The Night Fire

A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel, Book 22

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Christine Lakin, Titus Welliver

A FINALIST FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE

A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW BEST CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR

A CrimeReads Best Crime Novel Notable selection

Harry Bosch and LAPD Detective Renée Ballard come together again on the murder case that obsessed Bosch's mentor, the man who trained him—new from #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly

Back when Harry Bosch was just a rookie homicide detective, he had an inspiring mentor who taught him to take the work personally and light the fire of relentlessness for every case. Now that mentor, John Jack Thompson, is dead, and his widow gives Bosch a murder book, one that Thompson took with him when he left the LAPD twenty years before—the unsolved killing of a troubled young man.

Bosch takes the murder book to Detective Renée Ballard and asks her to help him discover what about this crime lit Thompson's fire all those years ago. As she begins her inquiries—while still working her own cases on the midnight shift—Ballad finds aspects of the initial investigation that just don't add up.

The bond between Bosch and Ballard tightens as they become a formidable investigation team. And they soon arrive at a disturbing question: Did Thompson steal the murder book to work the case in retirement, or to make sure it never got solved?
Written with the intense pacing and masterful suspense that have made Michael Connelly "the hard-boiled fiction master of our time" (NPR), The Night Fire continues the unofficial partnership of two fierce detectives determined not to let the fire with burn out.

©2019 Michael Connelly (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The Night Fire offers more than a few incendiary surprises."—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times

"Connelly is the Raymond Chandler of this generation, and readers will be studying his writing methods decades from now. He has created another novel that feels authentic on every level, and the underlying theme of mortality running through the narrative makes everything in the story more urgent."—Jeff Ayers, Associated Press

"There's something for everyone in this jam-packed plot: murder, arson, professional rivalry, salty cop talk and noisy domestic disputes that turn very ugly very quickly. Me, I go for the procedural details: who does what and how things get done from the minute the cops on shift at the Hollywood Division are sent to investigate a murder. Connelly is pretty much the current dean of procedural writers."—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

Another great Bosch and Ballard novel

These novels are always far more enjoyable, were narrated by Christine Lakin, and Titus Welliver! Every Bosch and Ballard book should be narrated by these two only!

another great thriller

Bosch and Ballard in a great twist la thriller once again I enjoyed it thoroughly

Another winner

Complex and layered with a full cast of favorite and well developed characters. Both narrators excellent but the piecing together of their dialogues seemed stilted- obviously recorded separately which took something away from the feeling of connectedness between Bosch and Ballard. I wish Michael Connelly had referenced Rene’s dog near the end. An important part of her life and a “character” which seemed to fall by the story’s wayside.

Starting the next one now

Great story. Enjoyed the first book but I didn’t like the narration I was unable to discern the difference in the characters. Christine did a great job with night fire and I was so glad Titus narrated as well. Getting into the next book immediately!

Wanting more ...

Great story telling here, as always I am left wanting more of Bosch and Ballard. Great characters from a great story teller.

Harry never fall short

I’ve been reading Harry Bosch for 30 years and I just left him. When Titus Welliver started playing him on screen I was a little disappointed, but he really grew into playing that part so well thank you Michael Connelly

Best yet!

3rd in the Ballard series. kudos to Mr. Connolly
and Mr. Welliver. Love Ballard character.

Doesn’t Get Better

I have yet to find a mystery author with the skills displayed by the author, Michael Connelly. I’ve listen to many of his books, and I read Nightfire at the top.

Great story

Love the Bosch Ballad combo.
Please tell Titus water has only one r. Warter is like nails on a chalkboard.

not his best work

This is a female book. It's really soft for a Michael Connelly novel. It reads like a TV drama. I wo t be recommending it except as a quick beach vacation listen.