Michael Connelly returns with a fresh protagonist in Nightshade, introducing readers to Detective Stilwell, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective exiled to Catalina Island after politics force him off the homicide beat. What begins as a quiet post soon turns lethal, with the discovery of a body sunk to the bottom of the harbor and a violent poaching case with sinister undertones.
Connelly is a master of layered storytelling, and Nightshade is no exception. Stilwell’s dogged pursuit of justice for the woman known only as “Nightshade” pulls readers into the dark undercurrents of island life, where secrets lurk behind picturesque facades. The dual investigations—one officially his, the other taken on against orders—allow Connelly to play with themes of exile, redemption, and the moral ambiguity of justice.
Stilwell himself is a compelling new addition to the Connelly-verse. He’s weary but determined, bruised by departmental politics but unwilling to let that diminish his drive to do what’s right. Fans of Bosch will find familiar echoes here, but Stilwell stands on his own: more isolated, more on edge, and—at least for now—more expendable.
The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the atmosphere is richly rendered. Catalina becomes more than just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right, with a vibe that’s part noir, part coastal gothic.
Whether you’re a longtime Connelly fan or a newcomer looking for a gripping detective story with psychological depth, Nightshade delivers.