For almost thirty years Michael Connelly has been entertaining readers with gripping tales centred on relentless Los Angeles detective Hieronymus ‘Harry’ Bosch. Few authors have managed to maintain such consistently high standards in such a long-running series, keeping things fresh and evolving rather than becoming conveyor-belt.

While Connelly has plenty of screen projects keeping him busy including the new spinoff from hit crime drama ‘Bosch’, he continues to produce first-rate crime novels. The Dark Hours once again teams an aging, retired Bosch with ‘Late Show’ detective Renee Ballard, whose drive for justice matches his own. When a chaotic New Year’s Eve leaves a family man who escaped gang life dead, Ballard finds a surprising connection to one of Bosch’s old cases. Meanwhile she’s also on the hunt for tag-team serial rapists, despite being hobbled by the ambivalence of her sex crimes partner. With the police department floundering in the face of COVID and an angry public, Ballard turns to Bosch.

Connelly delivers another smooth, engaging read that deepens our understanding and appreciation of Ballard while adding to the Bosch legend, despite his somewhat secondary billing. Another gripping instalment in an outstanding series.

Reviewed by Craig Sisterson