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Charlie Parker #7
The Reapers
Book by Connolly, John
453 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2008
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3489 people want to read
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January 22, 2021
This was great!!
I think I'm going with 4.5 stars with this one.
The Reapers is mainly about Louis and an organization that he is involved in.
Louis is one of Charlie Parker's friends in the series.
Besides having a present day plot of who's killing who, the book also goes into the past. It shows us how Louis becomes a Reaper.
Below, I am putting the description of a Reaper in a spoiler tag.
I don't think it will ruin the plot for you, but at the same time, I'll cover my ass in case you don't want to know about the complexities of the Charlie Parker series and characters, such as Louis.
I tagged it just in case.
A Reaper is a
This book was very extensive and had a complex plot with Louis and the Reaper organization. The organization is headed by Gabriel.
I didn't rate this 5 stars because of the plot with the Reaper organization.
Who's who?! What is really going on? Who do I trust and do not trust?
I wanted a bit more information from the Reaper organization, Gabriel, and also the character Milton. Who's really
But here's the thing.
The Reaper organization is hella secretive.
I guess having a bit of confusion on not knowing who all the players are, who's really pulling the puppets' strings, and not really trusting ANYONE is the way to go.
Well, if you want to survive that is.
I loved all of the side characters in The Reapers!
I loved getting to see the personal life of Angel and Louis, along with some of the people in their life.
John Connolly has developed some much loved characters in this series. I love how invested that I've become with these characters and plots.
The writing is just so well done along with all the action!
The humor is always on point and a bit sarcastic.
I love the dialogue and humor in this series. The humor takes some of the heaviness off the plot along with all of the evil deeds of bad men and women.
It allows the reader to process it and handle the darkness more. As a reader, I am so appreciative of this dark, dry and sometimes sarcastic humor in the series.
Definitely start with the first book in the series, Every Dead Thing.
I still think the first book in this series is the weakest book of all, and I gave it 4 stars.
So you have lots of great and wonderful books ahead of you. Go start this series now!
I think I'm going with 4.5 stars with this one.
The Reapers is mainly about Louis and an organization that he is involved in.
Louis is one of Charlie Parker's friends in the series.
Besides having a present day plot of who's killing who, the book also goes into the past. It shows us how Louis becomes a Reaper.
Below, I am putting the description of a Reaper in a spoiler tag.
I don't think it will ruin the plot for you, but at the same time, I'll cover my ass in case you don't want to know about the complexities of the Charlie Parker series and characters, such as Louis.
I tagged it just in case.
A Reaper is a
This book was very extensive and had a complex plot with Louis and the Reaper organization. The organization is headed by Gabriel.
I didn't rate this 5 stars because of the plot with the Reaper organization.
Who's who?! What is really going on? Who do I trust and do not trust?
I wanted a bit more information from the Reaper organization, Gabriel, and also the character Milton. Who's really
But here's the thing.
The Reaper organization is hella secretive.
I guess having a bit of confusion on not knowing who all the players are, who's really pulling the puppets' strings, and not really trusting ANYONE is the way to go.
Well, if you want to survive that is.
I loved all of the side characters in The Reapers!
I loved getting to see the personal life of Angel and Louis, along with some of the people in their life.
John Connolly has developed some much loved characters in this series. I love how invested that I've become with these characters and plots.
The writing is just so well done along with all the action!
The humor is always on point and a bit sarcastic.
I love the dialogue and humor in this series. The humor takes some of the heaviness off the plot along with all of the evil deeds of bad men and women.
It allows the reader to process it and handle the darkness more. As a reader, I am so appreciative of this dark, dry and sometimes sarcastic humor in the series.
Definitely start with the first book in the series, Every Dead Thing.
I still think the first book in this series is the weakest book of all, and I gave it 4 stars.
So you have lots of great and wonderful books ahead of you. Go start this series now!
April 24, 2013
I doubt that Connolly ever had the idea that he would do an entire book dedicated to Louis and Angel. That being said, I had hoped early on that this book would eventually exist.
In The Reapers, long time associates of Charlie Parker, Louis and Angel, get their own novel. Louis and Angel have recently fallen into the cross hairs of a rival long thought dead. A former colleague of Louis, Bliss, has returned to seek his vengeance against those who brutally disfigured him, leaving him for dead years ago. However, Louis and Angel are unaware of his resurgence, accepting a job from a wealthy criminal recluse who asks them to take out his longtime rival. The pair goes missing during said job and it's up to their friends, led by Parker to find them.
This novel is refreshing in so many ways from the previous Parker installments. Gone is the first person narrative, gone are the supernatural aspects and for the most part, gone is Charlie Parker himself. Having already explored a lot of Angel's history in the earlier books, Connolly dives deep into Louis' upbringing and the circumstances that led him down his path in life. Told through flashbacks, Connolly shapes Louis through his first kill and his subsequent recruitment of a man known as Gabriel. This man becomes Louis' father figure, molding him into a "Reaper"; a hit man.
I really enjoyed the back story on Louis, I felt like it's long overdue and without a doubt, he's grown to become my favorite character in the Parker series. He's written with such passion; Connolly paints him as a consistent professional but with a dry sense of humor that is just awesome. The novel also goes into detail the lengths that Louis and Angel take to maintain their lifestyle. Louis does a lot of his business through shell companies and pre-paid, disposable cell phones, trying not to deal with anyone directly unless absolutely necessary, even paying homeless people to pay bills and acquire new phones with pre-paid calling cards. It's pretty slick.
Parker's role was perfect, leading a rag tag group of allies to aid Louis and Angel upon their disappearance. I'm growing to love Parker's hired goons, the Fulci brothers. Their associate, Jackie Garner (hired by the Fulci brothers to take care of their business affairs), had one of the better moments in the series leaving me laughing out loud.
