Dark Sacred Night

A Ballard and Bosch Novel: Harry Bosch, Book 21

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Titus Welliver

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

LAPD Detective Renée Ballard teams up with Harry Bosch in the new work of fiction from number-one New York Times best-selling author Michael Connelly.

Renée Ballard is working the night beat again and returns to Hollywood Station in the early hours only to find a stranger rifling through old file cabinets. The intruder is retired detective Harry Bosch, working a cold case that has gotten under his skin. Ballard kicks him out but then checks into the case herself, and it brings a deep tug of empathy and anger.

Bosch is investigating the death of 15-year-old Daisy Clayton, a runaway on the streets of Hollywood who was brutally murdered and her body left in a dumpster like so much trash. Now, Ballard joins forces with Bosch to find out what happened to Daisy and finally bring her killer to justice.

©2018 Michael Connelly (P)2018 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

"It was only last year that Connelly introduced Ballard, a fierce and fascinating new protagonist who instantly emerged as a reader favorite. Bosch, meanwhile, is a grizzled veteran by now; Dark Sacred Night marks the 21st novel to center on him. But fans always finish eager to come back for more." (David Canfield, Entertainment Weekly)

Connelly slapped it outta the park AGAIN!

Rene' is growing on me. The first Ballard book was a solid start to building the new character, but the producers goofed with the narrator in that one. This time the narrator has a good handle on how to read the story AS characters over just reading the story. Lakin's range is great and she uses emphasizes in all the right place. In her words as she reads for Ballard I hear a strong, determined woman to be the best of the best at her job.

She's not a woman who has chip on her shoulder and mad at the world because she born a "down trodden--gotta work harder than the man---- gender".

As a woman it always annoys me to no end when an author seems to think that type of --female think--makes for a good back bone for a female character...all it does is make things "pc" which is a whole other kind of annoying these days. For me it is not appealing.

If I want a -----in my face-----social justice warrior listen, I'll find one on my own.

Ballard is simply:
A head on straight--- trying to get the job done cop.....and doing it in a manner that delivers the best product /end results as possible for victims.
She's a good --going toe to toe--- with Harry---- match.

Harry is...well pure Harry.
What can I say that hasn't been said many, many times over all the years we have all been binging on the hard copies and now days the Audible version along with the phenomenal Bosch series here on amazon?

I can't add anything to what has been said about how Harry is a great created character who, in turn, creates an addiction Connelly's writing and that addiction is pushed hard and fast in how Titus brings Harry alive...... to the point of obsession


It is a bit to get used to...having both a female and male narrator, alternating reading for each character.
It works and it works well, just not something I am used to with the Harry series.



The story line is solid, held my interest to the inth degree.

There's some interesting changes in Harry's life, no plot spoilers but I have to say there was a point something in Harry's life made me feel for him as a parent of head strong adult children who don't like parents making changes for their life without consulting them.

(That's when you know you might be TOO invested in Harry! Parent empathy!! LOL)

I binged the dang book starting right after it was in my library and I am bleary eyed and sleepy today, but well worth the binge listen!

Was interesting to have Lucky Lucy in the story line, I always thought she and Harry made a good kick a$$ team!!

Good as Always

The female performance put me to sleep to begin with, was not crazy about her reading. But I love Bosch novels. This one seemed a little sad and beaten down at times and I was afraid it was going to be the end of Bosch. Glad it is not. I still would like more Mickey Haller books.

Great Story- Great Performance

After reading some of the reviews of this Audible book, I nearly returned it before listening. I DO NOT like the Audible books that are performed like a theatrical production. When reading the reviews I understood how the book worked- a female narrates the chapters that focus on Ballard's thoughts and actions and Titus Welliver narrates the chapters that are through Bosch's point of view. In addition to my fear that the book would come off bad, I must admit that I don't like Welliver's portrayal of Bosch in the Amazon shows. But, I dislike going to the gym so much I can't tolerate it without a good book to listen to and I was totally out of listening materials. I kept it.

All of that said to tell you- if you are a Bosch and/or Ballard fan, buy the book. I am really enjoying this performance. I like both readers and do not find the presentation confusing or silly. It even helps me understand point of view. It's a good story although not as gripping as some of the older books. I am entertained.

new writing style falls short

two narrators and flipping back and forth was confusing. the stories were good but hard to follow. looks like plans to use 2 main characters is the future. sad. I'll miss bosch.

Ugh was hoping for much more Titus...

So I can say that this is probably not the strongest Bosch novel to date. The stories somewhat intersected but I felt they weren’t as captivating as some of the previous books. That said I really missed this entire book narrated by Titus Welliver. It was a half half situation and it was OK but not great. Hoping the next one goes back to Titus 100%...

Best !!!

Loved this book. Great story, narration and I can’t wait for the next Bosch episode with his new “partner”!

outstanding

another great Bosch novel from the master. you will not be able to stop listening

these two are together

l like these two characters each has there own case they help each other out with. Good I hope he puts them together again.

Very enjoyable

The dialogue exchange between Male and female characters with the respective voice actors was entertaining and added to the excellent and suspenseful story.

Bosch is Solid as always

Not sure what all the noise about the narration was about ! I thought it was brilliant!! Not my favorite Bosch book but solid as always . Fan for life 😊