Catalina Island is where the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. sends officers who screwed up on the mainland. Sergeant Stilwell’s job is to supervise the limited staff who patrol the island. Their normal job is to deal with drunken tourists on the weekends. Beginning with Memorial Day weekend, they have theft and murder on their hands in Michael Connelly’s Nightshade.
Stilwell thinks it all started with the killing of a buffalo, an endangered animal. While he’s investigating that, he’s called to the Black Marlin Club, an exclusive club for wealthy members. According to the manager, a jade figure of a marlin, over one hundred years old, is missing. When a woman’s body is found anchored under a yacht, Stilwell’s case takes him back to the Black Marlin Club.
Although he’s told the homicide investigation belongs to officers on the mainland, Stilwell continues to work the case from the Catalina side. But,,he’s one officer short, he juggles his cases. And, it isn’t long before they start to intersect.
Connelly introduces a new setting and character with Catalina and Stilwell. It’s a compelling story with a cop who goes rogue to find justice. Nightshade is a fast-paced, absorbing book from a master.
Michael Connelly’s website is https://www.michaelconnelly.com/
Nightshade by Michael Connelly. Little, Brown and Company, 2025. ISBN 9780316588485 (hardcover), 343p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
I liked it a lot. More than ready for book two.
Me, too, Kevin. Really liked Stilwell.
Wish we would get a health update from him as to how he is doing. All I have seen is promos for this book.
I liked it too, though so far at least, he’s no Bosch. Presumably, if the series goes on we will get more of his back story. I liked the idea of the island setting too.
I think the setting was some of the appeal to me, Jeff. As much as I love police procedurals, it wasn’t a big city cop story.
I love the setting, I always wanted to go there!
26 miles in a leaky old boat…