Book Review: THE DARK HOURS by Michael Connelly

THE DARK HOURS by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown and Company, November 2021) Hardcover, 391 pages. ISBN #0-316485640 / 9780316485647 

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

A dangerous killer strikes on New Year's Eve and Detective Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch team up to find justice for an innocent victim in this thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly.

There's chaos in Hollywood on New Year's Eve. Working her graveyard shift, LAPD Detective Renée Ballard seeks shelter at the end of the countdown to wait out the traditional rain of lead as hundreds of revelers shoot their guns into the air. As reports start to roll in of shattered windshields and other damage, Ballard is called to a scene where a hardworking auto shop owner has been fatally hit by a bullet in the middle of a crowded street party.

It doesn't take long for Ballard to determine that the deadly bullet could not have fallen from the sky. Ballard’s investigation leads her to look into another unsolved murder—a case at one time worked by Detective Harry Bosch.

Ballard and Bosch team up once again to find out where the old and new cases intersect. All the while they must look over their shoulders. The killer who has stayed undetected for so long knows they are coming after him.  

My Five-Star Review on The Goodreads website . . . . .

     Connelly seems to thrive in police procedural mode with his novels. Where others of this genre seemed to get bogged down in details and seem formulaic, he always manages to spice things up and flavor the story so well that you never realize how much of an education on the justice system is included. 

     This is the fourth novel to feature Renee Ballard and it is definitely a Ballard story, not so much a Bosch adventure anymore. I appreciate and admire that. Connelly ages his characters in real time. Bosch simply can't do everything he used to, so he's become an excellent partner/mentor to Ballard. 

     Renee was so much like Harry in her beliefs in proper law enforcement and her dedication/persistence; and his influence on her really comes through in this one. 

     In addition to some engaging sleuth work, there is enough action as well as commentary on current affairs and the often sad state of human nature/habits. I won't spoil it. You need to read this one.