What can I say it's Michael Connelly. Brilliant author. A great team in Bosch & Ballard together. I loved this book as always a page turner with great characterisation. Five stars.

All the stars and more for my favourite detective Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard teaming up in Dark Sacred Night. Michael Connelly was one of the first "grown up " authors that my Dad got me hooked on when I was a teenager and all these years later he is still going strong. I was so very excited to be approved for an early copy of this book and writing a review for it terrifies me! I hope that I can do this book and the author justice.

When you have a character like Harry Bosch who bends the rules, is stubborn and does things his way how do you team him up? With a female detective working the late show in Hollywood who livestream out of a van at the beach, does things her way and never gives up. Renee Ballard was introduced to readers in The Late Show and to have her working with a fan favourite in Harry Bosch was just brilliant. The banter between these 2 characters who have a very similar work ethic was fun. Michael Connelly is so good at the detail... I love jos he describes LA and Hollywood and makes you feel like you are there with them.

At first Renee is wary of Harry, when she catches him trying to get into an old filing cabinet in the Hollywood Precinct. The pair start to get to know each other and between call out some on the late show she starts to work on her hobby case with Harry - a case that has gotten under his skin and he is determined to solve. The case is a 9 year old cold case of the murder of 15 year old Daisy Clayton. Working together the over long hidden secrets while they continue their everyday work.

In short... I loved this book and feel honoured to be able to share my views on it. I can't wait til the audio releases at the end of October so that I can listen it all over again read by Titus Welliver. Highly recommend this book and anything else that Michael Connelly has written.

A very big thank you to Orion Publishing and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Great read. Not my usual genre but I was gripped throughout. I will definitely look out for more from this author and will be recommending to others.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second Renée Ballard book written by Michael Connelly and Bosch is also closely involved. They are both looking into a cold case involving a 9 year old girl who was murdered and the killer was never found.
This is a masterclass in storytelling from one of the best. I have enjoyed reading the Bosch series for many years and this latest in the series of superb stories of murder, criminal activities and victims and villains.
Highly recommended.

Harry is one of my favourite characters and the fact this new book involved one of Connollys new characters,Renee Ballard,was a massive bonus. It's really good to see Harry evolving after so many years,and going in a new direction. His partnership with Ballard is a interesting one,as both a very straightforward coppers. I am very much looking forward to the next one.

A very good book with a new introduction to Detective Ballard. Nice to meet her and obviously will be seeing her again soon. I look forward to seeing them working together again.
Something seriously wrong with the formatting throughout the book with as many as twenty five words joined together

A new partnership Bosch/Ballard detectives who both have issues which is often the case. Worked well together and will no doubt hear more from them in the future. Good storyline and enough twists to keep me guessing. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

When Harry Met Renee ! If you like Michael Connelly and his take on the dark side of LA and Hollywood then you will like this. It’s a little unfair to say that it is as per the other Harry Bosch books. It’s a good part of the series and a good stand alone.

This book does not disappoint fans and will probably gather some new ones

Dark Sacred Night sees Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch teaming up together for the first time, an unlikely pairing but one that works. Bosch is investigating the death of Daisy Clayton, a case that has been cold for some 9 years. Ballard’s interest is peaked when she catches Bosch searching through evidence at the Hollywood precinct where she works as a detective on the late show (night shift) after initial uncertainty the pair work the case together, Ballard as a ‘hobby case’ while still holding down a full caseload with Hollywood and Bosch in between his reserve duties with San Fernando PD.

