In Connelly's latest book, one of his new characters, Renée Ballard and the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit get a DNA connection between a recently arrested man and a serial rapist and murderer who went quiet twenty years ago. The arrested man's father was the Pillowcase Rapist, responsible for a five-year reign of terror. But npthing is as it seems because of a web of lies.

During all of this, Ballard’s badge, gun, and ID are stolen. She cannot report this because her enemies in the department will use this to end her career as a detective. She works the burglary alone, but she is struggling so she goes to her old friend, Harry Bosch.

Ballard also takes on Bosch's daughter Maddie as a volunteer to the cold case unit. But Maddie brings with her clues to hopefully solve one of the biggest unsolved cases in L. A. histroy. As always Michael Connelly and his wonderfully crafted characters never disappoint.

It was hard for me to put down The Waiting by Michael Connelly. The detective work by Renee Ballard, Harry Bosch, Maddie Bosch and the Open-Unsolved teamwas intriguing and fast paced.

Another Renee Ballard story by one of my fave authors! Starting close to home in a theft while surfing, she works thru cold cases with her quirky team. Always entertaining!

"She liked waiting for the wave more than riding the wave."

There may be a break on an important 20-year-old cold case. Ballard’s badge, gun, and ID have been stolen. Add terrifying twists to those two issues and you've jumped right into Mr. Connelly's latest Renée Ballard thriller!

I love how hot shot DNA connections work for the Open-Unsolved Unit, and it was fascinating how the items stolen from Renée's car led to something unexpected and VASTLY more shocking.

I enjoyed it when Bosch showed up for part of the book. (Seriously, he needs to live to be 100.) Another bright spot was when Bosch's daughter (Maddie, who is a patrol officer) volunteered to work part-time in the Open-Unsolved Unit in the hope of becoming a detective sooner.

And how about that case that has been cold for 77 years??

Lots of threads to follow in The Waiting and not one of them was boring!

Many thanks to both #LittleBrownAndCompany and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Waiting. This book is #6 in the Renée Ballard series, and has an expected publication date of October 15, 2024.

#Michael Connelly #OpenUnsolvedUnit #StrongFemaleProtagonist #Bosch #DNAIndexSystem #CODIS

If you love the Harry Bosch television series, along with Bosch Legacy, then you will like The Waiting as well. It’s like watching Bosch or the Lincoln Lawyer, but this time, Renee Ballard is the key character. I don’t know how Michael Connelly does it, but all of his books are a slam dunk.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Renee is a detective and the head of the LAPD Open-Unsolved Unit in CA. Her day starts out great as she is surfing in the Pacific Ocean. Then it goes downhill when her badge, gun, and ID are stolen out of her car. This one acts takes us on the journey of three unsolved cases. Surprisingly, one of them is the real-life case of The Black Dahlia, the missing case of Elizabeth Short. I thought it was pretty brave of Connelly to include a real case.

My favorite parts of the book were when Harry Bosch entered the scene. Also, Maddie, his daughter, takes on a leading role, just like in Bosch Legacy. Maddie is just like she is in the television show. She is following in her father’s footsteps and wants to become a detective.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK:
This is definitely an easy read. I liked learning more about Renee Ballard and her personal life. Connelly does a great job of showing what it’s like to live in LA (the good and the bad). Most importantly, though, I found it fascinating what detectives go through to solve cold cases. Detectives need to follow specific steps for a chain-in-command. It was also interesting to read about some of the technology available to them today. Renee’s team of people on the Open-Unsolved Unit made the story interesting and added to the story line.

I read this book quickly. I wanted to find out if the cases were going to be solved or not. It is definitely worth getting. You might also like these other books by Connelly: The Lincoln Lawyer and Resurrection Walk.

I gave this book four out of five stars.

If you would like to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Michael Connelly for my free copy. This is my honest review.

NetGalley ARC

Another great book in the Renee Ballard series. Renee Ballard is now in charge of the Open Unsolved unit, which revisits closed cases. The unit has just found a DNA lead on the Pillowcase Rapist. While this is happening, Renee's gun and badge is stolen and she tries to get them back without alerting the LAPD.

As always, I love how Michael Connelly's books capture detective work. There are always multiple balls in the air and as the title says a lot of waiting. We see the return of Harry Bosch and Maddie Bosch. Harry definitely takes a back seat so be prepared. There are some great new characters as well in the UOU.

