#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces Renee Ballard, a fierce young detective fighting to prove herself on the LAPD's toughest beat--the Late Show. Renee Ballard works the midnight shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing few, as each morning she turns everything over to the daytime units. It's a frustrating job for a once up-and-coming detective, but it's no accident. She's been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor ...
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces Renee Ballard, a fierce young detective fighting to prove herself on the LAPD's toughest beat--the Late Show. Renee Ballard works the midnight shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing few, as each morning she turns everything over to the daytime units. It's a frustrating job for a once up-and-coming detective, but it's no accident. She's been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor.But one night Ballard catches two assignments she doesn't want to part with. First, a prostitute is brutally beaten and left for dead in a parking lot. All signs point to a crime of premeditation, not passion, by someone with big evil on his mind. Then she sees a young waitress breathe her last after being caught up in a nightclub shooting. Though dubbed a peripheral victim, the waitress buys Ballard a way in, and this time she is determined not to give up at dawn. Against orders and her partner's wishes, she works both cases by day while maintaining her shift by night. As the investigations intertwine, Ballard is forced to face her own demons and confront a danger she could never have imagined. To find justice for these victims who can't speak for themselves, she must put not only her career but her life on the line. Propulsive as a jolt of adrenaline and featuring a bold and defiant new heroien, The Late Show is yet more proof that Michael Connelly is "a master of the genre" ( Washington Post ).
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THIS BOOK IS SO FRICKING AWESOME! READ IT!
The suspense is almost unbearable at times.
Connelly introduces us to LAPD Detective Renee Ballard. A 14 year veteran, she works the night shift known as "the late show". It's where they put detectives who've had problems. Renee's "problem" was that she filed an harassment complaint against her lieutenant that IAB ruled unfounded.
Late show D's go out on calls where detectives are needed but they don't follow through on cases. They turn them over to the day shift, file their paperwork and go home.
Well, Renee catches a case of a prostitute beaten so badly that she can't turn he back.
The same night she becomes involved in the case of a waitress killed in a multiple shooting at a local nightclub.
Even though she's told to stand down, she's feels a responsibility to the victim.
When something happens to her ex partner....she's gonna follow through. Damn right.
Both these cases will lead down shocking and very dangerous paths.
Renee Ballard is a skilled and determined investigator and it is a treat watching this refreshing character being put through the paces of this propulsive plot.
