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Detective Stilwell #1
Nightshade
#1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces a new cop relentlessly following his mission in the seemingly idyllic setting of Catalina island.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been “exiled” to a low-key post policing rustic Catalina Island, after department politics drove him off a homicide desk on the mainland. But while following up the usual drunk-and-disorderlies and petty thefts that come with his new territory, Detective Stilwell gets a report of a body found weighed down at the bottom of the harbor—a Jane Doe identifiable at first only by a streak of purple dye in her hair. At the same time, a report of poaching on a protected reserve turns into a case fraught with violence and danger as Stilwell digs into the shady past of an island bigwig.
Crossing all lines of protocol and jurisdiction, Stilwell doggedly works both cases. Though hampered by an old beef with an ex-colleague determined to thwart him at every turn, he is convinced he is the only one who can bring justice to the woman known as “Nightshade.” Soon, his investigation uncovers closely guarded secrets and a dark heart to the serene island that was meant to be his escape from the evils of the big city.
Propulsive and atmospheric, Nightshade launches a brand new character into the Connelly universe, and proves without question that Michael Connelly is “the undisputed master of the modern crime novel” (Real Book Spy).
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been “exiled” to a low-key post policing rustic Catalina Island, after department politics drove him off a homicide desk on the mainland. But while following up the usual drunk-and-disorderlies and petty thefts that come with his new territory, Detective Stilwell gets a report of a body found weighed down at the bottom of the harbor—a Jane Doe identifiable at first only by a streak of purple dye in her hair. At the same time, a report of poaching on a protected reserve turns into a case fraught with violence and danger as Stilwell digs into the shady past of an island bigwig.
Crossing all lines of protocol and jurisdiction, Stilwell doggedly works both cases. Though hampered by an old beef with an ex-colleague determined to thwart him at every turn, he is convinced he is the only one who can bring justice to the woman known as “Nightshade.” Soon, his investigation uncovers closely guarded secrets and a dark heart to the serene island that was meant to be his escape from the evils of the big city.
Propulsive and atmospheric, Nightshade launches a brand new character into the Connelly universe, and proves without question that Michael Connelly is “the undisputed master of the modern crime novel” (Real Book Spy).
345 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2025
6727 people are currently reading
23255 people want to read
About the author
Michael Connelly
379 books34.1k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.
After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.
After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with over 30 more novels.
Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) .
Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael is one of the producers and writers of the TV show, “Bosch,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Michael lives with his family in Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida.
Michael Connelly decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. Once he decided on this direction he chose a major in journalism and a minor in creative writing — a curriculum in which one of his teachers was novelist Harry Crews.
After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, primarily specializing in the crime beat. In Fort Lauderdale he wrote about police and crime during the height of the murder and violence wave that rolled over South Florida during the so-called cocaine wars. In 1986, he and two other reporters spent several months interviewing survivors of a major airline crash. They wrote a magazine story on the crash and the survivors which was later short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. The magazine story also moved Connelly into the upper levels of journalism, landing him a job as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times, one of the largest papers in the country, and bringing him to the city of which his literary hero, Chandler, had written.
After three years on the crime beat in L.A., Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, The Black Echo, based in part on a true crime that had occurred in Los Angeles, was published in 1992 and won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by the Mystery Writers of America. Connelly has followed that up with over 30 more novels.
Over eighty million copies of Connelly’s books have sold worldwide and he has been translated into forty-five foreign languages. He has won the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Macavity Award, Los Angeles Times Best Mystery/Thriller Award, Shamus Award, Dilys Award, Nero Award, Barry Award, Audie Award, Ridley Award, Maltese Falcon Award (Japan), .38 Caliber Award (France), Grand Prix Award (France), Premio Bancarella Award (Italy), and the Pepe Carvalho award (Spain) .
Michael was the President of the Mystery Writers of America organization in 2003 and 2004. In addition to his literary work, Michael is one of the producers and writers of the TV show, “Bosch,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Michael lives with his family in Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,405 reviews
August 9, 2025
Michael Connelly is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve read nearly all of his books. He creates really well developed characters and the plots are always twisty yet believable. When I started reading Nightshade, I wondered if Connelly had really written it, or whether he was farming out books as so many well-known authors have done. It’s a new series, but I found it confusing that so many characters were introduced initially, along with a lot of unfamiliar boating terms, and the buffalo mutilation was beyond horrifying. As with many of Connelly’s protagonists, Stilwell is something of a loner, with another officer in the department who strongly dislikes him. I was disappointed that I never really connected with Stilwell or any other character, something that has never happened before when reading a Connelly novel. I will definitely be interested to see what’s next in this series, but honestly at this point I’d rather read another Ballard, Bosch, or Haller story. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
August 16, 2025
For those of you who follow me, I get the majority of my books from my local library. But I do have to wait for them, a long time sometimes, especially when they are by bestselling authors, like this one. I ordered this book on May 14, 2025, and according to the library I was still #16 on the list as of June 15th.This meant I most likely would not see this book for check-out until sometime in 2026, if I was lucky!
How did I come up with that conclusion?
As it so happens, new library books are allowed to be checked out for 3 weeks at a time by library patrons. Which means that if each library patron checked out this book for the allotted 3 weeks each, I may not see this book until June of 2026. Of course, if the library had multiple copies of the book, I may be able to read it sooner. But budgets this year are tight because cutbacks at the federal level. So, word on down is that less library books were being purchased for the system. 😢
But luck was on my side in a different way. This book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. 🍀 So, it meant that I could take my time reading it, before making it available to my neighborhood. Needless to say, when I walked through my front door with the donation, my husband knew immediately how thrilled I felt by the generosity of the individual who left the book for our LFL.
And, even though I had time to read it, I couldn’t wait to start it. Afterall, it was a Michael Connelly book!
Welcome to a new Connelly character, Los Angeles County Detective Sargeant Stilwell. With an interesting twist. No first name for our new guy, simply because Connelly hasn’t decided on one. And, a new setting, Catalina Island.
For those who haven’t had the experience of Catalina Island, it is a picturesque island located off the coast of Southern California. It is about 22 miles long and 8 miles across, covering about 75 square miles. You can only get there by ferry, boat, helicopter or private plane. It is known for its quaint town of Avalon, rugged hilly terrain, canyons, coastal cliffs, stunning beaches and natural beauty. It is also considered a beautiful tourist destination. No cars are driven on the island, just golf cart like vehicles, (known as UTV’s – or utility task vehicles), and/or bikes.
Nearly 90% of the island remains wilderness and is protected from development by the Catalina Island Conservancy. As part of the Channel Islands, it is the only island of the 8-island chain that allows a permanent civilian population and visitors.
These scenic details will be important to the storyline.
I’ll never forget coming to Catalina Island as a kid. The bumpy rough seas ferry ride wasn’t exactly fun, and I spent most of my first trip attending to my sour stomach. But I soon became a seasoned traveler/visitor to the island during the years that I lived in Southern California.
Back to the book.
Considering the uniqueness of the location, it makes it rather cumbersome when a body is discovered in the ocean anchored below some seagrass.
Since homicide detectives and forensics from the mainland need to come in and take jurisdiction of the body and the case, how will Stilwell and his officers now be involved in solving the murder? And, how will this murder affect business and tourism in the town of Avalon? Especially considering this kind of publicity was not desired by the Mayor and the crime occurred before a major holiday weekend.
And, most importantly, who was the victim, why were they killed, and by whom?
As readers become invested in Stilwell and his team, they are also aware they are in the midst of the beginning of a very busy Memorial Day weekend. Aren’t tourist weekends supposed to be just fun and sun only?
With numerous cases keeping the team active, and an uncooperative homicide detective from Stilwell’s past in charge of the murder case impeding Stilwell’s involvement in the investigation, the team continues to do whatever they can to support it.
