Nightshade

I won't rehash the plot line that has already been discussed by other reviews.I will say that even though the Harry Bosch series was far from getting stale, this is a wonderful departure and the introduction of another new police officer. The story line has interesting characters and good plot development. Even though it is a police procedural story like Bosch, it is still different, especially since it moves away form the metropolitan Los Angeles area. The descriptions of Catalina Island had be digging into Google Earth to get a better feel for the locations.I just hope he continues with this character line to see how things develop with Deputy Stillwell and and Tash. I can't imagine that Catalina is a hotbed of homicide, but I guess we will have to see what happens out there.

I was underwhelmed by the last Ballard/Bosch book Connelly put out; I kind of felt he had lost the pure magic of real detectives work in the modern world. This book and the introduction of Stilwell has proved me quite wrong! Maybe it was the change of scenery, or the new cast of characters but I couldn’t put this one down. It is up to par with my favorite Bosch books, and I think Stil and Bosch would be great friends if their paths are ever to cross in the future!

I’m a big Michael Connelly fan, especially the Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller books, then more recently the stories of police officers Jenkins and Renee Ballard. So II was looking forward to reading Connelly’s newest mystery, and meeting new characters (truly, Connelly has a gift for making his characters REAL to the reader). Admittedly, it’s been awhile since I got this it but it’s been percolating in my brain for months…a good sign, right? Not necessarily…I truly enjoyed pretty much all the Connelly books I have read, but for some reason Nightshade just didn’t do it for me. I’m the first to admit it might be MY problem, nothing wrong with the story, plot, or characters. And possibly the reason I liked the others more is because this one is more plot-driven, rather than giving me a story about some old friends? (Also, the pacing was a bit slow at times).A detective named Stilwell from the LASD is the new character. I’m a Southern California native who grew up loving Catalina, so it was somewhat of a headscratcher when in this book Stilwell’s reassignment to this beautiful island is somewhat a banishment or demotion… He investigates two crimes in this one, starting with a corpse weighed down under a ship in the harbor, and the other exploring hunting (actually poaching) on a protected reserve. Both social class and departmental politics are big factors as he works the cases, and Stilwell even has time to have a romance going on.I was SO hoping that after reading this, I would be eagerly awaiting the next adventure of this new detective, but I’m afraid I’m not that invested in what happens next. I’m actually shocked, TBH, because Connelly has long been one of those authors about whom I am THRILLED to learn of a new book. I will read the next one, and try not to go into it with negativity, but I’m sad to say I can only give this one three stars. And I still don’t know Stilwell’s real backstory or even his last name!

Another winner for Connelly. His idea to set this story up on Catalina Island was a great one. The island natives were compelling, same for the descriptions of the island itself, and the dual investigations Stilwell had on his plate were strong. Where I've got to nitpick a little is with Stilwell himself. He is basically a carbon copy of Bosch, only twenty+ years younger and minus the childhood trauma. I was surprised the words "everybody matters, or nobody matters" were never uttered by him. The job will always be #1 in his life, personal relationships and office politics be damned. Renee Ballard has some Harry in her as well, but her backstory in The Late Show was much more interesting than Stilwell's. We learn precious little about Stilwell, other than the reason he was banished to Catalina. That reason also felt overly familiar. NItpicking aside, I'll gladly dive back in for book 2, if for no other reason than to imagine myself back on that island.

usually enjoyable Michael Connelly book. 'Ive been following him since his first book when he introduced character who was Vietnam vet whose job was tunnel rat.going underground to find the enemy hiding in tunnels. This left PTSD issues but his character has keen insight, integrity and no use for the politics involved in his job. I've read every book since then and the only one I didnt enjoy was The Poet due the horrific violence , if my memory serves.