“Void Moon” is Michael Connelly’s ninth book, and was first published in 2000. It’s only his third book not to feature Harry Bosch, giving a starring role to Cassie Black instead. However, Cassie is a little different to Connelly’s other heroes – instead of a cop, a lawyer, a retired fed or a journalist operating on the ‘right side’ of the law, Cassie is an ex-con currently on parole.

When we meet her, Cassie is working in a car dealership on LA’s Sunset Boulevard. Although she spent time in prison in Nevada, she managed to have her parole transferred to LA and knows she was lucky to get the job. She suspects it’s because the boss – Ray Morales – hopes their relationship will move beyond the professional. Her parole is due to run for two years and, although she’s on minimun supervision and she has a very likeable parole officer in Thelma Kibble, Cassie is starting to get a little twitchy.

Cassie’s past is only given away gradually : exactly what she was convicted for, who Max was and what happened to him and why a five year old girl called Jodie Shaw is so important. Cassie has been keeping a close eye on the Shaw family, and it’s their proposed move to Paris that (apparently) causes Cassie’s twitchiness. She’s maybe a little too honest with Thelma in a parole meeting, even (foolishly) asking about the possibility if seeing out her parole in France. When it’s made clear that isn’t going to happen, her decision is made : one last job, with a big enough dividend to disappear on. She’s barely out of her meeting with Thelma before she’s on the phone to her old contact DH Reilly. DH (as in Dog House) is actually the Leo Renfro’s alias and is someone she had worked closely with in the past. He had also practically raised his step-brother, Max. Roughly two weeks after Cassie makes contact with Leo, he gets back in touch with her : he’s managed a identify a job that matches her requirements. Unfortunately, it sees her return to a place she’d never have wanted to see again : Las Vegas. Her problems with Vegas aren’t limited to personal, however – her new assignment throws up quite a few professional difficulties also.

A very enjoyable book, and – with both Cassie and Thelma Kibble – two very likeable characters. (In fact, both have been given very small cameos in subsequent Harry Bosch books). Cassie presents two mysteries, in a way – her current job and her past life…in particular, why the Shaw family is so important to her. Connelly has been one of the best mystery writers of recent years, and “Void Moon” is no disappointment – very much recommended.

I found myself rooting for the anti-hero of the book, a thief. I was completely drawn into the book so that I felt sorry for her. It was definitely food for thought.