I'm so glad Connolly decided to give Louis and Angel their own entry in the long running Parker series. I'm hoping that he one day decides to give them another kick at the can. I'll try not to be greedy though - I'll take as many Parker books that Connolly will throw at me.
Cross posted @ Every Read Thing
In The Reapers, long time associates of Charlie Parker, Louis and Angel, get their own novel. Louis and Angel have recently fallen into the cross hairs of a rival long thought dead. A former colleague of Louis, Bliss, has returned to seek his vengeance against those who brutally disfigured him, leaving him for dead years ago. However, Louis and Angel are unaware of his resurgence, accepting a job from a wealthy criminal recluse who asks them to take out his longtime rival. The pair goes missing during said job and it's up to their friends, led by Parker to find them.
This novel is refreshing in so many ways from the previous Parker installments. Gone is the first person narrative, gone are the supernatural aspects and for the most part, gone is Charlie Parker himself. Having already explored a lot of Angel's history in the earlier books, Connolly dives deep into Louis' upbringing and the circumstances that led him down his path in life. Told through flashbacks, Connolly shapes Louis through his first kill and his subsequent recruitment of a man known as Gabriel. This man becomes Louis' father figure, molding him into a "Reaper"; a hit man.
I really enjoyed the back story on Louis, I felt like it's long overdue and without a doubt, he's grown to become my favorite character in the Parker series. He's written with such passion; Connolly paints him as a consistent professional but with a dry sense of humor that is just awesome. The novel also goes into detail the lengths that Louis and Angel take to maintain their lifestyle. Louis does a lot of his business through shell companies and pre-paid, disposable cell phones, trying not to deal with anyone directly unless absolutely necessary, even paying homeless people to pay bills and acquire new phones with pre-paid calling cards. It's pretty slick.
Parker's role was perfect, leading a rag tag group of allies to aid Louis and Angel upon their disappearance. I'm growing to love Parker's hired goons, the Fulci brothers. Their associate, Jackie Garner (hired by the Fulci brothers to take care of their business affairs), had one of the better moments in the series leaving me laughing out loud.
I'm so glad Connolly decided to give Louis and Angel their own entry in the long running Parker series. I'm hoping that he one day decides to give them another kick at the can. I'll try not to be greedy though - I'll take as many Parker books that Connolly will throw at me.
Cross posted @ Every Read Thing
April 19, 2017
This copy is signed by John Connolly.
May 8, 2018
THE REAPERS is Book 7 in author John Connolly's "Charlie Parker" series. This book is a bit of a departure from the usual because Charlie Parker, himself, is side-lined for much of the novel. Instead, the focus is primarily upon Louis and his partner, Angel, fighting a battle from something in Louis' shadowed past.
". . . Cancer offers a better survival rate than crossing you . . . "
As usual, Connolly weaves a trail that wraps up all the threads perfectly in the end. With one of the best writing styles I've ever come across, unforgettable characters, and exciting storylines, the entire Charlie Parker series is one I can not recommend highly enough.
"They're psychotic."
"You say that like it's a bad thing . . . "
Highest recommendation!
". . . Cancer offers a better survival rate than crossing you . . . "
As usual, Connolly weaves a trail that wraps up all the threads perfectly in the end. With one of the best writing styles I've ever come across, unforgettable characters, and exciting storylines, the entire Charlie Parker series is one I can not recommend highly enough.
"They're psychotic."
"You say that like it's a bad thing . . . "
Highest recommendation!
January 14, 2015
Number 8 in the Charlie Parker series and each book gets better than the one before. This one centres around Louis and Angel . Charlie only makes a token appearance but that does not matter at all. The reader discovers heaps about Louis's past and the reasons for him being the way he is. At the same time there is a fast paced, thrilling story plus some laugh out loud dialogue especially between Angel and Louis. John Connolly writes so well. His descriptions of the American way of life are masterful and he can conjure up a mental picture of anything with just a few sentences. For anyone who likes a good thriller this is a fantastic series.
July 15, 2025
This guy can write a dark book, a good tight crime thriller. Woven together like a true crime novel, including revenge, bounties, bar brawls, good vs evil with a slight tinge of supernatural.
The Reapers is a Charlie Parker novel but for once he is not the main character but more a peripheral one to some of his associates. The Reapers gives us a lot more background to these men and their association with Charlie. This novel draws on history from many years ago and reprisals pay a large part in this story.
While Charlie is mostly in the background, he does come to the fore in the final scenes which are climactic but Connolly has a knack of not waiting to the end of his novels. Often, as is the case with this one, there are moments dotted throughout the book that feel as though they would make a great ending so, in a sense, the reader never feels like they are really in 'control' of the read. Unlike most novels that may start off in a flurry of action and then slow down to a slow burning build to the end, the Parker books so often peak several times throughout the read.
The Reapers is a Charlie Parker novel but for once he is not the main character but more a peripheral one to some of his associates. The Reapers gives us a lot more background to these men and their association with Charlie. This novel draws on history from many years ago and reprisals pay a large part in this story.
While Charlie is mostly in the background, he does come to the fore in the final scenes which are climactic but Connolly has a knack of not waiting to the end of his novels. Often, as is the case with this one, there are moments dotted throughout the book that feel as though they would make a great ending so, in a sense, the reader never feels like they are really in 'control' of the read. Unlike most novels that may start off in a flurry of action and then slow down to a slow burning build to the end, the Parker books so often peak several times throughout the read.
May 30, 2018
Αυτό είναι αισίως το έβδομο βιβλίο του Τζον Κόνολι με πρωταγωνιστή τον Τσάρλι Πάρκερ και… για μια στιγμή! Κάτι πάει λάθος εδώ. Ο Πάρκερ ΔΕΝ είναι πρωταγωνιστής;
Δεν ξέρω αν ο Κόνολι φανταζόταν παλιότερα ότι θα έγραφε ένα βιβλίο στο οποίο θα πρωταγωνιστούσαν ο Λούις και ο Έιντζελ, αλλά να που τελικά ήρθε το πλήρωμα του χρόνου να το κάνει κι αυτό. Καταρχάς με έβαλε και στη θέση μου, όταν και δήλωσα ότι η απουσία τους από το πρώτο μισό του προηγούμενου βιβλίου μού φάνηκε ότι ήταν για καλό.
