Bosch is back – and so is Ballard, in “Dark Sacred Night,” Michael Connelly’s 32rd novel.

Daisy Clayton was just 15 when she was murdered nine years ago – her killer was never caught. That’s the important fact to Harry Bosch and the one that he can correct.Bosch is retired from the Los Angeles Police Department, but he’s hardwired to get answers, so he’s working part-time for the tiny San Fernando Police Department and working cold cases when he can fit them in.

Daisy fell through the cracks nine years ago, partly because she was a runaway, drug user and prostitute, and partly because the case went cold with no clues. Harry needs more information, so he pokes around in the old files at the LAPD. 

That draws the attention of Renee Ballard, an LAPD detective who works the night shift. She talks Bosch into letting her team up with him on the case. But cold cases are different animals than fresh ones. It will take all the skills both experienced detectives possess to figure this one out. And if these two aren’t careful, this will be the first – and last – case they work together.

Connelly has been writing the Harry Bosch series for years, starting with 1992’s “The Black Echo.” He recently introduced Ballard in “The Late Show” (2017). “Dark Sacred Night” is the first pairing of Bosch and Ballard. 

Bosch and Ballard are two of a kind – good cops, but both have their own set of principles which don’t always go well with the police hierarchy. Thinking outside the box gets them in trouble, but it also tends to solve their cases. 

Bosch is a former foster kid and Vietnam War tunnel rat, and he still has all the instincts and cunning. Personally, he’s trying to maintain a relationship with his college-age daughter, Maddie, and sometimes the job clashes with that. Ballard has learned a few things the hard way on the job, but isn’t willing to compromise who she is to keep feathers from being ruffled. She’s as unconventional in her off-hours as she is on the job. Both Bosch and Ballard lost a parent at a young age and that’s a big part of why they are driven to find answers.

I didn’t really take to Ballard when I read “The Late Show,” but teaming her with Bosch was a great idea by Connelly. After writing a character for so many years, some authors get tired of their creations and have trouble thinking of ways to keep the character fresh. 

Connelly’s never seemed to have this problem with Bosch and I think his latest move will ensure that he never lets Bosch get stale. 

This new pairing rejuvenates Bosch and somehow balances out what I didn’t initially like about Ballard without taking away her edge.

After more than 30 novels, Connelly can still tell a good tale and construct a good mystery story. He takes both of these strong personalities and works them together and separately into a compelling, cohesive story. He uses alternating points of view between Bosch and Ballard when they’re away from each other to ramp up suspense and he knows how to draw out the tension. 

The end result is a good read and I’m looking forward to seeing where Connelly takes things in the future with “The Night Fire,” which will be out in October. 

For more information about Connelly or his books, visit michaelconnelly.com online.