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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Well shit, we got a new player on the field. I think he's going to work out just fine. I thought this was a nice new character long time Connelly fans can sink their teeth into. There's a hint of Bosch (the main character Stillwell is kicked out of homicide and banished to an island) but is happy with his lot in life living on the island and having a relationship with a local who just gets him and he gets her. That's so unlike Bosch and heck even Ballard now that I think about it. Actually, do any Connelly characters have happy relationships? I digress. The book moves very fluidly and I myself could not put it down. My main reason for giving this one 4 stars though is that there was too much in this first one. It's so jam packed with things happening that after a bit I found it hard to keep some of the names straight. I also wish that Connelly had kept this to just one case. Having this move between cases is typical Connelly, but the second case read as really unfinished to me. I assume if there's a sequel we may hear about it. FYI, long-time Connelly fans may have caught that one line but it definitely shows this is in the Harry Bosch universe. I imagine there's going to be some cross-overs happening (please not Renee, I am so tired of that series).
Nightshade follows LA county Sheriff Detective Stilwell, known as 'Stil.' After a case goes wrong, he is plucked from the mainland and stuck on Catalina Island. He had worries he would not like his new post, but he does, the locals know him, he has a girlfriend, and he is able to keep the peace. That all changes though when he is called out because someone thinks they found a body weighed down in the harbour. There is now an active homicide investigation on Catalina Island which is going to bring back some people in his past that Stil would love to forget. But he still wants to work the case, and hopes to show those that counted him out, that he's still a better cop.
I think other reviewers said it first, but Stil is really a watered down version of Bosch. He doesn't have Bosch's personal ethos, but he wants to make sure gets justice for the woman who was murdered. He also wants to use this case to show up a cop he thinks is wrong and got its swept under the rug. I think that Connelly did a good job of developing Stil, but I guess I needed a bit more. He gets told multiple times this isn't his case and just keeps working it. I imagine a defense attorney would love that. I just didn't get his need outside of his wanting to show up his past colleague to keep working the case. There's an air of selfishness about him that reminded me a bit of Jack McEvoy.
The other characters we get introduced to, such as Tasha, the other deputies, etc. just felt a bit thin for this book. Connelly devotes much of the book to developing the bad guys and the victim.
The flow does goes a bit flat towards the end. But then picks up again.
I liked how this ended, but it definitely is setting the stage for a second book.
Nightshade follows LA county Sheriff Detective Stilwell, known as 'Stil.' After a case goes wrong, he is plucked from the mainland and stuck on Catalina Island. He had worries he would not like his new post, but he does, the locals know him, he has a girlfriend, and he is able to keep the peace. That all changes though when he is called out because someone thinks they found a body weighed down in the harbour. There is now an active homicide investigation on Catalina Island which is going to bring back some people in his past that Stil would love to forget. But he still wants to work the case, and hopes to show those that counted him out, that he's still a better cop.
I think other reviewers said it first, but Stil is really a watered down version of Bosch. He doesn't have Bosch's personal ethos, but he wants to make sure gets justice for the woman who was murdered. He also wants to use this case to show up a cop he thinks is wrong and got its swept under the rug. I think that Connelly did a good job of developing Stil, but I guess I needed a bit more. He gets told multiple times this isn't his case and just keeps working it. I imagine a defense attorney would love that. I just didn't get his need outside of his wanting to show up his past colleague to keep working the case. There's an air of selfishness about him that reminded me a bit of Jack McEvoy.
The other characters we get introduced to, such as Tasha, the other deputies, etc. just felt a bit thin for this book. Connelly devotes much of the book to developing the bad guys and the victim.
The flow does goes a bit flat towards the end. But then picks up again.
I liked how this ended, but it definitely is setting the stage for a second book.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I absolutely love the previous characters that Michael Connelly has created, but I think it might take me another book or two to feel the same way about Stillwell. Stillwell's single mindedness is going to take some getting used to, he doesn't seem to get along well with others and thinks his way is the best (or only) way. I am hopeful that his relationships will improve (even slightly) as the series progresses.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it has been written and published.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it has been written and published.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Det börjar bli lite gammalt, det här med att jag prisar Connellys kompetens, hans gedigna hantverk…
Men här gör han det i alla fall med en ny karaktär!
Det visar sig dock att min lojalitet och nostalgi inte riktigt tillåter så mycket nytt; Renee hängde visserligen på stranden, men träffade Harry regelbundet. Vår nya hjälte befinner sig inte ens på fastlandet, och verkar inte ens känna till Bosch…?
Ok story, bra berättat. Men inte så mycket mer.
Men här gör han det i alla fall med en ny karaktär!
Det visar sig dock att min lojalitet och nostalgi inte riktigt tillåter så mycket nytt; Renee hängde visserligen på stranden, men träffade Harry regelbundet. Vår nya hjälte befinner sig inte ens på fastlandet, och verkar inte ens känna till Bosch…?
Ok story, bra berättat. Men inte så mycket mer.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good interdiction to a new character and the surroundings. I'll be curious if more come from this or if it's a one off. The relationships between the characters is natural and the dialogue is solid. The interviewing of the various storylines worked well.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Probably closer to 3.75 stars for me for the introduction of this new character/series. I’m a big fan of the Harry Bosch Universe and have read the entire series which include The Lincoln Lawyer and Renee Ballard books. I do wonder why Connelly has created a new character that is also LEO investigating murders, also located in SoCal in this separate, new series and didn’t add him into the Bosch Universe. Perhaps there will be crossover in future books…either way I look forward to additional books in this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Gun violence, Kidnapping