Οι απίστευτοι αυτοί τύποι, λοιπόν, σε αυτό το βιβλίο έχουν την προσωπική τους περιπέτεια. Μια σειρά γεγονότων από το παρελθόν του Λούις θα τους φέρει αντιμέτωπους με μερικούς από τους πιο ζόρικους εκτελεστές/δολοφόνους με τους οποίους είχαν συναναστροφές και παλιότερα. Όπως φαντάζεται ο οποιοσδήποτε έχει διαβάσει έστω και ένα βιβλίο της σειράς, αυτό μεταφράζεται απλώς σε μπόλικο πιστολίδι και ακραίες εκτελέσεις. Με λίγα λόγια η ιστορία είναι μια κλασική γκανγκστερική περιπέτεια (και μια απόδειξη από μόνη της ότι τα βιβλία αυτής της κατηγορίας δεν πρέπει να τα αποκαλούμε στα ελληνικά “αστυνομικά”. Μάλλον οι Άγγλοι ξέρουν περισσότερα όταν τα λένε Crime Fiction). Σε κάθε περίπτωση, οι φίλοι του είδους εδώ θα βρεθούν σε γνώριμα μονοπάτια και θα προσαρμοστούν εύκολα. Μιλώντας μάλιστα προσωπικά, θα πω ότι πέρασα πολύ ευχάριστα με την ιστορία αυτή. Ήταν αρκετά και στα χνάρια της προηγούμενης, ακολουθώντας μια ευθεία γραμμή. Ακόμα και οι αναδρομές σε παλαιότερα γεγονότα δεν άλλαζαν κάτι, παρά μόνο εξηγούσαν καλύτερα γιατί υπάρχει αυτή η απόλυτη ευθεία.
Εστιάζοντας τώρα στο ότι το βιβλίο είναι το Τσάρλι Πάρκερ #7, έχω να πω ότι η απουσία του Τσάρλι για 280 σελίδες από τις 400, σε μένα λειτούργησε πολύ καλύτερα απ’ ό,τι θα περίμενα αν μου το έλεγε κάποιος εκ των προτέρων. Έδωσε τον χώρο στο να ξετυλιχθούν πλήρως και οι δύο βασικοί συμπρωταγωνιστές του, ενώ πήρε και τον δικαιωματικό του χρόνο για να ανασάνει και ο ίδιος. Μπορεί να είναι λίγο αστείο να το λέω αυτό, όταν σε μια σειρά βιβλίων υπάρχουν τόσα υπερφυσικά γεγονότα, αλλά με αυτόν τον τρόπο η ιστορία του Πάρκερ κέρδισε σε αληθοφάνεια αφού, κυριολεκτικά, του ερχόταν το ένα πάνω στο άλλο. Και είναι βέβαιο ότι και τα προσωπικά του, οικογενειακά προβλήματα με αυτόν τον τρόπο θα ωριμάσουν και θα φανεί αν μπορούν να επιλυθούν ή όχι, ενώ αναμένω στα επόμενα βιβλία και μια εκτίναξη σε γεγονότα και καταστάσεις του παρελθόντος που μοιάζουν να καραδοκούν για να αναβιώσουν.
Κλείνοντας, να αναφέρω ότι έχω αρχίσει να διασκεδάζω απίστευτα και με τους αδερφούς Φούλτσι. Η σκηνή με το μπέρδεμα ανάμεσα στο κόκκινο και το πράσινο, ενδέχεται να είναι και η πιο ξεκαρδιστική όλης της σειράς μέχρι τώρα.
Δεν ξέρω αν ο Κόνολι φανταζόταν παλιότερα ότι θα έγραφε ένα βιβλίο στο οποίο θα πρωταγωνιστούσαν ο Λούις και ο Έιντζελ, αλλά να που τελικά ήρθε το πλήρωμα του χρόνου να το κάνει κι αυτό. Καταρχάς με έβαλε και στη θέση μου, όταν και δήλωσα ότι η απουσία τους από το πρώτο μισό του προηγούμενου βιβλίου μού φάνηκε ότι ήταν για καλό.
Οι απίστευτοι αυτοί τύποι, λοιπόν, σε αυτό το βιβλίο έχουν την προσωπική τους περιπέτεια. Μια σειρά γεγονότων από το παρελθόν του Λούις θα τους φέρει αντιμέτωπους με μερικούς από τους πιο ζόρικους εκτελεστές/δολοφόνους με τους οποίους είχαν συναναστροφές και παλιότερα. Όπως φαντάζεται ο οποιοσδήποτε έχει διαβάσει έστω και ένα βιβλίο της σειράς, αυτό μεταφράζεται απλώς σε μπόλικο πιστολίδι και ακραίες εκτελέσεις. Με λίγα λόγια η ιστορία είναι μια κλασική γκανγκστερική περιπέτεια (και μια απόδειξη από μόνη της ότι τα βιβλία αυτής της κατηγορίας δεν πρέπει να τα αποκαλούμε στα ελληνικά “αστυνομικά”. Μάλλον οι Άγγλοι ξέρουν περισσότερα όταν τα λένε Crime Fiction). Σε κάθε περίπτωση, οι φίλοι του είδους εδώ θα βρεθούν σε γνώριμα μονοπάτια και θα προσαρμοστούν εύκολα. Μιλώντας μάλιστα προσωπικά, θα πω ότι πέρασα πολύ ευχάριστα με την ιστορία αυτή. Ήταν αρκετά και στα χνάρια της προηγούμενης, ακολουθώντας μια ευθεία γραμμή. Ακόμα και οι αναδρομές σε παλαιότερα γεγονότα δεν άλλαζαν κάτι, παρά μόνο εξηγούσαν καλύτερα γιατί υπάρχει αυτή η απόλυτη ευθεία.
