The Waiting: A Ballard and Bosch Novel (A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel Book 6)

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 37,219 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 02-13-2025


About this item

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

LAPD Detective Renée Ballard tracks a serial rapist whose trail has gone cold, and enlists a new volunteer to the Open-Unsolved Unit: patrol officer Maddie Bosch, Harry’s daughter.

Renée Ballard and the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit get a hot shot DNA connection between a recently arrested man and a serial rapist and murderer who went quiet two decades ago. The arrested man is only twenty-four, so the genetic link must be familial: His father was the Pillowcase Rapist, responsible for a five-year reign of terror in the City of Angels. But when Ballard and her team move in on their suspect, they encounter a baffling web of secrets and legal hurdles.

Meanwhile, Ballard’s badge, gun, and ID are stolen—a theft she can’t report without giving her enemies in the department ammunition to end her career as a detective. She works the burglary alone, but her mission draws her into unexpected danger. With no choice but to go outside the department for help, she knocks on the door of Harry Bosch.

At the same time, Ballard takes on a new volunteer to the cold case unit: Bosch’s daughter Maddie, now a patrol officer. But Maddie has an ulterior motive for getting access to the city’s library of lost souls—a case that may be the most iconic in the city’s history. Complex, satisfying, and full of dexterous twists, The Waiting demonstrates once more that “you can’t do better than Michael Connelly” (Forbes).

From the brand

Previous page
  2. Nightshade
    Desert Star (A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel)
    The Waiting: A Ballard and Bosch Novel (A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel, 6)
    Dark Sacred Night (Renée Ballard Book 2)

    More Michael Connelly Novels

    Visit the Store

  3. Resurrection Walk
    The Law of Innocence (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel, 6)
    The Gods of Guilt (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel Book 5)
    The Lincoln Lawyer A Lincoln Lawyer Novel, Book 1) (A Lincoln Lawyer Novel, 1)

    The Lincoln Lawyer Series

    Visit the Store

  4. The Waiting: A Ballard and Bosch Novel (A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel, 6)
    Desert Star (A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel)
    The Late Show
    Dark Sacred Night (A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel, 21)

    The Ballard & Bosch Series

    Visit the Store

Next page

Top reviews from the United States

  • Elizabeth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2025
    The Waiting by Michael Connelly is a masterful exploration of suspense and human resilience. Known for his gripping crime stories, Connelly delves into a more intimate narrative here, weaving a tale that is both emotionally charged and filled with quiet tension. The story follows a protagonist waiting for an uncertain outcome, drawing readers into their inner turmoil and the slow unraveling of buried truths.

    Connelly’s prose is as sharp as ever, building an atmosphere of quiet dread while offering moments of profound introspection. While the pacing may feel slower compared to his usual high-octane thrillers, this shift allows for a deeper dive into character development and psychological nuance. Fans of Connelly’s work will appreciate his ability to step into a different narrative style without losing the trademark intensity of his storytelling.

    A compelling read for those who enjoy psychological dramas with a touch of mystery.
  • Ronald M. Riggs
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great writing and a realistic plot add to Mr Connolley's reputation as the best mystery writer today
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2025
    Detective Ballard who presides over open and unsolved crimes dept with a crew of volunteers solves two long standing crimes with the help of Bosch--that is Maddie Bosch. Harry Bosch also gets involved when Ballard's badge and firearm are stolen and she has to recover them or face dismissal from the LAPD. As usual, a written story that holds the readers attention from beginnig toend.
  • Richard B. Schwartz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wild Plotting, But Should Be Ranked As One Of The Books Of The Year
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2024
    Of course this is a wonderful book. Michael Connelly is a top-five crime writer, a master of his craft. He knows L.A. like the back of his hand and he represents it (and its travel times) realistically. He has created iconic characters; he takes on significant themes and he can plot with exquisite skill.

    Two things concerning this book should be noted. First, this is not really a ‘Ballard and Bosch novel’ so much as a Ballard and Bosch family novel. Harry appears very briefly in the book (though at important moments), perhaps 5% of it. His daughter Maddie joins Ballard’s cold case group (in important ways) for about 20% of the book. This is not a criticism; it is simply a matter of truth in advertising.

