The Night Fire

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 YEARA 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 inqueries -- 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.

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

"Breathless action...deep character studies...The Night Fire is Connelly's twenty first outing with Bosch, but the author has so much more to show us about him. Only three books in, Ballard has even more fodder for Connelly to uncover. In The Night Fire, Connelly again shows his mission: strong plots and sturdy characters."—Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel

"A virtuoso performance...The Night Fire glows with the instincts and intelligence Bosch and Ballard bring to their pursuit of the truth."—Collette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times

"One of the greatest crime writers of all time...Connelly continues to deliver winner after winner, year in and year out...reading one of his books is an experience unlike anything else the genre has to offer."—Ryan Steck, Crimereads

"Connelly is without peer when it comes to police procedurals, and once again proves that he's the modern master of the form."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Remarkable narrative legerdemain...Not only has Connelly created another fully formed series lead in Renée, who has her own fascinating backstory, but he has also forged a fascinating yin-and-yang relationship between the old school Harry and the unconventional loner Renèe...Master chef Connelly has once again combined familiar ingredients into a new and completely satisfying dish. Connelly is on a roll, with three consecutive number-one New York Times bestsellers. Don't bet against number four."—Bill Ott, Booklist (starred review)

"Connelly manages to top himself with his latest intensely gripping thriller...He tells a superb tale with an economy of words using a no-nonsense, fly-on-the-wall style of writing...Fans of this prolific author of crime dramas and either series will find this best-seller-list-bound novel hard to put down."—Library Journal (starred review)

PRAISE FOR DARK SACRED NIGHT:

So realistic

The plot movement was magnetic and the narrative completed it. The readers were convincing giving a realistic sense of the characters and action.

another great thriller

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

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 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!