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Ironwood

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Ironwood

By: Michael Connelly
Narrated by: Will Damron
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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THE NEW BLOCKBUSTER THRILLER FROM MILLION COPY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER MICHAEL CONNELLY

'The second book in the new series from America's greatest living crime writer is another absolutely unputdownable police procedural' DAILY MIRROR

'If you're not yet a Connelly reader, this is as good an entry point as you will find' FINANCIAL TIMES
'All the characters are well drawn and the interplay is complex but rewarding. The man can do no wrong' BELFAST TELEGRAPH

****
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 imagine.

'If you're not yet a Connelly reader, this is as good an entry point as you will find' FINANCIAL TIMES

'Pacy, ably-structured, well-written... a very good holiday read' THE CRITIC

CRIME DOESN'T COME BETTER THAN CONNELLY:

'The pre-eminent detective novelist of his generation'
IAN RANKIN

'The best mystery writer in the world'
GQ

'A superb natural storyteller'
LEE CHILD

'A master'
STEPHEN KING

'America's greatest living crime writer'
DAILY EXPRESS

'One of the great storytellers of crime fiction'
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH©2026 Hieronymus, Inc. (P)2026 Hachette Book Group USA Crime Thrillers Mystery Organized Crime Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense True Crime Aviation Fiction Detective Thriller
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All stars
Most relevant
hooked from start to finish. Michael Connelly remains the best in the business. multi layered story, great characters. twists and turns on every page

Masterclass by the number 1 crime fiction writer

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I genuinely loved the ending. I didn’t expect it.

The story was enjoyable but I enjoyed earlier books more. I think Harry Bosh was such a great character it’s difficult for others to follow.

Brilliant ending

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Great story, excellent characters and superb reading/performance - Mr Connoelly is really one of the best. I’m hoping that the next in series will arrive soon

outstanding!!

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He does not have stuff just to fill pages. His story telling is impeccable and very twisted.

Connelly is the best

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This is a good second outing for Stillwell; likeable characters and setting and the story’s compelling. Stillwell is different enough from Bosch, Ballard and Haller to have forged his own space in the MC universe!! I feel like he’s more of a spiritual heir of McCaleb - what with the setting on Catalina, I just hope MC finds enough stories to keep the series going and keep it rooted on Catalina.

Stillwell finds his place

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