of the book was the blossoming partnership between Bosch and Ballard, something I’m eager to see explored further in future novels. They are very different people who you would never usually put together, but for some reason this unlikely pairing works incredibly well.

After reading Dark Sacred Night I’m now intrigued to find out more about the legend that is Harry Bosch, so will definitely be going back to the first book in the series to see how it all began.

A highly entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Thanks Netgalley, Publisher and of course Michael Connelly for another wonderful read with Mr. Harry Bosch. Would highly recommend.

I really enjoy the Harry Bosch series of books but this left me a bit disappointed.I love the development of Bosch's character but Ballard is lacking in any substance in this book. The book failed to grip me and overall, just an average read. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy.

Michael Connelly is famous for his series of novels featuring LAPD detective Harry Bosch. However, my first novel by this author wasn’t one featuring the famous detective, but it was The Poet (featuring reporter Jack McEvoy) which I randomly picked at a bookstore a few years ago. I found the blurb intriguing, I bought it, and then I devoured in two days. Since then, I am a big fan. I love the writing style, the pace, and the suspense. The author’s detailed knowledge of the police procedural makes it more real and gripping and he created some relatable, well-developed, and engaging characters that make me addicted to his novels. DARK SACRED NIGHT sees two of Michael Connelly’s creations come together for the first time: LAPD detective Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch, now a reserve detective at SFPD.

Ballard and Bosch are similar characters: they follow their instincts, they are willing to bend the rules, and they don’t stop until they find out the truth, even if doing so gets them in danger. They partner up to solve a cold case, the murder of fifteen-year-old Daisy Clayton nine years earlier. For Bosch the case is personal because of his close relationship with Elizabeth, the mother’s victim, while, at the same time he is working on a gang case. Ballard has her own cases to solve, but she finds herself more and more involved in Daisy’s murder.

I was surprised how well the pair Ballard-Bosch works: they quickly fall into a routine, trusting and complementing each other. I loved seeing these two characters getting together and I am already looking forward to read their next story and how their relationship evolves.

An interesting departure for Michael Connelly to put two lead characters together in one novel, although we have previously seen references to characters from other books in passing or in subsidiary roles. In this book we again meet Renee Ballard, who was introduced recently in 'The Late Show'. Renee is an accomplished detective who found herself the subject of unwanted sexual advances from a senior colleague and was subsequently deployed to the unpopular overnight detective shift for making a formal complaint. But this time Renee meets Harry Bosch and forms an interesting, if unofficial, partnership. Connelly fans expecting a high quality crime novel will not be disappointed. The writing is highly evocative and always fast-paced. There is certainly potential in this partnership for further development and I look forward to more Ballard/Bosch outings. Very highly recommended!

Realised that I had read this book before. Here is my review.



Brilliant. Bosch is brilliant as ever. I really enjoy reading Michael Connellys books about Bosch. I have read all of them and I eagerly await the next one. This is a series of books that I highly recommend. Bosch is a character that has developed over the years. Reading about all his cases is a pleasure. All the books are really well written and really well thought out.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for my copy.

What a thrill, as well as an honour to be kicking off the blog tour today for Michael Connelly’s latest book, Dark, Sacred Night!

In this police procedural, Connelly teams up his well-known and familiar detective Harry Bosch, who’s now left the police force, with his fairly new character, LAPD detective Renée Ballard.

After a run-in with her previous superior, Ballard’s now working the ‘late show’ i.e. the night shift, at the Hollywood Station. One night she’s sitting at her desk, minding her own business when she hears a noise, indicating that someone else is nosing around in the work area. It’s nobody she recognises, but it turns out to be none other than Harry Bosch … and so begins what we hope will be a long-standing and successful partnership.

Bosch is looking into a cold case that he just can’t let go of. Nine years ago a young girl was murdered and her body left on a trash heap. Her murderer was never apprehended and there’s just something about this case that’s latched onto Harry’s psyche. So much so, that the victim’s mom, a recovered addict is now living with him, temporarily, a contentious issue which has caused his own daughter to keep her distance.

I haven’t read a Harry Bosch book for quite some time and it seems that the aging cop is mellowing slightly. That said though, he also seems to have had quite enough of propriety and structure and is quite ready to go out and do his own thing, free of the constraints that being part of the police force brings. While Ballard is at first not too sure what to make of Bosch, she slowly comes to understand him and his work ethic and admires and respects where he’s coming from.

This promises to be a stellar tag team, complete with witty, sharp banter and underlying care and admiration. There’s a lot of cop-speak and terminology that might not be familiar to those who don’t read this genre often. But it’s not lost in translation and pretty easy to know exactly what’s being said. Although this is the second of Connelly’s books featuring Renée Ballard, there’s enough background given to provide the reader with sufficient information as to why she’s landed up working the late shift in this particular division … it’s also plenty info to make one go back and read that first book if you haven’t already done so!

Michael Connelly doesn’t disappoint in Dark Sacred Night. He describes society’s underbelly – a dark pit that’s inhabited only by a particular type of individual, to whom the night is sacred, as that’s when they’re able to commit their most disturbing, deranged, delusional deeds. That’s when their madness comes alive – in the midst of the dark, sacred night!

Bosch is back and at his best. Although semi retired still gets involved and manages to solve murders from the past in his usual unorthodox ways. Looking forward to more involving Ballard and Bosch, an exciting partnership.

This is the Author at his best .

Harry Bosch is working a 'cold case' , taking him into the vaults and old records of LA's Hollywood Station where he meets Renee Ballard for the first time. Renee works the late shift and finds Harry breaking into a filing cabinet . Realising that together they both have something to bring to the case he is looking into , they decide to work together …………. despite Ballard being LAPD whilst Bosch is SFPD.
The interaction between the main characters is believable and adds to the flow - even all the favours that Renee manages to call in to assist with the case .
Despite all the dangers and not following 'establishment' procedures they manage to solve the case .
We are left with the uncertainty of Bosch's job still being there for him ………….. and will the pair work together in the future ?

This was a fast paced thriller that held my attention from the 1st page to the last .

I will be looking for the previous books featuring Harry and Renee to bring me up to date with their characters .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is rip-roaring, giving credence to the ethos of team work and unity in this individualistic period of self. Bosch is a trusted protagonist but in his (new) partner Ballard, you have somebody who is the equal of Bosch's experience - it shows her doing the leg work whilst trying to ultimately solve the big case at the heart of the plot.

Winning dialogue and perfectly rounded characters who feature in cameos on occasion give scope to this LA set crime drama. Having never read a Connelly/Bosch novel before, this reader will seek out more in the future.