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Book Review of The Late Show (Renee Ballard, Bk 1)

The Late Show (Renee Ballard, Bk 1)
dizz avatar reviewed on + 647 more book reviews


As a mystery it was okay, and I like Harry Bosch. Where this book falls down for me is in the character of Renee Ballard. Ballard lives out of a van, sleeps in a tent on the beach (with a kindly lifeguard watching over her). She has no place of residence, let alone anything like a home. I don't buy that because of the impracticalities involved. Venice Beach is infested with druggies and homeless now; there's no way anybody halfway normal would think of sleeping on the beach anymore. Habitually showering and changing at work would raise eyebrows. Where does she get her laundry done (not just the suits)? What happens when she has her period? What happens when she needs a bathroom? Or when that convenient dog sitter is not available? It's all too convenient - and too improbable. Maybe a man might live like that, but I've never met a woman who would willingly do so. So I just didn't buy it.