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Charlie Parker #23
A River Red with Blood
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26
New York Times
bestselling author John Connolly delivers a gripping new thriller in the beloved Charlie Parker series about two intertwined disappearances that leave a rural community in shock.
In Maine’s rural Kennebec River Valley, the body of a young man who ran away from a “troubled teens” school has been found in the water, apparently drowned after breaking his leg. Meanwhile, a teenage girl, not connected to the school, has gone missing and only one man will be up to the task of solving the two linked disappearances.
In Maine’s rural Kennebec River Valley, the body of a young man who ran away from a “troubled teens” school has been found in the water, apparently drowned after breaking his leg. Meanwhile, a teenage girl, not connected to the school, has gone missing and only one man will be up to the task of solving the two linked disappearances.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2026
154 people are currently reading
8059 people want to read
About the author
John Connolly
224 books8,036 followersJohn Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 31, 2026
What can I say I like Charlie Parker novels, love all the characters who are involved and if you haven’t read any of them yet here’s a short summary of what they are about.Charlie is a former police officer who’s wife and daughter are brutally murdered,he doesn’t get answers and leaves the police department to become a private investigator. He has the ability to talk with his daughter from beyond, she helps him solve complex cases.Then enters all his friends !A former hit man gangster Louis and his boyfriend who is dying from cancer and can also talk to the departed Angel, two huge thugs that will do anything for him the Fulco brothers and a medium named Sabine who tracks missing children and is also a medium these stories are filled with such interesting characters and that’s not even touching on the villains some just evil some with deals with spirits and evil angels and occult villains you never know who he will be dealing with next so if this is what you’re interested in give them a try, I feel you won’t be disappointed there are many books some better than others but the characters always keeps it interesting.
February 3, 2026
A masterpiece. After several installments of not getting too much new in terms of progression with the lore, this one paid off in full.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Note: This review was originally published at FanFiAddict.
Maine PI Charlie Parker returns for his twenty-third outing in John Connolly’s A River Red With Blood. This time around, Parker and Connolly square-off against the troubled-teen industry.
Imprisoned father Ward Vose hires Parker via an attorney to investigate the death of his son, Scott Theriault, whose corpse was found in the Kennebec River. Theriault, it’s posited, ran away from the Spero School – a behavior modification joint for at-risk teens whose parents can’t deal with them anymore – and rather than flee toward civilization went several miles deeper into the woods, broke his leg and drowned. Vose doesn’t buy the official story and Parker finds himself compelled to assist the grieving father, especially as news grows of a missing girl, Mallory Norton, who may have been linked to Theriault.
Connolly layers in additional complications, as well, like a group of twisted killers who participate in what they The Game. We’re introduced to them during a hunt for their next victim in Detroit. I have to say, as a metro-Detroiter, it’s always nice to see some Michigan representation and familiar locales getting unexpectedly name-dropped in this Maine-centric series from an Irish author! Meanwhile, further east, professional hitman and Parker confidante, Louis, learns of a hit that’s been placed on him.
And then there’s the wrinkle of old memories resurfacing in Parker’s mind, and dreams shared by Louis and Angel, of lives that may not be their own… These minor hints at notions of reincarnation serve to deepen the mythology underpinning this long-running series, as well as the relationship between Parker and his unlikely allies. Painting these figures as lost souls bound to one another across time and space gives this overarching mythos some added philosophical weight, as well, not to mention some minor shades of Roland’s own ka-tet in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. Parker’s reflections on these new dimensions of his relationship to those around him draws on French thinkers and musings on masculine emotion and love, reminding us of just how well read both Parker and Connolly are. If Parker isn’t already the heir apparent to Robert B. Parker’s Boston gumshoe, Spenser, he’s certainly in the running.
While A River Red With Blood is smart, smart-mouthed, and literate, it’s also grisly in its depiction of life within the academic halls of the metaphorically and possibly literally haunted Spero. Much like Tananarive Due’s excellent historical horror book, The Reformatory, Connolly reminds us of the real-life terrors these types of schools and their “tough love” approach to remodeling children’s behavior are best known for. Students are pitted against one another, and the school itself is run on a hierarchy of sociopathy. There’s little to distinguish these academies from juvenile detention centers, making them hardly more than prisons with a school curriculum for tortured youths.
Like all good, long-lasting crime and horror fiction, Connolly uses his work to hold up an empathetic mirror to society. That so much focus lies on child detention facilities by another name and the abusive, sociopathic officials running them, in our era of prison industrial complexes and ICE sweeps to abduct and disappear immigrants and their children, not to mention US citizens, hardly feels coincidental. Connolly makes direct note of this, even, as Maine has been pushed into a climate of government-created and mandated fear by overreaching federal immigration taskforces running amok and terrorizing communities, and reminding us of the hard and harsh realities of life as an inmate for both Vose and, by extension, his son. As Connolly reminds us, if the system can get away with doing it to the weak – like poor immigrant laborers and children – eventually it’ll get around to doing it to you, too. Just ask Alex Peretti and Renee Nicole Good.
Maine PI Charlie Parker returns for his twenty-third outing in John Connolly’s A River Red With Blood. This time around, Parker and Connolly square-off against the troubled-teen industry.
Imprisoned father Ward Vose hires Parker via an attorney to investigate the death of his son, Scott Theriault, whose corpse was found in the Kennebec River. Theriault, it’s posited, ran away from the Spero School – a behavior modification joint for at-risk teens whose parents can’t deal with them anymore – and rather than flee toward civilization went several miles deeper into the woods, broke his leg and drowned. Vose doesn’t buy the official story and Parker finds himself compelled to assist the grieving father, especially as news grows of a missing girl, Mallory Norton, who may have been linked to Theriault.
Connolly layers in additional complications, as well, like a group of twisted killers who participate in what they The Game. We’re introduced to them during a hunt for their next victim in Detroit. I have to say, as a metro-Detroiter, it’s always nice to see some Michigan representation and familiar locales getting unexpectedly name-dropped in this Maine-centric series from an Irish author! Meanwhile, further east, professional hitman and Parker confidante, Louis, learns of a hit that’s been placed on him.
And then there’s the wrinkle of old memories resurfacing in Parker’s mind, and dreams shared by Louis and Angel, of lives that may not be their own… These minor hints at notions of reincarnation serve to deepen the mythology underpinning this long-running series, as well as the relationship between Parker and his unlikely allies. Painting these figures as lost souls bound to one another across time and space gives this overarching mythos some added philosophical weight, as well, not to mention some minor shades of Roland’s own ka-tet in Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. Parker’s reflections on these new dimensions of his relationship to those around him draws on French thinkers and musings on masculine emotion and love, reminding us of just how well read both Parker and Connolly are. If Parker isn’t already the heir apparent to Robert B. Parker’s Boston gumshoe, Spenser, he’s certainly in the running.
