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Charlie Parker #6
6. UNQUIET
New
480 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2007
728 people are currently reading
4384 people want to read
About the author
John Connolly
220 books7,901 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 638 reviews
September 2, 2018
Intense.
Connolly writes detective-style mysteries with a dash of supernatural elements. The trouble is, neither Parker, nor the reader, is entirely sure what might just be unusual and what might be somewhat otherworldly. Parker, his lead character, has been haunted by the ghosts of his wife and child since they were killed, and once again, Parker is struggling with their ghosts. They're real enough that others can sense them, although his estranged wife, Rachel, points out that in her perception, ghosts are kept alive by people refusing to let go of the past. Parker is still at their house in Maine, taking small jobs like the one for Rebecca, who has a stalker. It turns out that the stalker has a somewhat sympathetic cause, trying to find Rebecca's father, a psychologist who worked with abused children, and who was last seen about the same time as his own daughter. Parker, empathetic both to woman in distress and parents of missing children, finds himself drawn deep into the case.
"I turned. A man appeared to be standing among the tress. If I looked directly at him I could see only branches and spots of moonlight where I thought he was standing, but he seemed to appear more clearly when I looked at him with my peripheral vision, or if I tried not to focus on him at all. He was there, though. Walter's reaction was evidence of that, and I still recalled the events of the night before: the glimpse I had caught of something at the edge of the forest before it faded away; a child's voice whispering from the shadows; words scrawled on a dusty windowpane."
I literally had to take breaks from this book. Not because it was horrific, but because it was so intense. While building the plot tension, Connolly creates a vivid world with lush description. There are tiny moments of humor that made me smile, almost gratefully, with the opportunity to provide breathing space. Here's one tiny bit, right before Parker heads into an emotionally fraught interview in a Supermax.
"His uniform was starched and pressed, and everything that was supposed to gleam did so spectacularly. There was a little more gray in his mustache than before, but I decided not to point that out. Beneath his gruff exterior, I sensed there was a sensitive child just waiting to be hugged. I didn't want to hurt his feeling, singular.
'Back again,' he said, in a tone that suggested I was forever bothering him by knocking on the door at all hours of the day and night, demanding that I be let in to play with the other kids.
'Can't stay away from men in jails,' I said.
'Yeah, we get a lot of that here,' he replied.
That Joe Long. What a kidder. If he was any drier, he'd have been Arizona."
There's also solid social commentary snuck in about Supermax prisons, mental health, and the complicated issues around child abuse. As always, the lovely writing encouraged me to go slow, to linger on each image. I wanted to find out the end, but yet dreaded the final confrontation, the solution that I knew would be terrible and heart-wrenching. Without doubt, I'll go on to the next book, but I might wait a spell before doing so.
Four-and-a-half stars, rounding up for leaving me breathless.
Connolly writes detective-style mysteries with a dash of supernatural elements. The trouble is, neither Parker, nor the reader, is entirely sure what might just be unusual and what might be somewhat otherworldly. Parker, his lead character, has been haunted by the ghosts of his wife and child since they were killed, and once again, Parker is struggling with their ghosts. They're real enough that others can sense them, although his estranged wife, Rachel, points out that in her perception, ghosts are kept alive by people refusing to let go of the past. Parker is still at their house in Maine, taking small jobs like the one for Rebecca, who has a stalker. It turns out that the stalker has a somewhat sympathetic cause, trying to find Rebecca's father, a psychologist who worked with abused children, and who was last seen about the same time as his own daughter. Parker, empathetic both to woman in distress and parents of missing children, finds himself drawn deep into the case.
"I turned. A man appeared to be standing among the tress. If I looked directly at him I could see only branches and spots of moonlight where I thought he was standing, but he seemed to appear more clearly when I looked at him with my peripheral vision, or if I tried not to focus on him at all. He was there, though. Walter's reaction was evidence of that, and I still recalled the events of the night before: the glimpse I had caught of something at the edge of the forest before it faded away; a child's voice whispering from the shadows; words scrawled on a dusty windowpane."