What will their investigations behind-the-scenes discover?
In this compelling, engrossing, twisty, fast-paced, character-driven, page-turning, well-crafted new police procedural thriller, readers will appreciate Connelly taking us outside Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch territory and providing us with someone new to follow. Will this be a continuing series? If so, count me in. After all, Stilwell deserves a first name, eventually.
How did I come up with that conclusion?
As it so happens, new library books are allowed to be checked out for 3 weeks at a time by library patrons. Which means that if each library patron checked out this book for the allotted 3 weeks each, I may not see this book until June of 2026. Of course, if the library had multiple copies of the book, I may be able to read it sooner. But budgets this year are tight because cutbacks at the federal level. So, word on down is that less library books were being purchased for the system. 😢
But luck was on my side in a different way. This book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. 🍀 So, it meant that I could take my time reading it, before making it available to my neighborhood. Needless to say, when I walked through my front door with the donation, my husband knew immediately how thrilled I felt by the generosity of the individual who left the book for our LFL.
And, even though I had time to read it, I couldn’t wait to start it. Afterall, it was a Michael Connelly book!
Welcome to a new Connelly character, Los Angeles County Detective Sargeant Stilwell. With an interesting twist. No first name for our new guy, simply because Connelly hasn’t decided on one. And, a new setting, Catalina Island.
For those who haven’t had the experience of Catalina Island, it is a picturesque island located off the coast of Southern California. It is about 22 miles long and 8 miles across, covering about 75 square miles. You can only get there by ferry, boat, helicopter or private plane. It is known for its quaint town of Avalon, rugged hilly terrain, canyons, coastal cliffs, stunning beaches and natural beauty. It is also considered a beautiful tourist destination. No cars are driven on the island, just golf cart like vehicles, (known as UTV’s – or utility task vehicles), and/or bikes.
Nearly 90% of the island remains wilderness and is protected from development by the Catalina Island Conservancy. As part of the Channel Islands, it is the only island of the 8-island chain that allows a permanent civilian population and visitors.
These scenic details will be important to the storyline.
I’ll never forget coming to Catalina Island as a kid. The bumpy rough seas ferry ride wasn’t exactly fun, and I spent most of my first trip attending to my sour stomach. But I soon became a seasoned traveler/visitor to the island during the years that I lived in Southern California.
Back to the book.
Considering the uniqueness of the location, it makes it rather cumbersome when a body is discovered in the ocean anchored below some seagrass.
Since homicide detectives and forensics from the mainland need to come in and take jurisdiction of the body and the case, how will Stilwell and his officers now be involved in solving the murder? And, how will this murder affect business and tourism in the town of Avalon? Especially considering this kind of publicity was not desired by the Mayor and the crime occurred before a major holiday weekend.
And, most importantly, who was the victim, why were they killed, and by whom?
As readers become invested in Stilwell and his team, they are also aware they are in the midst of the beginning of a very busy Memorial Day weekend. Aren’t tourist weekends supposed to be just fun and sun only?
With numerous cases keeping the team active, and an uncooperative homicide detective from Stilwell’s past in charge of the murder case impeding Stilwell’s involvement in the investigation, the team continues to do whatever they can to support it.
What will their investigations behind-the-scenes discover?
In this compelling, engrossing, twisty, fast-paced, character-driven, page-turning, well-crafted new police procedural thriller, readers will appreciate Connelly taking us outside Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch territory and providing us with someone new to follow. Will this be a continuing series? If so, count me in. After all, Stilwell deserves a first name, eventually.
June 18, 2025
4.0 stars— After reading Michael Connelly’s last book, in which Harry Bosch was missing for a significant portion of the novel, I was very unhappy. In fact, I spent my entire review of “The Waiting” whining about it. Therefore, it came as no surprise to me that in Connelly’s newest book,”Nightshade”, Connelly introduces a brand new detective to his growing list of main characters, Detective Stilwell. (No first name given). Stilwell is a detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who was banished to head the department’s substation at Catalina Island after a dust-up with another detective in the department was resolved by moving Stilwell out of the department’s main headquarters. Of course, the inevitable happens and a dead body is discovered attached to an anchor in the department’s jurisdiction and Stilwell begins his investigation. The investigation leads down a twisty path involving numerous other crimes and corruption from within the government. Stilwell is as relentless as Bosch and never stops working on a case until he gets to the bottom of everything. Connelly once again does a fabulous job of keeping the story moving with many twists and turns that draw you in and keep you interested until the end. I did have a few issues with some of the boating terms used that had me lost as to what was going on. I also felt the book took some time to get into, and I was bored at times during the early going. Connelly also has a bad habit of introducing huge numbers of characters and then expecting the reader to remember exactly who everyone is when Detective Stilwell brings them back up in the investigation. Expect to use the search bar in your Kindle reader several times in order to have your memory jogged as to who each of the characters is in order to keep from becoming lost. I still gave the book 4 stars though because after I reached the halfway point and understood who everyone was, I really enjoyed the cat and mouse game played by Stilwell with each of the bad guys and his relentlessness in getting to the truth. All in all —a solid 4 stars for the newest addition to Team Connelly.
June 23, 2025
Now Available! ✨📚
As a dedicated fan of Michael Connelly, I eagerly anticipate each new release, and “Nightshade” certainly did not disappoint! It marks the intriguing start of a brand-new series, introducing us to a fresh protagonist rather than the familiar faces we've come to know and love.
Meet County Sheriff Detective Stilwell, known as 'Stil.' After navigating difficulties on the mainland, he arrives on the picturesque Catalina Island, a transition that initially raises some doubts. However, it doesn't take long for him to be captivated by the island's allure and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead, including a blossoming romance. Just as life seems to be taking a turn for the better, tragedy strikes—when a resident discovers a young woman's body, weighed down in the harbour.
What follows is a gripping investigation that forces Stil to confront his past as he collaborates with mainland colleagues with whom he has a tumultuous history. As he digs deeper, the dark undercurrents of the island begin to surface, revealing a side completely at odds with its serene facade.
True to Connelly’s masterful style, the narrative unfolds steadily, initially laying the groundwork for establishing this new series. But make no mistake—the journey is as dark, gritty and captivating as ever, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Stilwell is a richly developed character who is fiercely independent and unwavering in pursuing the truth, no matter the personal cost. Watching him adapt to his new surroundings and their impact on those around him is truly fascinating.
The island plays a vital role, almost like a character in its own right, adding depth and atmosphere to the storyline. Connelly also disperses clever nods to his previous works, rooting this tale within the same timeline. He could easily set up Detective Stilwell for thrilling future crossovers with the existing characters from Connelly’s other series. A girl could hope!!!
With this new character, Detective Stilwell, leading the charge, Connelly proves once again that he is a powerhouse in the Police procedural thriller genre, and it’s exhilarating to add another must-read novel to his impressive collection! I will anxiously be awaiting the next book in the series.
I highly recommend this for fans of Police procedurals, thrillers and character-driven plot-driven storylines.
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I was under no obligation to provide a review.
PRE-READ Thank you to Orion Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of "Nightshade." As a long-time fan of Michael Connelly, a master of police procedurals, I have always enjoyed the exciting journeys that come with his popular character, Harry Bosch. This time, I am thrilled to embark on a new adventure with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell—an intriguing character in his own right.
As a dedicated fan of Michael Connelly, I eagerly anticipate each new release, and “Nightshade” certainly did not disappoint! It marks the intriguing start of a brand-new series, introducing us to a fresh protagonist rather than the familiar faces we've come to know and love.
