The Late Show

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Katherine Moennig

#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.
Renee Ballard works the midnight shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing few, as each morning she turns everything over to the daytime units. It's a frustrating job for a once up-and-coming detective, but it's no accident. She's been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor.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).

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR THE LATE SHOW
"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." —Janet Maslin, The New York Times

"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 Times

"Det. 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-Sentinel

"Few writers can capture the gritty streets of L.A.-and the inner workings of the LAPD-like Connelly."—Entertainment Weekly

"It'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 Tribune

"Ballard 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 Press

PRAISE FOR MICHAEL CONNELLY:

"Michael Connelly is an undisputed master."—Chuck Leddy

"Any new book by Michael Connelly is a cause for celebration."—Jackie Cooper, Huffington Post

"A masterpiece."—Steve Forbes, FORBES

"Welcome 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 Times

"More 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)

A Really Good One

No falling asleep on this book. Great story line. Would definitely recommend to any who enjoy crime solvers. A very slight problem with narrator not changing the male/female voice as well as some. But I am sold on the author, & look forward to others written by Connelly.

More than just a female Bosch!

I very much enjoyed Connolly's new series starter! Hope we see more of Renee Ballard!!!

Good story, not great narration

What made the experience of listening to The Late Show the most enjoyable?

I love Connelly books. I was excited to "meet" the new character, but at times the book was a bit hard to engage with due to the flat narration (her handling of dialogue was a bit confusing for this same reason). I listened to this while driving form Austin TX to Nashville TN and there were points in the middle of the book where I had to stop and listen to music to avoid feeling tired -- this doesn't usually happen to me with a Connelly book, but the narration was pretty difficult (I love the Bosch ones and Titus Welliver's narration especially! Even moreso since he plays the character on the Amazon series). Nonetheless, the plot was pretty good -- and awesome to have a strong female lead character to add to the Connelly franchise.

Excellent start to a new series

One negative reviewer said the story was weak, the weakest in the Connelly library, I disagree. After all, this doesn't make him right or wrong, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Some reviewers complained that the narrator ruined the story, once again I disagree. Was she the best or worst I've heard? Again, I'd have to say "no" to both. I believe her performance was middle of the road.

I enjoyed the book, it is a good police procedural. I highly recommend this audiobook to fans of police procedurals.

My vision and fatigue are such that I can no longer read and must rely on audiobooks.

Michael you have done so much better

I really didn't like it I struggled through the entire story just to get an understanding I thought it was going to lead to a better story line

Maybe it was on purpose

I'm an admirer of Michael Connelly's work. Love all the Bosch books and the Lincoln Lawyer, too. I approached The Late Show predisposed to be entertained and intrigued. Immediately, I was taken aback by the reader's flat tone and inability to differentiate between a character's comment and the subsequent "he said, enraged." BTW, that's not in the book; I made it up. The plot engaged me eventually and the protagonist, Ballard, though cold and offputting, sparked interest in how the story progressed. Maybe the cold, uninflected narration was an indication of Ballard's inability to relate on an emotional level to anything but her work. I'll think about it. in the meanwhile, you think about getting this book in print.

Not Connelly's Best, But Still Worth a Listen

If you’ve listened to books by Michael Connelly before, how does this one compare?

The Late Show left me feeling that I had heard it all before, in one form or another, in Connelly's previous work, but given the quality of that work, that's okay.

Have you listened to any of Katherine Moennig’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Katherine Moennig's performance is very dry as is Connelly's writing style. The combination may not be to everyone's taste. At first, I was put off, but my the end of the listen I thought the performance and the material were well-mated.

Love Love Love Detective Renee Ballard

Awesome new character and series. I can't wait for the next book.
I love Harry Bosch and the series.
Michael Connelly never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat.
Bring on the late show.

Like the new detective, Renee Ballard. Exciting b

Not a good narrator. Please choose a different female voice for the next book.

Home Run!

What did you love best about The Late Show?

As a long time fan of Michael Connelly I am always waiting for his next book and was looking forward to reading The Late Show. I was not disappointed--Connelly hit a home run with this book! Although I liked the narration, Katherine Moennig's reading felt stilted at times, with emphasis and pauses in the wrong places. Still,the story line and character development far overshadowed any distraction in the narration and I hope that Michael Connelly gives us more of Renee.