I literally had to take breaks from this book. Not because it was horrific, but because it was so intense. While building the plot tension, Connolly creates a vivid world with lush description. There are tiny moments of humor that made me smile, almost gratefully, with the opportunity to provide breathing space. Here's one tiny bit, right before Parker heads into an emotionally fraught interview in a Supermax.
"His uniform was starched and pressed, and everything that was supposed to gleam did so spectacularly. There was a little more gray in his mustache than before, but I decided not to point that out. Beneath his gruff exterior, I sensed there was a sensitive child just waiting to be hugged. I didn't want to hurt his feeling, singular.
'Back again,' he said, in a tone that suggested I was forever bothering him by knocking on the door at all hours of the day and night, demanding that I be let in to play with the other kids.
'Can't stay away from men in jails,' I said.
'Yeah, we get a lot of that here,' he replied.
That Joe Long. What a kidder. If he was any drier, he'd have been Arizona."
There's also solid social commentary snuck in about Supermax prisons, mental health, and the complicated issues around child abuse. As always, the lovely writing encouraged me to go slow, to linger on each image. I wanted to find out the end, but yet dreaded the final confrontation, the solution that I knew would be terrible and heart-wrenching. Without doubt, I'll go on to the next book, but I might wait a spell before doing so.
Four-and-a-half stars, rounding up for leaving me breathless.
February 4, 2020
Things have gone off kilter in a small town in Maine, accompanied by a slight whiff of burning. Dark shifting presences, ones that cannot be seen straight on, only caught out of the corner of one's eye. Deep set feelings of grief and loss, conjuring up ghosts who cannot rest. Lost children, naked men with bird masks, a telltale tattoo, keeping company with secrets. Charlie Parker has his work cut out for him with this case.
December 25, 2020
5 STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another winner in the Charlie Parker series!
I loved this book and series dispite the subject matter.
Here's the thing about this series.
It's not an easy read if you have a hard time reading dark topics, evil men or things that go bump in the night.
But the series is so well written and realistic that it's not for shock value. The plots and characters are amazing!
It's more like...
"Yeah, bad shit happens out there.
I'm writting about it and you'll love the book, series and characters regardless of where I take you on this dark and twisted journey.
And the only men that will save you will be grey men that are neither black or white.
You will come to love these men: Charlie, Angel and Louis even though you know that they are not "good" men. They are ruthless and flawed men that will find a way to stop the more evil predator when possible."
Honestly, I think John Connolly said that one time at a book interview. 😉🤣😂
I kid, I kid...back to the book!
The Unquiet starts with Charlie Parker getting a new case from Rebecca Clay.
Charlie Parker is a private investigator and he takes the jobs and cold cases that are tough, deadly and not for the faint of heart.
Rebecca Clay has a stalker and needs Charlie Parker to do something about him.
The stalker, Frank Merrick is looking for his lost daughter and Rebecca's Dad was the last to see her.
Rebecca's Dad, Dr. Daniel Clay has been presumed dead for over 5 years now and Rebecca has no idea where he is but Merrick doesn't believe her.
Dr. Clay was a child psychiatrist that dealt with all types of abuse of children. No one knows the real story of his disapperance or why the State of Maine was starting to look into his practice.
The Unquiet is a plot about unsolved cases, child predators and the men like Frank Merrick that will hunt down this scumbag of all scumbags.
Charlie Parker must find out the truth about Dr. Clay's disappearance along with finding Merrick's daugther. He must walk a fine line between finding out with who's the biggest predator of them all.
I think that if you've got the time, The Reflecting Eye in the Nocturnes collection of short stories by John Connolly would be beneficial to read.
It's a short story about Charlie Parker and it goes into the case of John Grady and The Collector.
The Collector is in The Unquiet and it was super helpful to me on getting extra information about him.
Definitely read this series if you love thrillers, especially with supernatural themes.
The Charlie Parker series has become one of my all time favorite series out there. I'm so excited to get to the next book!
Another winner in the Charlie Parker series!
I loved this book and series dispite the subject matter.
Here's the thing about this series.
It's not an easy read if you have a hard time reading dark topics, evil men or things that go bump in the night.
But the series is so well written and realistic that it's not for shock value. The plots and characters are amazing!
