Michael Connelly scores another winner. As a big fan of the Bosch universe, I wondered if a new cast of characters would measure up. Simply put, they do. Crisp writing, brisk pacing, and a solid plot make for a truly enjoyable read. Hope there's more coming for Catalina Island.

Most readers who like well-written thrillers are familiar with bestselling and award winning author, Michael Connelly, and he has created a new series featuring Detective Stilwell and is set on Catalina Island. The first book in the series which introduces Stilwell is Nightshade. Stilwell has been a homicide detective for LAPD¸ but, because he had a run-in with another colleague who manipulated the facts, was sent where all problematic officers are sent, to the small Island of Catalina. Stilwell has been there for a year and is investigating the mutilation of an endangered buffalo. However, the body of a woman is brought up by the shore and near the posh Blue Marlin Club, and more murders are to come. Stilwell has his hands full while investigating, especially given the political higher-ups fighting him.


Anyone who has read Michael Connelly knows that he is a gifted storyteller, and his novels are easy to read and follow. He has a way of building suspense gradually and adding unexpected scenarios until readers are on the edge. He also does an excellent job of developing his characters. Stilwell (I am not sure he has a first name) is an excellent protagonist and he is actually believable. The supporting characters are also believable and just like regular people we know – some good and some bad. Connelly makes the story flow and the novel is hard to put down. There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as a surprising dénouement at the end.

All told, this is a well-written novel and a perfect introduction to Detective Stilwell. Most readers will definitely look forward to subsequent novels.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

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’m a big Michael Connelly fan, especially the Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller books, then more recently the stories of police officers Jenkins and Renee Ballard. So II was looking forward to reading Connelly’s newest mystery, and meeting new characters (truly, Connelly has a gift for making his characters REAL to the reader). Happily, I received a copy of Nightshade from Little, Brown and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. Admittedly, it’s been awhile since I received it but it’s been percolating in my brain for months…a good sign, right? Not necessarily…

I truly enjoyed pretty much all the Connelly books I have read, but for some reason Nightshade just didn’t do it for me. I’m the first to admit it might be MY problem, nothing wrong with the story, plot, or characters. And possibly the reason I liked the others more is because this one is more plot-driven, rather than giving me a story about some old friends? (Also, the pacing was a bit slow at times).

A detective named Stilwell from the LASD is the new character. I’m a Southern California native who grew up loving Catalina, so it was somewhat of a headscratcher when in this book Stilwell’s reassignment to this beautiful island is somewhat a banishment or demotion… He investigates two crimes in this one, starting with a corpse weighed down under a ship in the harbor, and the other exploring hunting (actually poaching) on a protected reserve. Both social class and departmental politics are big factors as he works the cases, and Stilwell even has time to have a romance going on.

I was SO hoping that after reading this, I would be eagerly awaiting the next adventure of this new detective, but I’m afraid I’m not that invested in what happens next. I’m actually shocked, TBH, because Connelly has long been one of those authors about whom I am THRILLED to learn of a new book. I will read the next one, and try not to go into it with negativity, but I’m sad to say I can only give this one three stars. And I still don’t know Stilwell’s real backstory or even his last name!

A new character for Michael Connolly that I found little interest in. Perhaps he'll grow on my in another book or two? I found this story a bit too slow going and lost interest frequently. I did finish it though. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to this newest Michael Connelly mystery, especially since it has new characters. I have enjoyed his Bosch series, both in book form and on the screen, as well as his Ballard series. But this one just didn't cut it for me because it was more plot-driven, and the pacing was slow at times. The very reason I love Bosch and Ballard books is because we find out so much about what makes them tick, their personal lives, and the people they love. Even when they cross lines, we still cheer for them. And they both have pasts.

"Nightshade" is more plot-driven. We learn that a LA County sheriff's detective, whose last name is Stilwell, has been banished to Catalina Island, a demotion of sorts. We never ever learn his first name. He ends up investigating two crimes: one is a body weighed down under a ship in the harbor, and the other is about poaching on a protected reserve. Social class is a definite theme in the story when it comes to the investigation. Department politics is another since his old nemesis is waiting to trip him up. There is a subplot involving his romance with Tash Dano.

Overall, I was hoping this might be a discovery of a new detective rivaling Bosch in my affections, but I'm afraid it wasn't. However, I thank NetGalley and Brown, Little & Company for allowing me to read it pre-publication.

With Catalina Island as a backdrop Connelly weaves a tail of murder and corruption involving an interesting cast of characters capturing the readers attention from page one

Reading a Micahel Connelly book is like tasting your grandma's cooking. You know it's going to be good before you even start! His newest novel, Nightshade, didn't disappoint.

