Book review: Michael Connelly - The Dark Hours

A Michael Connelly novel featuring LA cop Harry Bosch invariably has a few jazz references. However, in The Dark Hours Bosch is now retired  and his character is definitely that of second banana to Detective Renée Ballard who, just as Bosch did when he was a serving officer, isn't afraid to buck the system in the cause of justice.

So, given Bosch's supportive role, the only jazz mention is a fleeting reference to an Eddie Harris and Les McCann number, Compared to What?, played on this occasion by John Legend and The Roots prompting Ballard to quip that she didn't think he listened to anything recorded this century! 

Nevertheless, it is still a cracking tale with Ballard involved in two cases involving murder and rape in which she not only has to watch her back from the villains but also her own colleagues and superiors who don't take kindly to Bosch's involvement or anything that may tarnish the system.

The setting is bang up to date with face masks, vaccines, references to the killing of George Floyd and the riots in Washington after the Presidential Election.

One big improvement on previous novels featuring Ballard is that she now has an apartment rather than a tent on the beach which seemed an unlikely habitat for a cop.

Well worth checking out and thank you Emma for drawing it to my attention and to Norman for passing it on to me - Lance 

Michael Connelly - The Dark Hours. Pub. Orion Books ISBN 978 1 4091 8616 8