Meet County Sheriff Detective Stilwell, known as 'Stil.' After navigating difficulties on the mainland, he arrives on the picturesque Catalina Island, a transition that initially raises some doubts. However, it doesn't take long for him to be captivated by the island's allure and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead, including a blossoming romance. Just as life seems to be taking a turn for the better, tragedy strikes—when a resident discovers a young woman's body, weighed down in the harbour.
What follows is a gripping investigation that forces Stil to confront his past as he collaborates with mainland colleagues with whom he has a tumultuous history. As he digs deeper, the dark undercurrents of the island begin to surface, revealing a side completely at odds with its serene facade.
True to Connelly’s masterful style, the narrative unfolds steadily, initially laying the groundwork for establishing this new series. But make no mistake—the journey is as dark, gritty and captivating as ever, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Stilwell is a richly developed character who is fiercely independent and unwavering in pursuing the truth, no matter the personal cost. Watching him adapt to his new surroundings and their impact on those around him is truly fascinating.
The island plays a vital role, almost like a character in its own right, adding depth and atmosphere to the storyline. Connelly also disperses clever nods to his previous works, rooting this tale within the same timeline. He could easily set up Detective Stilwell for thrilling future crossovers with the existing characters from Connelly’s other series. A girl could hope!!!
With this new character, Detective Stilwell, leading the charge, Connelly proves once again that he is a powerhouse in the Police procedural thriller genre, and it’s exhilarating to add another must-read novel to his impressive collection! I will anxiously be awaiting the next book in the series.
I highly recommend this for fans of Police procedurals, thrillers and character-driven plot-driven storylines.
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I was under no obligation to provide a review.
PRE-READ Thank you to Orion Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of "Nightshade." As a long-time fan of Michael Connelly, a master of police procedurals, I have always enjoyed the exciting journeys that come with his popular character, Harry Bosch. This time, I am thrilled to embark on a new adventure with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell—an intriguing character in his own right.
May 24, 2025
Who wrote this?
I have read everything Mr. Connelly has written, other than his news reporting as a journalist. I have seen every episode of the Bosch archive . Connelly and Douglas Preston are my favorite authors of all time. I like procedurals done well.
Having said this, I don't think Nighhtshade was written by Michael Connelly.There is no emotional life in the characters as there always was in his characters. No depth. It's as if he said to an AI chat to write a mystery like Michaael Connelly.
Much information. Is revealed in a lifeless way. The facts are there but not Michael Connelly.
I have developed relationships to his other protagonists but not this sheriff detective whose name I can't remember.
It's sort of like a need to get something finished by deadline so there is no depth. I dont write reviews but this novel is not of the quality I could overlook .I would appreciate any comments from others and the publisher, if not Michael himself.
I have read everything Mr. Connelly has written, other than his news reporting as a journalist. I have seen every episode of the Bosch archive . Connelly and Douglas Preston are my favorite authors of all time. I like procedurals done well.
Having said this, I don't think Nighhtshade was written by Michael Connelly.There is no emotional life in the characters as there always was in his characters. No depth. It's as if he said to an AI chat to write a mystery like Michaael Connelly.
Much information. Is revealed in a lifeless way. The facts are there but not Michael Connelly.
I have developed relationships to his other protagonists but not this sheriff detective whose name I can't remember.
It's sort of like a need to get something finished by deadline so there is no depth. I dont write reviews but this novel is not of the quality I could overlook .I would appreciate any comments from others and the publisher, if not Michael himself.
April 23, 2025
I’ll be honest and declare upfront that when I started reading this book, I assumed it was to be a tale featuring Connelly’s current major characters, Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard. It took me a while to discover that neither was to feature this time around. Instead, he’s introduced a new detective to his collection: Stilwell – known to his friends as Stil, and to at least one non-friend as Stilborn.
Stil is based on Catalina Island, one of California’s Channel Islands, about an hour’s ferry ride from Los Angeles. It’s a posting synonymous with being ‘put out to grass’. This follows a fallout with a fellow detective on the mainland. He’s serving penance, but beginning to think that this place may actually be somewhere he’d like to stay. He has a burgeoning relationship with a woman he really likes, and maybe even loves, and the place just seems to suit him.
Then, a body is discovered in the harbour. It's been tied to an anchor and lies below the surface of the water. It’s an inconvenient time, as the harbour is about to become a busy place - this weekend being one on which many visitors are scheduled to arrive, quite a few with their own boats. Stil knows that the murder – which this obviously is – will be investigated by a team from the mainland. But would you believe it, the lead detective assigned is the very man Stil has an issue with - the man whose actions, and Stil's reaction to them, resulted in his current posting.
The story follows Stilwell’s increasingly unwanted (by the lead detective and their joint boss) meddling in the investigation, together with his progressively complicated and often confrontational relationships with just about everyone he comes into contact with. It’s really great fun, and as the tale played out, I was to find myself increasing drawn to yet another of Connelly’s principled and charismatic characters.
For Bosch it’s: everybody counts or nobody counts
For Stilwell it’s: the sacred bond between the victim and those charged with finding justice
Yes, Stil has elements of Bosch about him – as does Ballard – but he’s different enough, and the setting is different enough to make it all feel new and fresh. I’m definitely looking forward to meeting up with Stilwell again.
My thanks to Orion Publishing Group for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review
Stil is based on Catalina Island, one of California’s Channel Islands, about an hour’s ferry ride from Los Angeles. It’s a posting synonymous with being ‘put out to grass’. This follows a fallout with a fellow detective on the mainland. He’s serving penance, but beginning to think that this place may actually be somewhere he’d like to stay. He has a burgeoning relationship with a woman he really likes, and maybe even loves, and the place just seems to suit him.
Then, a body is discovered in the harbour. It's been tied to an anchor and lies below the surface of the water. It’s an inconvenient time, as the harbour is about to become a busy place - this weekend being one on which many visitors are scheduled to arrive, quite a few with their own boats. Stil knows that the murder – which this obviously is – will be investigated by a team from the mainland. But would you believe it, the lead detective assigned is the very man Stil has an issue with - the man whose actions, and Stil's reaction to them, resulted in his current posting.
The story follows Stilwell’s increasingly unwanted (by the lead detective and their joint boss) meddling in the investigation, together with his progressively complicated and often confrontational relationships with just about everyone he comes into contact with. It’s really great fun, and as the tale played out, I was to find myself increasing drawn to yet another of Connelly’s principled and charismatic characters.
For Bosch it’s: everybody counts or nobody counts
For Stilwell it’s: the sacred bond between the victim and those charged with finding justice
Yes, Stil has elements of Bosch about him – as does Ballard – but he’s different enough, and the setting is different enough to make it all feel new and fresh. I’m definitely looking forward to meeting up with Stilwell again.
My thanks to Orion Publishing Group for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review
March 30, 2025
A brand new character from Michael Connelly!! This longtime fan has been very excited about Nightshade ever since I heard about it. It has been a long time since this has happened and it was so exciting to meet Detective Stilwell and explore Catalina with him.
As always with a Connelly book, there is so much going on with multiple storylines happening. Stilwell has been exiled to. The island off the California coast after an incident on his last case. But it turns out, he quite likes it there. His usual day to day work has him dealing with thefts and drunk tourists, but now he has a body. A woman has been weighed down in the water in the harbour and has to call in the mainland cops.
I absolutely loved this book. It was dark and clever, with a touch of humor and sass . I really enjoyed the setting of Catalina, and all the challenges that came with being a cop on a small island. Stilwell is still earning the trust of the locals but really doesn’t care what people think of him. He does what he has to do to solve the case and get the right person for the crimes. Sounds familiar? yes there were times that I could see Bosch is Stilwell but he is different in so many ways as well.
I cannot wait for more from Catalina, and maybe a first name for Detective Stilwell as well. This is the first in a new series, so there is absolutely no excuses for not picking it up.