What I Liked About Nightshade:

I am a huge fan of Michael Connelly, especially of his Bosch series, so I was excited to see that he started a new character to enjoy.

I enjoyed reading about Stillwell, the new character and Los Angeles police detective. His character portrayed what police work would look like on a small island. Even though he was "exiled" to Catalina and told to stay out of the mainland's jurisdiction, Stillwell must solve who killed the woman found at the bottom of the harbor.

His side interest/romance added a nice subplot, but it didn't detract from the story line. As Stillwell tries to solve the murder mystery, you can see how police politics happen even in small towns. It was an interesting murder mystery, and I would love to read more books in the series about Stillwell.

The best part is that it mainly takes place on Catalina Island. I loved being able to picture the different places around the island, especially in the town of Avalon. If you have never been to Catalina Island, Connelly talks a little about the story and shows video of Catalina in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvlt4U6Fe1w

What Could Be Better in Nightshade:

Since Stillwell is a new character in the series, I wish Connelly had described him in a little more detail. Since I wasn't sure what to picture in my head, I just pictured...you guessed it...Bosch. I know Stillwell isn't like him, but I wanted more detail about who he is.

Otherwise, it is a slow-burn mystery, mixed in with some romance, and a fun, easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown, and Company, and Michael Connelly for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

It was great to see Michael Connelly create a new character and out of the city of L.A. and Hollywood. Set on Catalina Island, i

It doesn't seem to be a place that a disgraced cop would be sent as punishment! As it turns out, Catalina's issues usually relate to small thefts and overindulging drinkers out for a fun time. This time a body was found at the bottom of the harbor weighed down with the only clue being a died purple streak in her hair. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell also receives a report of poaching on a protected reserve on the island.

Stillwell takes on both cases, quite unusual for Catalina, and needs to deal with the mainland Sheriff's office in LA, where he runs into an old partner who tries to stop his jurisdiction in both cases. Quite similar to situations that Harry Bosch ran into for years in Connelley's early novels, Stilwell continues working them, getting into trouble again with the Sheriff's office on the mainland.

Read the novel to find out how he works to gets around these issues, I don't want to give away anything in the review. Great job with a new character!

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Publishing for a pre-release copy to give an honest review.

I absolutely love the previous characters that Michael Connelly has created, but I think it might take me another book or two to feel the same way about Stillwell. Stillwell's single mindedness is going to take some getting used to, he doesn't seem to get along well with others and thinks his way is the best (or only) way. I am hopeful that his relationships will improve (even slightly) as the series progresses.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it has been written and published.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly introduces a new character: a California sheriff’s sergeant named Stillwell. He had been sent to quiet Catalina Island as a punishment but he had found a home. He was investigating the mutilation of a buffalo, which turned out to be the tip of the iceberg. He had found love with Tash Dano, who was the assistant harbor master. The harbor at Catalina was busy, especially on holidays and weekends. Someone had spotted a body in the water and Stil went to investigate. The water was cold but he went in anyway. A woman. He didn’t recognized her but he called ERT to retrieve the body. He wasn’t in charge of the investigation, that was his nemesis, Ahearn, who had been the other part of the altercation that got him assigned here. Obviously Stil would work on the investigation as he was local. Hopefully he could calm the mayor, who was worried about what a murder would do to tourism. The was a lot to unravel.

Stil is a calm, intelligent guy. He has learned, mostly, to hold his temper in check. He was recently divorced but thought he had found the one in Tash. He had a small, but reliable and loyal staff, who helped him police the island. Then, this murder, which took place here and upset the equilibrium. Nearly cost him Tash. The buffalo and the murder were connected but he had to figure out how. He lost a couple of prisoners in his jail, one by murder. That made everyone less than happy. It all worked out but there were are lot of twists and turns to get there. Including his relationship with Tash, which survived.

I was invited to read Nightshade by Little, Brown, and Company. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #LittleBrownAndCompany #MichaelConnelly #Nightshade

In Nightshade, Detective Stilwell is reassigned from the Los Angeles county sheriff’s office to Catalina Island as a punishment. In this new assignment Stilwell must put his anger behind him and move forward. With many twists and turns in this fast paced police procedural, Stilwell deals with many vexing problems, the principal one being the discovery of a murdered female victim whose body is weighted down by anchor chains and found at the bottom of the harbor. I hope to meet Detective Stilwell again in future books.

Murder on Catalina Island!

Set on Catalina Island off the Californian coast, an hour by ferry from Los Angeles, the slaughter of a protected buffalo and a drowned body trussed up in a sail bag held down by an anchor and chain don’t seem to have anything in common—until they do.
Detective Sergeant Stilwell who’s been sent here as punishment for opening up a case supposedly solved, actually finds island life soothing to his soul. Also an ex police diver, Stilwell finds himself coming up against the same LA detective who is the cause of his banishment.
Stilwell takes on the rich and powerful members of the exclusive yacht club, gangsters, and local politics, mixing to make an interesting read.
A somewhat different mystery and police procedural that opened up vistas I hadn’t explored before.

