Author:John Connolly
After taking something of a back seat in last year’s The Nameless Ones, Charlie Parker returns to centre stage in this, the twentieth novel in the series. In fact, the book actually comprises two novels, The Sisters Strange and The Furies, both stories being connected by featuring as a setting the salubrious downtown downbeat hotel, The Braycott Arms. All the favourites are here with Parker of course accompanied by the redoubtable Angel and Louis, and there’s even an appearance by the notorious Fulci brothers. The Sisters Strange centres on the theft of some rare coins by a petty criminal, but unfortunately for him the owner is on the hunt to retrieve the artefacts, one of which has some very strange properties. Tied in with this are the enigmatic sisters of the title, both of who are former lovers of the thief, but whose loyalties and motivations are now questionable. The Furies, on the other hand, is a tale set at the beginning of the pandemic as Parker finds himself called on to assist two women, although it soon seems they may be more capable of taking care of business themselves than at first appears. Of the two novels, this story has much more of a pronounced supernatural angle to it, but I have to say I enjoyed each of them equally. I really love Connolly’s writing style, with his dry sardonic, at times almost lyrical, language laced liberally with wry dark humour, and I’d recommend the book unreservedly to fans of his work. Two novels for the price of one, and both excellent reads at that – what’s not to like?
Length of Read:Long
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
Supernatural thrillers
One thing you’ve learned
Connolly fans will be aware that The Sisters Strange appeared originally as an online story released in weekly instalments during the height of the Covid pandemic, but the version that appears here has been substantially reworked and revised, and is now over twice its original length.
Must admit I liked this series better when there wasn’t so much “supernaturalness” but thanks for bringing it to my attention
Same here, LOW. I liked the first few books but then the supernatural stuff was introduced and was used as a plot point instead of all the evil just being caused by warped human nature…that said I do like Charlie’s relationship with Angel and Louis.
The supernatural stuff will always be a barrier between me and this book series.
Poor old Davy Arthur, always gets forgotten.