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

Not Michael Connelly's best.....

I always look forward to the next Michael Connelly book but was disappointed with this new character. This is not a smart cop. Catalina Island is a great setting but I have no desire to follow any of these characters. Connelly can do better.

Not Connelly’s Best

This book feels like it was written by a different author. Bosch, Ballard, Haller are all deeper, more interesting characters. This book feels like an old novel that was patched up? Or maybe AI helped write this?? I don’t know. It’s just not as strong as his other books. Too much technical stuff about sailing and diving. Not that I mind technical stuff, it’s just like over-explained somehow. I’m still a fan of the author, just wouldn’t recommend this to someone who hasn’t read Connelly before.

A flower

Loved the setting and visual description. Characters described well. It was a good peak into an island police force. Also how power corrupts!

Great New Series

Like all of Connely's characters this one is interesting and complex. a great plot with twists and turns and really 2 plots in one. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series when it comes out.

I will miss you Bosch

This was a great story. Crazy turn of events and it doesn’t have Bosch in it but it’s great.

Good Start

Not Harry Bosch but still a good start to a new and interesting detective. Looking forward to the next episode.

Liked it b, but...

Enjoyed reading it, but it was not quite up to what I expected from Connelly. I've read and listened to every Bosch and Haller book - more than one time each. For me, Connelly is the best of the best. The Bosch and Haller series are outstanding. crime fiction. So I think I should maybe give give the new detective and setting a chance and see how Connelly develops this character. While reading Nightshade, I found myself comparing it to Connelly's other work and felt that it just fell a little short. Liked it, but didn't love it. Might have liked it better if it weren't set on Catalina, a place I find, other than it's topography, somewhat boring in real life.

Another hit for Connelly!

great characters, great story, interesting location. Loved it! I hope there will be more Stillwell novels!

Ok but not great

This was my least favorite MC book. It wasn’t bad. It just didn’t have his normal excitement of listening.

The writing style dialogue and plot are interesting and believable.

No review just good storytelling . Blah blah blah blah. And not to mention blah blah blah.