Thank you so so much to Little Brown and Company for my advanced copy of Nightshade to read. You made me very happy. Out on May 20th.
As always with a Connelly book, there is so much going on with multiple storylines happening. Stilwell has been exiled to. The island off the California coast after an incident on his last case. But it turns out, he quite likes it there. His usual day to day work has him dealing with thefts and drunk tourists, but now he has a body. A woman has been weighed down in the water in the harbour and has to call in the mainland cops.
I absolutely loved this book. It was dark and clever, with a touch of humor and sass . I really enjoyed the setting of Catalina, and all the challenges that came with being a cop on a small island. Stilwell is still earning the trust of the locals but really doesn’t care what people think of him. He does what he has to do to solve the case and get the right person for the crimes. Sounds familiar? yes there were times that I could see Bosch is Stilwell but he is different in so many ways as well.
I cannot wait for more from Catalina, and maybe a first name for Detective Stilwell as well. This is the first in a new series, so there is absolutely no excuses for not picking it up.
Thank you so so much to Little Brown and Company for my advanced copy of Nightshade to read. You made me very happy. Out on May 20th.
May 25, 2025
2 stars
I'm going to echo someone else's review, this book feels like it wasn't written by Michael Connelly.
It felt like a mess.
First we have far too many details about boats. The surprising part was that the Detective Stilwell, who's been living there for almost an year was oblivious to most of these details which feels a bit far fetched given that he is on an island and that most of the residents or visitors are wealthy people with such boats.
Detective Stilwell is one of those die hard policemen who feel the need to investigate it all despite the regulations, going above and beyond and dying on his little hill. Sure..
The crimes are all over the place and the idea how Stilwell goes off in a one man mission and saves the day by lunch, doesn't sit well with me. Not believable at all.
And then we have the big drama in Stillwell"s relationship. Not sure why we are still reading books about women who are utterly surprised that a cop needs to do his job at any given moment of the day. Plus, since they were together for the better part of an year, im pretty sure he wasn't handing parking tickets for 7 months so i didn't get the "i'm never going to be your priority" thing. Unless you've been living under a rock, in a cave, you were born yesterday, you should pretty much know that...
And lastly, I did not enjoy the narrator. I can't tell you why, but I really didn't like him. At all.
I'm going to echo someone else's review, this book feels like it wasn't written by Michael Connelly.
It felt like a mess.
First we have far too many details about boats. The surprising part was that the Detective Stilwell, who's been living there for almost an year was oblivious to most of these details which feels a bit far fetched given that he is on an island and that most of the residents or visitors are wealthy people with such boats.
Detective Stilwell is one of those die hard policemen who feel the need to investigate it all despite the regulations, going above and beyond and dying on his little hill. Sure..
The crimes are all over the place and the idea how Stilwell goes off in a one man mission and saves the day by lunch, doesn't sit well with me. Not believable at all.
And then we have the big drama in Stillwell"s relationship. Not sure why we are still reading books about women who are utterly surprised that a cop needs to do his job at any given moment of the day. Plus, since they were together for the better part of an year, im pretty sure he wasn't handing parking tickets for 7 months so i didn't get the "i'm never going to be your priority" thing. Unless you've been living under a rock, in a cave, you were born yesterday, you should pretty much know that...
And lastly, I did not enjoy the narrator. I can't tell you why, but I really didn't like him. At all.
July 1, 2025
Detective Stilwell works for the LA Sheriff's Department but has been transferred to Catalina Island due to departmental politics. If this was meant to be a punishment then it has failed as he now has a girlfriend and is enjoying island life. The story begins with a call out for a mutilated buffalo and quickly moves to a dead girl in the harbour. Maybe this is not such a quiet island crime wise after all.
The book was very busy with multiple characters and two demanding cases. It was mostly police procedure, lots of interviews and much travelling backwards and forwards, so it was steady rather then exciting. Of course there were also moments of action. Stilwell is an interesting character with a very firm view of right and wrong and I will be interested to read another book about him if Connelly decides to continue this as series.
I did wish the author had given Stilwell a first name. I grew tired of the constant use of Stilwell and the occasional Stil just seemed silly. That's just me though! Four stars.
The book was very busy with multiple characters and two demanding cases. It was mostly police procedure, lots of interviews and much travelling backwards and forwards, so it was steady rather then exciting. Of course there were also moments of action. Stilwell is an interesting character with a very firm view of right and wrong and I will be interested to read another book about him if Connelly decides to continue this as series.
I did wish the author had given Stilwell a first name. I grew tired of the constant use of Stilwell and the occasional Stil just seemed silly. That's just me though! Four stars.
June 13, 2025
the setup…
Detective Sergeant Stilwell works for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, assigned to Catalina Island, where all the misfits are sent for penitence. He was with the Homicide Division before he found himself ensnared in department politics. While he’s investigating a poaching incident on a protected reserve, he gets a report of a body weighed down in the harbor. It appears to be a woman who has dark hair and a purple streak, later identified and nicknamed “Nightshade.” Stilwell attempts to work both cases despite the murder belonging to the mainland group and finds himself reckoning with high profile suspects and his nemesis in Homicide.
the heart of the story…
Stilwell is a unique character on the island, content with his assignment on Catalina but still resentful of how he got there. He’s a renegade but not outwardly so and has the respect of his subordinates and the others in law enforcement. Stilwell has great instincts and a strong moral compass but doesn’t shy away from the gray lines. It didn’t take long for me to root for him and take an instant liking to the man.
the narration…
Will Damron is a perfect voice and fit for Stilwell. He’s one of my favorites and delivered another great performance. I hope he’s the permanent voice of the series.
the bottom line…
I’m a die-hard fan of Harry Bosch so Stilwell had big shoes to fill, which he stepped into nicely. The cases were interesting and the procedurals authentic and realistic. Stilwell knitted the clues together to figure things out without a lot of drama and I happily followed him. The Catalina Island setting just made it even more delicious. I’m so ready for more of him and this series. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Detective Sergeant Stilwell works for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, assigned to Catalina Island, where all the misfits are sent for penitence. He was with the Homicide Division before he found himself ensnared in department politics. While he’s investigating a poaching incident on a protected reserve, he gets a report of a body weighed down in the harbor. It appears to be a woman who has dark hair and a purple streak, later identified and nicknamed “Nightshade.” Stilwell attempts to work both cases despite the murder belonging to the mainland group and finds himself reckoning with high profile suspects and his nemesis in Homicide.
the heart of the story…
Stilwell is a unique character on the island, content with his assignment on Catalina but still resentful of how he got there. He’s a renegade but not outwardly so and has the respect of his subordinates and the others in law enforcement. Stilwell has great instincts and a strong moral compass but doesn’t shy away from the gray lines. It didn’t take long for me to root for him and take an instant liking to the man.
the narration…
Will Damron is a perfect voice and fit for Stilwell. He’s one of my favorites and delivered another great performance. I hope he’s the permanent voice of the series.
the bottom line…
I’m a die-hard fan of Harry Bosch so Stilwell had big shoes to fill, which he stepped into nicely. The cases were interesting and the procedurals authentic and realistic. Stilwell knitted the clues together to figure things out without a lot of drama and I happily followed him. The Catalina Island setting just made it even more delicious. I’m so ready for more of him and this series. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
June 24, 2025
NIGHTSHADE is an uneven novel. The plot is good, as one would expect from Michael Connelly, but characterization is poor—definitely unusual for a Connelly story. I felt like I was reading a movie script rather than a book. Consequently, I can't give it more that a 3.5 rating, and I've spent the last few days pondering whether to move the half point up or down.
