The Night Fire
by Michael Connelly
2020
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.4 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- justice versus the system
- mentorship and legacy
- corruption and cover-ups
- obsession with the truth
- partnership and trust
- cold cases and persistence
- ethics in policing
- grief and mortality
About this book
When his old mentor dies, Harry Bosch inherits a murder book for an unsolved killing that haunted the man who trained him. Teaming up again with LAPD Detective Renée Ballard, Bosch reopens the decades-old case while Ballard juggles her own active investigations, drawing them into a web of corruption, obsession, and long-buried secrets across Los Angeles.
Setting: Contemporary Los Angeles, primarily within LAPD’s Hollywood Division and across various LA neighborhoods and courts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Night Fire right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Night Fire. The reading level is AR 5.4, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include justice versus the system, mentorship and legacy, corruption and cover-ups.
How long does it take to read The Night Fire?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Night Fire takes around 14h to finish. The book has 138,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Night Fire have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Night Fire has an AR quiz available, worth 20 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Night Fire?
The Night Fire has an AR reading level of 5.4, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.