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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ever since picking up a copy of City of Bones at WH Smiths in Glasgow Central Station, I’ve been hooked on Michael Connelly books, and he’s one of the increasing number of writers on my Must Buy list.
Nightshade introduces us to Detective Sergeant Stilwell. Stilwell has a strong sense of Right and Wrong, and wants to see justice done. This has caused problems in a previous assignment, with partners and colleagues that would rather do what’s easy than what’s right.
And so Stilwell finds himself posted to run the show on Catalina Island. It’s been a while since Connelly has taken us there, back in the days of Terry McCaleb.
There’s a feeling that there’s more to learn about Stilwell. We don’t even learn his first name, and like a calm ocean, there may be deep and dangerous undercurrents.
If the exile posting to Catalina was supposed to be a punishment, it’s allowed Stilwell to find a level of peace. He does his job, and is in a new relationship, and may even be happy away from the mainland action. That is until a body is found, wrapped and anchored.
While the case is to be handled by mainland detectives – naturally, the ones Stilwell previously butted heads with – Stilwell finds himself unable to let go of the case when a theft report inadvertently leads him to discover who the murder victim was. While the body may have washed towards Catalina, all the clues point to the perpetrator being on the island, and in hunting down the killer, bigger crimes come to light.
It always feels strange to read a Connelly novel without Bosch, but the author excels at creating leading characters we want to follow, and I feel there’s a lot more for us to learn about Stilwell.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first Michael Connelly book and I really liked it! The small island setting great, and the mystery had me hooked! Detective Stilwell has found himself in Catalina Island tucked away and exiled. I really enjoyed the mystery and enjoyed learning about many of the big players on the island.
There were a lot of sketchy things happening behind the scenes and they were revealed in such a thrilling way. Perfect for fans of police procedurals and twisty investigations. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
A very special thanks to Little Brown for the gifted copy.
There were a lot of sketchy things happening behind the scenes and they were revealed in such a thrilling way. Perfect for fans of police procedurals and twisty investigations. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
A very special thanks to Little Brown for the gifted copy.
Yeah good. Everything I expect from MC. I do want more …
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes