Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

An action packed and gripping thriller! This is the first book by this author I've read, and it did not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading more of Connelly's work

Putting together two very strong characters in a book , characters that have their own series is a daring move . A move that has proven to be very successful in the pairing of Ballard and Bosh. Two totally different characters who seem to bring out the best of each other. Both having their own quirks and baggage yet who share the same moral ethics. Pairing them and giving them a series of books together was a a stroke of genius on the part of the author. It has opened up a whole new set of ways that we can carry on enjoying the two as they work together on a variety of cases. So we can still enjoy their solo work but also the chemistry they bring to the plot when they work as a team. It’s a full on pacy novel, imbued with tension and thrills as it keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy Ballard or Bosh on their own then you are in for a real treat reading them as a dynamic duo.

#TheDarkHours #NetGalley I love Michael Connelly's books and the Bosch and Ballard series' especially. This book did take me a while to get into but once the paces stepped up it had me gripped. Renee is a strong character and I love to see her solving the problems. I like that she still has the connection with Harry Bosch who I would have liked to play a bigger part than he did in this installment. I appreicated the refernces to Covid is a sign of the times that we are living in but for me, there were too many references to taking masks on and off. Nevertheless I enjoyed the book and look forward to more in the series.

How does Michael Connelly keep such a consistently high standard of writing? He has done it again in the latest intsallment of Ballard & Bosch. Very topical too taking palce against the backdrop of the pandemic and Capitol Hill riots.

Deftky paced, belivable and above all a very enjoyable read.

Police thriller,part of a series,really need to read them all to get the back story.
Good characters and an interesting plot.

The Dark Hours Michael Connolly

4 stars


Ballard and Bosch re-united

I have only read two of the books involving Harry Bosch and they were both early in the series. I can remember enjoying them but not enough to read every book in the series. However it was good to read that although retired, harry is still on hand to help out the new, for me, main character Renee Ballard.

She is a detective working nights hence the title but unlike most people in the force she enjoys these hours. Obviously something has happened presumably in the previous book as she has been moved from homicide to sex crimes. There is mention of a sexual harassment case that has gone badly for her which has changed her job role.

At the beginning of the book Renee is concentrating on two rapists known as The Midnight Men and trying to find a link between the attacks. However by chance, a murder occurs on New Year’s Eve of a man who had previously been in one of the notorious Los Angeles gangs. The department at West Bureau whose job this should have been are dealing with another case so Renee takes the opportunity to take this on as well.

When she discovers that the same gun has been used on another victim many years ago that was dealt with by Detective Harry Bosch she wastes no time in enlisting his help. Harry, although retired, is desperate to still be involved in cases and the empathy between him and Renee is an integral part of the book. Renee’s intuition and Harry’s experience make a very good mix when it comes to solving crimes which of course they do.

I have given this book 4 stars mainly because I did not like the continuous covid references which to my mind was too much. I appreciate that it must be difficult for authors writing new books to completely ignore what has happened but I just felt there was a little too much emphasis on putting on masks at every turn. For me, it detracted from the main story.

However I can see the partnership of Renee and Harry being a potential flourishing one for future books.


Dexter

Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review

Connelly, as a seasoned crime writer, once again demonstrates why he remains a popular author, providing his trademark details of policing and running investigations, along with a background of American contemporary realities. This is an entertaining and engaging addition to this wonderful crime series, well plotted, full of suspense and tension, whilst covering issues that resonate such as violence against women. Highly recommended.

I absolutely love Rennee Ballard and I especially love the combination of Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch.
The Dark Hours is an all too realistic story incorporating the toll the Covid, pandemic, George Floyd's murder and political unrest in the USA had taken on policing and the attitudes of police officers.

This is hard hitting as Ballard strives to juggle two cases ( a murder and serial rapists) with little help from her colleagues and downright obstruction from her seniors. Luckily she has veteran ex detective Harry Bosch to help her out.
This is a fast paced police procedural that skillfully weaves the concurrent, yet separate investigations into a cohesive narrative.
The relationship between Ballard and Bosch is endearing - both are outsiders, both hacve a strong moral compass and both will stop at nothing to get to the truth.
Throughly enjoyable !

It's New Year's Eve 2020 and Renée Ballard is working her usual night shift when a call comes in about a possible shooting.