It's more like...
"Yeah, bad shit happens out there.
I'm writting about it and you'll love the book, series and characters regardless of where I take you on this dark and twisted journey.
And the only men that will save you will be grey men that are neither black or white.
You will come to love these men: Charlie, Angel and Louis even though you know that they are not "good" men. They are ruthless and flawed men that will find a way to stop the more evil predator when possible."
Honestly, I think John Connolly said that one time at a book interview. 😉🤣😂
I kid, I kid...back to the book!
The Unquiet starts with Charlie Parker getting a new case from Rebecca Clay.
Charlie Parker is a private investigator and he takes the jobs and cold cases that are tough, deadly and not for the faint of heart.
Rebecca Clay has a stalker and needs Charlie Parker to do something about him.
The stalker, Frank Merrick is looking for his lost daughter and Rebecca's Dad was the last to see her.
Rebecca's Dad, Dr. Daniel Clay has been presumed dead for over 5 years now and Rebecca has no idea where he is but Merrick doesn't believe her.
Dr. Clay was a child psychiatrist that dealt with all types of abuse of children. No one knows the real story of his disapperance or why the State of Maine was starting to look into his practice.
The Unquiet is a plot about unsolved cases, child predators and the men like Frank Merrick that will hunt down this scumbag of all scumbags.
Charlie Parker must find out the truth about Dr. Clay's disappearance along with finding Merrick's daugther. He must walk a fine line between finding out with who's the biggest predator of them all.
I think that if you've got the time, The Reflecting Eye in the Nocturnes collection of short stories by John Connolly would be beneficial to read.
It's a short story about Charlie Parker and it goes into the case of John Grady and The Collector.
The Collector is in The Unquiet and it was super helpful to me on getting extra information about him.
Definitely read this series if you love thrillers, especially with supernatural themes.
The Charlie Parker series has become one of my all time favorite series out there. I'm so excited to get to the next book!
January 27, 2015
One of the most straight-forward of the Charlie Parker novels I have read, and quite possibly the most bleak, as well. As always, Connolly weaves a tale that is able to completely immerse you from the very beginning, and hold your attention until the final page. Angel and Louis (Connolly's usual comic-relief duo) are present in this novel, but to a much lesser degree than in some of its predecessors.
The storyline doesn't contain as many divergent paths as earlier novels in the series, but was no less intriguing for that. Connolly, as usual, knows just the right buttons to press to assure your complete attention. Another incredible read in the Charlie Parker series.
Highly recommended!
The storyline doesn't contain as many divergent paths as earlier novels in the series, but was no less intriguing for that. Connolly, as usual, knows just the right buttons to press to assure your complete attention. Another incredible read in the Charlie Parker series.
Highly recommended!
December 19, 2018
This one was dark, but for a whole different reason than the previous ones. Connolly has never been one to shy from dark and grim in his Charlie Parker series, but here he takes on the subject of child abuse. If you’ve been following the series (and you should if you haven’t) you’ll know that Parker’s life has been somewhat fraught with distress and all kinds of darkness. To paraphrase another review of this book, one would almost hope that the author would give the poor guy a break. Not here, however, as Parker is haunted by his own dead child while he tries to solve the mystery of a disappeared psychiatrist, an investigation which opens up a wormy can of ugly things (notably the aforementioned child abuse). It’s a mystery in the best tradition of detective fiction, but with the trademark tinge of ambiguous supernaturalism slightly tuned down. Just slightly. Because, you see, … hollow men.
This wasn’t the easiest book to read, because of the subject matter. As such, it isn’t an easy review to write, so I’ll stop now and just leave this exit statement: READ THIS SERIES
This wasn’t the easiest book to read, because of the subject matter. As such, it isn’t an easy review to write, so I’ll stop now and just leave this exit statement: READ THIS SERIES
December 24, 2020
Such a dark, thrilling series! This is another really good installment, leaving my emotions all over the place as I finish. Mr. Connolly sure can write a thrilling narrative while handling some really dark and difficult subject matter. There was a really good mystery here, and some of the bigger twists in the series so far, I thought. So much potential moving forward! And the characters! I love them more with each book. They are so complex and compelling, and I root for them so much.
