#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.
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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"A new character for Connelly - cop Renee Ballard. Like Bosch, she has ruffled a few feathers in the LAPD, but it hasn't stopped her from trying to find justice in every corner. Katherine Moennig (who stars as Lena on Ray Donovan) is the perfect person to read this book. She has the gritty voice needed to really bring Ballard to life. I'd like to see her work with Bosch. There's even a reference to the Bosch TV show, as one of the characters had a bit part in the series. "
— Twigsy (5 out of 5 stars)
“Narrator Katherine Moennig’s delivery perfectly complements Ballard’s caginess. Moennig maintains a bit of distance from the listener and rarely engages emotionally, making us all the more curious about what makes Ballard tick. Moennig effectively captures the brusque officialdom of police work…This seamless blend of protagonist and narrator will leave listeners looking for the next installment.”
— AudioFile"The Late Show introduces a terrific female character: Detective Renée Ballard…The pacing of Ballard’s debut story is breathless…Ballard is complicated and driven enough to sustain the series Connelly doubtless has in mind for her.”
— New York Times“Writing about the instantly appealing police Detective Renee Ballard also recharges Connelly, who has never been in better form.”
— Chicago Tribune“The most intriguing mystery in The Late Show, though, is Ballard herself. Connelly is too skillful to hand us her resume in one document dump; instead, he fills out her portrait with a subtle hand over the course of the novel, a little background here, a glimpse of her temperament there, the revelation of her unusual living conditions sketched in between.”
— Tampa Bay Times“A hard-hitting police procedural that captures the imagination from page one.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)The most intriguing mystery in The Late Show, though, is Ballard herself. Connelly is too skillful to hand us her resume in one document dump; instead, he fills out her portrait with a subtle hand over the course of the novel, a little background here, a glimpse of her temperament there, the revelation of her unusual living conditions sketched in between.
— Colette Bancroft, Tampa Bay TimesDet. Renée Ballard is a formidable character, an insightful and tenacious investigator with an unusual background and a sturdy personality to carry a series... Connelly has achieved success as one of the top mystery writers by continuing to keep his storytelling fresh. In The Late Show, he delivers an exciting police procedural with a unique character.
— Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun-SentinelFew writers can capture the gritty streets of L.A.-and the inner workings of the LAPD-like Connelly.
— Entertainment WeeklyIt's a sharp move that allows him to shift his perspective in fresh and meaningful ways. Writing about the instantly appealing police Detective Renee Ballard also recharges Connelly, who has never been in better form.
— Lloyd Sachs, Chicago TribuneBallard is a force that with just one novel will easily be as beloved. There's no doubt Connelly is a master of crime fiction, and The Late Show cements that reputation.
— Jeff Ayers, Associated PressMichael Connelly is an undisputed master.
— Chuck LeddyAny new book by Michael Connelly is a cause for celebration.
— Jackie Cooper, Huffington PostA masterpiece.
— Steve Forbes, FORBESWelcome Renée Ballard to the City of Angels' crime fighting pantheon. . . Connelly excels at writing principled outsiders, and Renée Ballard hews to this archetype.
— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles TimesMore perhaps than any of Connelly's much-honored other titles, this one reveals why his procedurals are the most soulful in the business: because he finds the soul in the smallest details, faithfully executed.
— Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)" Really like Michael Connelly books. I had a hard time believing he even co-wrote this. Book is just too predictable or unbelievable and not really his style. Would rather he stick with the Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer series, and stay away from ghost writers. "
— Nick, 4/15/2018" Good book. Kept my interest while keeping you guessing on what happened next. "
— mlghawk, 10/8/2017" great new series, interesting new lead, who I find myself warming up to quite quickly -- I look forward to the stories that follow "
— vic, 9/12/2017" The late show was good with respect to being able to follow a few investigations - but the way they went was totally unbelievable. What made this book totally suck is how politically correct it was. The idiot social justice warriors might like it. "
— Susan, 8/22/2017Michael 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.
Katherine Moennig is an audiobook narrator and actress best known for her film roles in Gone, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Everybody’s Fine, among others.