While A River Red With Blood is smart, smart-mouthed, and literate, it’s also grisly in its depiction of life within the academic halls of the metaphorically and possibly literally haunted Spero. Much like Tananarive Due’s excellent historical horror book, The Reformatory, Connolly reminds us of the real-life terrors these types of schools and their “tough love” approach to remodeling children’s behavior are best known for. Students are pitted against one another, and the school itself is run on a hierarchy of sociopathy. There’s little to distinguish these academies from juvenile detention centers, making them hardly more than prisons with a school curriculum for tortured youths.
Like all good, long-lasting crime and horror fiction, Connolly uses his work to hold up an empathetic mirror to society. That so much focus lies on child detention facilities by another name and the abusive, sociopathic officials running them, in our era of prison industrial complexes and ICE sweeps to abduct and disappear immigrants and their children, not to mention US citizens, hardly feels coincidental. Connolly makes direct note of this, even, as Maine has been pushed into a climate of government-created and mandated fear by overreaching federal immigration taskforces running amok and terrorizing communities, and reminding us of the hard and harsh realities of life as an inmate for both Vose and, by extension, his son. As Connolly reminds us, if the system can get away with doing it to the weak – like poor immigrant laborers and children – eventually it’ll get around to doing it to you, too. Just ask Alex Peretti and Renee Nicole Good.
May 7, 2026
Once again, John Connolly has written another five star entry in his Charlie Parker series, this book being entry # 23.
In A River Runs Red With Blood, Parker decides to take on the case of a teen found dead in the remote Maine woods, after having disappeared from the “troubled teen” school he was sent to by his mother and stepfather. At the same time, a local girl has gone missing, and it’s unclear if the two cases are related or not. There is also a parallel story of men who engage in the abduction and torture of women. The development of the plot is a slow burn, and in this entry, the supernatural elements that have helped make the series very engaging to this reader have a more prominent role.
As is usual, Mr. Connolly’s writing is outstanding. Character development is once again well done. I truly had a hard time putting the book down.
Highly recommended but this is not an entry level novel for those who are interested in the series.
In A River Runs Red With Blood, Parker decides to take on the case of a teen found dead in the remote Maine woods, after having disappeared from the “troubled teen” school he was sent to by his mother and stepfather. At the same time, a local girl has gone missing, and it’s unclear if the two cases are related or not. There is also a parallel story of men who engage in the abduction and torture of women. The development of the plot is a slow burn, and in this entry, the supernatural elements that have helped make the series very engaging to this reader have a more prominent role.
As is usual, Mr. Connolly’s writing is outstanding. Character development is once again well done. I truly had a hard time putting the book down.
Highly recommended but this is not an entry level novel for those who are interested in the series.
April 17, 2026
Thanks to Altria for an advance copy of this fine book!
John Connolly is my favorite author, and for me this is the best one yet. Charlie Parker is one of the most interesting characters I’ve come across in fiction - so complex, with a complicated past and present, and the driest sense of humor. Through the arc of the books, the backstory has been developed and this book hones in on that. The mystery to be solved involves a horrific school for troubled boys, serial rape-murders, a young girl’s disappearance, and a contract for a hit on Louis. But the best part for me is the lyrical writing that carries me deep into the story.
Fans will love this book - but I advise against starting the series with this one - go back to the beginning. You’ll be glad you did.
John Connolly is my favorite author, and for me this is the best one yet. Charlie Parker is one of the most interesting characters I’ve come across in fiction - so complex, with a complicated past and present, and the driest sense of humor. Through the arc of the books, the backstory has been developed and this book hones in on that. The mystery to be solved involves a horrific school for troubled boys, serial rape-murders, a young girl’s disappearance, and a contract for a hit on Louis. But the best part for me is the lyrical writing that carries me deep into the story.
Fans will love this book - but I advise against starting the series with this one - go back to the beginning. You’ll be glad you did.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A River Red With Blood, the twenty-third title in John Connolly’s international bestselling Charlie Parker series, is set in Maine’s rural Kennebec River Valley. It is a gritty, twisty, and absorbing blend of a supernatural crime thriller, horror, and hardboiled detective mystery. But does it measure up to its predecessors? Read my review.
An eccentric private detective and his longtime associates work to untangle a web of murder and contemporary wickedness linked with ancient supernatural evil in this dark, riveting crime thriller from John Connolly, the bestselling author of the Charlie Parker series.
A horrifying crime. A tenacious investigator. A supernatural thriller of epic proportions.
In the rural Kennebec River Valley in northern Maine, the body of a teenage runaway from a private disciplinary school for boys is discovered in the water. It appeared he had broken his right leg before going into the water. The Maine authorities ruled it an accidental drowning, a death by misadventure, but the boy’s father, Ward Vose, an inmate at the Maine State Prison doesn’t believe it. Vose feels sure someone killed his son.
Called in to investigate the circumstances of the troubled boy’s death is Charlie Parker, a private investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by his eccentricity. Parker visits Vose at the prison and listens to his story. Unconvinced that anything had happened but an accidental drowning, he still takes the case after Vose tells him his son’s death may be connected to a teenage girl living near his son’s school, who has gone missing. Parker then discovers a past acquaintance with the reputation of being a medium who communicates with the dead, is also in the area attempting to find the missing girl or her remains.
Soon, the mystery takes a disturbing supernatural turn. Parker uncovers a critical clue. It all makes for a thorny puzzle when he learns that present-day evil may be connected to an ancient one that holds a personal connection for him.
My Review
Having read all the books in the series, I am well acquainted with and thoroughly enjoy John Connolly’s writing. He is a gifted storyteller and writer. While the books of this series always contain elements of supernatural and horror, the majority are more crime thrillers than supernatural, which is what I most enjoy reading. But Connolly does such a brilliant job of writing both elements and blending them into a complex whole that I always find his stories entertaining and enjoyable reading even though I don’t generally read novels about forces, beings, or occurrences existing outside the laws of the physical universe that cannot be explained by science.
While an entertaining and worthwhile read, A River Red With Blood, isn’t my favorite Charlie Parker novel. While the violence in these books tends to be graphic and disturbing, the graphic descriptions of child abuse, torture, and rape in this novel were at times hard to read and may be too graphic and disturbing for some readers. This is in no way meant as criticism of Connolly’s work. None of the violence was gratuitous but important to the overall story. And after all, it is a work of fiction, a well-crafted one with both new and familiar vivid characters. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it for crime thriller fans who would like to read a crime thriller with a unique twist and for horror and paranormal fans who might enjoy a bit of realism along with fantasy. Of course, Charlie Parker fans like me will find it another welcome addition to the series.
I received a digital advanced reader’s copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley used for this honest review.
