LAPD detective Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch team up to hunt the brutal killer who is Bosch’s “white whale”—a man responsible for the murder of an entire family.
A year has passed since LAPD detective Renée Ballard quit the force in the face of misogyny, demoralization, and endless red tape. But after the chief of police himself tells her she can write her own ticket within the department, Ballard takes back her badge, leaving “the Late Show” to rebuild and lead the cold case unit at the elite Robbery-Homicide Division.
For years, Harry Bosch has been working a case that haunts him—the murder of an entire family by a psychopath who still walks free. Ballard makes Bosch an offer: come volunteer as an investigator in her new Open-Unsolved Unit, and he can pursue his “white whale” with the resources of the LAPD behind him.
First priority for Ballard is to clear the unsolved rape and murder of a sixteen-year-old girl. The decades-old case is essential to the councilman who supported re-forming the unit, and who could shutter it again—the victim was his sister. When Ballard gets a “cold hit” connecting the killing to a similar crime, proving that a serial predator has been at work in the city for years, the political pressure has never been higher. To keep momentum going, she has to pull Bosch off his own investigation, the case that is the consummation of his lifelong mission.
The two must put aside old resentments and new tensions to run to ground not one but two dangerous killers who have operated with brash impunity. In what may be his most gripping and profoundly moving book yet, Michael Connelly shows once again why he has been dubbed “one of the greatest crime writers of all time” (Ryan Steck, Crimereads).
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"I just finished listening to the audiobook version of 'Desert Star' by Michael Connelly, and it was an absolute delight! The narration by Peter Giles, Titus Welliver, and Christine Lakin was absolutely superb. Their collective performances added a level of depth that many other audiobooks simply cannot match. Each one brought out the unique personalities of each character in the book, both major and minor. Michael Connelly crafted an exciting thriller with plenty of twists and turns for us all to enjoy. He brings us back into familiar territory with his beloved Los Angeles setting and keeps us guessing until almost the very end with its tight pacing and suspenseful atmosphere. If you're looking for a thrilling crime story that will keep you hooked until the end then 'Desert Star' is definitely worth a listen (or read). And if you're like me, then you'll be even more impressed once you hear these wonderful performances from these three terrific actors! Trust me when I say that this is one audiobook experience you won't want to miss out on!"
— Len Young (5 out of 5 stars)
“Readers will be glad to know that Connelly is still bringing the same intensity and atmosphere to his iconic series.”
— CrimeReads“Thrilling…Both cases require deep dives into the past; both lead to great action scenes; and, as always, Connelly displays his encyclopedic knowledge of the latest forensics…[Desert Star] ranks up there with Connelly’s best.”
— Publishers WeeklyReaders will be glad to know that Connelly is still bringing the same intensity and atmosphere to his iconic series.
— CrimereadsA thoroughly engrossing procedural… The Dark Hours offers plenty of shocking scenes and clever surprises.
— Tom Nolan, Wall Street JournalOutstanding… Connelly is the most consistently superior living crime fiction author. The Dark Hours just reinforces that.
— Oline H. Cogdill, South Florida Sun SentinelExtraordinary… [Connelly] is one of the best in the business at writing about investigations and creating intense suspense, but the relationship between Ballard and Bosch—a professional friendship that grows out of two brilliant minds dedicated to the same difficult but important work—is the cherry on top.
— Collette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times" I have enjoyed every Harry Bosch book, I wonder if this is the last? "
— Tiffany Blauvelt, 3/11/2025" Michael Connelly is one of my favorite authors, and Harry Bosch has to be my favorite detective. I will definitely read all of the other Bosch novels and anything else by Connelly. "
— G.L. Summs, 2/27/2024" This novel is an engrossing page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end! Michael Connelly deftly combines action and suspense with a compelling cast of characters that live and breathe in the pages. The story unfolds like clockwork, with each new clue leading to even more questions and twists. The writing style is clear and concise yet vivid enough to accurately convey all of the most subtle details of the story. The pacing is fantastic and creates plenty of tension that make this a truly thrilling listen. Fans of Michael Connelly won't be disappointed in this latest installment in the Bosch world; he once again delivers a captivating mystery full of unexpected turns that keep you engaged until the very end. Even readers unfamiliar with his work can appreciate this entertaining book – Desert Star stands out as one of Connelly's best works yet! "
— MJ66, 1/10/2023" I recently had the pleasure of listening to "Desert Star" by Michael Connelly and I was absolutely blown away! This audiobook is an excellent choice for anyone who loves thrilling crime stories with plenty of mysterious twists. The 3 narrators' performances were top-notch and I feel each reader was perfect for this novel (Titus especially - big fan of the Harry Bosch TV series). The plot is exciting and unpredictable, filled with twists and turns that kept me on edge throughout the 9+ hours. I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for a thought-provoking story full of intrigue and suspense! "
— K1Ken, 1/3/2023" Desert Star is a captivating novel that takes you on a thrilling journey thanks to Michael Connelly's excellent writing and wonderful audio performances from acclaimed actors, Peter Giles, Titus Welliver, and Christine Lakin. They conjure a wide range of voices and accents as they narrate this exciting story. The book is filled with complex characters, intense action sequences, unexpected plot twists, and many moments of heart-pounding suspense. Mr. Connelly's skill at creating compelling characters and eliciting strong emotion from them is evident throughout the story; each character feels real, living and breathing during every second of audio narration. The performances by the 3 narrators are outstanding throughout Desert Star; each brings something unique to their respective roles and helps to create an immersive listening experience that draws you into the world Mr. Connelly has created. This audiobook adaptation of Desert Star comes highly recommended! "
— Terrence1975, 12/29/2022Michael Connelly, author of suspense thriller and detective mysteries, was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 2023. He has written several #1 New York Times bestsellers and numerous titles that made the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. He has won most every award given in the mystery and thriller genres, including the Anthony Award for Best Novel and the Barry Award for Best Novel. He is a former newspaper reporter who also won numerous awards for his journalism.
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Effing Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Princess Diana, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson, and received an Edgar Award, nine Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Titus Welliver, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is an actor best known for his starring role as Harry Bosch on the Bosch television series, as well as roles in the television’s Deadwood, Lost, Sons of Anarchy, and The Good Wife. He has also starred in numerous movies, including Argo, Man on a Ledge, Gone Baby Gone, and The Town.
Christine Lakin is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and acclaimed television actress, best known for her roles as Alicia “Al” Lambert on the hit family comedy Step by Step and as Joan of Arc on Showtime’s Reefer Madness.