Nightshade: A New Hero Rises in Connelly’s Crimeverse

This post contains affiliate links [*]. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Michael Connelly has long been hailed as “the undisputed master of the modern crime novel” (Real Book Spy), and his recent offering, Nightshade, proves he’s not about to relinquish that title anytime soon. You can find it on Amazon[*] or your favorite indie bookstore.

 

Although Connelly didn’t really vanish, it feels like his return is something to celebrate. The bestselling author behind iconic characters like Harry Bosch and the Lincoln Lawyer introduced Nightshade, the inaugural installment of the Catalina series, back in May, published by Little, Brown and Company. Unfortunately, the advance reader copy (ARC) I received took its sweet time arriving, buried in a pile of other books, but here I am, finally ready to share my thoughts.

Set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Los Angeles, Nightshade follows County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell, who’s been banished—almost like a Shakespearean hero—to the laid-back precinct of Catalina Island. It’s a fate worse than death for a detective accustomed to the mainland's gritty chaos, but Stilwell’s new assignment is anything but tranquil. While he grapples with the usual shenanigans of tourists and locals alike—think sunburned vacationers and the occasional petty thief—an unsettling discovery shifts the narrative into darker waters. A body, a Jane Doe, has been found, her identity as murky as the ocean depths, save for one striking detail: a streak of purple hair dye.

As if that weren’t enough to complicate Stilwell’s life, a report of poaching in a protected nature reserve throws a wrench into his investigative gears, leading him down a perilous path filled with hidden agendas and island elites with more shadowed pasts than a film noir.

What I love about Connelly is his gift for turning procedural norms on their head like a Wild West gunslinger. Detective Stilwell isn’t just a cog in the wheel; he’s a detective on a mission—thwarted at every turn by an old rival who seems intent on sabotaging his quest for justice. As Stilwell digs deeper into the mysteries of Nightshade, he uncovers dark secrets that reveal Catalina Island’s idyllic facade is merely a thin veneer hiding a world of duplicity.

Despite some characters feeling a touch less fleshed out than I’d prefer in a police procedural, it’s a minor quibble compared to Connelly’s strengths. His meticulous attention to detail and authentic narrative—honed by years as a crime journalist—bring an undeniable richness to the story. The pacing of the murder mystery pulls readers along like a riptide; you could call it a “page-turner” if you didn’t want to sound pretentious.

In the grand scheme of literature, Nightshade might not earn a trophy for “Masterwork of the Year,” but it doesn’t need to. It proudly wears its badge as a fast-paced crime mystery that introduces an intriguing detective, making it an engaging ride from start to finish.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Nightshade. It isn’t Shakespeare—it’s more like a summer blockbuster that has you munching popcorn instead of analyzing metaphors. Connelly once again delivers a propulsive and atmospheric must-read, and I highly recommend diving into this tale. Just remember to keep an eye on the waves; you never know what secrets they may hold. ╌★★★★✰

⁓B.J. Burgess