An eccentric private detective and his longtime associates work to untangle a web of murder and contemporary wickedness linked with ancient supernatural evil in this dark, riveting crime thriller from John Connolly, the bestselling author of the Charlie Parker series.
A horrifying crime. A tenacious investigator. A supernatural thriller of epic proportions.
In the rural Kennebec River Valley in northern Maine, the body of a teenage runaway from a private disciplinary school for boys is discovered in the water. It appeared he had broken his right leg before going into the water. The Maine authorities ruled it an accidental drowning, a death by misadventure, but the boy’s father, Ward Vose, an inmate at the Maine State Prison doesn’t believe it. Vose feels sure someone killed his son.
Called in to investigate the circumstances of the troubled boy’s death is Charlie Parker, a private investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by his eccentricity. Parker visits Vose at the prison and listens to his story. Unconvinced that anything had happened but an accidental drowning, he still takes the case after Vose tells him his son’s death may be connected to a teenage girl living near his son’s school, who has gone missing. Parker then discovers a past acquaintance with the reputation of being a medium who communicates with the dead, is also in the area attempting to find the missing girl or her remains.
Soon, the mystery takes a disturbing supernatural turn. Parker uncovers a critical clue. It all makes for a thorny puzzle when he learns that present-day evil may be connected to an ancient one that holds a personal connection for him.
My Review
Having read all the books in the series, I am well acquainted with and thoroughly enjoy John Connolly’s writing. He is a gifted storyteller and writer. While the books of this series always contain elements of supernatural and horror, the majority are more crime thrillers than supernatural, which is what I most enjoy reading. But Connolly does such a brilliant job of writing both elements and blending them into a complex whole that I always find his stories entertaining and enjoyable reading even though I don’t generally read novels about forces, beings, or occurrences existing outside the laws of the physical universe that cannot be explained by science.
While an entertaining and worthwhile read, A River Red With Blood, isn’t my favorite Charlie Parker novel. While the violence in these books tends to be graphic and disturbing, the graphic descriptions of child abuse, torture, and rape in this novel were at times hard to read and may be too graphic and disturbing for some readers. This is in no way meant as criticism of Connolly’s work. None of the violence was gratuitous but important to the overall story. And after all, it is a work of fiction, a well-crafted one with both new and familiar vivid characters. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it for crime thriller fans who would like to read a crime thriller with a unique twist and for horror and paranormal fans who might enjoy a bit of realism along with fantasy. Of course, Charlie Parker fans like me will find it another welcome addition to the series.
I received a digital advanced reader’s copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley used for this honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 Stars ⭐️
I went back and read my last few reviews from this series and laughed to myself because most of them started with some variation of "I'm not sure how to review this series" - Of course, that is paraphrasing but it's funny because that was how I was going to start this one (before I went back and read the prior reviews).
The reason that I think I start with that is because this series is TRULY one of the most unique and original storylines, while also being so blatantly different from any other out there - and trust me, I read A LOT of books. There are the normal storylines following Charlie's PI cases, but there is also a HUGE overarching storyline of supernatural involvement that has been unfolding little by little with each new book. And it is NOT your usual perception of something easy like maybe ghosts. No, we get to see real EVIL, angels (and NOT the good kind), and yes, sometimes ghosts as well.
We have learned early on that Charlie's murdered daughter Jennifer, is at the center of the things that are happening, and now we are learning that Charlie, Loius and Angel have a connection that transcends the norm. What that is - that is something that we are beginning to understand more and more with each new book. But Mr. Connolly excels in creating such CHILLING, spine tingling, and let's be honest...creepy atmospheres, while at the same time pulling you in and getting you to want to keep going in order to try to finally understand what is going on.
We have followed Charlie Parker for YEARS as he had evolved and grown, but Charlie is a man who has dealt with immense trauma - you could even say he is a magnet for pain.
In this book, Charlie takes on a case from a client of one of his attorney friends dealing with the death of the son of one of his inmate clients. It takes the investigation to a type of reform school that the boy had been sent to - The Spero. The Spero is NOT a good place.
At the same time, we get an alternate storyline centering around a group of men who have been playing what they call "The Game. " This is in essence where they kidnap, rape and murder women on a certain schedule with certain rules. Are the two lines of investigation related? That is what he is going to find out.
This was another winner and I liked the fact that we are finally getting more and more information regarding the relationship - and possibly "prior" relationships between our favorite trio of friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on June 2, 2026.
I went back and read my last few reviews from this series and laughed to myself because most of them started with some variation of "I'm not sure how to review this series" - Of course, that is paraphrasing but it's funny because that was how I was going to start this one (before I went back and read the prior reviews).
The reason that I think I start with that is because this series is TRULY one of the most unique and original storylines, while also being so blatantly different from any other out there - and trust me, I read A LOT of books. There are the normal storylines following Charlie's PI cases, but there is also a HUGE overarching storyline of supernatural involvement that has been unfolding little by little with each new book. And it is NOT your usual perception of something easy like maybe ghosts. No, we get to see real EVIL, angels (and NOT the good kind), and yes, sometimes ghosts as well.
We have learned early on that Charlie's murdered daughter Jennifer, is at the center of the things that are happening, and now we are learning that Charlie, Loius and Angel have a connection that transcends the norm. What that is - that is something that we are beginning to understand more and more with each new book. But Mr. Connolly excels in creating such CHILLING, spine tingling, and let's be honest...creepy atmospheres, while at the same time pulling you in and getting you to want to keep going in order to try to finally understand what is going on.
We have followed Charlie Parker for YEARS as he had evolved and grown, but Charlie is a man who has dealt with immense trauma - you could even say he is a magnet for pain.
In this book, Charlie takes on a case from a client of one of his attorney friends dealing with the death of the son of one of his inmate clients. It takes the investigation to a type of reform school that the boy had been sent to - The Spero. The Spero is NOT a good place.
At the same time, we get an alternate storyline centering around a group of men who have been playing what they call "The Game. " This is in essence where they kidnap, rape and murder women on a certain schedule with certain rules. Are the two lines of investigation related? That is what he is going to find out.
This was another winner and I liked the fact that we are finally getting more and more information regarding the relationship - and possibly "prior" relationships between our favorite trio of friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on June 2, 2026.
February 22, 2026
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Atria in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I’ve always loved the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly, but A River Red with Blood really reminded me why this series continues to stand out in the crowded world of crime fiction.
From the first few pages, the novel pulls you into its dark, unsettling atmosphere. Connolly has always had a talent for blending hard-boiled detective storytelling with something more ominous and almost supernatural, and this book is no exception. Charlie Parker remains one of the most compelling protagonists in modern crime fiction, he is haunted, morally complex, relentless, yet still deeply human. That balance is part of what keeps me coming back to the series.
