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The Dark Hours cover art

The Dark Hours

By: Michael Connelly
Narrated by: Titus Welliver, Christine Lakin
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Summary

A CRIME BURIED FOR YEARS.

AND ONE THAT'S JUST BEGUN...

A MURDER YEARS IN THE MAKING

A murder in the middle of a street party seems a senseless tragedy. But the victim had a dark past which came back to haunt him.

THE DEEPER YOU LOOK

Detective Renée Ballard connects the killing to an unsolved case last worked by ex-LAPD legend Harry Bosch. But then a new crime shatters the night shift...

THE DARKER IT GETS

The Midnight Men are a deadly pair of predators who stalk the city during the dark hours and disappear without a trace.

Ballard once believed her job was to bring the truth to light. In a police department shaken to the core by protests and pandemic, both cases have the power to save her—or end her...

©2021 Michael Connelly (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"An authentic, topical and terrifying thriller: one of Michael Connelly's very best." (The Times)

"The Dark Hours is yet another superb thriller from a writer at the top of his game." (Sunday Express)

"Consistently excellent.... The plotting is as skilful as ever, and the pacing as relentless." (Mail on Sunday)

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What listeners say about The Dark Hours

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Only downside

The only thing I did not enjoy was the music between some of the chapters.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good but Titus was a spare part

This is a reasonable Connelly work but since it is 99% the female character, couldn't the female reader have voiced Bosch as well. It seemed a bit silly to employ the vocal talent of the screen actor for such a small number of contributions.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable LAP story

Easy listening with The reader expressive tones keeping you on track and engaged. Bosch character readings familiar to tv series.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Entertaining enough

Good reader
spoiled by "atmospheric muaic"
entertaining enough as I travelled too and from work

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable improvement of series

I almost didn't buy this because I didn't think the other Ballard books were that good but I really enjoyed this. The Ballard character has improved a lot and at last has stopped the ridiculous living in a tent thing. Bosch could maybe have been given more of a role, and Titus Welliver's narration was a bit disappointing, sounded just like he was prodded into reading his lines every so often. Overall very enjoyable and quick listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

A good story like all Michael Connelly Bosch stories.
Nicely narrated and characterised. Nice touch with Titus Welliver doing the Bosch bits.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ballard and Bosch

Ballard and Bosch joining forces. It was a good story and can’t wait to listen to their 3rd together.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Usual excellent standard

As above. Only disappointing in that there is not enough actually Harry Bosch. Still recommend

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The charecterisation and Titus W.

Great novelisation and dialogue. Listening to a well written police procedural is always a joy. Good addition to the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The Dark Hours

A relevant critique of modern society as well as nuanced and complex depictions of character

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