Nightshade

De: Michael Connelly

Narrado por: Will Damron

Introducing Detective Stilwell: a 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).

©2025 Michael Connelly (P)2025 Little, Brown & Company

A new Connelly detective…

New detective seemingly without character depth of prior Connelly detectives…two storyline cases interesting…performance unremarkable.

Slow moving story

while I a procedural detective story, this one moved painfully slow. I am hopeful that once the series moves on and we know the characters, it will move quicker.

Finally a new “read” 😁

I have listened to all of the Bosch, Halley, and Ballard books. I was happy to find another MC book I could listen to.

Bosch on water

I enjoyed the new character introduction. Having been a Bosch and Ballard fan, Stillwell had the edginess of Bosch but, with a water background.

New characters, new settings, solid story.

I didn’t have anything I didn’t like, and it held my attention. I listened to it almost nonstop.

Loved that it was set on Catalina.

To Bosch like in the main character type. Other Sheriffs under played in role and personality.

Great writing!

Characters were well developed and I could see Catalina Island. Connelly is the best! I hope he keeps it up.

Probably realistic portrayal of police procedure and challenges.

Ending seemed contrived and formulaic. Protagonist and his girl friend end up in her tent. Surely a paragraph or three describing their life together(?) on the island after solving the crimes would be warranted …. maybe a chance run-in with Baby head/face?

4 stars

It's Connelly, but not Bosch so not as good. Narrator is decent but not outstanding. Story is decent but not outstanding.
I think instead of getting another without Bosch I'll listen to one of the Bosch books again, preferably with Len Cariou
narrating.

How well it was written,kept your interest,could not put this book down.

Another excellent book, written by MIchael Connelly.A must read ,hope you enjoy. Hope it ends up on T.V.as well.