John Wick’s fight began with the death of his dog. In Michael Connelly's novel Nightshade, it kicks off with a decapitated buffalo on Catalina Island. Both events ignite something far deeper in their respective storylines.

The investigation into the buffalo’s death quickly reveals itself as the tip of something far more sinister and corrupt lurking beneath the surface of Catalina Island. Detective Sergeant Stilwell is relentless and he won’t stop until he uncovers the truth.

This book dives into corruption, greed, and the twisted underbelly of the wealthy elite social scene. The decapitated buffalo? Just the opening act of the island’s dark secrets.

The characters are excellent. They’re fully fleshed out and woven into equally compelling storylines, all spiraling around Stilwell. The question is: will he be choked out by the forces against him, or will he find his footing and become the one holding the torch, ready to burn those who deserve it?

I look forward to reading more from this series and hope Bosch might make an appearance and if lucky, add Renee Ballard to the mix.

I'd like to thank Little, Brown and Company, and NetGalley for my ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

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.

I'm a longtime fan of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series, and I enjoy the Lincoln Lawyer and Renee Ballard books, too.

Nightshade introduces a new character -- Det. Stilwell of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He's assigned to Catalina Island after running afoul of office politics on the mainland.

It's a low-key gig, until a Jane Doe shows up dead in the harbor.

What ensues is a very solid police procedural, exactly the type of novel Connelly reliably delivers. Follow the clues, solve the crime. Read Nightshade by the pool, at the beach, on a plane. You'll come away perfectly satisfied.

Except... wow, does Stilwell seem a LOT like Bosch. He's in hot water with his bosses. He disobeys orders. He's kind of a jerk.

One of the things I like best about Connelly's non-Bosch books is that they have all the strengths of the Bosch books -- clever plots, crisp writing -- with characters who are different.

Perhaps in future installments, Stilwell will come more into his own and seem a little less like an island version of Bosch.

Connelly introduces a new detective, Sheriff's Detective Stilwell. Stilwell is moved to Catalina Island after a dust-up in the Sheriff's office with another detective that Stilwell accuses of being too lazy to fully investigate a case. Stilwell has adjusted well to the island and its slower pace and he has even fallen in love with a local, Tash Dano. But, he gets a call-out for a dead body found underwater, tied down with an anchor and encased in a sail bag. Her black hair floats in the water and there is a streak of purple hair color, known as Nightshade. When he calls the Sheriff to report the body, the two detectives he least likes are assigned to the case. They are only too willing to close the case as a suspicious death, but Stilwell knows there is more to it. The mayor is corrupt and he is only too happy to look the other way as well. Stilwell will have to pursue this on his own. Always a good read, Connelly has written another winner.

Nightshade, introduces Detective Stillwell in the first book of Michael Connelly 's new series. I went into this book, coaching myself to not whine about how much I want Harry Bosch. The first book in a series can be difficult, like a first date. Stillwell finds himself investigating a murder that leads him and his sidekicks on a suspenseful investigation and introduces other new characters. The Catalina setting was immersive and worked well. Stillwell's bulldog approach is very much like Bosch. I liked the book enough to read the next installment.

Michael Connelly hasn’t written many standalone novels, and I’m hoping Nightshade will be the opening entry into a Detective Stillwell series. Set on California’s atmospheric Catalina Island, the story and setting had me fully invested in the closed society of that unique community. Lots of excitement in uncovering a killer. I’ll be looking for Number 2 in the Stillwell universe.

The first in a new crime thriller series by this bestselling author!

Set on beautiful Catalina Island, this novel introduces a new character, Detective Sergeant Stilwell, who has been assigned to the sheriff’s substation there because of problems he had as a homicide cop in LA County, California. One of his cases is the investigation of the death of a young woman who was found wrapped in a sail bag and weighted with an anchor in the harbor. Assisted by his girlfriend, Tash Dano, assistant harbor master, and the other police officers also exiled there, he attempts to solve the murder as well as expose corruption and other crimes on this beautiful island.

I liked the action and the excellent writing that kept this moving a fast pace that I could easily devour in a single setting. The characters need to be a bit more fleshed out, including perhaps getting the first name of our main character Stilwell, but I am looking forward to a follow up installment. The details about the setting are interesting and the locale will doubtless prove that bad things happen even in idyllic places.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator, Will Damron, who always does a great job voicing strong male characters. His performance enhanced my enjoyment of the novel.

Nightshade marks the start of a brand-new series from crime fiction master Michael Connelly. As expected, the plot is tight, fast-paced, and expertly constructed—hallmarks of Connelly’s seasoned storytelling. The mystery pulls you in quickly and keeps the pages turning with well-placed tension and twists.

As the first book in a new series, Nightshade does a solid job introducing fresh characters, though they aren’t quite as fleshed out or emotionally layered as those in Connelly’s Bosch or Lincoln Lawyer series. That said, the groundwork is clearly being laid, and there’s plenty of promise for deeper character development and stronger relationship dynamics in future installments.

While the emotional resonance isn’t as immediate here, the writing is as sharp and assured as ever. With Connelly’s masterful command of the genre, it’s safe to say this new series is off to a compelling start—and I look forward to seeing how it grows in the second outing. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review

I love it when we have a Detective who lives a little bit on the edge. Following those gray areas instead of completely black-and-white.

This new character is based in Catalina and is finding a lot of deep-seated crime in this small island: murders, endangered species issues, theft, conspiracy, corruption. The list goes on and on.

But what’s awesome is the inter-connection with his past placements and the mutual dislike of a select officer. This connection to his last post and supervisor is a critical piece in this evolving story.

The main character, Stilwell, is smart and knows how to dig deep and follow a path. But he also knows how to move things along if needed, going into that little bit of gray area that makes Connelly’s stories intricate and developed.

This new guy is a breath of fresh air with his low-key persona and his growing romantic interest. I know that as this series develops, so will these characters into that addictive quality we love with a long-running series.

Nightshade is a unique and highly developed, intricate story containing great pacing and twists that will keep us addicted to the flow of the story. Connelly crafts another winner with this new character, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Michael Connelly is my favorite writer on the planet. I read everything he writes. I was so excited to hear about a new series he was starting with the publication of Night Shade. Unfortunately, the story never grabbed me and pulled me in the way most of his novels do. This isn't shocking, no one can bat a thousand. And even with the story only being mildly interesting to me, he still manages to spin a fun tale and get me excited about reading whatever comes next from this series.

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.