Nightshade

The Brand New Blockbuster Thriller from the Number One Bestseller

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Will Damron

'A great story' THE TIMES

'An enjoyable twisty mystery from a master of the game' MAIL ON SUNDAY

From the author of the books behind the #1 Netflix show The Lincoln Lawyer, and #1 Amazon Prime series Bosch and Ballard.

*****

'A murder case is like a shark. It sleeps, it dies.'

LAPD Detective Stilwell was forced out of the Homicide department and sent to a dead-end post on Santa Catalina Island.

But when the idyllic holiday destination is rocked by report of a body found in the harbour, weighed down by an anchor, Stilwell has a point to prove to his superiors - and will cross every line to solve the murder himself.

It's sink or swim, as failure will cost him everything while finding the killer will make him a target and reveal the dark heart of his new home.

But on a small island with big secrets - someone is always watching...

****

CRIME DOESN'T COME BETTER THAN CONNELLY:

'The pre-eminent detective novelist of his generation'
IAN RANKIN

'The best mystery writer in the world'
GQ

'A superb natural storyteller'
LEE CHILD

'A master'
STEPHEN KING

'America's greatest living crime writer'
DAILY EXPRESS

'One of the great storytellers of crime fiction'
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH©2025 Hieronymus, Inc.

Critic reviews

Told in Connelly's deceptively understated style, the story is richly detailed when it comes to island life but delivers its essentials in the pared-back prose of the classic crime novel.

Twisty mystery from a master of the genre.

Vividly described... A great story.

It's superbly plotted and gripping - as always from the master of hard-boiled American crime.

Review

Great story and Will Damron is great. I enjoy his voice and his narration. Keep the writing

Another gem from Michael Connelly.

I was worried at first about the fact that there was no Harry Bosch character ....but was quickly put at ease. This is a well crafted story with an interesting plot - and a chance to get to know a new young police officer in a totally fresh location. A very satisfying ecperience

Not what I would expect from Michael Connelly

Without providing too much spoilers, the book is very disappointing, not what I would expect from the great Michael Connelly. The idea of locating the officer on an Island near LA and not in the large LA area is appealing but the author does not make much of it. You don't come to know much about the people that live there (besides the minimum that is needed for the plot). The characters are flat and the plot is superficial, the characters and not interesting, Looks like it was written by an AI and not an author with such a credit as he gained with me in his other Lincoln Lawyer and Harry Bosch plots. Sad.

Catalina

Had to drop and go back to it for some reason didn’t hit the first time. Loved the setting though, having spent childhood summers on the island.

Underwhelming

Relative to Bosch, this story was underwhelming with a weak theme. I’ll remain a fan and hope for better.