{"title":"Series: Renee Ballard","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the riveting world of the \u003cem\u003eRenee Ballard\u003c\/em\u003e series, penned by acclaimed crime novelist Michael Connelly. This enthralling collection delves into the life and challenges of Detective Renee Ballard, a tenacious and resourceful investigator navigating the gritty landscape of Los Angeles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Late Show\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, we are introduced to Ballard as she tackles the pressures of the LAPD's night shift, bringing to life the raw energy and unpredictability of Los Angeles after dark. With each subsequent book, including \u003cem\u003eDark Sacred Night\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Night Fire\u003c\/em\u003e, Ballard's character deepens, showcasing her fierce determination and unyielding sense of justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe series evolves with thrilling collaborative efforts in the \u003cem\u003eBallard \u0026amp; Bosch\u003c\/em\u003e books, where she teams up with veteran detective Harry Bosch, another of Connelly's iconic characters. Books like \u003cem\u003eThe Dark Hours\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eDesert Star\u003c\/em\u003e highlight their dynamic partnership, blending the wisdom of experience with fresh perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're a fan of the \u003cstrong\u003eCrime \u0026amp; Thriller\u003c\/strong\u003e genre, the Renee Ballard series offers a gripping mix of intrigue, suspense, and action, set against the vivid backdrop of Los Angeles. Dive into these compelling stories and experience the pulse-pounding excitement that only Michael Connelly can deliver.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"desert-star-ballard-bosch-book-5","title":"Desert Star (Ballard \u0026 Bosch Book 5)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA year ago, LAPD detective Rene Ballard quit the force in the face of misogyny and endless red tape, but then took back her badge after being offered her dream job: building a new cold case unit. She makes Bosch an offer—if he works as a volunteer investigator for her, he can pick up the cold case that has haunted him for years, the murder of an entire family by a psychopath still walking free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere's just one catch: they must first solve another murder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCan Harry and Rene put aside their old resentments? Is Harry still at the top of his game? What do you do when faced with a child-murderer who may forever evade justice?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnited by single-minded determination, Ballard and Bosch blaze fresh life down cold trails in their pursuit of justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is brilliant crime writing, worthy of Raymond Chandler\u003c\/em\u003e - \u003cem\u003eThe Sydney Morning Herald\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSuperb crime writing from a master.\u003c\/em\u003e - \u003cem\u003eThe Australian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45837726482668,"sku":"9781761470547","price":18.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781761470547.jpg?v=1729377487"},{"product_id":"dark-sacred-night-by-michael-connelly-9781761472480","title":"Dark Sacred Night","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaisy Clayton's killer was never caught. In over ten years, there has been no breakthrough in her murder case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetective Renee Ballard has faced everything the LAPD's notorious dusk-till-dawn graveyard shift has thrown at her. But, until tonight, she'd never met Harry Bosch—an ex-homicide detective consumed by the case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSoon, she too will become obsessed with the murder of Daisy Clayton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBecause Ballard and Bosch both know: every murder tells a story. And Daisy's case file reads like the first chapter in an untold tragedy that is still being written—one that could end with Ballard herself, if she cannot bring the truth to light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDark Sacred Night\u003c\/em\u003e unfolds a gripping tale of persistence, mystery, and danger, as two detectives race against time to solve an unsolved murder with high personal stakes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46193383276780,"sku":"9781761472480","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781761472480.jpg?v=1739831259"},{"product_id":"the-dark-hours-by-michael-connelly-9781761065484","title":"The Dark Hours","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's chaos in Hollywood on New Year's Eve. At the end of the countdown, LAPD Detective Renee Ballard seeks shelter from the traditional rain of lead as hundreds of revellers shoot their guns into the air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMinutes later, Ballard is called to a scene where a hardworking auto shop owner has been fatally hit by a bullet in the middle of a crowded street party. Ballard swiftly concludes that the deadly bullet could not have fallen from the sky and connects it with another unsolved murder - a case at one time worked by Detective Harry Bosch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, Ballard still hunts a fiendish pair of serial rapists, the Midnight Men, who have been terrorising women and leaving no trace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFinding herself up against deadly inertia and foundering morale in a police department ravaged by the pandemic and recent riots, Ballard must look outside to the one detective she can count on: Harry Bosch. But as the two determined detectives join forces, they cannot relax their guard. The brutal predators they track won't hesitate to kill to keep their secrets hidden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnfolding with unstoppable drive and nail-biting intrigue, \u003ci\u003eThe Dark Hours\u003c\/i\u003e shows that, 'Relentless on their own, Ballard's and Bosch's combined skills . . . could be combustible' (\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'This is unmatched crime writing at its summit.'