It has a very boring (and almost unintelligible) beginning. Description has never been one of Connelly's strengths, and generally he integrates the description of a place with action to make the scene come alive, but the first few chapters, setting up the background of Catalina Island, were so difficult for me to understand that I was forced to check Wikipedia to understand exactly what was taking place, and why the massacred buffalo was so important (and indeed why there was a buffalo on an island at all).
The primary character is Sergeant Stilwell, a new introduction to the Bosch universe. Except that Bosch isn't mentioned in this novel—doesn't exist as far as we know. But then we don't know much about Stilwell, except that the reason he's been stationed on Catalina is that he's had a run-in with another Los Angeles county investigator, Detective Ahearn. Stilwell doesn't even have a first name, or at least it's never mentioned in the book. There are a few subtle hints that he may be a Native American, or at least have some Native blood, but I might be reading these hints incorrectly. We know he likes blues music, and that surprises an African American character. (Buddy Guy is one of my all-time favourites too; I even saw him in concert here in Victoria.) Stilwell has received training in deep sea diving, but there's no mention regarding how or when he received this training—maybe from an armed forces enlistment. Maybe. We aren't told anything about his background. We only learn his basic philosophy:
(1) Stilwell viewed the system as not yet broken but getting close to it. His opinion was that when you've involved a revolving door at the entrance to the jailhouse, you were inviting the system's downfall.
(2) Stilwell had to concentrate on the case and not on their "betrayal of the sacred bond between a victim and those charged with finding justice."
It's hard to empathize with a character who has a philosophy but no background. What are the origins of his philosophy?
I found Stilwell's romance with Tish uninspiring, maybe because I didn't like Tish. She seemed like a cardboard character to me—one introduced to serve the plot, not someone we were supposed to understand.
In the beginning, there appears to be three separate cases—an unidentified body found in the harbour attached to an anchor, a massacred buffalo, and an assault on one of Stilwell's deputies. As Stilwell continues his investigations, and these cases converge, the action steps up, and I was turning pages quickly. Then, in the middle of the excitement, Stilwell and Tish quarrel, breaking up the intensity. I found this interruption disturbing; Connelly seldom makes such a narrative error. After the quarrel, the action continues, but it isn't as intense as it was.
Yes, the ending is good, the cases are satisfactorily solved, but it was still only a 3.5 star novel. A rare misstep for Connelly who consistently puts out four-and five-star ones.
Plot: 5 stars
Characterization: 1 star
Description of setting: 1 star
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook I read.
It has a very boring (and almost unintelligible) beginning. Description has never been one of Connelly's strengths, and generally he integrates the description of a place with action to make the scene come alive, but the first few chapters, setting up the background of Catalina Island, were so difficult for me to understand that I was forced to check Wikipedia to understand exactly what was taking place, and why the massacred buffalo was so important (and indeed why there was a buffalo on an island at all).
The primary character is Sergeant Stilwell, a new introduction to the Bosch universe. Except that Bosch isn't mentioned in this novel—doesn't exist as far as we know. But then we don't know much about Stilwell, except that the reason he's been stationed on Catalina is that he's had a run-in with another Los Angeles county investigator, Detective Ahearn. Stilwell doesn't even have a first name, or at least it's never mentioned in the book. There are a few subtle hints that he may be a Native American, or at least have some Native blood, but I might be reading these hints incorrectly. We know he likes blues music, and that surprises an African American character. (Buddy Guy is one of my all-time favourites too; I even saw him in concert here in Victoria.) Stilwell has received training in deep sea diving, but there's no mention regarding how or when he received this training—maybe from an armed forces enlistment. Maybe. We aren't told anything about his background. We only learn his basic philosophy:
(1) Stilwell viewed the system as not yet broken but getting close to it. His opinion was that when you've involved a revolving door at the entrance to the jailhouse, you were inviting the system's downfall.
(2) Stilwell had to concentrate on the case and not on their "betrayal of the sacred bond between a victim and those charged with finding justice."
It's hard to empathize with a character who has a philosophy but no background. What are the origins of his philosophy?
I found Stilwell's romance with Tish uninspiring, maybe because I didn't like Tish. She seemed like a cardboard character to me—one introduced to serve the plot, not someone we were supposed to understand.
In the beginning, there appears to be three separate cases—an unidentified body found in the harbour attached to an anchor, a massacred buffalo, and an assault on one of Stilwell's deputies. As Stilwell continues his investigations, and these cases converge, the action steps up, and I was turning pages quickly. Then, in the middle of the excitement, Stilwell and Tish quarrel, breaking up the intensity. I found this interruption disturbing; Connelly seldom makes such a narrative error. After the quarrel, the action continues, but it isn't as intense as it was.
Yes, the ending is good, the cases are satisfactorily solved, but it was still only a 3.5 star novel. A rare misstep for Connelly who consistently puts out four-and five-star ones.
Plot: 5 stars
Characterization: 1 star
Description of setting: 1 star
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook I read.
June 5, 2025
I always enjoy the work of Michael Connelly, especially new and exciting characters. Exploring life in Los Angeles County, Connelly introduces readers to Detective Stilwell and his apparently punitive posting on Catalina Island. A discovered body sends Stilwell to locate what happened and how the victim might have been caught up in a web of riches and condescension. Connelly delivers a great series debut and has me wondering if we will get some Bosch, Haller, or even Ballard interactions soon!
After a potential gaffe, Los Angeles County Sheriff Detective Stilwell finds himself shuffled off to Catalina Island. He has experience as a homicide detective and brings this to the bucolic community, where things remain insular. Working the boring beat, Detective Stilwell is alerted to the discovery of a body. The victim is unrecognisable, save a bright streak in her hair. While this might be a Jane Doe, Stilwell hears whispers about the woman’s identity. She has a history on Catalina Island and has burnt some of the wealthier people to the point that they might want her removed permanently.
While also trying to work a relatively violent poaching case, Detective Stilwell must rise above the pettiness that emerges when a former colleague seeks to stymie his progress. After learning that the victim goes by ‘Nightshade’, Stilwell does all he can to connect the dots about her last days alive and to hone in on who might want to murder her. It is sure to be an intense case and one that will either earn Detective Stilwell added praise or send him further down the rabbit hole and castigated to Catalina Island for the foreseeable future. Connelly delivers his magic once again in this great thriller.
Michael Connelly has always been able to spin a story worth my time. I have enjoyed much of what he has written and this series debut was no exception. A strong narrative base lures the reader in and has them eager to keep exploring. Well-developed characters, including Stilwell as protagonist, serve to keep the reader excited to see where things are headed. Plot points work well to keep the story on point, yet full of surprises for all to enjoy. I am eager to see where things are headed and how crossover might work for Connelly other protagonists.
Kudos, Mr. Connelly, for a great launching point to new and exciting possibilities.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After a potential gaffe, Los Angeles County Sheriff Detective Stilwell finds himself shuffled off to Catalina Island. He has experience as a homicide detective and brings this to the bucolic community, where things remain insular. Working the boring beat, Detective Stilwell is alerted to the discovery of a body. The victim is unrecognisable, save a bright streak in her hair. While this might be a Jane Doe, Stilwell hears whispers about the woman’s identity. She has a history on Catalina Island and has burnt some of the wealthier people to the point that they might want her removed permanently.
While also trying to work a relatively violent poaching case, Detective Stilwell must rise above the pettiness that emerges when a former colleague seeks to stymie his progress. After learning that the victim goes by ‘Nightshade’, Stilwell does all he can to connect the dots about her last days alive and to hone in on who might want to murder her. It is sure to be an intense case and one that will either earn Detective Stilwell added praise or send him further down the rabbit hole and castigated to Catalina Island for the foreseeable future. Connelly delivers his magic once again in this great thriller.
