A Wall Street Journal and South Florida Sun-Sentinel Best Book of the Year“A masterpiece”—LAPD detective Renée Ballard must join forces with Harry Bosch to find justice in a city scarred by fear and social unrest after a methodical killer strikes on New Year’s Eve (Publishers Weekly).There’s chaos in Hollywood at the end of the New Year’s Eve countdown. Working her graveyard shift, LAPD detective Renée Ballard waits out the traditional rain of lead as hundreds of revelers shoot their guns into the air. Only minutes after midnight, 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. Ballard quickly determines that the deadly bullet could not have fallen from the sky and that it is linked to another unsolved murder—a case at one time worked by Detective Harry Bosch. At the same time, Ballard hunts a fiendish pair of serial rapists, the Midnight Men, who have been terrorizing women and leaving no trace. Determined to solve both cases, Ballard feels like she is constantly running uphill in a police department indelibly changed by the pandemic and recent social unrest. It is a department so hampered by inertia and low morale that Ballard must go outside to the one detective she can count on: Harry Bosch. But as the two inexorable detectives work together to find out where old and new cases intersect, they must constantly look over their shoulders. The brutal predators they are tracking are ready to kill to keep their secrets hidden. Unfolding with unstoppable drive and nail-biting intrigue, The Dark Hours shows that “relentless on their own, Ballard’s and Bosch’s combined skills…could be combustible” (Los Angeles Times).
Download and start listening now!
"Michael Connelly could capitalize on the massively popular Amazon and Netflix TV series based on his books about detective Bosch and counsel Haller, but luckily for us he continues the Bosch storyline. In the last few chapters of this story, he also introduced here one of the most impressive and interesting figures of a female cop in the history of detective novels. The fact that the book is co-narrated by Titus Welliver, the embodiment of the ideally casting literary character is only one of the numerous advantages of this work. " — Wojciech W. (5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Connelly could capitalize on the massively popular Amazon and Netflix TV series based on his books about detective Bosch and counsel Haller, but luckily for us he continues the Bosch storyline. In the last few chapters of this story, he also introduced here one of the most impressive and interesting figures of a female cop in the history of detective novels. The fact that the book is co-narrated by Titus Welliver, the embodiment of the ideally casting literary character is only one of the numerous advantages of this work. "
“One of this month’s best thrillers.”
“Outstanding… Connelly is the most consistently superior living crime fiction author. The Dark Hours just reinforces that.”
“A masterpiece.”
“Listeners once again enjoy the talented partnership of author Michael Connelly and narrators Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver…This is a compelling listen with a gritty portrayal of the current social environment. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
“The fourth Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch novel is the best yet…Ballard has evolved into one of crime fiction's richest, most complex characters.”
“As usual in this stellar series, the path to the last act is paved with false leads, interdepartmental squabbles, and personal betrayals.”
One of this month’s best thrillers… Ballard and Bosch are a great combination as they work in and around a police force that Ballard believes too often aims to ‘protect and serve the image instead of the citizens.’
A thoroughly engrossing procedural… The Dark Hours offers plenty of shocking scenes and clever surprises.
Outstanding… Connelly is the most consistently superior living crime fiction author. The Dark Hours just reinforces that.
Extraordinary… [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.
Connelly is sharp as ever... his stories always manage to explore another piece of the city’s soul.
A masterpiece… Meticulous about actual police procedure, Connelly makes the fundamentals of detective work engrossing while providing plenty of suspense and action.
The fourth Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch novel is the best yet… Ballard has evolved into one of crime fiction's richest, most complex characters.
Stellar… no one who follows Ballard and Bosch to the end will be disappointed. A bracing test of the maxim that “the department always comes first. The department always wins.
" I liked the reading of this book. I loved the main character, but thankfully Harry Bosch was there as well. It started to get a bit weak towards the end, and I guess I expected a stronger ending. All in all a good yarn "
" Great hearing Titus voice as Bosch. Puts a face to the character. Good listen 🎧 👍 "
" The background story for the association between Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard is terrific, logical and a slam dunk. Can't wait to listen to more of these stories. "
Michael 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.
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.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.