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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
A book in need of an editor. Far too much minutiae. Did we need to know how Renee tricked out her van or how she waxed her surfboard? A slow and tedious plot leads to a predictable ending.
I really enjoyed the book. Looking forward to more in the series.
3.5 stars. My first book by this author. Not really a fan of his style but I did like the main character.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I do like Connelly; this introduces a new character, Renee Ballard. This is still a police procedural, with a strong main character who has been sidelined by her sexually exploitive boss. The ending was entirely unexpected. As usual with Connelly, Ballard colors outside the lines but gets the job done...and we are set up for the next title in the series!
This was okay but I never became very fond of the lead character. She certainly doesn't deserve that dog and should not be a dog owner. She's just not very likable so I don't know if I'll ever read another Renee Ballard even though I'm usually a fan of Michael Connelly.
3.5 stars.
I really wanted to like this book - a new female detective by Michael Connelly? Yes, please! However, I kept turning the pages, but the story didn't grab me. The detective, Renee Ballard, comes across as aloof and too robot-like to really come alive and engage the reader. Plus she seems to be homeless for no discernible reason. Hmm.
There was one scene when I started rooting for Ballard like mad, but after it was over, she went back to how she usually is. I'm not sure if I would want to read the second instalment of the Renee Ballard series. My favourite Connelly's detective is still Harry Bosch, seconded by the Mickey Haller.
I really wanted to like this book - a new female detective by Michael Connelly? Yes, please! However, I kept turning the pages, but the story didn't grab me. The detective, Renee Ballard, comes across as aloof and too robot-like to really come alive and engage the reader. Plus she seems to be homeless for no discernible reason. Hmm.
There was one scene when I started rooting for Ballard like mad, but after it was over, she went back to how she usually is. I'm not sure if I would want to read the second instalment of the Renee Ballard series. My favourite Connelly's detective is still Harry Bosch, seconded by the Mickey Haller.
3.5 ⭐️
This was a compelling read and just the kind of escapism I was hoping for. There’s nothing lyrical in Connelly’s writing here and he really doesn’t beat around the bush. But once you get into it, this is a gripping read. Detective Renée Ballard is an interesting character, a headstrong woman with a difficult past whose job dominates her life. The various crimes detailed in the book are well thought out and intricately connected, and I was glad to discover some surprises along the way. This is a good book to read if you’re looking for an escape, but not the right thing if you are looking for something more profound or beautifully written.
This was a compelling read and just the kind of escapism I was hoping for. There’s nothing lyrical in Connelly’s writing here and he really doesn’t beat around the bush. But once you get into it, this is a gripping read. Detective Renée Ballard is an interesting character, a headstrong woman with a difficult past whose job dominates her life. The various crimes detailed in the book are well thought out and intricately connected, and I was glad to discover some surprises along the way. This is a good book to read if you’re looking for an escape, but not the right thing if you are looking for something more profound or beautifully written.
E-galley provided through the generosity of Netgalley, Little Brown & Co., and Author, Michael Connelly.
Michael Connelly is a brave man. Putting aside, for the moment, his long running Harry Bosch Series, Connelly took a chance and hit the ball out of the park with his new Detective Renée Ballard Series.
Ballard's punishment for an allegation of sexual harassment against a high-ranking official has landed her on The Late Show. It could even be called the graveyard shift, the dead shift where you work your tail off all night only to roll your cases to the real detectives each morning. A few of the brush strokes, Ballard’s a loner, her father died while surfing but she continues the sport more often being found paddle boarding. She uses her Grandmother Tutu’s address for job profile but lives in a pop-up on the beach along with her rescued dog, Lola. Possibly due to the dysfunctional beginnings of her own life she is loyal, organized, fierce and dedicated. There’s a lot of room here for character development and it’s apparent Connelly is ready to give us more as he prepares us for the nest in this police procedural.
Connelly has blended the LAPD, and the Los Angeles he knows to create Ballard. Though Ballard is a cop just like Bosch, it’s like giving birth to a baby as he fills in the colors of this new canvas with a fresh eye.
If you like Connelly and you love Bosch, don't be afraid. Give Renée Ballard a chance.
Michael Connelly is a brave man. Putting aside, for the moment, his long running Harry Bosch Series, Connelly took a chance and hit the ball out of the park with his new Detective Renée Ballard Series.
Ballard's punishment for an allegation of sexual harassment against a high-ranking official has landed her on The Late Show. It could even be called the graveyard shift, the dead shift where you work your tail off all night only to roll your cases to the real detectives each morning. A few of the brush strokes, Ballard’s a loner, her father died while surfing but she continues the sport more often being found paddle boarding. She uses her Grandmother Tutu’s address for job profile but lives in a pop-up on the beach along with her rescued dog, Lola. Possibly due to the dysfunctional beginnings of her own life she is loyal, organized, fierce and dedicated. There’s a lot of room here for character development and it’s apparent Connelly is ready to give us more as he prepares us for the nest in this police procedural.
Connelly has blended the LAPD, and the Los Angeles he knows to create Ballard. Though Ballard is a cop just like Bosch, it’s like giving birth to a baby as he fills in the colors of this new canvas with a fresh eye.
If you like Connelly and you love Bosch, don't be afraid. Give Renée Ballard a chance.