A review by booksrockcal
The Waiting by Michael Connelly

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the second year in a row in which I ended the year by reading a book by one of my favorite authors, Michael Connelly. I like to save his books for my December post-Christmas holiday at home and this year’s installment did not disappoint.  The focus this time is on Renee Ballard and the LAPD's Open-Unsolved Unit where she is the lead detective in a group  that includes volunteers as well as LAPD employees. The unit traces a DNA connection between a recently arrested man and a serial rapist and murderer who went quiet twenty years ago.  It’s a familial connection as the arrestee is only 23, but when they follow the leads to the suspect a lot of secrets emerge.  Meanwhile, Ballard is working to recover her badge, gun, and LAPD ID stolen from her car while she was surfing- she can't report the theft without endangering her career due to those in the department who seek her demotion. When this burglary leads to greater danger than anticipated, she calls in Harry Bosch to help. Meanwhile, Bosch’s daughter Maddie, now on patrol in Hollywood, volunteers for Ballard’s unit and works to solve one of Los Angeles’s longest running unsolved murders. Yes there is a lot going on in this edition of Ballard and Bosch, but it is never boring, always fast-paced, and provides a satisfying ending while providing more details about the now familiar characters and always makes sure that Los Angeles itself is a character in the story.