It is truly amazing that after all these years Michael Connelly keeps delivering top notch crime thrillers, there is nothing stale, tired or formulaic about his writing, in his hands you relax and enjoy the ride, you know all the ‘T’s’ will be crossed and the ‘I’s’ dotted. Dark Sacred Night is a slick and satisfying police procedural that is highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Harry Bosch teams up with another detective - as usual a good read

This latest novel by Michael Connelly sees Harry Bosch, still getting older, teaming up with Renee Ballard, a detective working the night shift in LA. He is investigating a cold case about a young runaway murdered nine years earlier. She joins him while they both also get involved with other crimes. As one might expect, this is a fairly fast-moving police procedural with quite a lot of action and strong developed characters. We already know Bosch’s personality and learn a lot about Ballard and their colleagues. The only annoying thing for me is the unnecessary LA street directions which will be meaningless to anyone outside of Los Angeles.

Enjoyable and engaging, this thriller will please Connelly fans and anyone who enjoys well-written American detective stories. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of the Michael Connelly/Harry Bosch series, so I expected to like this book, but this one is a bit different due to the informal partnership with Detective Ballard.

Bosch goes to LAPD looking for some old information relating to a cold case and Ballard realises that he has broken into a file cabinet. She is intrigued and does some digging and figures out what Bosch was looking for. Gradually they start to work together on the cold case despite Ballard being LAPD whilst Bosch is SFPD. They individually continue with their active cases and then come together when they can to work on their 'hobby case'. All sorts of problems crop up, she saves his life and he saves hers but they solve the case, although they do not follow established procedures.

The cliffhanger is around whether or not they will work together again. It is not clear whether Bosch has a job to return to at SFPD. So how can Bosch and Ballard partner again, even informally, if he is not employed by a police department. Can't wait to read what happens next!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advance copy if this book in exchange for an honest review.

So glad Bosch is back along with an equally moral and unique partner. Great balance between characters , not too much of either getting their own way. Sometimes amusing but it's black humour and blends well with the sadistic and brutal subjects. More of this duo please.

Whilst I have read a few of Michael Connelly's books featuring Harry Bosch, this one was the best so far.

I believe the new partnership of Harry and a night shift female detective is one for the future (is it Michael?).

Harry is working on a cold case, and this takes him into the vaults and old records of LA's Hollywood Station where he meets Renee Ballard for the first time. She did not really know him, and there are lots of verbal interaction between them which I found totally believable. They join forces to find the killers of Daisy (the cold case mentioned above).

Plenty of action in the book with an exciting ending. Yes, maybe I was not sure about the amount of favours Ms Ballard was 'callng in' but it didn't really detract from a crime thriller of the highest order. I have to go back in time now slightly to read Mr Connelly's "The Late Show" featuring just Renee Ballard. Excellent, and thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read and review. the book.

Connelly doing what he does best - crime.
I love the way Connelly has joined his character Bosch so seamlessly with the newly-introduced Ballard. Ballard had her own stand alone, centre stage novel in Late Show. Now she has teamed up with veteran Bosch in a way that flows really well.
Connelly has made Ballard, a female officer, as equally strong as his male lead. hats off to him, it's a rare combination.
Connelly has been able to keep the Bosch crime novels going, despite Bosch's departure from the force, and now, potentially, from his voluntary role. However the way has been paved for this great series to continue, the Bosch & Ballard partnership.

9/10

*slow claps*

Surprise surprise, another quality book by Michael Connelly. Doesn’t he get bored of knocking them out of the park every time? This one is up there with some of his best work and to say it’s the 21st book in the Bosch series, that’s no mean feat.

This outing has a combination of the perennially awesome Bosch and the newcomer Ballard from his previous book, The Late Show (unsurprisingly, really good). I’ve been a bit on the fence with these combo novels before due to the forced nature of the narrative changes between characters. This didn’t happen here and things flowed smoother than silk between the two leads, both looking into their own missions and a joint effort combining their skills. I liked how both were wary about the other, neither have histories of working well with authority so naturally cautious, but once they have worn some rubber together they develop a firm bond.

I liked all the plot lines here and I didn’t see how things were going to weave together and finish up which is always a bonus. The characters are great, Bosch is a firm favourite of mine and Ballard is like a female version of him so what’s not to like? The massive downside of finishing this novel, having to wait for the next one!