Michael Connelly has always been able to spin a story worth my time. I have enjoyed much of what he has written and this series debut was no exception. A strong narrative base lures the reader in and has them eager to keep exploring. Well-developed characters, including Stilwell as protagonist, serve to keep the reader excited to see where things are headed. Plot points work well to keep the story on point, yet full of surprises for all to enjoy. I am eager to see where things are headed and how crossover might work for Connelly other protagonists.
Kudos, Mr. Connelly, for a great launching point to new and exciting possibilities.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 25, 2025
2.5 stars
Kind of surprised I’m rating a Connelly book this low. Lots of things I didn’t really care for in this book. I struggled to connect with the MC and I hated his weak; whiny girlfriend. I’m going to struggle with this series if he keeps her around. There’s two cases going on and neither of them felt well done. And the MC broke a ridiculous amount of police rules. I’m all for breaking rules but this was just too unrealistic.
I liked the setting and enjoyed all things boat and island related. Not sure it’s enough to draw me in to the series though
Kind of surprised I’m rating a Connelly book this low. Lots of things I didn’t really care for in this book. I struggled to connect with the MC and I hated his weak; whiny girlfriend. I’m going to struggle with this series if he keeps her around. There’s two cases going on and neither of them felt well done. And the MC broke a ridiculous amount of police rules. I’m all for breaking rules but this was just too unrealistic.
I liked the setting and enjoyed all things boat and island related. Not sure it’s enough to draw me in to the series though
June 1, 2025
Michael Connelly is back with his annual book and this time it is a totally new character with none of Connelly's older characters making an guest appearance. So in essence a new and clear playingfield.
Detective Stillwel has been banished to Catalina, an island on the Californean coaster where hé is in essence the sheriff.
He is investigating the illigal slaughter of a buffalo when the drowned body of a woman is found in the harbor, as she is weighted down with an anchor murder can be thought, hé comes back in contact with his past because of agents from murder squadron involved.
he is clearly told hé is not involved and keep up his other work. When hé is investigating a possible theft of a piece of art from a clubhouse of the richer people on this earth hé finds out the identity of the drowned woman.
Stillwel can no longer be stopped investigating and when all his cases come together will hé have a job after.
Connelly does tell a wicked tale and this New fella does deliver well enough in this Police procedurial which is clearly Connelly's speciality. Looking forward to what Connelly will write next, Bosch, Mickey or Stillwel.
As always a great novel by this writer who keeps up quality.
Detective Stillwel has been banished to Catalina, an island on the Californean coaster where hé is in essence the sheriff.
He is investigating the illigal slaughter of a buffalo when the drowned body of a woman is found in the harbor, as she is weighted down with an anchor murder can be thought, hé comes back in contact with his past because of agents from murder squadron involved.
he is clearly told hé is not involved and keep up his other work. When hé is investigating a possible theft of a piece of art from a clubhouse of the richer people on this earth hé finds out the identity of the drowned woman.
Stillwel can no longer be stopped investigating and when all his cases come together will hé have a job after.
Connelly does tell a wicked tale and this New fella does deliver well enough in this Police procedurial which is clearly Connelly's speciality. Looking forward to what Connelly will write next, Bosch, Mickey or Stillwel.
As always a great novel by this writer who keeps up quality.
June 3, 2025
I like Michael Connelly's books and have read all the books in the series about Harry Bosch, but this book features a new character: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell. He is the same type of detectives who fight to get justice for the dead victims.
He was exiled to a small island for having a conflict with a former colleague, but unexpectedly finds a happy life there. Soon, the life of the island itself is going to change dramatically.
I would like to think that we, readers, are going to meet him again in other new books, and it won't be a stand-alone novella.
The book is written in Michael Connelly's style, and as always, it is a not-put-down one, and I recommend it to everyone who likes a good detective book.
He was exiled to a small island for having a conflict with a former colleague, but unexpectedly finds a happy life there. Soon, the life of the island itself is going to change dramatically.
I would like to think that we, readers, are going to meet him again in other new books, and it won't be a stand-alone novella.
The book is written in Michael Connelly's style, and as always, it is a not-put-down one, and I recommend it to everyone who likes a good detective book.
June 19, 2025
In
Nightshade
, Michael Connelly’s latest book, he introduces a new and interesting character, Sheriff’s Detective Stillwell (I don’t believe his first name is ever used). Like so many of Connelly’s characters Stillwell is in trouble with his previous position with the Los Angeles Police Department. He has been banished to the Catalina Islands.
The book contains several of the usual Connelly vehicles, including overlapping cases involving a conspiracy and a homicide, a love interest, police department intrigue and politics, some nasty people, and convenient clues that the writing supports as good detective work.
This is an author who has written over 40 best-selling novels since 1992. He proves again he can still create a new character and package an interesting story.
The book contains several of the usual Connelly vehicles, including overlapping cases involving a conspiracy and a homicide, a love interest, police department intrigue and politics, some nasty people, and convenient clues that the writing supports as good detective work.
This is an author who has written over 40 best-selling novels since 1992. He proves again he can still create a new character and package an interesting story.
May 26, 2025
I can’t recall ever rating a Michael Connelly novel as low as this- his latest. “Nightshade” introduces a new character ( many actually) in detective Stilwell. As a new Michael Connelly character he doesn’t have the same familiarity that many of us readers have for characters like Harry Bosch. After 340 pages, I feel like I know very little about Stilwell. I wish that Connelly had done more to develop more background on the detective. Additionally, I didn’t feel like the plot line on the two investigations covered in the novel were very compelling and didn’t leave me “on the edge of my seat”. I will continue to read Connelly’s work and give him a mulligan on this one.
August 12, 2025
I have family members who have read a lot of Michael Connelly and the multiple series that he has. Somehow I never got started on them, but I can see I might need to check them out. Nightshade is set on Catalina Island... it sounds so beautiful, but like any tourist area, there is a dichotomy, with travelers and some very wealthy coming in to enjoy luxury, while those that take care of them struggle financially. We are introduced to Detective Stilwell, and fine out that he's a cop who upset the hierarchy on the mainland, so he's been sent to work on the island. As well, it seems like all the officers working with him have been sent to the island as a form of banning or punishment.
Stilwell gets called out when someone finds a body in the harbor; a body that was not meant to be found - as it was weighed down with an anchor. Because it's a homicide, it falls outside of his jurisdiction. But while investigating another crime on the island, he keeps finding clues and information about the dead girl in the harbor. He's ruffling feathers of his former colleagues, but the more he digs the more he finds some dark secrets on the island.
This was really well done and enjoyable to listen to. The characters are interesting and could easily be the launch of a new series. I'm between a 4 & 5 on this one, but will definitely be reading more from this author.
Stilwell gets called out when someone finds a body in the harbor; a body that was not meant to be found - as it was weighed down with an anchor. Because it's a homicide, it falls outside of his jurisdiction. But while investigating another crime on the island, he keeps finding clues and information about the dead girl in the harbor. He's ruffling feathers of his former colleagues, but the more he digs the more he finds some dark secrets on the island.
This was really well done and enjoyable to listen to. The characters are interesting and could easily be the launch of a new series. I'm between a 4 & 5 on this one, but will definitely be reading more from this author.
May 28, 2025
Another great thriller by Connelly with a little bit of everything, including humor. This book introduces a new character, Detective Stillwell and a new setting Catalina Island. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Easily a few sittings type read, but life gets in the way of reading sometimes.
September 4, 2025
I read and rate this book 3.5* and raise it to 4* as I am a HUGE Connelly fan. I have been listening to his books since you could put an audio cassette in the car and listen about Harry Bosch (they came in a book form of 6-8 tapes). The plot has been reviewed multiple times so here are my thoughts. I put this book down repeatedly. I didn't feel the need to find out about the next clue or action scene. I also was not invested in any of the characters as another reviewer pointed out did we even learn Stillwell's first name. I was never invested in the storyline, and he seemed to just disregard any kind of procedure (and this was very much a police procedural book-little action). The girlfriend seemed to suffer from some form of island agoraphobia and seemed surprised he had to do police work. If this had been a new author, the book would have been good 3* but I would not feel the need to follow the series.
