The Dark HoursThe Dark Hours
What it's about
On New Year's Eve in Hollywood, as revelers fire guns into the air at midnight, a man is killed by a bullet that turns out not to be random. Detective Renée Ballard suspects a killer who has lain dormant for years, and she turns to retired detective Harry Bosch for help.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It's a strong Ballard and Bosch pairing.
You'll love it if you liked
The Late Show
Dark Sacred Night
The Night FireGood to know
It stands alone but is best after the earlier Ballard books.
By the numbers
- Readers55 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller48 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #216 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #254 of the 481 new books we rank
- #1454 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Michael Connelly
The Lincoln Lawyer
The Brass Verdict
The Crossing
The Law of InnocenceIf you like this, read next
The Correspondent
The Housemaid
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
Remarkably Bright Creatures
The Tainted Cup
The Frozen RiverExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Dark Hours worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #1,454 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Dark Hours about?
On New Year's Eve in Hollywood, as revelers fire guns into the air at midnight, a man is killed by a bullet that turns out not to be random. Detective Renée Ballard suspects a killer who has lain dormant for years, and she turns to retired detective Harry Bosch for help.
How long does it take to read The Dark Hours?
About 10 hours (400 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Dark Hours?
If you liked it, try The Late Show by Michael Connelly, Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly or The Night Fire by Michael Connelly.