A Little, Brown & Co. ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I'm a Michael Connelly completist (no small feat!), and I always delight at a new book. Nightshade introduces a new main character: Los Angeles County detective Stilwell, who works on Catalina Island (a punishment/banishment of sorts.) Nightshade is classic Connelly, and I'd know Stilwell is a Connelly protagonist even if he'd published this mystery under a different name. The murder mystery at the crux of this novel is a Jane Doe whose body washes up in the harbor. The mystery was twisty and intriguing (and harrowing.) The commentary on Los Angeles County politics and government was fascinating. Catalina Island becomes almost the main character, and I found myself opening maps to look at the island, its distance from the mainland, and the landmarks mentioned. There is so much rich detail in this novel. I hope we'll see Detective Stilwell and the Catalina crew again.

Michael Connelly is a good mystery writer. The setting on Catalina Island was great (even if I don"t know California). Stil was a well rounded character and his partner Tash was akso well drawn. A complicated mystery with several twists and turns.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly is an intriguing mystery set on beautiful Catalina Island. Stilwell does a great job of juggling multiple cases and criminals while dealing with adversaries who want to see him fail.

I had the opportunity to read Nightshade by Michael Connelly, which follows Detective Stilwell as he investigates a mysterious body found on the stunning Catalina Island. True to Connelly’s style, this book was a smooth, engaging read with a well-paced mystery that unraveled through a series of subtle, well-placed clues.

What I appreciated most was how Connelly once again managed to keep the reader immersed with strong pacing and sharp storytelling. While this was a lighter and more straightforward read compared to some of his longer novels, it still delivered the intrigue and satisfaction I’ve come to expect from his work. Fans of Connelly will definitely enjoy this one—another solid addition to his collection.

Sometimes office politics can get in the way of what you believe is the correct or just way to do things. Thus is the case with our main character Stilwell, a detective with the sheriff’s department in the county of Los Angeles, California. After not “playing well with others” during a case on the mainland, Stilwell finds himself banishment to a post out on the small island of Catalina off the California coast (a supposed disciplinary action or punishment). Turns out he likes the calmer environment rather than the busy criminal life in LA. Most of his issues on the island are drunk and disorderly offences and occasional theft. Until they’re not, and an anchored dead body is pulled up from the harbor. The mainland, now in charge of the murder case, frustrates Stilwell having to deal with detectives from his past. Snarky comments & dialogue run rampant.
You meet a cast of interesting and believable characters that work on the island. But not all is what it seems. There is an issue with a protected buffalo that leads to additional issues and concerns. Stilwell jumps back and forth from the mainland to the island in his search for answers in a cat and mouse chase that turns up with another murder on the island.
Connelly has a way of twisting thing right before your eyes and all of a sudden a flash or insight and you realize the story is headed into another direction. He is a master at pulling you one way just to throw you off in another direction.
This was a fast paced completely enjoyable read with lots of moving parts and balls in the air. There was just enough police procedure, all culminating with a satisfying ending. A great start to a new character and series.
I received an advanced electronic copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased write up on my opinion of the book.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company publishing and NetGalley for my ARC!

This is my first Michael Connelly read, and it did not disappoint! I highly enjoyed the intricate plot base with twists and turns, clearly by a master story teller.

I am now going to go back and read Connelly's earlier books, and look forward to more books coming with Detective Stillwell!

I’m a huge fan of Michael Connelly’s books, and am so excited to embark on this new series! Nightshade features LA County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell banished as punishment to the idyllic harbor community on Catalina Island. New characters and a new setting but the same gritty stubborn detective attitude who will buck the bureaucracy to give voice to the victim. This book delivered on the crime, mystery, suspense and even included a romantic element.
This was an awesome start to a new series and I look forward to spending more time with Stilwell and the other residents of Catalina Island. We only got glimpses of the depths of these characters with so much more simmering beneath. In true Connelly fashion, Stilwell uses sharp investigative skills to follow and unravel the clues to solve not only one, but two cases.
Stilwell’s usually quiet policing of drunk and disorderliness on this vacation island is disrupted with the discovery of a dead body. Simultaneously, the report of the decapitation of a protected wildlife reserve leads Stilwell to a more nefarious undercurrent of the island.
Michael Connelly was my very first author event, many many years ago! But I’ll never forget it. I love his Bosch series but also am excited to see what’s next for Stilwell and can’t wait for the next installment!