Author:John Connolly
A new arrival in this now long running series of ‘Charlie Parker’ novels, written by Irish author John Connolly. For newcomers, Parker is an ex-cop turned PI, who, along with his cast of colleagues, is very well drawn by the author. However, these novels are not your normal run of the mill crime thrillers, as there is a supernatural element to them. Indeed, this book reminded me greatly of Stephen King’s Mr Mercedes trilogy, with its combination of detective work and the paranormal.
A woman’s buried body is exposed by the movement of a tree in a forest, a woman who had recently given birth. Meanwhile, a child’s toy phone begins to ring at his home, and a series of grisly murders is in progress. Who exactly is Quayle, and what is his purpose – well, no spoilers here I’m afraid, you’ll have to follow Parker’s investigation into the missing child, but there is a real sense of other-worldliness running through this book, and both the living and the dead have their roles to play. A complicated plot, with richly drawn characters, that will suck you in and leave you wanting the next volume to come along as soon as possible.
Length of Read:Long
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
Stephen King, crime novels with an unusual twist.
One thing you’ve learned
This is the first novel in this series that I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last.
davebigpicture says
My signed copy, with accompanying CD, arrived today as I was leaving the house. The Parker books are the only ones I wait for and buy as close to release as possible. After a slight dip, they seem to be back to full strength story wise. That’s my Easter weekend sorted.
@Bargepole if you’re going to read more then it’s probably worth going back to the first book Every Dead Thing.
BTW, the author told me he was a Word subscriber.
Bargepole says
Thanks, I’ll do that – what is on the cd, by the way?
davebigpicture says
I’ll let you know. I only had time to unwrap the parcel before I had to leave.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Just finished – I think I preferred things Parker when they weren’t quite so mystical but, as ever with Connolly, a damn fine read. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Bargie.