What makes A River Red with Blood especially powerful is its mood. The setting feels alive oppressive, tense, and layered with secrets. Connolly’s prose is sharp and lyrical at the same time. He doesn’t just describe violence; he makes you feel the weight of it. The emotional undercurrents of grief, guilt and vengeance run as strongly as the mystery itself. It’s not just a crime novel; it’s a meditation on consequence and darkness.
I also love how the recurring characters continue to evolve. The long-running relationships in the Charlie Parker series give the book real depth. There’s history there and Connolly respects it. Nothing feels disposable. Every action has weight, especially for readers who’ve followed Parker through earlier novels.
Another strength is pacing. The tension builds steadily, with moments of quiet dread punctuated by sudden bursts of brutality. Connolly never rushes, but he never drags either. The investigation unfolds in a way that feels both methodical and unpredictable.
If I had to offer a personal opinion beyond pure praise, it’s this: the book leans heavily into its darker elements and readers who prefer straightforward procedural crime stories may not enjoy this. The Charlie Parker novels often blur the line between crime fiction and something more mythic or supernatural. For me, that’s a strength. It gives the series a unique identity.
Overall, A River Red with Blood is a powerful entry in an already exceptional series. It reinforces why Charlie Parker remains such a compelling figure and why John Connolly continues to be one of the most distinctive voices in crime fiction. If you’re already a fan of the series, this book won’t disappoint. And if you’re new to Charlie Parker, it’s a gripping and intense place to start.
I’ve always loved the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly, but A River Red with Blood really reminded me why this series continues to stand out in the crowded world of crime fiction.
From the first few pages, the novel pulls you into its dark, unsettling atmosphere. Connolly has always had a talent for blending hard-boiled detective storytelling with something more ominous and almost supernatural, and this book is no exception. Charlie Parker remains one of the most compelling protagonists in modern crime fiction, he is haunted, morally complex, relentless, yet still deeply human. That balance is part of what keeps me coming back to the series.
What makes A River Red with Blood especially powerful is its mood. The setting feels alive oppressive, tense, and layered with secrets. Connolly’s prose is sharp and lyrical at the same time. He doesn’t just describe violence; he makes you feel the weight of it. The emotional undercurrents of grief, guilt and vengeance run as strongly as the mystery itself. It’s not just a crime novel; it’s a meditation on consequence and darkness.
I also love how the recurring characters continue to evolve. The long-running relationships in the Charlie Parker series give the book real depth. There’s history there and Connolly respects it. Nothing feels disposable. Every action has weight, especially for readers who’ve followed Parker through earlier novels.
Another strength is pacing. The tension builds steadily, with moments of quiet dread punctuated by sudden bursts of brutality. Connolly never rushes, but he never drags either. The investigation unfolds in a way that feels both methodical and unpredictable.
If I had to offer a personal opinion beyond pure praise, it’s this: the book leans heavily into its darker elements and readers who prefer straightforward procedural crime stories may not enjoy this. The Charlie Parker novels often blur the line between crime fiction and something more mythic or supernatural. For me, that’s a strength. It gives the series a unique identity.
Overall, A River Red with Blood is a powerful entry in an already exceptional series. It reinforces why Charlie Parker remains such a compelling figure and why John Connolly continues to be one of the most distinctive voices in crime fiction. If you’re already a fan of the series, this book won’t disappoint. And if you’re new to Charlie Parker, it’s a gripping and intense place to start.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“We've had some fun, but our time together has come to a close."
Goodreads, this is my first 5-star ARC read from Netgalley!
A River Red with Blood is due for release in May/June 2026.
That's right Ladies & Gents, my first 5-star Netgalley read, and it was so well deserved! A River Red with Blood is #23 in his Charlie Parker series, and my first book by John Connolly. I loved it so much that I'm going to start the series from the beginning! This mystery/suspense/detective/supernatural horror/thriller genre mash-up delivers such an interesting and riveting piece of fiction. Let me start by saying, if you are not familiar with this series like I wasn't, YES, you need to read these books in order. Even if some sources claim it has a self-contained mystery and can be read as a standalone, don't listen. lol Like me, you will be lost and miss out on key elements of the story! I paused at 25% and decided to perform a deep dive on the net about the series to try to bring myself up to speed the best I could.
The players call it "The Game" - a dark and chilling pastime: abduct and kill a stranger, then vanish without a trace. The players are masters, seasoned by years of practice. Their secret? Obey the rules and never kill near home or beyond The Game. But now, the rules have been broken. PI Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the drowned body of a troubled teenager and the disappearance of a young woman from a rural Maine town. Parker will have to confront a darkness that lives not only in the men he seeks, but something hiding in the shadows that wants revenge.
The Charlie Parker series, with its deeply atmospheric storytelling, is a haunting journey into the dark where the line between the living and the dead often blurs. Parker uncovers grisly crimes and faces unspeakable evils. For those who crave a unique hybrid that expertly merges hardboiled detective fiction with supernatural horror and dark noir, Connolly delivers a truly entertaining experience.
A big Thank You to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me this advanced copy. It was an absolute pleasure to read and review this book.
Goodreads, this is my first 5-star ARC read from Netgalley!
A River Red with Blood is due for release in May/June 2026.
That's right Ladies & Gents, my first 5-star Netgalley read, and it was so well deserved! A River Red with Blood is #23 in his Charlie Parker series, and my first book by John Connolly. I loved it so much that I'm going to start the series from the beginning! This mystery/suspense/detective/supernatural horror/thriller genre mash-up delivers such an interesting and riveting piece of fiction. Let me start by saying, if you are not familiar with this series like I wasn't, YES, you need to read these books in order. Even if some sources claim it has a self-contained mystery and can be read as a standalone, don't listen. lol Like me, you will be lost and miss out on key elements of the story! I paused at 25% and decided to perform a deep dive on the net about the series to try to bring myself up to speed the best I could.
The players call it "The Game" - a dark and chilling pastime: abduct and kill a stranger, then vanish without a trace. The players are masters, seasoned by years of practice. Their secret? Obey the rules and never kill near home or beyond The Game. But now, the rules have been broken. PI Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the drowned body of a troubled teenager and the disappearance of a young woman from a rural Maine town. Parker will have to confront a darkness that lives not only in the men he seeks, but something hiding in the shadows that wants revenge.
The Charlie Parker series, with its deeply atmospheric storytelling, is a haunting journey into the dark where the line between the living and the dead often blurs. Parker uncovers grisly crimes and faces unspeakable evils. For those who crave a unique hybrid that expertly merges hardboiled detective fiction with supernatural horror and dark noir, Connolly delivers a truly entertaining experience.
