The Late Show

Classic Connelly #5: The book that introduced the dauntless Renée Ballard to the world.

Young LAPD detective Renée Ballard has been relegated to the 'Late Show' after filing a sexual harassment complaint against her supervisor. Working in a twilight world of tragedy and violence, Ballard never gets closure, each morning forced to turn her cases over to the day shift detectives.

But one night she's called out to a brutal assault and then to a multiple murder, and she's determined not to relinquish these cases at dawn.

Working by day while maintaining her shift by night—against orders and her own partner's wishes—Ballard finds herself drawn deep into the dark heart of her city, her department and her past . . .

'The Late Show introduces a terrific female character: Detective Renée Ballard ... this new star is a beauty ... Ballard is complicated and driven enough to sustain the series Connelly doubtless has in mind for her. Connelly writes passionately about, and captures especially well here, the detective's high when the pieces of a puzzle fall into place.' - New York Times