    Second: the plot. There are actually three plots. Ballard’s team is searching for a serial rapist, primarily through DNA evidence. Second, Ballard’s badge and gun are stolen while she is surfing and she must recover them or face threats of seeing her unit dissolved and herself transferred to far more trivial and far less interesting duty. Finally (and this is the wild wrinkle), Maddie approaches Ballard with evidence of the identity of the murderer of the Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short. This titanic discovery is presented with a modern twist: the politicized D.A. refuses to prosecute (i.e. close the case, since the perp is long dead) because the chief of police backed a different candidate in his election and he values his personal spite over the public’s need to know and the remaining families of the other victims’ thirst for justice.

    The evidence for the identification of the Dahlia’s murderer turns on a relatively new technique, which involves the precise measurements of the elements of a person’s ear (more precise than fingerprint evidence). This gives MC the opportunity to show his (very considerable) procedural chops.

    While the plotting is ‘different’ and totally unexpected it is also engaging and memorable.

    Bottom line: it is hard to rank a MC novel because the quality is always there. I can only say that this should be ranked as one of the books of the year for 2024. An easy 5 stars.
  • SnipDog88
    5.0 out of 5 stars wow great nonstop action
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
    I had this book for like two months or more and I admit I was hesitant to read it. I thought it was a changing of the guard type of story that was gonna focus us on new characters. I was reluctant to be drawn down that path. I wanted a story that was primarily about Harry. but these multiple storylines and focus on Renee and Harry‘s daughter, Maddie, ARE classic vintage Connelly providing a twisting multifaceted storyline. I couldn’t put it down when I finally started, I read it in a day and a half. It was all engrossing. The storyline touches on all the emotions in a polished and provoking way. It is a great storyline I can’t believe all the different angles. Great storyline on the black Dahlia… I had to go back and look at the actual real facts….Hodel, in real life probably was the perpetrator.
  • Steven Holt
    5.0 out of 5 stars “Everybody Counts or Nobody Counts”
    Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2024
    Renee Ballard and Harry’s daughter continue the legacy. This extended series by Michael Connelly does not disappoint, as Ballard creatively solves cold cases and in this book, a terrorist plot with her wits and with courage. I have loved the Harry Bosch series, and am so glad Michael Connelly decided to build on these wonderful stories; with Harry and his daughter, Maddie playing such key roles. So looking forward to Ballard’s next adventure, and hope to see father and daughter Bosch continue to solve these cases of the lost souls
  • Alan Weiss
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bosch Redux
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2024
    Connelly is simply the best at novels with continuous characters (e.g., Lincoln Lawyer).. The legendary Bosch is simply included here as a sop to readers, but since Bosch is actually aging in the series—and has cancer—it's good to still be involved with him. The main character these days, Renée Ballard, runs a fascinating cold and unsolved case unit, with Bosch's daughter becoming involved. The police procedural aspect, as well as the police politics, are excellently done. The stories going forward will have to become more substantive, as they were with Bosch. The writing is terrific.
  • Mountain woman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another of Michael Connelly’s fantastic books!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2025
    Michael Connelly is an incredible writer! He pulls us into the story and makes it almost impossible to put down. This book shows answers to a murder mystery that is mentioned in many of his previous books. His Harry Bosch character plays a fairly incidental character in this book, but he’s there. It focuses more on his daughter than him. It’s an intriguing story that is set with several other murder mysteries, leaving them open for future stories. All of his books are well worth reading, because he is such a good author. I must admit that the Harry Bosch series is my favorite of his works.

    • Best Sellers in

     
     

    Into the Fall: A Thriller

    4 4 out of 5 stars 10,357
    1.99
     
     

    Never Bargain with the Boss (Never Say Never Book 5)

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 254
    3.99
     
     

    Horse: A Novel

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 44,983
    1.99
     
     

    Undeniably Married (Boston's Irresistible Billionaires Book 4)

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 501
    4.99
     
     

    Happy After All: A Novel

    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 5,938
    1.99
     
     

    Now or Never (Stephanie Plum Book 31)

    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 16,946
    2.99
     
     

    The One (Spade Hotel Series Book 5)

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 880
    5.99
     
     

    Extinction: A Novel

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 7,305
    2.99