Ironwood
By Michael Connelly
- Release Date: 2026-05-19
- Genre: Police Procedural
Description
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Sworn to protect a scenic island meant to be far from the evils of the mainland, Detective Sergeant Stilwell can feel danger closing in.
Detective Sergeant Stilwell knows that his posting on Catalina Island is no paradise, but to most residents, it seems blissfully separated—by twenty-two miles of ocean—from the troubles of Los Angeles County. But now a threat is coming to his safe haven.
Acting on a tip from a confidential informant, Stilwell and his deputies watch a plane land in the middle of the night at the Airport in the Sky, a remote airstrip in the mountains. A duffel bag of drugs is dropped and the deputies move in, but things quickly go sideways. While Stilwell chases the fleeing pickup man into the mountainside brush, shots are fired on the runway and the plane flies off.
An internal inquiry follows, putting Stilwell on the bench until he is cleared of responsibility for the disastrous operation. But he is determined to find out who brought deadly violence to his island, and begins his own secret investigation into the drug deal gone wrong.
While under orders to remain in the sheriff’s substation, he finds in the lost and found a valuable backpack that was never claimed. He traces it to a woman who disappeared while hiking on the island four years ago. But then why was the pack only turned in two months back? Now thoroughly intrigued, he follows the mystery all the way to the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit and Detective Renée Ballard.
Stilwell and Ballard work the case from both sides of the channel, and soon realize they are on the trail of a criminal who revels in taunting the authorities. Meanwhile, frustrated at being shut out of an investigation on his own island, Stilwell risks his already shaky standing in the department to pursue a case whose reach is wider than he ever imagined.
Page-turning, packed with intrigue, and bringing together an unstoppable investigative team, Ironwood continues the Catalina series with all of Michael Connelly’s signature “relentless narrative drive…evocative atmosphere, realistic dialogue, and well-developed characters” (Washington Review of Books).
Reviews
Really enjoying this series!
5By TourDFrance?The character development is very good with believable twists and turns …..fun read!Couldn’t put it down, ending was a shame
4By Mike112111111I really hope the next book picks up where this one left off. Needs a proper ending!Ironwood
5By SSPJ24Great book, loved mixing others in from the Bosch universe. Ending was a bit abrupt, as there were a couple of loose ends to tieWhat?
3By Greywolf8577Great read going along nicely reached the excitement level and then ,,,,, that’s it?…it ends like that?Ironwood - fitting title
5By Vicki VorhiesKept my attention throughout the book! Excellent and suspenseful reading!!Good but not his best
3By G'Dad12Slow start, then really got going but ending could have been better. Entertaining but just not the Connelly stories I am used to from reading all of his books.Catalina Cops
5By K508Catalina Island is the scene of another outstanding thriller!Michael Connelly at his best
5By DNuxieOutstanding! Love it!Very poor ending
2By SEOhioPretty good story but it really feels like the author ran out of juice atd the end and couldn't finish the story. Lousy way to try to hook the reader into buying the next book.What an ending
2By GreatgatorUFI never thought I would say this but Connelly turned a suspenseful and awesome novel into nothingness with a lazy finish. What a shame.Ironwood
5By Davegg54Connelly NEVER disappoints!A Great Story
5By coreanmanThis is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Wasn’t happy with the ending. ENJOY!!!Page Turner
5By goldydaoneAnother quick, fun, suspenseful read from Connelly. Highly recommended.Ok plot - 3 crime story!
4By YBqueenLike main character- liked references to Bosch and Ballard. Made me want to me never visit Catalina again. Am sure it will be part of a series,Lazy ending
1By thejackreaderCould have been a good book. If not for the laziest and worst ending this otherwise great author has ever written.Ironwood
4By JoanabakeFun and quick read.Ride Along
4By Handsome SmittyStarts in a rush and the pace never let up. Many cases, turns, and nail-biting moments. Less action than normal, and the Ballard crossover ending is a little clunky…too pat. Again, it’s like a ride-along with a real detective—can’t knock that!Ironwood
5By MeechemillAnother great book by Michael Connolly couldn’t put it down. Finished it in two days.!