If you can handle the dark material, I very much recommend this series and particularly, this book. 5/5 stars for me.
PS - I recommend reading the short story The Reflecting Eye before reading this, if you’re working your way through the series. I did not know about this story, but when I reached a certain point in The Unquiet, I realized there was some background I was missing. I stopped and tracked that down before going on, and am glad I did so. It increased my enjoyment, as I would expect it would for most. This short story is in the collection titled Nocturnes
If you can handle the dark material, I very much recommend this series and particularly, this book. 5/5 stars for me.
PS - I recommend reading the short story The Reflecting Eye before reading this, if you’re working your way through the series. I did not know about this story, but when I reached a certain point in The Unquiet, I realized there was some background I was missing. I stopped and tracked that down before going on, and am glad I did so. It increased my enjoyment, as I would expect it would for most. This short story is in the collection titled Nocturnes
May 14, 2018
Οι Κούφιοι άνθρωποι είναι το έκτο βιβλίο του Τζον Κόνολι με πρωταγωνιστή τον ιδιωτικό ντεντέκτιβ Τσάρλι Πάρκερ. Έχει κάποιες διαφοροποιήσεις σε σχέση με τα αμέσως προηγούμενα της σειράς, τις οποίες οι φίλοι της είτε θα τις δουν με πολύ καλό μάτι είτε θα απογοητευτούν. Τις παραθέτω, λέγοντας ότι εγώ ανήκω στην πρώτη κατηγορία.
Η πλοκή της καινούργιας περιπέτειας του Τσάρλι Πάρκερ εξελίσσεται εντελώς αντίθετα σε σχέση με την αντίστοιχη του προηγούμενου βιβλίου της σειράς, (Ο μαύρος άγγελος). Αν εκεί μπορούσαμε να τη χαρακτηρίσουμε δαιδαλώδης, με πλοκές και υπόπλοκες που έδεναν αναμεταξύ τους με περίπλοκο τρόπο μέχρι να οδηγήσουν σε ένα τελικό αποτέλεσμα, εδώ υπάρχει απλώς μια straight/forward ιστορία.
Βλέπουμε (σχεδόν) τα πάντα μόνο μέσα από τα μάτια του Πάρκερ. Εξερευνεί μια κατάσταση, προκύπτει μια άλλη, την εξερευνεί κι αυτή, και η γραμμική πορεία συνεχίζεται. Προσωπικά μου άρεσε που πήγε έτσι, νομίζω ότι ήταν και αυτό που κολλούσε καλύτερα στις ανάγκες της ιστορίας.
Η καλπάζουσα βουτιά προς το υπερφυσικό των προηγούμενων δύο βιβλίων απουσιάζει επίσης. Υπάρχουν κι εδώ διάφορα “πραγματάκια”, αλλά η ιστορία, κατά τη γνώμη μου πάντα, μπορούσε να λυθεί και χωρίς αυτά. Σε μένα όλο αυτό λειτούργησε πολύ καλά. Το κύριο θέμα που πραγματεύεται το βιβλίο είναι σκληρό και πολύ σοβαρό, και προσωπικά με αγγίζει και πολύ, οπότε ήταν θετικό που όλα αυτά έπρεπε να λυθούν χωρίς υπερφυσικές παρεμβάσεις. Ήταν μια σκληρή αστυνομική ιστορία και ευτυχώς κύλησε ακριβώς έτσι.
*Μικρό σπόιλερ εδώ*. Οι δύο κολλητοί του Πάρκερ, οι απίστευτοι Λούις και Έιντζελ, στο πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου απουσιάζουν. Τους λατρεύω και τους δύο, αφού είναι οι απόλυτοι “καλοκακοί” αντιήρωες… κι όμως. Για έναν παράξενο λόγο δεν μου έλειψαν. Αντιθέτως, μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ ο “σόλο Πάρκερ”. (Οι αδερφοί Φούλτσι που είναι στο πλευρό του στο πρώτο μισό, δεν είναι το ίδιο, αφού δεν είναι οι σταθεροί teammates του, αλλά ένα –επίσης τρομερά διασκεδαστικό– δίδυμο που πρωτοεμφανίστηκε μόλις ένα βιβλίο πριν).
