Ticket 2 Ride

Author of The Lincoln Lawyer, Bosch and new series Renee Ballard, Michael Connelly steps out with yet another new character, Detective Sergeant Stilwell.

Both had purple screw-on caps and were labeled NIGHTSHADE. Stilwell thought of the purple wildflowers that grew on some of the island’s hillsides.
“Nightshade,” Sneed said. “She loved that color. Like the flower. I said to her once, ‘Don’t you know that nightshade is poi-sonous?’ But she didn’t care.’

Nightshade (2025, Hatchett) is Connelly’s new book and character. Connelly just wrapped the Amazon series Bosch: Legacy, the upcoming fourth season of The Lincoln Lawyer, and the premiere of the new streaming series, Ballard. Connelly is a very busy guy, so I was surprised that he produced a new character.

The setting of this book is Catalina Island, where Stilwell, a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, leads the small sheriff department’s presence on the island. As idyllic as Catalina may be for tourists, it’s regarded as the backwater of law enforcement, a dumping ground for problem officers. Stilwell took a transfer to the island to get away from a problem in his homicide division. For him, this new assignment is idyllic, he loves the place and has a relationship with an island local.

A case involving a submerged body begins a rocky investigation for Stilwell on several levels. Stilwell isn’t on homicide anymore, so he sidesteps the directive to hand the case off to a detective that he despises. Evidence surfaces that shows a linkage to the island which gives Stilwell cause (in his own mind) to keep on the trail. Eventually, Stilwell is formally brought in the investigation, just as a few events go sideways.

I wasn’t sure I’d embrace this new character and locale, but I warmed up to each. Connelly is a master storyteller, he could make a misplaced set of car keys an interesting read. Catalina was an intriguing setting, I learned much about the island and its history, yet I’m not sure it could be a regular place for murder stories.

Stilwell (no first name given) is an average Joe, a dedicated investigator, has moved into a supervisory role of less committed officers who drive around in golf carts. It’s difficult to picture long term happiness, despite a serious relationship with an islander.

If this book is simply a one-off project, I certainly understand giving Haller, Ballard and Bosch a break. Should Stilwell become a reoccurring character, I’d have to see what that book offers before making any readership commitment. I would give this book a B, mostly due to Connelly’s skill as a writer, and his reputation. As a mystery story, Nightshade is better than average, but just barely. A decent summertime read.