A big Thank You to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me this advanced copy. It was an absolute pleasure to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Charlie Parker series teaches us that there is another world beyond this one and that there are spirits in that other world who, tormented, will reach out and touch us in this one. The Parker series is, thus, a private eye series, but one set in a modern time, but one that reaches deeply into the spiritual world. Parker, himself, is haunted. He is a former police officer, whose wife and daughter were murdered, and he has heard their cries for years without peace. He particularly still hears his daughter who never rests. His world is one aided often by Angel and Louis, two hard men who have one foot in the spirit world and one hear on the cold tough earth.
A River Red With Blood is set in Maine, but it is a Maine off kilter spiritually. First, there is a prison inmate who was never much of a father, but whose son was found drowned somewhere north of Spero School, one of those tough-love facilities where parents send their incorrigible sons and daughters to be beaten and tormented by other tougher merciless children and sometimes by the twisted adults who run these places. The official verdict is that the boy ran off and drowned in an alcoholic stupor in the river. But Vose wants to know if there was something else going on, consumed as he is with guilt for not being there for his son and for his son being abandoned by his ex-wife and her new politician husband. Meanwhile, there has been another sordid disappearance in this forgotten corner of Maine with a teenage girl named Mallory, who perhaps was someone Vose’s son was sneaking out to see.
But while these deaths might be wholly innocent and accidental in nature, there are other men who are playing the Game, meaning they live regular lives with regular families, but every so often go out hunting for human game who they sweep off the streets and abuse and then wash the corpses before disposal.
Parker does not have much to work with, but he gets a feeling that some of the people he is dealing with at the school and at the state Department of Education are not quite as decent as they appear to be.
This murder mystery is dark, foreboding, haunted, and quite outside the ordinary experience of a private eye story.
A River Red With Blood is set in Maine, but it is a Maine off kilter spiritually. First, there is a prison inmate who was never much of a father, but whose son was found drowned somewhere north of Spero School, one of those tough-love facilities where parents send their incorrigible sons and daughters to be beaten and tormented by other tougher merciless children and sometimes by the twisted adults who run these places. The official verdict is that the boy ran off and drowned in an alcoholic stupor in the river. But Vose wants to know if there was something else going on, consumed as he is with guilt for not being there for his son and for his son being abandoned by his ex-wife and her new politician husband. Meanwhile, there has been another sordid disappearance in this forgotten corner of Maine with a teenage girl named Mallory, who perhaps was someone Vose’s son was sneaking out to see.
But while these deaths might be wholly innocent and accidental in nature, there are other men who are playing the Game, meaning they live regular lives with regular families, but every so often go out hunting for human game who they sweep off the streets and abuse and then wash the corpses before disposal.
Parker does not have much to work with, but he gets a feeling that some of the people he is dealing with at the school and at the state Department of Education are not quite as decent as they appear to be.
This murder mystery is dark, foreboding, haunted, and quite outside the ordinary experience of a private eye story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There’s always a touch of the netherworld in this series, but this time, it’s more of a smack in the face. Who are Charlie Parker and his friends Louis and Angel? How are they able to see and speak with his dead daughter Jennifer, and what is she trying to tell them?
I won’t say I’m any closer to the answers to these questions after reading this, the 23rd book in the series, but I sure did have a great time traveling through it. The story begins when Charlie, a private investigator, is asked by the attorney for Ward Vose, who’s in jail, to look into the death of Ward’s son Scott Theriault. The body of the young man, who’d been put by his parents in a school for incorrigible youth, was found near Maine’s Kennebec River. His death was determined to be an accident that happened when he ran away from the school (not for the first time). His father, though, is convinced the boy was murdered and wants Charlie to prove it. Concurrently, 19-year old Mallory Norton went missing – and by some accounts, she and Scott may have been an “item.”
A second storyline kicks in as a small group of grown men gather every three years to participate in what they call the Game – a sort of cat-and-mouse affair with serious consequences for person chosen to be the rodent. But the Game has strict rules, and it appears at least one member of the group has stepped out of line – a transgression that must be dealt with.
Of course, early on I suspected there may be some kind of connection between the young man and woman and the Game players, but if so, what is it? And over the course of the book, I learn whether or not that’s true. And no, I can’t share the details; that’s for other readers to learn just as I did. I will say it’s quite an adventure – one that, like previous books, ends with almost as many questions as answers. Overall, it’s another winner in my book – and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing another wild ride by way of a pre-release copy. Well done once again!
I won’t say I’m any closer to the answers to these questions after reading this, the 23rd book in the series, but I sure did have a great time traveling through it. The story begins when Charlie, a private investigator, is asked by the attorney for Ward Vose, who’s in jail, to look into the death of Ward’s son Scott Theriault. The body of the young man, who’d been put by his parents in a school for incorrigible youth, was found near Maine’s Kennebec River. His death was determined to be an accident that happened when he ran away from the school (not for the first time). His father, though, is convinced the boy was murdered and wants Charlie to prove it. Concurrently, 19-year old Mallory Norton went missing – and by some accounts, she and Scott may have been an “item.”
A second storyline kicks in as a small group of grown men gather every three years to participate in what they call the Game – a sort of cat-and-mouse affair with serious consequences for person chosen to be the rodent. But the Game has strict rules, and it appears at least one member of the group has stepped out of line – a transgression that must be dealt with.
Of course, early on I suspected there may be some kind of connection between the young man and woman and the Game players, but if so, what is it? And over the course of the book, I learn whether or not that’s true. And no, I can’t share the details; that’s for other readers to learn just as I did. I will say it’s quite an adventure – one that, like previous books, ends with almost as many questions as answers. Overall, it’s another winner in my book – and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing another wild ride by way of a pre-release copy. Well done once again!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The body of seventeen-year-old Scott Theriault is drifts down a stream days after he ran away from a behavior-modification facility. Scott’s father’s convinced his son’s death was no accident and PI Charlie Parker knows the pain of losing a child. Parker, our soft-charging protagonist’s daughter, Jennifer was brutally murdered twenty years earlier. The gruesome event was formative in this long running series, and Parker is naturally drawn to cases involving children.
In a parallel plot we learn of a group of men who play, “The Game’’, an amusement which includes the kidnap, rape and murder an out-of-state woman at random. We are offered a bit of their sick background, how there used to be four in this Game, but rules were broken and a player was eliminated by the others. Now two of the men worry a third might have murdered off schedule and jeopardized their safety. Also, a young woman named Mallory Norton recently disappeared and the reader is left to assume she might be connected to the twisted Game and the missing boy, Scott Theriault.
The real-world setup is done well, our bad guys are drawn with fierce authenticity, but this is a Charlie Parker novel, so supernatural elements are also at play. Charlie’s dead daughter has loosely guided him for years, but she has never, before now, appeared to Angel and Louis, Charlie’s closest friends. Angel sees Jennifer's spirit waiting for him by a lake and just to raise the stakes a bit more, Louis discovers he has a contract out on his life, possibly a chit called in from beyond the grave.
