The Late Show (Renee Ballard, Bk 1)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Judith L. (jlautner) reviewed on + 105 more book reviews
In this novel we meet Renee Ballard, LAPD detective. Renee lives alone with her dog Lola, but seems to sleep more on the beach or in other homes than in her own.
Renee had a rough start in life but was rescued by her grandmother, whom she adores. Early experiences led her to her career in law enforcement, but, like Harry Bosch, her commitment is to the truth and not to the law as represented by top floors of the LAPD building. She therefore is at times tempted to break rules.
Ballard is working the Late Show - the night shift. She was assigned this less-desirable post after her charges of sexual misconduct against a superior officer were dismissed. They were dismissed because her partner did not back her up.
The position means that these detectives are called on any case that needs a detective, from credit card theft to murder. It also means that at times there is only one detective, as the two need to cover seven days a week, each taking four. So it is that Ballard finds herself alone three days and able to pursue some cases a bit harder than her partner would have liked.
She does get a case of credit card theft and follows it to a conclusion. She and her partner are also on hand when five people are shot to death in a restaurant. Renee squeezes in extra time to work this case, although she is not the lead, partly out of a sense of justice needed for one of victims. And she is on hand to take on the case of a trans woman who was beaten savagely and left for dead. Her efforts at times cost her sleep and cost her time with her dog. They also put her in dangerous positions.
As with other LAPD crime novels Connelly has written, there is meticulous attention to detail. This is much of what I like about his writing. Procedures and customs are briefly but clearly explained so that we have a sense of what uses a detective can make of what resources. The detail lends an air of realism, even when the circumstances may go haywire. The story is also written simply, almost like a well-written police report, no extraneous emotion tucked in.
I look forward to additional books in this series, and hope that Ballard and Bosch get to work a case together as well.
Renee had a rough start in life but was rescued by her grandmother, whom she adores. Early experiences led her to her career in law enforcement, but, like Harry Bosch, her commitment is to the truth and not to the law as represented by top floors of the LAPD building. She therefore is at times tempted to break rules.
Ballard is working the Late Show - the night shift. She was assigned this less-desirable post after her charges of sexual misconduct against a superior officer were dismissed. They were dismissed because her partner did not back her up.
The position means that these detectives are called on any case that needs a detective, from credit card theft to murder. It also means that at times there is only one detective, as the two need to cover seven days a week, each taking four. So it is that Ballard finds herself alone three days and able to pursue some cases a bit harder than her partner would have liked.
She does get a case of credit card theft and follows it to a conclusion. She and her partner are also on hand when five people are shot to death in a restaurant. Renee squeezes in extra time to work this case, although she is not the lead, partly out of a sense of justice needed for one of victims. And she is on hand to take on the case of a trans woman who was beaten savagely and left for dead. Her efforts at times cost her sleep and cost her time with her dog. They also put her in dangerous positions.
As with other LAPD crime novels Connelly has written, there is meticulous attention to detail. This is much of what I like about his writing. Procedures and customs are briefly but clearly explained so that we have a sense of what uses a detective can make of what resources. The detail lends an air of realism, even when the circumstances may go haywire. The story is also written simply, almost like a well-written police report, no extraneous emotion tucked in.
I look forward to additional books in this series, and hope that Ballard and Bosch get to work a case together as well.
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