Εστιάζοντας τώρα στο ότι το βιβλίο είναι το Τσάρλι Πάρκερ #7, έχω να πω ότι η απουσία του Τσάρλι για 280 σελίδες από τις 400, σε μένα λειτούργησε πολύ καλύτερα απ’ ό,τι θα περίμενα αν μου το έλεγε κάποιος εκ των προτέρων. Έδωσε τον χώρο στο να ξετυλιχθούν πλήρως και οι δύο βασικοί συμπρωταγωνιστές του, ενώ πήρε και τον δικαιωματικό του χρόνο για να ανασάνει και ο ίδιος. Μπορεί να είναι λίγο αστείο να το λέω αυτό, όταν σε μια σειρά βιβλίων υπάρχουν τόσα υπερφυσικά γεγονότα, αλλά με αυτόν τον τρόπο η ιστορία του Πάρκερ κέρδισε σε αληθοφάνεια αφού, κυριολεκτικά, του ερχόταν το ένα πάνω στο άλλο. Και είναι βέβαιο ότι και τα προσωπικά του, οικογενειακά προβλήματα με αυτόν τον τρόπο θα ωριμάσουν και θα φανεί αν μπορούν να επιλυθούν ή όχι, ενώ αναμένω στα επόμενα βιβλία και μια εκτίναξη σε γεγονότα και καταστάσεις του παρελθόντος που μοιάζουν να καραδοκούν για να αναβιώσουν.
Κλείνοντας, να αναφέρω ότι έχω αρχίσει να διασκεδάζω απίστευτα και με τους αδερφούς Φούλτσι. Η σκηνή με το μπέρδεμα ανάμεσα στο κόκκινο και το πράσινο, ενδέχεται να είναι και η πιο ξεκαρδιστική όλης της σειράς μέχρι τώρα.
February 7, 2021
A Charlie Parker book where he isn’t the main character. I enjoyed my time with Louis and Angel. I liked meeting Willie and Arno. On to the next one!
October 24, 2024
"The Reapers" is a slight departure for John Connolly, whose main protagonist, Charlie Parker, P.I., takes a backseat in this one in order to showcase one of Parker's enigmatic partners, Louis, a tough Southern black killer-for-hire.
Louis (pronounced "Loo-ee", like the French King) is a fascinating character, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that he is gay. He's actually part of a two-man crew of hired killers. His lover, Angel, is also a hit-man. They met and fell in love in prison, and they have been together ever since. Angel, not to be too cliche, completes Louis. He provides a balance of calm and peace to Louis's tumultuous, violent soul.
In this book, we find out more about Louis's dark past: his father was an outspoken black man living in the Far South, who got "too uppity" with the wrong people one night and was subsequently lynched and set on fire. Louis is still haunted by his father's ghost (metaphorically AND literally), which he calls "The Burning Man".
Louis's rage at his father's murder set him on the course that led him to become the violent killer he is. He has learned to control that rage somewhat, but he has many regrets of things in his past. One of those regrets has returned with a vengeance.
One of Louis's early "hits", a vicious killer ironically named Bliss, is, it turns out, very much alive and well. He has spent nearly 30 years planning the perfect revenge: the murder of every single person Louis loves. Fortunately, Louis had long ago put protective measures in place to prevent such an attempt.
Unfortunately (for Louis), Bliss has hired a spectacular crew of killers, calling themselves "Reapers". Louis, along with the help of Angel, Parker, and his own eclectic crew of Reapers, must find and kill Bliss before he can find Louis. Bliss, however, has had almost 30 years to plan this out.
As always, Connolly has written another dark and disturbing tale that is as beautifully written as it is bloody and ultra-violent.
Louis (pronounced "Loo-ee", like the French King) is a fascinating character, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that he is gay. He's actually part of a two-man crew of hired killers. His lover, Angel, is also a hit-man. They met and fell in love in prison, and they have been together ever since. Angel, not to be too cliche, completes Louis. He provides a balance of calm and peace to Louis's tumultuous, violent soul.
In this book, we find out more about Louis's dark past: his father was an outspoken black man living in the Far South, who got "too uppity" with the wrong people one night and was subsequently lynched and set on fire. Louis is still haunted by his father's ghost (metaphorically AND literally), which he calls "The Burning Man".
Louis's rage at his father's murder set him on the course that led him to become the violent killer he is. He has learned to control that rage somewhat, but he has many regrets of things in his past. One of those regrets has returned with a vengeance.
One of Louis's early "hits", a vicious killer ironically named Bliss, is, it turns out, very much alive and well. He has spent nearly 30 years planning the perfect revenge: the murder of every single person Louis loves. Fortunately, Louis had long ago put protective measures in place to prevent such an attempt.
Unfortunately (for Louis), Bliss has hired a spectacular crew of killers, calling themselves "Reapers". Louis, along with the help of Angel, Parker, and his own eclectic crew of Reapers, must find and kill Bliss before he can find Louis. Bliss, however, has had almost 30 years to plan this out.
As always, Connolly has written another dark and disturbing tale that is as beautifully written as it is bloody and ultra-violent.
November 1, 2019
While not my favorite (what can I say, Charlie Parker is my guy), this was a heck of a cat and mouse chase. Back story galore on Charlie’s best dudes— Louis and Angel.
Lots of dots connected but in the end, just not enough Parker. But happy that there are plenty more left in the series...
Lots of dots connected but in the end, just not enough Parker. But happy that there are plenty more left in the series...
August 6, 2019
This was one of my favorites so far!! It is almost only about Louis and Angel! Their backgrounds and how the moved forward from it!!! The reapers is a great name once you figure out what it actually means!! Charlie is more just their friend who comes when they are in need much like they are to him in every other book I’ve read!