Ballard was actually already working a case, that of the Midnight Men, a pair of rapists who'd already established an MO of attacking on holidays. But as the night detective, it's Ballard's job to respond to any calls where a detective is needed.

And that's why she finds herself at a car lot where a neighborhood celebration has apparently ended in a death. And while it's commonplace for the midnight shooting in LA to cause damage, Ballard immediately suspects this is something much worse.

Her suspicions are soon confirmed and the case is labeled a homicide. And when Ballard learns that it's tied to an old case worked by Harry Bosch, she's determined to keep it. Except the Midnight Men did indeed claim a victim that night as well. And Ballard is on thin ice working both cases, especially when she brings the retired Bosch into the fold.

But at a time when the department is under so much pressure and scrutiny, Ballard doesn't have the faith that her colleagues can, or will, actually do either job justice.

I love this series so much!

To be very clear, this is book 4 in the Renée Ballard series and technically book 23 in the Harry Bosh series—and (deep breath) book 35 in the Harry Bosch UNIVERSE. It's a lot, I know! (Mickey Haller is Bosch's half brother, so those books are tied into the official series, but all of the characters live in the Bosch universe, which means there's a lot of cross over.)

And I was actually super intimidated to dive into the Bosch series itself given the massive backlist. But I was, admittedly, already a HUGE fan and supporter of the show. So when Connelly debuted a new, at the time, standalone featuring a detective relegated to the night shift, I was all in. And when it expanded into a series that also included Bosch...well, that was all I needed to dive wholeheartedly into Bosch's world!

If you fall into that same conundrum, I would highly recommend starting with Renée to bring you into the world. And I do suggest reading the books in order. They are:

The Late Show
Dark Sacred Night (I read this one with a newborn in tow and didn't actually get around to doing a post)
The Night Fire
The Dark Hours

Ballard is fantastic! She's dogged and determined. And she really does not take any shit. Which is kind of why she's on the night shift already. Except that she actually likes it.

But it means she usually has to hand over any cases to the actual investigating departments once day comes. Understandably frustrating for a cop who likes to see things through to the end.

The book is set mid pandemic and Connelly acknowledges, in more than one way, the current happenings. The department is seeing the effects of the protests and Covid, and Ballard both understands and bucks the fatigue many of her colleagues are feeling. But it's frustrating for her, too.

She's supposed to have a partner in the Midnight Men investigation, something odd for the detective who usually works solo. And she's stuck handling it alone when said partner decides too soon that their perps took a break for New Years.

Which is another reason she ends up leaning on Bosch. And while Ballard fully recognizes that Harry is the kind of mentor she both wants and needs, his own history with the department and the fact that he's retired means it could land her in a lot of trouble.

But Ballard and Bosch make a truly excellent team. And it's a great way for the retired detective to remain in the game. Especially considering he has so many cases that still gnaw at him!

The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly takes us to the here and now of living through a pandemic but in LA! A weary and beleaguered workforce where the pandemic, alongside societal suspicion, accusation and defunding of the police force has left a legacy of ennui. Renée Ballard is disillusioned with colleagues who take the easy road, letting her down repeatedly and so she is drawn to work alongside Harry Bosch to shrug off the bureaucracy and follow through with someone having her back. This is a good storyline, in fact two storylines really, albeit the political and societal messages mean it takes a little while to get going. Renée is angry, but credible with integrity and a sound work ethic (and a great empathy for victims). Determined to solve two crimesshe shows good dectective skills and tenacity to get results. A good four star read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Michael Connelly. A master of his trade, a prolific author who never disappoints. This book was in my opinion one of his best. Recommended.

The Dark Hours is another classic from Michael Connelly, following Hollywood Detective Ballard as she investigates a New Year’s Eve shooting. At the same time, she’s hunting down the Midnight Men, responsible for a string of sexual assaults in the area. Struggling to find anybody in her department willing to take her investigations seriously, Ballard turns to retired detective Bosch to help her solve the cases.

As with other Michael Connelly stories, the Dark Hours is a complicated, involved story, with many strands which weave together gradually. It’s an enjoyable read, in spite of the many different storylines. Written during the pandemic, the references to face masks and social distancing give an interesting insight into the character of Ballard, who is a strong character, albeit one who struggles with interaction with others.

I really enjoyed the Dark Hours and would recommend it to all fans of dark thrillers.

