Desert Star: The Brand New Blockbuster Ballard & Bosch Thriller

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Harry, look,” Ballard said. “I’ve apologized for how I handled that but you get part of the blame.” The story moves at a fast pace. I was engaged from the start. I appreciate that both characters continue to grow with each book. Harry is dealing with the issues that come with age. Renee is trying to figure out how to be a manager. It will be very interesting to see where Connelly takes this series next. I thought it was surprising after the last book and events described with everything taking place during COVID, a year later no one talks about shots, boosters, or is wearing masks. I went huh a few times about that. Also, there’s a smidgen mentioned about a DA that is not seen as being tough on crime being recalled which reminded me of the latest election in California, but that was it. Renee has made a sign for the new Open-Unsolved unit with the motto "Everybody Counts or Nobody Counts." This was Harry's mantra, and he is irritated to see it on a sign. She leads a cold case unit, and this gives Bosch the opportunity to try and solve a case he left behind prior to his retirement.

Ballard has taken on the task of re-opening the cold case team, using volunteers. Her first ask is Harry and the first talk is finding out who murdered a councilmans sister. Harry, who always marching to his own drum, has his own white whale of a case, that of a whole family murdered. Both Ballard and Bosch are rule breakers, using what they can to solve cases, giving justice to the murdered and their families.

Tropes:

Desert Star' is the latest in the Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch series, coming after 2021's successful and topical ' The Dark Hours' which I thought was one of the high notes of the crime series so far. After that outing, when Renee became increasingly disillusioned with policing, it's no surprise to find her heading up the cold case unit.

And as I sit here pondering this review I wonder if this book would carry the same emotion for a reader just starting out, reading this one without reading all the others first. Without knowing Bosch this book might come off as shadow that continues to darken to the very end.And so you want me on this…squad, or whatever you’re calling it. I can’t be a reserve. I wouldn’t pass the physical. Run a mile in under six minutes? Forget it.” Of course, when it comes to cold cases, there's no better man than Harry Bosch, he of the 'Everybody counts or nobody counts' mantra. Ballard has had these very words printed above the door in the unit, which she points out to Harry when she's showing him around. Because of course, Ballard needs him in the unit, as she knows his skills as an investigator. He's there voluntarily, but Harry is driven by a desire for justice, not financial gain. He's also haunted by what the calls the 'library of lost souls' - row after row of files containing unsolved murder cases. Adding a little more depth and interest to things is the continued inclusion of Renee Ballard who acts as a voice of reason, sounding board and loyal believer with enough faith in him to put up with Bosch’s tendency to go off-piste. I am a huge fan of Michael Connelly, enjoying all his different series. This story, where once again Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch work together, continues his ability to put out well written, intriguing stories.

With this book, I can admit, I never felt bored, it was hard to put down, and this was truly another amazing Bosch/Ballard must read. LAPD detective Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch work together to hunt the killer who is Bosch’s “white whale”—a man responsible for the murder of an entire family.No badge, no gun,” Ballard said. “But you do get that desk with the six books. When can you start?” Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) . Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews. No, that’s why I’m here. The tenth floor agreed: one sworn officer—me—and the rest of the unit composed of reserves and volunteers and contract players. I didn’t come up with the idea. Other departments have been using the same model for a few years and they’re clearing cases. It’s a good model. In fact, it was your work for San Fernando that made me think of it.” Bosch shook his head. He didn’t remember telling her that but he knew it was what he felt. It was what he had told his daughter when she was considering joining the department in the wake of all the recent protests and cop hate.

The squad is being sponsored by Los Angeles Councilman Jake Pearlman, who hopes the cold case detectives will solve the rape and murder of his 16-year-old sister Sarah in 1994. Renée entices Bosch to join the cold case squad by promising he can investigate the Gallagher homicides, but she expects Harry to look into Sarah's rape and murder as well. Old Cop, Young Cop: The "old cop, young cop" dynamic that has been going on between young go-getter Renee Ballard and grizzled vet Harry Bosch since the characters were first paired up gets a tweak in this novel. Harry volunteers for Renee's unit, which makes her his supervisor. She has to upbraid him from time to time for not respecting her authority. Kudos, Mr. Connelly, for another stellar piece. Keep them coming, as I know many who love this series in all its forms. Bosch thought about that for a few moments. McShane had wiped out the whole Gallagher family in 2013 and buried them in the desert. But Bosch had never been able to prove it. And then he retired. He hadn’t solved every case he’d been assigned in almost 30 years working murders. No homicide detective ever did. But it was a whole family. It was the one case he hated most to leave on the table.Connelly provides plenty of action scenes in “Desert Star” as the investigation takes the detectives from Los Angeles streets to a Chicago neighborhood and down to Key West. As the team searched for what was now a serial killer, Harry continued his search for the killer of the Gallagher Family. They had the name of the killer, but had been unable to trace him. Harry was determined to find him this time... What kind of a detective is she?! Bosch always had a moustache, and she doesn't immediately realize that? I was put off in the beginning, when Renee has been talking to Bosch in her office, introduces him to their colleagues and THEN, belatedly realizes that he has shaved off his moustache! The lawyer,” as he is called in this wily debut from editor and litigator Dwyer Murphy, left his lucrative career at a high-profile New York law firm to make what he calls “An Honest Living,” and have less stress in his own practice. He’s actually looking forward to contract work and reviewing documents; certainly he’s not above doing the occasional odd job, no matter how small.