Micheal Conolly: Late Show

It's been a long time since I read a book that was this entertaining. I began the book on a flight to AZ about two weeks ago. And, I am still milking it. The book is simply too good to hurry through.

Until I stumbled onto this novel, I had been crushing a book per trip. Usually blowing through most of them on the plane. This book is an exception. It's just that different. Not only is lead character, Renee Ballard, very likable. But, the writing is absolutely engrossing. I don't think I skimmed through a single paragraph. It's been 20 years since I read a book word for word. The experience is very pleasant.

So, what's pulling me in like that? The premise perhaps. That or the slowly evolving plot which percolated out of a captivating back story about halfway through the book. Basically, Ballard is a detective on the outs, relegated to working the late shift in LA after she stirred the pot by calling her boss out. As a result, we have a highly dedicated, energetic cop stuck working with deadbeats who are milking their way to retirement.

The author takes us inside the events as they unfold. He lays it all out in intricate detail. And, for once, the details are where the story lies. And, that is just so unusual for this reader, it stopped me in my tracks. I'm probably reading 20 pages an hour instead of 150. Mind-blowing.

I highly recommend this book.

Well, I ended up finishing the final 200-plus pages of this book in one 4-hour flight. That percolating plot I mentioned in the op--it suddenly became riveting. So, instead of reading a few pages and taking a nap, as originally planned, I never put the book down once I got going. Totally awesome experience.

Hmmm...without divulging spoilers, I can say the ending was far from predictable. And, that was totally cool, because 9 out of 10 books I read are 100% predictable.