Character · Ballard circle · 7 books
Renée Ballard
Renée Ballard is an LAPD detective introduced working the Hollywood night shift, known as the late show. Raised partly in Hawaii and a keen surfer who often sleeps in a tent on the beach with her dog, she is relentless and independent, and her cases increasingly bring her together with Harry Bosch.
Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.
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Character facts
- First appearance
- The Late Show (2017)
- Latest appearance
- Ironwood (2026)
- Books
- 7 (6 as lead, 1 major)
- Series
- Renée Ballard, Catalina
- Author
- Michael Connelly
- Circle
- Ballard circle
Where to meet Renée Ballard
Renée Ballard first appears in The Late Show (2017), as the lead, book 1 of the Renée Ballard series.
Every book with Renée Ballard
In publication order, with the size of their role in each.
- 2017LThe Late Showlead · Renée BallardIntroduced on the Hollywood night shiftBuy
- 2018LDark Sacred Nightlead · Renée BallardMeets BoschBuy
- 2019LThe Night Firelead · Renée BallardBuy
- 2021LThe Dark Hourslead · Renée BallardLeaves the LAPD at the endBuy
- 2022LDesert Starlead · Renée BallardReturns to run the Open-Unsolved UnitBuy
- 2024LThe Waitinglead · Renée BallardBuy
- 2026MIronwoodmajor role · CatalinaJoins Stilwell’s investigationBuy
Appears most often with
| Character | Books together |
|---|---|
| Harry BoschLAPD homicide detective, later retired | 6 |
| Maddie BoschBosch’s daughter | 4 |
| John JenkinsBallard’s night-shift partner | 3 |
| Colleen HatterasVolunteer in Open-Unsolved | 2 |