Although I quite enjoyed the plot of this book I didn't really feel engaged with the characters. This may be because I haven't read others in the series. I can't really put my finger on it but it fell a bit flat for me.

Ripped straight from the headlines, The Dark Hours is a highly-charged police procedural from the master himself: Michael Connelly.

New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration – and after the worst year on record, everybody is looking forward to the clock striking midnight and to fifty-two weeks of hope and new possibilities. In LA, hundreds of revellers have gathered to welcome in the New Year and in time-honoured tradition, they shoot their guns up in the air and wait for a shower of lead to come cascading down. But amidst the sound of laughter and celebration, a man is shot dead in the middle of a crowded street party. With the ground littered with hundreds of bullets, finding out who is the shooter is going to be quite a challenge – but Detective Renee Ballard is not a woman who gives up easily.

Renee manages to link the bullet to a cold case last worked by legendary LAPD detective Harry Bosch. As the two team up to get to the bottom of this mystery, Ballard and Bosch are determined to right past wrongs and to do whatever it takes to ensure that the body count doesn’t increase. Ballard and Bosch have got their hands full with their current case, but in a city like Los Angeles there is evil round every corner and as violent crimes begin to sweep over the city, Ballard quickly finds herself on the trail of The Midnight Men, ruthless predators who will move mountains and do whatever it takes to keep their identities a secret.

In a city shaken by a devastating pandemic and percipient protests, these two cases occupying Ballard’s every waking thought have the power to save her – or destroy her…

Michael Connelly is an absolute genius when it comes to write sharp, slick and addictive crime thrillers and in The Dark Hours, he effortlessly captures the zeitgeist of the last year and takes readers on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that will leave them breathless. Fast-paced, creepy and disturbing, in The Dark Hours, the twists and turns come thick and fast, the tension is absolutely unbearable and the suspense and intrigue will keep readers on the edge of their seats turning the pages late into the night.

Bold, gritty and gutsy, with the The Dark Hours, Michael Connelly continues to prove that when it comes to writing crime thrillers, he is in a class of his own.

Diving back into the world of Harry Bosch is definitely one of my favourite things to do.
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this pre publication. It focuses once more on detective Ballard, Connelly does not disappoint, setting it in the middle of the current pandemic. Fans of crime will not be disappointed.

Absolutely loved this book, think it might be the best in the Renee Ballad series. The LA detective is still on the late-night shift and this time she is working two cases, one that links to an old case of Harry Bosch's, bringing the pair together again. Though Harry has his own series, the retired detective works well in the background aiding Renee on her cases. The book touches on Black Lives Matter, defunding the police and the pandemic in a way that adds to the story without overwhelming it. Though it's part of a series, those new to Connelly's excellent books will be able to jump in on this one and still enjoy it.

For almost thirty years Michael Connelly has been entertaining readers with gripping tales centred on relentless Los Angeles detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. Few authors have managed to maintain such consistently high standards in such a long-running series, keeping things fresh and evolving rather than becoming conveyor-belt.

While Connelly has plenty of screen projects keeping him busy including the new spinoff from hit crime drama Bosch, he continues to produce first-rate crime novels. The Dark Hours once again teams an aging, retired Bosch with ‘Late Show’ detective Renee Ballard, whose drive for justice matches his own. When a chaotic New Year’s Eve leaves a family man who escaped gang life dead, Ballard finds a surprising connection to one of Bosch’s old cases. Meanwhile she’s also on the hunt for tag-team serial rapists, despite being hobbled by the ambivalence of her sex crimes partner. With the police department floundering in the face of COVID and an angry public, Ballard turns to Bosch.

Connelly delivers another smooth, engaging read that deepens our understanding and appreciation of Ballard while adding to the Bosch legend, despite his somewhat secondary billing. Another gripping instalment in an outstanding series.

[[Review as published in Good Reading magazine in Australia]]

You can’t go wrong with a bit of Bosch and the new “partnership” with Renee Ballard is proving to be very successful. The format feels fresh and the female input adds to the interest and widens the scope of future storylines.
Always enjoyable, never disappointing and most definitely one of my must-read authors.
Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

Another excellent crime thriller from this fantastic story teller
With two great characters and two cases to solve,. this fast moving plot keeps you turning pages
I always look forward to a book from Michael Connelly and this one certainly doesn't disappoint