March 17, 2023
This was a good, cleverly plotted thriller. Under normal circumstances I'd just rave about the characters and action and leave it at that. But as a Charlie Parker novel, I have a couple minor complaints, no biggee...
First, this was missing something that the previous books have sprinkled throughout, and is what draws me to this series. And that's the creep factor. That ambiguous, almost supernatural element, where you wonder "did that really happen the way it seems?" And the villains in The Reapers just don't send the chills tickling down my spine.
The other complaint is more or less just how my expectations differed from what I got. Mainly that the beginning chapter of this story had me waiting to see where Connolly was going to go with The Burning Man. I thought it was going to play out more than it did... or did it even at all?
Outside of that, this was still a great read, and an otherwise fine installment of the Parker series. I liked the POVs of Willie Brew and Arno, and also I enjoyed the back story for Louis (pronounced Lou-ee, as we come to learn). I was glad to see that this book didn't completely exclude Charlie Parker. He just wasn't standing center stage as he usually does. And this had a wild ending which had me nailed to my seat.
First, this was missing something that the previous books have sprinkled throughout, and is what draws me to this series. And that's the creep factor. That ambiguous, almost supernatural element, where you wonder "did that really happen the way it seems?" And the villains in The Reapers just don't send the chills tickling down my spine.
The other complaint is more or less just how my expectations differed from what I got. Mainly that the beginning chapter of this story had me waiting to see where Connolly was going to go with The Burning Man. I thought it was going to play out more than it did... or did it even at all?
Outside of that, this was still a great read, and an otherwise fine installment of the Parker series. I liked the POVs of Willie Brew and Arno, and also I enjoyed the back story for Louis (pronounced Lou-ee, as we come to learn). I was glad to see that this book didn't completely exclude Charlie Parker. He just wasn't standing center stage as he usually does. And this had a wild ending which had me nailed to my seat.
May 3, 2021
Realised I never got around to writing my review!...
I loved my time spent with Angel and Louis and appreciated getting some deeper viewpoints from other characters on Charlie Parker. As a stand alone this book would be a 5 star for me, but they are part of a much bigger set and unfortunately for Connolly The Black Angel was my all time favourite, 5 starer so now each one of the Parker series have to live up to that one to get the 5 star prize!
I loved my time spent with Angel and Louis and appreciated getting some deeper viewpoints from other characters on Charlie Parker. As a stand alone this book would be a 5 star for me, but they are part of a much bigger set and unfortunately for Connolly The Black Angel was my all time favourite, 5 starer so now each one of the Parker series have to live up to that one to get the 5 star prize!
May 22, 2022
Роман посветен основно на Луис и формирането му като личност, влиянието на миналото му като наемен убиец и приятелството му с Чарли Паркър и Ейнджъл.
Доста добър трилър, с интересен сюжетен обрат.
Доста добър трилър, с интересен сюжетен обрат.
January 22, 2021
Like so many others, I love the characters of Louis and Angel! It’s great that they get an installment in this series dedicated more to them. More great storytelling by Mr. Connelly here. Can’t wait to jump into the next book.
April 29, 2024
A Charlie Parker novel with hardly any Charlie Parker in it.!!
This was the perfect antidote to the previous book which was so dark, and so grim and there were no winners and everyone was unhappy at the end. Don't get me wrong, this book has it's dark and violent moments but it also has a good heart some humour mostly provided by new characters Willie (sad face) & Arno. This story is all about Louis. We get to find out his past and how he became the cool killer he is today. Pretty damn perfect and I repeat, hardly any Charlie Parker at all.
This was the perfect antidote to the previous book which was so dark, and so grim and there were no winners and everyone was unhappy at the end. Don't get me wrong, this book has it's dark and violent moments but it also has a good heart some humour mostly provided by new characters Willie (sad face) & Arno. This story is all about Louis. We get to find out his past and how he became the cool killer he is today. Pretty damn perfect and I repeat, hardly any Charlie Parker at all.
January 29, 2020
The problem that the Reapers has is that, with me reading these novels in order at a fast pace, there is a lot of recycled information that I've read about recently in the past books. If you had a break from the series then it would probably be good to have them here to refresh you, but in my case it wasn't really needed.
I also thought that this was gonna be full of the trademark humour that Angel and Louis are known for, but it's pretty much humour free until the last hundred pages or so when, granted, there were a few conversations between them that made me laugh.
I'm used to Connollys complex plots and twists that I don't see coming, but this here is a pretty standard revenge thriller. There are twists but I saw them coming a mile off. I also aren't a massive fan of extended action/ shootout scenes in novels and the last part of the novel is just that.
It was cool to see Parker sidelined and to see what how a few other characters perceive him. I also enjoyed the two new characters, Willie and his accomplice. I'm looking forward to getting back to the rest of the Parker series though. This one isn't bad, but Connolly has set too high a standard for himself, so I'm unable to rate this any higher when I compare it to the rest of his works.
I also thought that this was gonna be full of the trademark humour that Angel and Louis are known for, but it's pretty much humour free until the last hundred pages or so when, granted, there were a few conversations between them that made me laugh.
I'm used to Connollys complex plots and twists that I don't see coming, but this here is a pretty standard revenge thriller. There are twists but I saw them coming a mile off. I also aren't a massive fan of extended action/ shootout scenes in novels and the last part of the novel is just that.
It was cool to see Parker sidelined and to see what how a few other characters perceive him. I also enjoyed the two new characters, Willie and his accomplice. I'm looking forward to getting back to the rest of the Parker series though. This one isn't bad, but Connolly has set too high a standard for himself, so I'm unable to rate this any higher when I compare it to the rest of his works.
May 19, 2009
Vamos a dejar una cosa clara: John Connolly es el mejor escritor actual de novela negra. Escribe como los ángeles, pero eso sí, te ha de gustar la temática policiaco-detectivesca. Este es el séptimo libro de la serie de Charlie Parker, aunque hay que decir que son de lectura independiente. En él toman protagonismo dos de los compañeros de Parker, y es genial porque profundiza en sus historias personales, algo que en el resto de libros únicamente se hacía mención por encima.
