You just can’t go wrong reading a Michael Connelly book. They are consistently interesting, suspenseful and the characters keep developing and changing with every new encounter and that is saying a lot after 20 books in the Harry Bosch series, and this book which is, book 4 in the Renee’ Ballard series. What is interesting about Connelly’s books is that they do overlap just like people would in real life, so Bosch sometimes appears in the Renee’ Ballard series and sometimes Renee’ appears in the Bosch series, which makes it fun to read all the various books Connelly writes.

It is New Year’s Eve and Renee’ Ballard is on the midnight shift. Traditionally at midnight in LA, “a rain of lead” occurs as revelers shoot their guns in the air to celebrate the New Year. This year is no exception, except this time Renee’ is called out to a scene where a hardworking auto mechanic was fatally hit by a bullet in the middle of a street party. It soon becomes clear, based on the where the man was hit, that it could not have been from a stray bullet being fired in the air. In fact the bullet i’ linked to another unsolved murder that Renee’s mentor and friend, Detective Bosch worked on.

Meanwhile, Renee is also working on a case involving serial rapists, who have been dubbed the Midnight Men. They stake out homes of single women, enter the home while they are gone, hide in the closet and then attack them while they are sleeping.

Determined to solve both cases Renee’ pushes for more support from her bosses, but morale in the LAPD is very low, because of the pandemic and the push for more accountability after the George Floyd trial. Realizing that she needs more help, Renee’ reaches out to Bosch for help and together they relentlessly push to hold those committing these crimes accountable.

Relentless, creative, and with poor social skills, Renee’ is a unique detective with a big heart. I have loved every book she has been in, as she provides a nice counterpoint to the very male perspective of  Bosch. Well written and nail-bitingly suspenseful, this will keep you up at night reading until the very last page!

Brenda’s Rating: *****(5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Marian and Sharon

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in ebook format.