Reviews
"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, "Fewwriters can capture the gritty streets of L.A.-and the inner workings of theLAPD-like Connelly."-- Entertainment Weekly, "Det.Renée Ballard is a formidable character, an insightful and tenaciousinvestigator with an unusual background and a sturdy personality to carry aseries... Connelly has achieved success as one of the top mystery writers bycontinuing to keep his storytelling fresh. In The Late Show , he delivers anexciting police procedural with a unique character."-- Oline Cogdill , South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 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, "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 THE LATE SHOW " TheLate Show introduces a terrific female character: Detective Renée Ballard. . .The pacing of Ballard's debut story is breathless. . . Ballard is complicatedand driven enough to sustain the series Connelly doubtless has in mind forher." -- Janet Maslin , The New York Times, "It'sa sharp move that allows him to shift his perspective in fresh and meaningfulways. Writing about the instantly appealing police Detective Renee Ballard alsorecharges Connelly, who has never been in better form."-- Lloyd Sachs , Chicago Tribune, "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, "WelcomeRenée Ballard to the City of Angels' crime fighting pantheon. . . Connellyexcels at writing principled outsiders, and Renée Ballard hews to thisarchetype."-- 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)