Esta vez a quien le persigue su pasado es a Louis, y de rebote, a su amante Ángel y algunos de sus conocidos. Parker apenas aparece esta vez.
Connolly conoce el oficio y se nota. Sabe mantener la atención hasta el final, aunque este es algo abrupto. En fin, que gustará a los fans.
Esta vez a quien le persigue su pasado es a Louis, y de rebote, a su amante Ángel y algunos de sus conocidos. Parker apenas aparece esta vez.
Connolly conoce el oficio y se nota. Sabe mantener la atención hasta el final, aunque este es algo abrupto. En fin, que gustará a los fans.
July 14, 2018
Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο με εντυπωσίασε ευχάριστα, καθώς ο Connolly κάνει την ανατροπή. Πρωταγωνιστές είναι ο Λούις και ο Έιντζελ! Και αφού τους αγαπώ, μπορείτε να καταλάβετε ότι απόλαυσα την ανάγνωση του βιβλίου. Εκτός από αυτό όμως, θεωρώ ότι ήταν μία σοφή απόφαση του συγγραφέα, γιατί με αυτόν τον τρόπο αποφορτίζει λίγο τους αναγνώστες από όσα συμβαίνουν στον Τσάρλι Πάρκερ και δίνει στον ίδιο την ευκαιρία να ασχοληθεί με τους φίλους του και όχι με τα δικά του προβλήματα.
Η πλοκή ήταν πολύ καλή, η ένταση συνεχής (αναμενόμενο!) και γενικά όλα λειτουργούσαν όπως θα έπρεπε. Υπήρχαν στιγμές που γέλασα πολύ, αλλά και μερικές στιγμές που συγκινήθηκα.
Όμως διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο, κατέληξα σε ένα συμπέρασμα. Για κάποιον περίεργο λόγο συμπαθώ τους αδερφούς Φούλτσι και θα ήθελα να κάνουν έστω και μικρά περάσματα από όλα τα βιβλία! Οι σκηνές στις οποίες βρίσκονταν και αυτοί ήταν πάρα πολύ διασκεδαστικές!
Η πλοκή ήταν πολύ καλή, η ένταση συνεχής (αναμενόμενο!) και γενικά όλα λειτουργούσαν όπως θα έπρεπε. Υπήρχαν στιγμές που γέλασα πολύ, αλλά και μερικές στιγμές που συγκινήθηκα.
Όμως διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο, κατέληξα σε ένα συμπέρασμα. Για κάποιον περίεργο λόγο συμπαθώ τους αδερφούς Φούλτσι και θα ήθελα να κάνουν έστω και μικρά περάσματα από όλα τα βιβλία! Οι σκηνές στις οποίες βρίσκονταν και αυτοί ήταν πάρα πολύ διασκεδαστικές!
July 11, 2020
Чудесна!
August 6, 2025
La saga de Charlie Parker es de las pocas sagas de novela negra que sigo de manera regular. Al menos cada año caen dos entregas. Y este año le ha tocado el turno a Los hombres de la guadaña, entrega en la que los secundarios Angel y Louis, ladrón y asesino a sueldo, toman el papel protagonista, y Charlie Parker aparece solo al inicio y al final de la historia.
Los fantasmas del pasado son el sello personal de John Connolly. En esta ocasión nos toca conocer los fantasmas que arrastra y persiguen a Louis: de cómo creció en un Sur racista y segregado, de cómo vio morir a su madre y cómo descubrió su talento para arrebatar vidas. Por lo general, en cada entrega de la saga nos sumergimos en un círculo de ese infierno laico que es nuestra sociedad, en el que Connolly será nuestro Virgilio y nos guiará por los aspectos más sórdidos y perversos del arma humana; o lo que es lo mismo, hará el trabajo de la buena novela negra, que no es solo resolver un crimen intrigante, sino exponer una realidad incómoda. En esta ocasión, el foco se pone en ciertos organismos oficiales o secretos que se encargan de no dejar cabos sueltos, de imponer y mantener el status quo mediante la cirugía social con instrumentos de plomo y acero, o sea, de hacer desaparecer a elementos indeseables.
Es por ello que en esta entrega la atmosfera sobrenatural desaparece por completo y tiene un ritmo más frenético ¿Recordáis Heat, recordáis El día del chacal? Pues añadidle a Angel y Louis a la mezcla y tendréis esta novela. Una entrega que cumple, pero que precisamente por no continuar con los fantasmas de Parker pierde ese componente sobrenatural y terrorífico tan interesante y que me enamoró de la saga.
Los fantasmas del pasado son el sello personal de John Connolly. En esta ocasión nos toca conocer los fantasmas que arrastra y persiguen a Louis: de cómo creció en un Sur racista y segregado, de cómo vio morir a su madre y cómo descubrió su talento para arrebatar vidas. Por lo general, en cada entrega de la saga nos sumergimos en un círculo de ese infierno laico que es nuestra sociedad, en el que Connolly será nuestro Virgilio y nos guiará por los aspectos más sórdidos y perversos del arma humana; o lo que es lo mismo, hará el trabajo de la buena novela negra, que no es solo resolver un crimen intrigante, sino exponer una realidad incómoda. En esta ocasión, el foco se pone en ciertos organismos oficiales o secretos que se encargan de no dejar cabos sueltos, de imponer y mantener el status quo mediante la cirugía social con instrumentos de plomo y acero, o sea, de hacer desaparecer a elementos indeseables.
Es por ello que en esta entrega la atmosfera sobrenatural desaparece por completo y tiene un ritmo más frenético ¿Recordáis Heat, recordáis El día del chacal? Pues añadidle a Angel y Louis a la mezcla y tendréis esta novela. Una entrega que cumple, pero que precisamente por no continuar con los fantasmas de Parker pierde ese componente sobrenatural y terrorífico tan interesante y que me enamoró de la saga.