If this seems like a lot for an opening, don’t worry, Connolly hybridizes the hard boiled detective genre with a strong hand at the tiller. Once the plot takes off it becomes a masterful police procedural. The author clearly became an expert on federal agents use of high tech methodology to solve crime.
This will satisfy fans of the series and lovers of Maine. I would have liked to see a few more curve balls in the finale but the ending closes most of the loops opened in the gripping first half of the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for a review copy.
In a parallel plot we learn of a group of men who play, “The Game’’, an amusement which includes the kidnap, rape and murder an out-of-state woman at random. We are offered a bit of their sick background, how there used to be four in this Game, but rules were broken and a player was eliminated by the others. Now two of the men worry a third might have murdered off schedule and jeopardized their safety. Also, a young woman named Mallory Norton recently disappeared and the reader is left to assume she might be connected to the twisted Game and the missing boy, Scott Theriault.
The real-world setup is done well, our bad guys are drawn with fierce authenticity, but this is a Charlie Parker novel, so supernatural elements are also at play. Charlie’s dead daughter has loosely guided him for years, but she has never, before now, appeared to Angel and Louis, Charlie’s closest friends. Angel sees Jennifer's spirit waiting for him by a lake and just to raise the stakes a bit more, Louis discovers he has a contract out on his life, possibly a chit called in from beyond the grave.
If this seems like a lot for an opening, don’t worry, Connolly hybridizes the hard boiled detective genre with a strong hand at the tiller. Once the plot takes off it becomes a masterful police procedural. The author clearly became an expert on federal agents use of high tech methodology to solve crime.
This will satisfy fans of the series and lovers of Maine. I would have liked to see a few more curve balls in the finale but the ending closes most of the loops opened in the gripping first half of the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for a review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
Oddly, this was my first John Connolly book which is odd because this is an ongoing series. Will I read another one by this author or one in this series? Yes!
I went in blindly and only knew that Connolly wrote thrillers. Was I surprised by the supernatural aspect? Yes, I was.
In this story, we have several things going on at once. Charlie Parker, a PI, is hired by a man in jail who swears there is more to the story than his son walking away from The Spero, a school in rural Maine for troubled boys, and accidentally dying. At the same time, a teenaged girl is missing and the jailed father believes the two cases are connected and that his son was secretly dating the missing girl.
At the same time, 3 men are engaged in what they call The Game, a brutal "game"where they capture women, rape them and kill them. Throughout the book, we come to find that these two are related.
Will Charlie find the missing girl with the help of Sabine, a woman who can sense and see spirits? Are the men in The Game connected to the Spero? Will they get their due for any of their crimes? You'll have to read it to find out.
I would rate this book a solid 3.75 stars but round it up to 4. I was a little lost in the beginning trying to connect the cast of characters and truth be told, not sure that I would enjoy the book. About 35% of the way in, I was hooked and read the remainder of the book over the course of 24 hours.
I definitely recommend this to those who want a thriller with a little supernatural aspect to it. It was a definite surprise to me and left me wanting to know more about Charlie's previous life and those of his wife and young daughter.
Oddly, this was my first John Connolly book which is odd because this is an ongoing series. Will I read another one by this author or one in this series? Yes!
I went in blindly and only knew that Connolly wrote thrillers. Was I surprised by the supernatural aspect? Yes, I was.
In this story, we have several things going on at once. Charlie Parker, a PI, is hired by a man in jail who swears there is more to the story than his son walking away from The Spero, a school in rural Maine for troubled boys, and accidentally dying. At the same time, a teenaged girl is missing and the jailed father believes the two cases are connected and that his son was secretly dating the missing girl.
At the same time, 3 men are engaged in what they call The Game, a brutal "game"where they capture women, rape them and kill them. Throughout the book, we come to find that these two are related.
Will Charlie find the missing girl with the help of Sabine, a woman who can sense and see spirits? Are the men in The Game connected to the Spero? Will they get their due for any of their crimes? You'll have to read it to find out.
I would rate this book a solid 3.75 stars but round it up to 4. I was a little lost in the beginning trying to connect the cast of characters and truth be told, not sure that I would enjoy the book. About 35% of the way in, I was hooked and read the remainder of the book over the course of 24 hours.
I definitely recommend this to those who want a thriller with a little supernatural aspect to it. It was a definite surprise to me and left me wanting to know more about Charlie's previous life and those of his wife and young daughter.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Private Investigator Charlie Parker is tasked with investigating the death of a young man who had escaped from a residential treatment center in the Kennebec River Valley, Maine. Initially dismissed as an accident, the victim’s father is convinced that he was murdered.
In a parallel plot, a group of men engage in a twisted "game", involving the kidnapping, assault, torture, and murder of randomly chosen women. There are specific rules to the game, and two of the participants fear that a third has broken them. And now there is a young woman who is missing.
This is the twenty-third installment in the Charlie Parker series. It delves into a dark and suspenseful narrative, blending elements of a crime mystery, the supernatural, and horror. The violence depicted is graphic and disturbing.
While I have enjoyed previous books in the series, I just couldn’t get drawn into this one. The storyline had difficulty holding my attention. I’m sure others, especially fans of the Charlie Parker stories, will welcome and highly enjoy this read, but it just was not for me. Even though I have read some of the prior installments, I found it difficult in this one to follow the characters and the supernatural elements, of which I am not particularly fond, seemed more involved than in prior reads.
I regret that I just was not the audience for this book.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for the DRC.
In a parallel plot, a group of men engage in a twisted "game", involving the kidnapping, assault, torture, and murder of randomly chosen women. There are specific rules to the game, and two of the participants fear that a third has broken them. And now there is a young woman who is missing.
This is the twenty-third installment in the Charlie Parker series. It delves into a dark and suspenseful narrative, blending elements of a crime mystery, the supernatural, and horror. The violence depicted is graphic and disturbing.
While I have enjoyed previous books in the series, I just couldn’t get drawn into this one. The storyline had difficulty holding my attention. I’m sure others, especially fans of the Charlie Parker stories, will welcome and highly enjoy this read, but it just was not for me. Even though I have read some of the prior installments, I found it difficult in this one to follow the characters and the supernatural elements, of which I am not particularly fond, seemed more involved than in prior reads.
I regret that I just was not the audience for this book.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for the DRC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the opportunity to preview A River Red with Blood.
Wow. One of Connollys best work ever.
The is novel brings together a cast of characters from his entourage to villains and even those whose lives are not determined yet.
Charlie Parker is a flawed man with a personal agenda which is to stand and fight those wanting to harm him and those he loves. He is a private investigator.
The novel starts with the death of a young man and a missing girl. Charlie is called upon to look into the death by the boys father who is an inmate in prison.