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May 26, 2025
4-Stars for DS "Stil" Stilwell #1, "Nightshade"
I definitely Liked this new character by Michael Connelly!"
With the beloved Harry Bosch figuratively and literally on life support, Michael Connelly's undertaking was to establish another brand new character, with a supporting cast, and a credible back-story. As a result, he created Detective Sergeant "Stil" Stilwell to help fill the gap when Harry is finally retired. I think Connelly's book "Nightshade" is a definite success.
While I was listening to the audiobook I was trying to assess whether I would be looking forward to a book 2 or not. Early in the book, I was a touch concerned about the subdued pace, even allowing for story development, but at around 60% it kicked into gear. The excellent, yet understated narration by Will Damron, contributed to a great result.
The writing of "Nightshade" is enjoyable, but nothing really out of the ordinary as far crime stories go. The dialogue had to serve the double purpose of character establishment and back story, as well as the actual crimes(s) story content itself and I think these development objectives were met comfortably.
Santa Catalina is the selected location for this series and Wikipedia shows me that it looks like an interesting choice. Close enough to the coast of Los Angeles (47 kms, 29 miles) to be readily accessible, yet far enough away to allow DS Stilwell some freedom to act without too much direct interference from the local LAPD office. Stil was sent to Catalina as a form of 'punishment', but eleven months later he has adapted quickly to his change of environment, new love interest included, and it seems he has become happily entrenched on the island.
Bring on DS "Stil" Stilwell #2!
I definitely Liked this new character by Michael Connelly!"
With the beloved Harry Bosch figuratively and literally on life support, Michael Connelly's undertaking was to establish another brand new character, with a supporting cast, and a credible back-story. As a result, he created Detective Sergeant "Stil" Stilwell to help fill the gap when Harry is finally retired. I think Connelly's book "Nightshade" is a definite success.
While I was listening to the audiobook I was trying to assess whether I would be looking forward to a book 2 or not. Early in the book, I was a touch concerned about the subdued pace, even allowing for story development, but at around 60% it kicked into gear. The excellent, yet understated narration by Will Damron, contributed to a great result.
The writing of "Nightshade" is enjoyable, but nothing really out of the ordinary as far crime stories go. The dialogue had to serve the double purpose of character establishment and back story, as well as the actual crimes(s) story content itself and I think these development objectives were met comfortably.
Santa Catalina is the selected location for this series and Wikipedia shows me that it looks like an interesting choice. Close enough to the coast of Los Angeles (47 kms, 29 miles) to be readily accessible, yet far enough away to allow DS Stilwell some freedom to act without too much direct interference from the local LAPD office. Stil was sent to Catalina as a form of 'punishment', but eleven months later he has adapted quickly to his change of environment, new love interest included, and it seems he has become happily entrenched on the island.
Bring on DS "Stil" Stilwell #2!
May 23, 2025
If Connelly wrote this, he was having a very bad day...
I've read 43 books with Connelly's name on the cover, and he wrote 42 of them, either that, or buffalo killing aliens inhabited his body. This one is a shocker. I guess I'll finish it, but that's only a definite maybe.
I stopped this book a few seconds before it finished, because I didn't want to finish it and thus (by my rules) have to give it a rating of 2. By not finishing it, I can give it the rating it deserves... 1, which equates to DNF. This book is garbage. If Connelly wrote it, he needs to find a new job. Two weak protagonists, the main one flat and unlikeable, and his even less likeable girlfriend.
Junk, total junk and trust me, if you like Connelly, do not read this.
I've read 43 books with Connelly's name on the cover, and he wrote 42 of them, either that, or buffalo killing aliens inhabited his body. This one is a shocker. I guess I'll finish it, but that's only a definite maybe.
I stopped this book a few seconds before it finished, because I didn't want to finish it and thus (by my rules) have to give it a rating of 2. By not finishing it, I can give it the rating it deserves... 1, which equates to DNF. This book is garbage. If Connelly wrote it, he needs to find a new job. Two weak protagonists, the main one flat and unlikeable, and his even less likeable girlfriend.
Junk, total junk and trust me, if you like Connelly, do not read this.
June 20, 2025
This police procedural introduces a new cop, so I assume that this is the beginning of a series. It has the usual cliches of a cop who doesn’t follow the rules, manages to outsmart everyone and still keeps his job. But I liked this cop. Detective Stilwell is contented policing Catalina Island, a place not known as a hotbed of criminal activity. However, while conducting investigations of both a murder and poaching, even more crimes come to light. The writing is crisp and the pace is fast. I’ll probably read more of this series.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
May 24, 2025
Story 4 stars. Narration 4.5 stars
A new detective is introduced in this new series by an author who is known for his police procedural mysteries among other similar books. It takes place on Catalina Island off the coast of California. Detective Stilwell was put on Catalina Island after a mess up-not of his making. So he starts out as an underdog although you realize very soon that he is a good homicide cop. He’s been there long enough to have already formed a romantic relationship. There’s two cases he gets involved in pretty much on the same day. One involves the beheading of a protected buffalo and the other is the murder of a woman. The investigation is very involved and other people die along the way. I appreciated the intricate plot, especially the murder part. Things move really fast in the second half of the book. I kept expecting certain things to happen, but no. However, things I wasn’t expecting did happen so this kept me listening.
I have been a fan of this author for almost 30 years. I always enjoy his writing and I do recommend his books. Narration was good.
A new detective is introduced in this new series by an author who is known for his police procedural mysteries among other similar books. It takes place on Catalina Island off the coast of California. Detective Stilwell was put on Catalina Island after a mess up-not of his making. So he starts out as an underdog although you realize very soon that he is a good homicide cop. He’s been there long enough to have already formed a romantic relationship. There’s two cases he gets involved in pretty much on the same day. One involves the beheading of a protected buffalo and the other is the murder of a woman. The investigation is very involved and other people die along the way. I appreciated the intricate plot, especially the murder part. Things move really fast in the second half of the book. I kept expecting certain things to happen, but no. However, things I wasn’t expecting did happen so this kept me listening.
I have been a fan of this author for almost 30 years. I always enjoy his writing and I do recommend his books. Narration was good.
June 3, 2025
If you love crime fiction - then this is the book for you. Connelly really is the master of crime and detective writing. And friends - the good news is that it is the very first in a new detective series! Look at me unintentionally starting with the first book a new series. Wonders will never cease! Highly recommend this book as Michael Connelly never fails to engage and impress me.
May 25, 2025
Bosch it is not
Connelly is my favorite procedural writer and I was looking forward to the Catalina setting and new characters, but it never clicked for me. I didn't connect with the cop and I didn't like his girlfriend. The crimes had weak motives and it wasn't much of a mystery who was responsible. I hope Connelly goes back to Renee Ballard.
Connelly is my favorite procedural writer and I was looking forward to the Catalina setting and new characters, but it never clicked for me. I didn't connect with the cop and I didn't like his girlfriend. The crimes had weak motives and it wasn't much of a mystery who was responsible. I hope Connelly goes back to Renee Ballard.
June 16, 2025
Once again Michael Connelly dazzles us with his knowledge and research into police procedural issues, interpersonal conflicts among colleagues and the politics of administration of "justice". Excellent drama, personality conflicts, struggles to overcome the challenges of those who would obstruct truth and justice for the sake of doing as little as possible to resolve cases for the sake of raising case closure numbers for selfish gain & career goals. Fortunately, Detective Stillwell is our intrepid investigator who is willing to risk his life and career to find the people responsible for the crimes that cross his path. He uses his investigative acumen and political insight to overcome the obstacles he needs to resolve to achieve his mission not dissimilar to Harry Bosch. Stillwell has a strong moral compass which I like.
