Title:	Nightshade
	Author:	Michael Connelly
	Published:	May 20, 2025, Little, Brown & Company
	No. of Pages:	347
	Cover Price:	$15.00 Hardcover, $9.90 Paperback, $14.99 Kindle

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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.