Renee continues to kick ass and take names. She's sharp and assertive and does what she needs to for justice. I can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #LittleBrownandCompany for the book #TheWaiting by #MichaelConnelly. I love this series and Harry Bosch. These stories seem so genuine and life like. They cover many cases and touch with the Black Dahlia case. And the best part is that Harry’s daughter, Maddie joins in on the cases.

I've been a fan of Michael Connelly from the first book. For me, he's never written a book I didn't enjoy. And that's also the truth for this latest - The Waiting.

"In cold cases, it’s not the hope that kills you. It’s the waiting".

Detective Renée Ballard runs the cold case unit in the LAPD with volunteers and retired staff. A new member has joined to replace the now retired Harry Bosch. But don't count Harry out - he still has the skills and the nerves that Renée needs when her badge and gun are stolen. She can't report them as she's on thin ice with her superiors. The politicking that seems to be seething underneath the public eye has always been part of the books, but is quite blatant in The Waiting.

The cases in The Waiting are brilliantly written. A historical case that you may recognize is one. Another uses new and modern methods to chase down a old case. I was fascinated by the description of these tools. And the hunt for Renée's badge uncovers an unexpected case.

I had to actually put the book aside when the suspense ratcheted up! I didn't want to skim either. So I got the breathing under control and picked it back up! The writing is so very, very good.

The lead roles have changed over the years as Connelly keeps the series (plural) moving forward. I thought the this was the 'Ballard" book so far.

Mr. Connelly continues to interest the reader with strong character development. Harry Bosch is getting older but he still is driven to be of service and his service is his motto. "Everybody counts or nobody counts." Please read this novel.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Michael Connelly’s The Waiting is a riveting addition to the Ballard and Bosch series, showcasing his unparalleled skill in crafting intricate crime narratives. This novel not only deepens the lore of Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch but also introduces new dynamics that refresh the series.

In The Waiting, Renée Ballard is faced with a challenging burglary case that quickly spirals into a dangerous investigation. When the stakes become too high, she turns to the seasoned Harry Bosch for assistance. The plot thickens as Bosch’s daughter, Maddie, now a patrol officer, joins the cold case unit.

Connelly excels in character development, and The Waiting is no exception. Renée Ballard is portrayed with a blend of determination and vulnerability, making her a compelling protagonist. Harry Bosch, though aging, remains a formidable presence, and his interactions with Ballard are poignant and powerful.

This novel explores themes of justice, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Connelly’s writing is methodical and realistic, capturing the procedural aspects of crime-solving with precision. His ability to weave together multiple storylines while maintaining suspense is masterful.

The Waiting is a testament to Michael Connelly’s enduring talent. It’s a meticulously crafted thriller that will satisfy long-time fans of the Ballard and Bosch series and newcomers alike.

Renee Ballard, who is in charge of the Open-Unsolved Unit of the LAPD, shares many of the characteristics of her mentor, Harry Bosch. Like Harry, who retired after a long and legendary career, Renee is courageous, tough, and obsessed with seeing that justice is done, even if doing so means bending the rules. In Michael Connelly’s “The Waiting,” Renee is juggling various cases and is continuing to search for her mother who abandoned her when she was thirteen.

Ballard and her team of part-time volunteers are looking for the “Pillowcase Rapist,” a predator who attacked women in L. A. over a period of five years and strangled one of his victims. Now, the investigators are using DNA and investigative genetic genealogy in an effort to track him down. In addition, while Renee is surfing, someone steals her gun, badge, and wallet (containing her credit cards, ID, and driver’s license) from her car. She prefers not to report this incident to her boss, because losing one’s gun and badge can lead to disciplinary action. She chooses to look for the thief herself, a decision that will have serious consequences.

Harry Bosch makes a few cameo appearances, and his daughter, Maddie, joins Renee’s unit, mostly because she has information that could break open one of the most notorious cases in California history. This is a thrilling and engrossing police procedural in which the author once again sheds light on the role that politics and personal vendettas play in law enforcement. Renee is a savvy and fearless heroine who likes to ride big waves at the beach. At work, she takes risks that might pay off, but her rash actions could just as easily place her in danger or end her career. “The Waiting” is a hard-hitting, haunting, and thought-provoking novel that is a must-read for fans of the immensely talented Michael Connelly.