I find it interesting that we never do find what Stillwell's first name is in this novel and I wonder if the author is intentionally being parsimonious about revealing who Stillwell is, like the peeling of an onion so to speak....Stillman may be a complicated person one with many layers. Maybe the author will gradually reveal more details as the series progresses......
Not sure that Stillwell and Tash Dano are suited to each other. Clearly, they have strong attachment to each other, but are they compatible in the long run? I guess we'll find out.
I find it interesting that we never do find what Stillwell's first name is in this novel and I wonder if the author is intentionally being parsimonious about revealing who Stillwell is, like the peeling of an onion so to speak....Stillman may be a complicated person one with many layers. Maybe the author will gradually reveal more details as the series progresses......
Not sure that Stillwell and Tash Dano are suited to each other. Clearly, they have strong attachment to each other, but are they compatible in the long run? I guess we'll find out.
June 9, 2025
Well shit, we got a new player on the field. I think he's going to work out just fine. I thought this was a nice new character long time Connelly fans can sink their teeth into. There's a hint of Bosch (the main character Stillwell is kicked out of homicide and banished to an island) but is happy with his lot in life living on the island and having a relationship with a local who just gets him and he gets her. That's so unlike Bosch and heck even Ballard now that I think about it. Actually, do any Connelly characters have happy relationships? I digress. The book moves very fluidly and I myself could not put it down. My main reason for giving this one 4 stars though is that there was too much in this first one. It's so jam packed with things happening that after a bit I found it hard to keep some of the names straight. I also wish that Connelly had kept this to just one case. Having this move between cases is typical Connelly, but the second case read as really unfinished to me. I assume if there's a sequel we may hear about it. FYI, long-time Connelly fans may have caught that one line but it definitely shows this is in the Harry Bosch universe. I imagine there's going to be some cross-overs happening (please not Renee, I am so tired of that series).
Nightshade follows LA county Sheriff Detective Stilwell, known as 'Stil.' After a case goes wrong, he is plucked from the mainland and stuck on Catalina Island. He had worries he would not like his new post, but he does, the locals know him, he has a girlfriend, and he is able to keep the peace. That all changes though when he is called out because someone thinks they found a body weighed down in the harbour. There is now an active homicide investigation on Catalina Island which is going to bring back some people in his past that Stil would love to forget. But he still wants to work the case, and hopes to show those that counted him out, that he's still a better cop.
I think other reviewers said it first, but Stil is really a watered down version of Bosch. He doesn't have Bosch's personal ethos, but he wants to make sure gets justice for the woman who was murdered. He also wants to use this case to show up a cop he thinks is wrong and got its swept under the rug. I think that Connelly did a good job of developing Stil, but I guess I needed a bit more. He gets told multiple times this isn't his case and just keeps working it. I imagine a defense attorney would love that. I just didn't get his need outside of his wanting to show up his past colleague to keep working the case. There's an air of selfishness about him that reminded me a bit of Jack McEvoy.
The other characters we get introduced to, such as Tasha, the other deputies, etc. just felt a bit thin for this book. Connelly devotes much of the book to developing the bad guys and the victim.
The flow does goes a bit flat towards the end. But then picks up again.
I liked how this ended, but it definitely is setting the stage for a second book.
Nightshade follows LA county Sheriff Detective Stilwell, known as 'Stil.' After a case goes wrong, he is plucked from the mainland and stuck on Catalina Island. He had worries he would not like his new post, but he does, the locals know him, he has a girlfriend, and he is able to keep the peace. That all changes though when he is called out because someone thinks they found a body weighed down in the harbour. There is now an active homicide investigation on Catalina Island which is going to bring back some people in his past that Stil would love to forget. But he still wants to work the case, and hopes to show those that counted him out, that he's still a better cop.
I think other reviewers said it first, but Stil is really a watered down version of Bosch. He doesn't have Bosch's personal ethos, but he wants to make sure gets justice for the woman who was murdered. He also wants to use this case to show up a cop he thinks is wrong and got its swept under the rug. I think that Connelly did a good job of developing Stil, but I guess I needed a bit more. He gets told multiple times this isn't his case and just keeps working it. I imagine a defense attorney would love that. I just didn't get his need outside of his wanting to show up his past colleague to keep working the case. There's an air of selfishness about him that reminded me a bit of Jack McEvoy.
The other characters we get introduced to, such as Tasha, the other deputies, etc. just felt a bit thin for this book. Connelly devotes much of the book to developing the bad guys and the victim.
The flow does goes a bit flat towards the end. But then picks up again.
I liked how this ended, but it definitely is setting the stage for a second book.
July 13, 2025
★★★★
This is the second part of my attempt to break the small reading slump I'm finding myself in. Nothing better than reading the latest Michael Connelly offering.
We are introduced to a new character in this book which I found interesting. It also takes place largely outside of Los Angeles on Catalina Island. I'm not sure Mr. Connelly has written a book where LA does not feel like one of the characters. I enjoyed the introduction of a new character in Detective Stilwell (whose first name is never mentioned). He is recognizably a Michael Connelly character - he has a strong moral compass and is willing to colour outside the lines of the law in order to get justice for the victims of crimes. Unusually, he is in a happy relationship and although has been "exciled" to Catalina Island by the LAPD, he doesn't seem to be haunted by his past in the same way that Bosch, Ballard and Haller each are. Even McEvoy has a few demons in his past. Maybe we'll learn that Stilwell has his own demons in future installments.
I know with 41 novels written, often featuring the same character or group of characters, some other readers are tired of this universe. I'm not. I enjoy the writing style, the details that are provided, the background not only on the characters but also the environment. I have yet to get tired reading about Bosch, Ballard or Haller. I can add Silwell to the list.
This is the second part of my attempt to break the small reading slump I'm finding myself in. Nothing better than reading the latest Michael Connelly offering.
We are introduced to a new character in this book which I found interesting. It also takes place largely outside of Los Angeles on Catalina Island. I'm not sure Mr. Connelly has written a book where LA does not feel like one of the characters. I enjoyed the introduction of a new character in Detective Stilwell (whose first name is never mentioned). He is recognizably a Michael Connelly character - he has a strong moral compass and is willing to colour outside the lines of the law in order to get justice for the victims of crimes. Unusually, he is in a happy relationship and although has been "exciled" to Catalina Island by the LAPD, he doesn't seem to be haunted by his past in the same way that Bosch, Ballard and Haller each are. Even McEvoy has a few demons in his past. Maybe we'll learn that Stilwell has his own demons in future installments.
I know with 41 novels written, often featuring the same character or group of characters, some other readers are tired of this universe. I'm not. I enjoy the writing style, the details that are provided, the background not only on the characters but also the environment. I have yet to get tired reading about Bosch, Ballard or Haller. I can add Silwell to the list.
June 4, 2025
They conspired to behead a buffalo so they can claim that aliens are involved and boost tourism?
Some believe aliens are using cattle as subjects for research or to harvest body parts.
If you behead it they will come. Tourists?
Did I just write that?
Well that's a new plot.
The sugar daddy part of the story wasn't much better.
A generous 3 stars......I read the other reviews and made this 2 stars. Skip it.
Some believe aliens are using cattle as subjects for research or to harvest body parts.
If you behead it they will come. Tourists?
Did I just write that?
Well that's a new plot.
The sugar daddy part of the story wasn't much better.
A generous 3 stars......I read the other reviews and made this 2 stars. Skip it.
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