The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
al_or_nothing's review against another edition
Blatant transphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
elessor's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lherrou's review against another edition
4.0
This reads like a first novel. Perhaps in some ways it is, since it's a departure for Michael Connelly (although set in same world he knows well), and is not bad as such. It was hard to like Renee Ballard, which made it harder to empathize or walk her path with her. I hope that Mr. Connelly's "second" novel improves upon what he's started.
bfordham's review against another edition
4.0
Similar to the Bosch stories, but different enough to be interesting. I'm hoping she just doens't turn out to be a younger, female Bosch.
Not the best, but still very good.
Not the best, but still very good.
heybender's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
Itâs been a hot second since Iâve read a Michael Connelly book, and Iâm glad I picked this one to jump back in with! Not that I donât love Bosch, but there is something about the female perspective in law enforcement that I am naturally drawn toward, and I think this story was fairly well done despite being written by a man.
I do take a small issue with the assault on RenĂ©e that occurs about 2/3 through. I think that there is too much focus on violence against women anyway in cop dramas, and to have the cop herself violated seemed like trauma porn. I donât like violence against women as a plot device to move the story in a âmore excitingâ direction, and thatâs what it read as to me.
That being said, I liked Renée as a character even if I felt the living-on-a-beach schtick was a little unrealistic. Connelly shows his mastery of the genre with the twisty plot and duel cases, and I would definitely read more of this off-shoot!
I do take a small issue with the assault on RenĂ©e that occurs about 2/3 through. I think that there is too much focus on violence against women anyway in cop dramas, and to have the cop herself violated seemed like trauma porn. I donât like violence against women as a plot device to move the story in a âmore excitingâ direction, and thatâs what it read as to me.
That being said, I liked Renée as a character even if I felt the living-on-a-beach schtick was a little unrealistic. Connelly shows his mastery of the genre with the twisty plot and duel cases, and I would definitely read more of this off-shoot!
holly_gilbreath's review against another edition
5.0
Sorry to see this book end. It had everything I love. Great lady cop, loves dog, solves mysteries, gets revenge and there were twists and surprises galore. Searching for more by MichaelConnelly that I havenât read.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
Last two years I have been binging on Michael Connelly, especially his Harry Bosch series. As I finished the latest book last year, I saw that Connelly was writing a new series and it starred a woman. I was excited and it did not disappoint. Renee Ballard works the midnight shift at the LAPD, Hollywood division, and hates how each morning her cases are turned over to the dayshift. This shift is her punishment for filing a sexual harassment complaint against her supervisor. When she gets two cases, a murdered prostitute and waitress she decides to work the cases on her time off and solve them.
Renee is like Bosch in that she is a rebel and does what she thinks is right. She is also tough and smart. While I hope that Connelly continues to write Bosch, I cannot wait for the next Ballard book! This novel had Connelly's usual action, suspense and one liners.
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
Last two years I have been binging on Michael Connelly, especially his Harry Bosch series. As I finished the latest book last year, I saw that Connelly was writing a new series and it starred a woman. I was excited and it did not disappoint. Renee Ballard works the midnight shift at the LAPD, Hollywood division, and hates how each morning her cases are turned over to the dayshift. This shift is her punishment for filing a sexual harassment complaint against her supervisor. When she gets two cases, a murdered prostitute and waitress she decides to work the cases on her time off and solve them.
Renee is like Bosch in that she is a rebel and does what she thinks is right. She is also tough and smart. While I hope that Connelly continues to write Bosch, I cannot wait for the next Ballard book! This novel had Connelly's usual action, suspense and one liners.
nixbix_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bit of a slow starter for me - I didnât really get into it until I was in the second half of the book. I thought that it was an OK police procedural but it was never going to be great. Itâs an interesting look at the late shift for police in a busy city, but gets bogged down in the minutiae of the job, and there are only brief moments of excitement and tension. I admired Detective RenĂ©e Ballard for her tenacity, but she was also one of the most overused cop clichĂ©s - a rogue cop who doesnât follow the rules. When this is done well it can make for an entertaining read, but I thought that this was an average example. This was not overly exciting or original but it did the job.