A other good detective novel by Connolly but not his best work. It wasn’t quite as much of a page turner as his usual books but I still enjoyed it.

Terrific book in the Renee Ballard series with Harry Bosch making an important contribution to the story. The open-unsolved unit that Renee leads is hard at work closing some of these long-unsolved cases. The pieces fit together wonderfully. To a satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, one member does not make it to the end and will be missed in subsequent books.

It's always a bit like Christmas when there's a new Ballard & Bosch mystery, and The Waiting put a big smile on my face. As Harry Bosch ages, I cherish every scene he's in, and although I know our time with him is undoubtedly limited, I really appreciate how Connelly is passing Harry's torch on to Renée Ballard and Harry's daughter, Maddie.

Renée is more than happy to add Maddie to her handpicked team. Having another person with a badge will make her job easier. Now if another team member, Colleen Hatteras, would stop being a bit of a thorn in Renée's side! Renée has done a fantastic job with her team. Since many of the cold cases are so old that the killers the team identifies are already dead or incarcerated, Renée has put a limit to the ones they'll work-- none should go back further than 1975.

The various cases that the team works are woven together beautifully, and Connelly always manages to teach me something about the bad guys. (Beware of some of those apps you love to use...) The case that Maddie came to the cold case team to work is indeed probably the most iconic in Los Angeles' history, and it was interesting to see how Connelly worked that out.

With another engrossing story under my belt, I'm back to waiting for the next time I'll see Renée, Maddie, and Harry. It can't be soon enough for me.

This latest installment of Connelly’s Bosch series centers on Renée Ballard and an intense hunt for a serial rapist and murderer whose crimes remain unsolved after twenty years. A car break-in results in Ballard’s gun and badge being stolen, an act she doesn’t report so she can continue on the rapist case. Connelly takes time to build appearances by Harry Bosch and his daughter Maddie but Ballard is the main show here. Chock full of DNA and other forensic digging, this novel is for anyone who likes the NCIS television series but much more in-depth. Tension builds as Maddie becomes invaluable in the hunt for the long-dormant rapist long with other famous unsolved murder/rape cases. Ballad is sassy and takes no crap from anyone as her investigation gets wildly twisty with some shocking results.

Renee, Maddie, and Harry remain true to their characters, as does Michael Connelly with this excellent offering. He weaves multiple story lines and character backgrounds effortlessly, while presenting action, drama, and suspense. This is one of his best.

I'm a huge Michael Connelly fan and look forward to a new release every fall. I am sure some people find them a little formulaic but I love the characters and can't get enough. I know he can't keep writing Harry Bosch forever but I hope we see a few more to come!

THE WAITING is the newest book by Michael Connelly in the Harry Bosch Universe, featuring characters that have appeared in previous books. I’ll admit upfront that I miss Bosch having a central role in these books. He remains a favorite of mine. Connelly chose to age his characters across the series and while this provides excellent character development, for readers who really enjoy certain characters, the books become increasingly like life. We lose friends little by little to aging. I’m sure other readers enjoy the novelty of new characters having increasing roles, such as Bosch’s daughter Maddie or Renee Ballard. This book provides all the basics that make the series so popular and each book a treasure. The steady reliance on detective work and plots that keep readers glued to the text until the very end. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Well I’m a little late to the Michael Connelly party but wow can’t wait to read more. Great plot with an all star cast. This one kept me flipping pages long into the night. Expert storytelling.
Thank you NetGalley, Michael Connelly and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is book 25 of the Harry Bosch project, with Connelly basically dropping a new Bosch every fall for a quarter century. This is fifth book of the Bosch and Ballard subseries. With Harry Bosch in his mid 70s and long retired from the LAPD he is a supporting character at this point, with the lion’s share of the story being about Renee Ballard a surf enthusiast and leader of a cold case squad. Renee gets her badge and gun stollen at the beginning of the book, and enlists Harry to help her get it back, while simultaneously trying to solve a recent cold case murder, and with the help of Bosch’s daughter Maddie, the famous Black Dahlia murders of the 1940s. It is the kind of step by step police procedural that Connelly has made famous, as a writer he is still going strong even as his protagonist approaches his dotage. I don’t have the history with Ballard that I have with Harry Bosch, and always found Maddie Bosch kind of irritating, so I was a bit disappointed that the big guy was sidelined so much here, but Connelly rarely missteps and this worked well for me.