This is a new series for Michael Connelly. His previous series were about Los Angeles Police Detective Harry Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer, his half-brother Mickey Haller. Connelly has a relatively new series about Renee Ballard. The Harry Bosch series has 24 novels and the Lincoln Lawyer series has six books. Yes, I have read them all. His other series about Renee Ballard has four novels. Unfortunately, I have not been a fan of this character. Connelly has also written a series of three books about Jack McEvoy and three books about Terry McCaleb, which I enjoyed.
This story takes place on Catalina Island just off the coast of Los Angeles. Detective Sergeant Stilwell has been banished to this island for police misfits. Stilwell had a murder investigation that went sideways partly due to fellow detective Ahearn, who cut corners on the case. Ahearn receives a warning, but Stilwell is banished. Turns out Catalina is a great fit for Stilwell. He also has a budding romantic interest in Tasha, the island’s harbormaster.
Stilwell usually sees petty thefts and drunk and disorderlies. Most of his deputies are inept, which lends a little humor to a serious situation. First, there is a bizarre crime of the beheading of a buffalo in a protected park. Second, a valuable black jade marlin statue is stolen from the very exclusive Black Jade Marlin Yacht Club. Third, a woman’s body is found in a bag that is held down with an anchor near the harbor. Her only identifying feature is a streak of purple dye in her hair. Soon, the detectives refer to her as Nightshade.
Stilwell is content with letting LAPD handle the investigation until he learns the lead detective is Ahearn! Stilwell is ordered to assist his nemesis. He follows orders until he realizes Ahearn is cutting corners and jumping to conclusions again. Stilwell defies his orders and begins to investigate the murder, along with his cases of the tortured buffalo and missing statue. He begins to discover peaceful Catalina is full of secrets and criminals.
“Nightshade” is a fast-paced novel that is filled with twists and surprises that guarantee to keep the reader guessing. Stilwell is a likable character. I am pretty sure there will be more novels in this series.
Find out more about Michael Connelly and his novels at www.michaelconnelly.com.