I have read every Harry Bosch book spanning my whole adult life and always have an eye to the next one. I was thrilled to get early access to the first Bosch/Ballard crossover from netgalley. I read the first Ballard book when it was released and thought it was a solid start. I appreciate Bosch is getting on in years so needs a successor to take on his justice mantle. This book was good. It kept me reading but didn't have the wow factor I've felt with others. I guess it is setting the groundworks for future Bosch/Ballard collaborations, so I won't be too critical. Bosch was typically misbehaving at times which I always like to see as it is usually for a good reason!

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!

Most of the books I pick up are fiction. I have one of those jobs that introduces me to life’s less glamorous realities on a daily basis so I read for escape. But as with non-fiction, I learn something from every story. Of all the lessons I will take away from this book, the most important may be this. Feed your cat. Faithfully, continuously & in large quantities. In fact, just cut a hole in the bottom of a 50 kg bag & leave it out on the kitchen floor, ok? You might thank me later.

Renée Ballard knows what I’m talking about. So after dealing with a particularly eewww-inducing crime scene one night, she looks forward to some solo down time back at the station. Except she’s not alone. There appears to be a strange man trying to break into the file cabinets. Ballard, meet Bosch. Harry Bosch.

You could say it’s the start of a beautiful friendship but that would gloss over a few bumps in the road. Harry is working on his hobby case. In a previous instalment, he met a woman grieving the death of her teenage daughter. It’s been 9 yr. since Daisy Clayton was violently murdered & Harry has decided it’s gone unsolved long enough.

Ballard has her own issues. She used to be part of an elite crime squad. Her fall from grace began after a superior officer got a little handsy & she dared to report him. Of course the department stepped up & dealt with it. Sort of. He kept his job & she found herself back on the street working the late show. Renée now works alone & it’s not bad. Some nights are quiet & she begins to look into Harry’s pet project.

Before she knows it, they’ve formed a partnership of sorts. They’re an interesting pair & part of the fun is watching Renée try to rein Harry in as he sidesteps the rules in trademark fashion. It’s a slow, painstaking process, frequently interrupted by the demands of more pressing cases.

To be honest, it took me a bit to get into the story. But I found Renée much more fleshed out here than she was in the previous book. As she & Harry settled into their relationship, I found it easy to sit back & enjoy the ride. I really enjoyed the story lines that emerged from current investigations. It maintained the pace & provided plenty of tension that balanced out the slower grind of the cold case, making its progress more realistic.

By the end, it’s clear Harry’s days as a reserve officer with the San Fernando P.D. may be numbered. But it might be the start of a new chapter for the old cop which is great news for Bosch fans. So if he & Renée find another cold case to tackle, I’m in. As long as he doesn’t get a cat.

This is not just one story,it is a filing cabinet of cases handled by Bosch and another new detective with issues as they all seem to need to have. The cases are always completed to the satisfaction of the reader but the book is spoiled by the illegal behaviour of Bosch and his partner which does no favours for the storyline. This book may be evidence that it is time for Bosch to retire.

Michael Connelly is an great crime thriller writer with the excellent character Harry Bosch, but he doesn't stop there. He has created other enjoyable lead characters like Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer) and now Renee Ballard who comes into her own in this 2nd book where she teams up with
retired detective Harry Bosch.
Detective Renee Ballard works the late shift and teams up with Bosch who is investigating the death of fifteen-year-old Daisy Clayton, a drug addicted runaway who was brutally murdered 9 years ago. The pair share similar attitudes and are both prepared to bend the rules to get justice where necessary and make enjoyable reading. The character of Renee is further developed throughout the novel following on from 'The Late Show' where she was introduced by the skilful Connelly who looks to have another winner with this one. His books are so well thought out and show an inner knowledge of police procedural's and an eye for detail, supplying the reader with realistic entertaining books that rarely fail. I finished the book wanting to read another one straight away.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Orion Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.