January 7, 2009
THE REAPERS (Susp-Angel / Louis-Cont) - Poor
Connolly, John – 7th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2008, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780340936658
First Sentence: Sometimes Louis dreams of the Burning Man.
Louis and Angel are killers; accustomed to being the hunters. Now they find they are the hunted and the targets of a fellow hitman named Bliss.
I was a huge fan of Connolly’s earlier books. Unfortunately, his style seems to have changed and the elements I one loved have been lost, particularly the lyrical style of his writing. That was completely missing in this book. His books have always been dark to the point where I have cautioned those to whom I have recommended his books.
This, however, seemed to be violence for the sake of violence. There were a lot of characters in this book and only one about whom one could really care. Louis and Angel are interesting and I originally liked the idea of learning more of Louis background, but without Parker, of whom very little was seen in this book, there was no balance and I found the two characters without redemption.
Connolly’s wonderful dialogue was in evidence, but that wasn’t enough to make me like the book. In fact, it’s the only book by Connolly I found myself putting down and almost dreading going back to.
Connolly’s writing both attracts and repels me, which may be his objective, but I am not certain whether I shall continue reading him.
Connolly, John – 7th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2008, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780340936658
First Sentence: Sometimes Louis dreams of the Burning Man.
Louis and Angel are killers; accustomed to being the hunters. Now they find they are the hunted and the targets of a fellow hitman named Bliss.
I was a huge fan of Connolly’s earlier books. Unfortunately, his style seems to have changed and the elements I one loved have been lost, particularly the lyrical style of his writing. That was completely missing in this book. His books have always been dark to the point where I have cautioned those to whom I have recommended his books.
This, however, seemed to be violence for the sake of violence. There were a lot of characters in this book and only one about whom one could really care. Louis and Angel are interesting and I originally liked the idea of learning more of Louis background, but without Parker, of whom very little was seen in this book, there was no balance and I found the two characters without redemption.
Connolly’s wonderful dialogue was in evidence, but that wasn’t enough to make me like the book. In fact, it’s the only book by Connolly I found myself putting down and almost dreading going back to.
Connolly’s writing both attracts and repels me, which may be his objective, but I am not certain whether I shall continue reading him.
January 19, 2021
I really liked this book. I am a huge fan of Greg Isles and John Connolly goes into that realm with this book. (or it could be the other way around...) Most of the previous books in the Charlie Parker series kinda have a little Stephen Kingish in them. Since I really like both authors, I love this series.
December 25, 2015
In ‘The Reapers’, number 7 of the Charlie Parker mysteries, the reader is treated to a Louis and Angel story (‘The Detective’ Parker arrives late in the plot). Instead of the usual paranormal horror mystery in which Parker tends to become involved, this tale explains Louis’ backstory for half of the book in alternating chapters of flashbacks with an entertaining black-ops thriller filling out the remainder of the book.
Louis is a man with so much violent history in his past his life rivals James Bond movies in secret missions. Along the way former allies became enemies, and Louis is not certain whether Gabriel, his old boss, is friend or foe. When hit squads attack every part of Louis’ life - his apartment, the auto repair shop he invested in for a cover - he spots the old professionalism signaling this is a black-ops effort. So, it is unavoidable that he must call his former boss, Gabriel, the creator of the special unit of men he called ‘the reapers’, of which Louis once was a member.
Gabriel is old now, and a new man, Milton, is being prepared to become what Gabriel was, with the exception of keeping Gabriel’s ‘reapers’. Milton may or may not be hostile to Gabriel, despite that the two men are theoretically working for the same ends.
Gabriel still has feelings for Louis (although Louis isn’t sure of that) and as a favor to Louis, he has protected Louis’ new location and identity. Gabriel asks Milton for information on the fingerprints left behind in the attack on Louis without going into a lot of detail. Another surprise which puzzles Gabriel is the Federal agents which showed up after the attack on the auto garage asking about the fake name Louis bought the business under. The frontmen who actually run the auto repair business, Willie and Arno, are not friends of Louis exactly, but they know enough to have explained it was a robbery, and thus it should have been strictly a police matter, not Federal. A lot of dirty secrets could be exposed, depending on who initiated the operation against Louis.
Louis walked away and hid from the people who made him who he is. There were a few loose ends, some of whom still hate Louis. One of those ends has decided it is the right time for payback…
Louis is a man with so much violent history in his past his life rivals James Bond movies in secret missions. Along the way former allies became enemies, and Louis is not certain whether Gabriel, his old boss, is friend or foe. When hit squads attack every part of Louis’ life - his apartment, the auto repair shop he invested in for a cover - he spots the old professionalism signaling this is a black-ops effort. So, it is unavoidable that he must call his former boss, Gabriel, the creator of the special unit of men he called ‘the reapers’, of which Louis once was a member.
Gabriel is old now, and a new man, Milton, is being prepared to become what Gabriel was, with the exception of keeping Gabriel’s ‘reapers’. Milton may or may not be hostile to Gabriel, despite that the two men are theoretically working for the same ends.
Gabriel still has feelings for Louis (although Louis isn’t sure of that) and as a favor to Louis, he has protected Louis’ new location and identity. Gabriel asks Milton for information on the fingerprints left behind in the attack on Louis without going into a lot of detail. Another surprise which puzzles Gabriel is the Federal agents which showed up after the attack on the auto garage asking about the fake name Louis bought the business under. The frontmen who actually run the auto repair business, Willie and Arno, are not friends of Louis exactly, but they know enough to have explained it was a robbery, and thus it should have been strictly a police matter, not Federal. A lot of dirty secrets could be exposed, depending on who initiated the operation against Louis.
