Nightshade by Michael Connelly @michaelconnellybooks@michaelconnelly.bsky.social @jwdamron @jwdamron.bsky.social @hachetteaudio @hachetteaudio.bsky.social #DetectiveStilwell #Nightshade

the setup…
Detective Sergeant Stilwell works for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, assigned to Catalina Island, where all the misfits are sent for penitence. He was with the Homicide Division before he found himself ensnared in department politics. While he’s investigating a poaching incident on a protected reserve, he gets a report of a body weighed down in the harbor. It appears to be a woman who has dark hair and a purple streak, later identified and nicknamed “Nightshade.” Stilwell attempts to work both cases despite the murder belonging to the mainland group and finds himself reckoning with high profile suspects and his nemesis in Homicide.

the heart of the story…
Stilwell is a unique character on the island, content with his assignment on Catalina but still resentful of how he got there. He’s a renegade but not outwardly so and has the respect of his subordinates and the others in law enforcement. Stilwell has great instincts and a strong moral compass but doesn’t shy away from the gray lines. It didn’t take long for me to root for him and take an instant liking to the man.

the narration…
Will Damron is a perfect voice and fit for Stilwell. He’s one of my favorites and delivered another great performance. I hope he’s the permanent voice of the series.

the bottom line…
I’m a die-hard fan of Harry Bosch so Stilwell had big shoes to fill, which he stepped into nicely. The cases were interesting and the procedurals authentic and realistic. Stilwell knitted the clues together to figure things out without a lot of drama and I happily followed him. The Catalina Island setting just made it even more delicious. I’m so ready for more of him and this series.

Book Info

• Release Date: May 20, 2025
• Series: Detective Stilwell #1
• Narrator: Will Damron
• Audio Length: 9 hours, 3 minutes
• Publisher: Hachette Audio

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