At the same time we meet some older men with their own agenda. Kill and main women as part of a game they play to satisfy their lust for the obscene.
Connolly pulls a thread to connect the dots and lulls the reader into one of his finest books in the series.
Of course Louis and Angel are front and center as well as a few others which also makes this novel deep and compelling.
My only issue is to have to wait another year or so until Parker’s adventures come to pass.
This is well written and satisfying for a fan. If you never read a Charlie Parker novel you are in for a treat because there are many to sink into.
Start by reading the first book and keep going.
5 stars!
Wow. One of Connollys best work ever.
The is novel brings together a cast of characters from his entourage to villains and even those whose lives are not determined yet.
Charlie Parker is a flawed man with a personal agenda which is to stand and fight those wanting to harm him and those he loves. He is a private investigator.
The novel starts with the death of a young man and a missing girl. Charlie is called upon to look into the death by the boys father who is an inmate in prison.
At the same time we meet some older men with their own agenda. Kill and main women as part of a game they play to satisfy their lust for the obscene.
Connolly pulls a thread to connect the dots and lulls the reader into one of his finest books in the series.
Of course Louis and Angel are front and center as well as a few others which also makes this novel deep and compelling.
My only issue is to have to wait another year or so until Parker’s adventures come to pass.
This is well written and satisfying for a fan. If you never read a Charlie Parker novel you are in for a treat because there are many to sink into.
Start by reading the first book and keep going.
5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This Charlie Parker novel does not fail to take you to another supernatural thriller. I remember the first Charlie Parker novel published in 1999. It had a character who was unlike any other and the storyline was unlike any other. I was hooked. This is the 23rd or 24th novel in that series and it is as usual, a fantastic read.
Charlie is hired by a man in prison to look into the death of his teenage son. His son was placed, by his mother and step-father, into a "school" for hard to handle kids. The school is in the middle of nowhere and his son's death makes little sense. Charlie agrees to look into it. At the same time, a young woman has disappeared, in the same area, around the same time. There are also several other major threads going on. Luis and Angel appear looking into other things, but all converge. There are no coincidences.
I love how easily one can be grabbed and caught up in the happenings of the book. It is almost impossible to stop reading once you have started and again, I wish I had read this slower. There is always that question, who is Charlie Parker?
I would like to thank Atria books and NetGalley for this early read. I loved it and I am most appreciative.
Charlie is hired by a man in prison to look into the death of his teenage son. His son was placed, by his mother and step-father, into a "school" for hard to handle kids. The school is in the middle of nowhere and his son's death makes little sense. Charlie agrees to look into it. At the same time, a young woman has disappeared, in the same area, around the same time. There are also several other major threads going on. Luis and Angel appear looking into other things, but all converge. There are no coincidences.
I love how easily one can be grabbed and caught up in the happenings of the book. It is almost impossible to stop reading once you have started and again, I wish I had read this slower. There is always that question, who is Charlie Parker?
I would like to thank Atria books and NetGalley for this early read. I loved it and I am most appreciative.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A River Red with Blood, By John Connolly
This Thriller by one of my favourite Authors, and is the 23rd book in The Charlie Parker series.
I have read my way through the first 9 books of this series, and then a few of the more recent ones as well, and did not feel that the order took away from the rhythm of the storylines. I have the balance on my to read list as it is an exceptional series.
The main character is the private detective Charlie Parker.
We are introduced to this character in the first book when we read about the unsolved slayings of his wife and daughter.
John Connolly's books are intense, dark, and filled with ghosts and torment, but are true psychological stories.
In this newest instalment we have a very dark topic and two disappearances that are intertwined, taken place in the rural Kennebec Valley of Maine.
Charlie Parker is such an interesting main character and this newest book does not disappoint.
Pick it up, and read it now.
Thank You to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Author John Connolly for my advanced copy to read and review
4 Stars for me
#netgalley
#atriabooks
#johnconnollybooks
This Thriller by one of my favourite Authors, and is the 23rd book in The Charlie Parker series.
I have read my way through the first 9 books of this series, and then a few of the more recent ones as well, and did not feel that the order took away from the rhythm of the storylines. I have the balance on my to read list as it is an exceptional series.
The main character is the private detective Charlie Parker.
We are introduced to this character in the first book when we read about the unsolved slayings of his wife and daughter.
John Connolly's books are intense, dark, and filled with ghosts and torment, but are true psychological stories.
In this newest instalment we have a very dark topic and two disappearances that are intertwined, taken place in the rural Kennebec Valley of Maine.
Charlie Parker is such an interesting main character and this newest book does not disappoint.
Pick it up, and read it now.
Thank You to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Author John Connolly for my advanced copy to read and review
4 Stars for me
#netgalley
#atriabooks
#johnconnollybooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn’t realize A River Red with Blood had supernatural elements when I started it, and that’s usually not my favorite kind of read. It’s also part of a series, so at times it was a little hard to follow without having read the earlier books.
That said, I really enjoyed the mystery/thriller aspects of the story. The investigation kept me interested, and I especially liked the character of Charlie Parker, the private investigator.
For me, the book might have been even stronger if it were about 100 pages shorter and focused more on the thriller elements rather than the supernatural. But I know many readers love those aspects, and it’s part of what makes this series popular.
I’d definitely be interested in reading more about Charlie Parker and exploring earlier books in the series to understand his character better.
That said, I really enjoyed the mystery/thriller aspects of the story. The investigation kept me interested, and I especially liked the character of Charlie Parker, the private investigator.
For me, the book might have been even stronger if it were about 100 pages shorter and focused more on the thriller elements rather than the supernatural. But I know many readers love those aspects, and it’s part of what makes this series popular.
I’d definitely be interested in reading more about Charlie Parker and exploring earlier books in the series to understand his character better.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Solid 4.5 stars
I’ll be honest: at the start, I wasn’t sure if this was for me. I even considered putting it down and coming back to it later. But there is a specific kind of magic—or perhaps a dark gravity—in John Connolly’s writing. Something deep and unsettling pulled me in, and even when I wanted to stop, the story wouldn’t let me go.
This is what happens when you’re in the hands of a master. A River Red With Blood is a haunting blend of thriller, horror, and mystery. It’s packed with complex characters and surreal, strange situations that keep you off-balance. The plot is incredibly twisted, layered with fascinating details that demand your attention. If you’re a fan of thrillers that lean into the macabre and the scary, you need to read this. It’s strange, it’s dark, and it’s absolutely gripping.
Thank you publisher Atria and GoodReads for a free copy.
I’ll be honest: at the start, I wasn’t sure if this was for me. I even considered putting it down and coming back to it later. But there is a specific kind of magic—or perhaps a dark gravity—in John Connolly’s writing. Something deep and unsettling pulled me in, and even when I wanted to stop, the story wouldn’t let me go.