Louis walked away and hid from the people who made him who he is. There were a few loose ends, some of whom still hate Louis. One of those ends has decided it is the right time for payback…
June 25, 2025
2nd read - This time we see more of Louis and Angel, with Louis's time as a young man and his recruitment into "The Reapers", a clandestine organization that rents it's members out for killing jobs. Louis has left the group behind years ago, but is now targeted by persons unkown with a link to the Reapers, including his recruiter and mentor, Gabriel.
Parker, the detective, is seen only peripherally, with appearances by Jackie and the notorious Fulci brothers.
'Louis found it hard to understand who so many others of his race failed to connect with this (country) music: it spoke of rural poverty, of love, of despair, of faithfulness and infidelity, and these were experiences known to all men, black as well as white.'
1st read - A different story, centering more on Louis and Angel with quite a bit of Louis' history and background. It helps to flesh out the character in a story centering on revenge.
Parker, the detective, is seen only peripherally, with appearances by Jackie and the notorious Fulci brothers.
'Louis found it hard to understand who so many others of his race failed to connect with this (country) music: it spoke of rural poverty, of love, of despair, of faithfulness and infidelity, and these were experiences known to all men, black as well as white.'
1st read - A different story, centering more on Louis and Angel with quite a bit of Louis' history and background. It helps to flesh out the character in a story centering on revenge.
September 3, 2018
Πολύ ωραίο,αλλά αρκετά διαφορετικό,οι Θεριστές δεν έχουν την ,κλασσική πια, δομή που έχουμε συνηθίσει στις ιστορίες του Πάρκερ.Ο Τσάρλι σε αυτό το βιβλίο "συνδράμει" στην εξέλιξη μιας προσωπικής υπόθεσης του Λούις.Πιο κοντά στην αστυνομική φύση του και με πλήρη απουσία του μεταφυσικού στοιχείου,ίσως ξενίσει λιγουλάκι τους φανς.Αγαπώ Φούλτσι και Γκάρνερ λίγο περισσότερο κάθε φορά,να τα λέμε κι αυτά,και το μόνο πράγμα που με ενόχλησε πραγματικά,είναι το γεγονός ότι έχω διαβάσει κάποια από τα επόμενα-ως εκ τούτου είχα προκαλέσει σπόιλ στον εαυτό μου σε κάποια σημεία.5⭐ πολύ άνετα από εμένα!
June 29, 2012
The Reapers is being advertised as Charlie Parker 7th book while the book is more about his friend Louis and his partner Angel. In this tale we get more insight in Louis past and it about catches up with Louis. But it is also about the world he created around him and the relations within his surroundings.
A great thriller about violence and friendship.
Well worth a read but only if you have read some more tales from the Charlie Parker universe, only if you want to make more sense of it all.
A great thriller about violence and friendship.
Well worth a read but only if you have read some more tales from the Charlie Parker universe, only if you want to make more sense of it all.
June 4, 2012
Another excellent entry into what is quite possibly the best detective series out there. This time Connolly lets Charlie Parker take a back seat with Louis and Angel as the driving force. The reader gets a deeper insight into Louis' upbringing and things that made him the killer with occasional sparks of conscience that he became. The book also works as a fine meditation on the nature of evil and/or violence and on the effects it has on the innocent and not so innocent bystanders. The adversaries in this book are less terrifying/supernatural seeming as the ones in previous books, instead a great deal of the book is told from the perspectives of the characters that up till now have been either unmentioned or periphery, which is great because it provides the reader with an opportunity to see how the world at large perceives Charlie and co. Character writing is Connolly's strong suit, even minor ones he manages to flesh out so well and vividly, a remarkable quality in a remarkable writer all around. Highly recommended.
November 14, 2012
I liked Dark Hollow and I thought The Reapers would make for some good back story and continuation for some of the characters. The author goes to great lengths in exhausting an unwarranted depository of descriptive illustrations for ambient and inanimate matters that do nothing whatsoever for the story's sake. (Men are stalking one another across rural farmland: Do I want to know that it's raining and the sky is dark? Yes, of course. Do I want to know what the clouds are shaped like and what thoughts ought to be evoked by their colors? No, absolutely not. Louis doesn't care and neither does the man who intends to kill him. Meanwhile, my apprehension is deflating.) This author knows how to arouse and summon the distress and unease that makes this type of fiction work. He just doesn't seem to know when to cork it. I was relieved not by the ending, itself, but in simply being able to move on to another read.
January 27, 2014
¿Hola?. ¿Charlie Parker, estás por ahí? Siento decirte que no se te ha echado nada de menos en este libro de John Connolly aunque tengamos que incluirlo dentro de tu serie.
Cuando creías haberle pillado el tranquillo al amigo Connolly te sale con una novela protagonizada por Angel Y Louis donde ahonda en el pasado del asesino y el ladrón. Se trata de dos personajes que me chirriaron en la primera novela. Me parecían metidos con calzador y demasiados extravagantes como para encajar en una historia de detectives.
Sin embargo a lo largo de los distintos vólumenes son precisamente esas extravagancias las que hacen que esperes en cada capítulo su aparición. Te encuentras musitando: vamos Charlie, llámalos ya, sabes que tendrás que hacerlo.
Uno de los mejores de la serie. Y me pregunto:¿dedicará una novela a los hermanos Fulci?
Cuando creías haberle pillado el tranquillo al amigo Connolly te sale con una novela protagonizada por Angel Y Louis donde ahonda en el pasado del asesino y el ladrón. Se trata de dos personajes que me chirriaron en la primera novela. Me parecían metidos con calzador y demasiados extravagantes como para encajar en una historia de detectives.
Sin embargo a lo largo de los distintos vólumenes son precisamente esas extravagancias las que hacen que esperes en cada capítulo su aparición. Te encuentras musitando: vamos Charlie, llámalos ya, sabes que tendrás que hacerlo.
Uno de los mejores de la serie. Y me pregunto:¿dedicará una novela a los hermanos Fulci?
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