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adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this new Connelly character! I love the Catalina setting and learning more about that unique part of California. The mystery was good and left plenty of fodder for future books, both in the potential for crime/murder to be solved on the island and in my interest in these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the author, but this main character was unlikable. I’m over the “cop who breaks all the rules”. He was mostly rude and annoying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Murder
Minor: Suicide
I really enjoyed this new series from Connelly featuring “exiled” Detective Sergeant Stilwell (“Stil”), who is sent to Catalina Island to serve as their local sheriff after a falling out with the LA homicide unit.
Stilwell is calm, intelligent, and methodical. He doggedly investigates the death of a young woman who is found tethered to an anchor at the bottom of the harbor, despite being told that LA Homicide will handle it. His unwillingness to give an inch when investigating a case is what got him into trouble to begin with, and I really liked that about him.
I have read a few novels in Connelly’s other series, but this one seemed more compelling. While I love watching police procedurals on TV, they aren’t my favorite genre to read. But I think Connelly nails the ability to draw in even readers who don’t love the genre.
NOTE: There is another case about the beheading of a protected buffalo on the island. It’s not graphic, but is still disturbing. In the future, I hope Connelly avoids any animal cruelty or deaths in this series.
I hope this series is successful enough that it’s turned into another streaming series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death