This is what happens when you’re in the hands of a master. A River Red With Blood is a haunting blend of thriller, horror, and mystery. It’s packed with complex characters and surreal, strange situations that keep you off-balance. The plot is incredibly twisted, layered with fascinating details that demand your attention. If you’re a fan of thrillers that lean into the macabre and the scary, you need to read this. It’s strange, it’s dark, and it’s absolutely gripping.
Thank you publisher Atria and GoodReads for a free copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“A River Red With Blood” by John Connolly is the newest addition to the Charlie Parker series. It opens with Charlie looking into the death of a boy who had been living at a specialized facility for troubled teenagers. This book is especially chilling and unsettling, which results in a mystery that’s ominous and morally complex. Although there is always a supernatural element in these thrillers, I found this book to be darker and more brutal than the others.
I still remain a staunch fan of this author and of this unique series, but this book did not engage me in the same way as its predecessors. That being said, this is still a bone chilling addition that I recommend to all Charlie Parker fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Altria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I still remain a staunch fan of this author and of this unique series, but this book did not engage me in the same way as its predecessors. That being said, this is still a bone chilling addition that I recommend to all Charlie Parker fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Altria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 9, 2026
The long running Charlie Parker series returns and with a welcome return to what made the series so great.
The last book or 2 have been more straight crime thrillers and whilst this continues that’s trend to a point, we do have the super natural elements return.
Dark as ever; the crime writing is the best there is, mesmerising prose that few can put on a page and a set of characters I have grown to love this past 20 years.
An absolute master at work. This is for all us fans but for the new, it’s a damn good crime thriller - tho some of the lore of the stories part may be a little confusing.
Parker, Louis and Angel. I thought we might be coming to and end a couple of books back but the trio so interlinked to each other continue to go from strength to strength.
Superb
The last book or 2 have been more straight crime thrillers and whilst this continues that’s trend to a point, we do have the super natural elements return.
Dark as ever; the crime writing is the best there is, mesmerising prose that few can put on a page and a set of characters I have grown to love this past 20 years.
An absolute master at work. This is for all us fans but for the new, it’s a damn good crime thriller - tho some of the lore of the stories part may be a little confusing.
Parker, Louis and Angel. I thought we might be coming to and end a couple of books back but the trio so interlinked to each other continue to go from strength to strength.
Superb
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are two levels to this book, and both are excellent. Up front, is the mysterious disappearance of two teens in the Maine woods. Parker is hired to look into one, and as he does it becomes more apparent that it may be related to the other, in spite of the denials of everyone in the town. What was more exciting to me is that the over-arching plot of the series appears to be approaching a climactic moment. The plot and writing are still crisp, and although on one hand I don't want the series to end, I do want to see a strong conclusion when it does. I have no inside info, but it feels like that's coming sooner than later.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What can I say That I haven’t said after every one of John Connolly’s books
This series is Exceptional. . I am simply in love with Charlie Parker and have been for years :) Not to understate Louis Angel.. etc Whom I love as well.
The thought of who Charlie is .The idea placed all way back in The Dark Angel (I think give or take) seemed dormant almost In the back of the mind Waiting
It’s been a long time though my thoughts maybe wrong
It’s as if small tidbits are written and then dropped for years and thousands of words later brought up To be like a game of clue. A challenge Are you paying attention
It’s brilliant.
Your a wonderful Gosh these books are so good
I can’t say it enough Can't recommend them enough
Thank you
This series is Exceptional. . I am simply in love with Charlie Parker and have been for years :) Not to understate Louis Angel.. etc Whom I love as well.
The thought of who Charlie is .The idea placed all way back in The Dark Angel (I think give or take) seemed dormant almost In the back of the mind Waiting
It’s been a long time though my thoughts maybe wrong
It’s as if small tidbits are written and then dropped for years and thousands of words later brought up To be like a game of clue. A challenge Are you paying attention
It’s brilliant.
Your a wonderful Gosh these books are so good
I can’t say it enough Can't recommend them enough
Thank you
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This review is my own. Charlie Parker investigates the death of a boy at a “troubled teen” school, and he, once again, confronts the honeycomb world and its dark secrets. Sabine Drew is drawn into Parker’s world again, and together, they confront an old enemy. Angel and Louis are uncharacteristically melancholy, though with reason. I am honestly at a loss for words. Connolly is a storyteller without equal. This was an excellent entry in the series, and I already preordered my copy of the published novel!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to John Connolly, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel. A River Red with Blood is another masterful Charlie Parker novel. As always with John Connolly, the writing is exceptional and rich. I think fans of the series will love this book but those who are not as familiar with the series and the characters may find it tough going. The subject matter is dark and there is a strong supernatural element to this book, which some may like more than others.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don't know what else to say but WOW! It did start of slow but as the story unfolded it got more and more intriguing. The characters are ones you would never think would do all of those vile actions.
As weird as this may sound my favorite part was the ending (chapters 110. 111). It creeped me out.
This book is part of the Charlie Parker series but can definitely be read as a stand alone. I will definitely be looking at his other books.
As weird as this may sound my favorite part was the ending (chapters 110. 111). It creeped me out.
This book is part of the Charlie Parker series but can definitely be read as a stand alone. I will definitely be looking at his other books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I LOVE this series, and am beyond pleased to see Connolly picking back up on the underlying series-long mystery about who, exactly, Charlie Parker is (or was)... This one was another fabulous installation in the series, with a book-specific investigation that was very dark and disturbing but fit well with the overarching themes of the set of books. I don't know how he does it - each book has its own, unique mystery/investigation, yet each also builds slowly and surely on the narrative arc of the main characters. At 23 books to date, it's an incredible feat - and I cannot wait to see what comes next because the ending was highly intriguing!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
March 29, 2026
Loved this book!
If you are a Charlie Parker fan, this is absolutely an important hint of the unraveling of what we all are waiting.
The story is haunting and filled with horror from this world and beyond.
This can be read as a standalone, since the main plot revolves on the search of a missing teen and the death of troubled young man that might be related.
Definitely recommend it.
Note: I received an ARC for review purposes and an honest and unbiased opinion.
If you are a Charlie Parker fan, this is absolutely an important hint of the unraveling of what we all are waiting.
The story is haunting and filled with horror from this world and beyond.
This can be read as a standalone, since the main plot revolves on the search of a missing teen and the death of troubled young man that might be related.
Definitely recommend it.
Note: I received an ARC for review purposes and an honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won this book as a goodreads giveaway. This was the first John Connolly book i have read and it did not dissapoint. It was a little slow at the beginning as I was unfamilary with the characters and their backstory, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the story. The bigger throughline of good vs evil that is playing out is very interesting and I won't hesitate to pick up the earlier books in the series to catch up.
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