\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e- The Australian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Connelly has created heroic and flawed and very real characters who believably find ways to make things right.'\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e- Chicago Sun-Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Connelly is the real deal.'\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e- New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46522180272364,"sku":"9781761065484","price":34.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/28041783482814.jpg?v=1749029936"},{"product_id":"the-dark-hours-ballard-bosch-book-4-by-michael-connelly-9781761067815","title":"The Dark Hours (Ballard \u0026 Bosch Book 4)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmidst midnight chaos, LAPD Detective Renée Ballard shelters from the traditional New Year's Eve rain of lead as crowds of revellers shoot their guns into the air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMinutes later, she's at the scene of a local mechanic's death, but that fatal bullet didn't fall from the sky. And Ballard is still on the hunt for the Midnight Men, fiendish serial rapists terrorising women and leaving no trace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUp against deadly inertia and foundering morale in a ravaged police department, Ballard looks outside to the one detective she can count on: Harry Bosch. But even together they cannot relax their guard against predators who won't hesitate to kill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is unmatched crime writing at its summit.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n-\u003ci\u003eThe Australian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConnelly has created heroic and flawed and very real characters who believably find ways to make things right.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n-\u003ci\u003eChicago Sun-Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConnelly is the real deal.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n-\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46522187972844,"sku":"9781761067815","price":19.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/28065093482814.jpg?v=1749029970"},{"product_id":"the-late-show-by-michael-connelly-9781760633462","title":"The Late Show","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Late Show\u003c\/em\u003e introduces a terrific female character: Detective Renée Ballard. This new star is a beauty. Ballard is complicated and driven enough to sustain the series Connelly doubtless has in mind for her. Connelly writes passionately about, and captures especially well here, the detective's high when the pieces of a puzzle fall into place. - Janet Maslin, \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLos Angeles can be a dangerous city - never more so than in the dead of night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRenée Ballard works the night shift at the LAPD in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing none, as each morning she turns her cases over to day shift detectives. A once up-and-coming detective, she's been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut one night she catches two cases she doesn't want to part with: the brutal beating of a prostitute left for dead in a parking lot and the killing of a young woman in a nightclub shooting. Ballard is determined not to give up at dawn. Against orders and her own partner's wishes, she works both cases by day while maintaining her shift by night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the cases entwine, they pull her closer to her own demons and the reason she won't give up her job - no matter what the department throws at her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46522415874284,"sku":"9781760633462","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/23721563482814.jpg?v=1749035014"},{"product_id":"the-night-fire-ballard-bosch-book-3-by-michael-connelly-9781760878702","title":"The Night Fire (Ballard \u0026 Bosch Book 3)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack when Harry Bosch was just a rookie homicide detective, he had an inspiring mentor, John Jack Thompson, who taught him to take the work personally and light the fire of relentlessness for every case. Now John Jack is dead, and Harry inherits a murder book that Thompson took with him when he left the LAPD 20 years before—the unsolved killing of a troubled young man in an alley used for drug deals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBosch brings the murder book to Renee Ballard and asks her to help him discover what lit Thompson's fire all those years ago. That will be their starting point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe bond between Bosch and Ballard tightens as they become a formidable investigative team. And they soon arrive at a worrying question: Did Thompson steal the murder book to work the case in retirement, or to make sure it never got solved?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Night Fire\u003c\/em\u003e brings the detective duo to the forefront as they navigate the complexities of an unsolved crime, igniting a relentless pursuit of truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46522512081132,"sku":"9781760878702","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/26173963482814.jpg?v=1749037532"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/series-renee-ballard.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}