*Μικρό σπόιλερ κι εδώ*. Η Ρέιτσελ κάνει ελάχιστες εμφανίσεις στο βιβλίο, αφού η σχέση της με τον Πάρκερ είναι (λόγω παλιότερων γεγονότων) σε πολύ κακό στάδιο. Παραδέχομαι ότι δεν μου έλειψε ούτε κι αυτή κι ότι η απουσία της δίνει την ευκαιρία στον Πάρκερ να ξεδιπλωθεί διαφορετικά.
Το μόνο κλασικό “ζήτημα” του Κονολι είναι οι εκτενείς περιγραφές σε διάφορα σημεία που δεν απαιτούνται. Να πω ότι, είτε τον συνήθισα εντελώς είτε στο βιβλίο αυτό η κατάχρηση ήταν μικρότερη. Πάντως δεν με ενόχλησε!
Τέλος, δίνω πολλά επιπλέον συν και για το θέμα που θίγεται. Η κακοποίηση παιδιών είναι κάτι που πιστεύω ότι αγγίζει οποιονδήποτε γονέα, αφού άθελά του σκέφτεται ότι κάτι τέτοιο θα μπορούσε να συμβεί και στα δικά του παιδιά. Είναι προφανώς κάτι που μόνο ως μαχαιριά στην καρδιά περιγράφεται.
Δεν ξέρω λοιπόν αν είναι ιεροσυλία, (για τους φανατικούς των προηγουμένων δύο βιβλίων είναι) αλλά οι “κούφιοι άνθρωποι” είναι για μένα ένα από τα αγαπημένα της σειράς, εξαιτίας των όσων προανέφερα και κυρίως λόγω της γραμμικής του πλοκής.
Η πλοκή της καινούργιας περιπέτειας του Τσάρλι Πάρκερ εξελίσσεται εντελώς αντίθετα σε σχέση με την αντίστοιχη του προηγούμενου βιβλίου της σειράς, (Ο μαύρος άγγελος). Αν εκεί μπορούσαμε να τη χαρακτηρίσουμε δαιδαλώδης, με πλοκές και υπόπλοκες που έδεναν αναμεταξύ τους με περίπλοκο τρόπο μέχρι να οδηγήσουν σε ένα τελικό αποτέλεσμα, εδώ υπάρχει απλώς μια straight/forward ιστορία.
Βλέπουμε (σχεδόν) τα πάντα μόνο μέσα από τα μάτια του Πάρκερ. Εξερευνεί μια κατάσταση, προκύπτει μια άλλη, την εξερευνεί κι αυτή, και η γραμμική πορεία συνεχίζεται. Προσωπικά μου άρεσε που πήγε έτσι, νομίζω ότι ήταν και αυτό που κολλούσε καλύτερα στις ανάγκες της ιστορίας.
Η καλπάζουσα βουτιά προς το υπερφυσικό των προηγούμενων δύο βιβλίων απουσιάζει επίσης. Υπάρχουν κι εδώ διάφορα “πραγματάκια”, αλλά η ιστορία, κατά τη γνώμη μου πάντα, μπορούσε να λυθεί και χωρίς αυτά. Σε μένα όλο αυτό λειτούργησε πολύ καλά. Το κύριο θέμα που πραγματεύεται το βιβλίο είναι σκληρό και πολύ σοβαρό, και προσωπικά με αγγίζει και πολύ, οπότε ήταν θετικό που όλα αυτά έπρεπε να λυθούν χωρίς υπερφυσικές παρεμβάσεις. Ήταν μια σκληρή αστυνομική ιστορία και ευτυχώς κύλησε ακριβώς έτσι.
*Μικρό σπόιλερ εδώ*. Οι δύο κολλητοί του Πάρκερ, οι απίστευτοι Λούις και Έιντζελ, στο πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου απουσιάζουν. Τους λατρεύω και τους δύο, αφού είναι οι απόλυτοι “καλοκακοί” αντιήρωες… κι όμως. Για έναν παράξενο λόγο δεν μου έλειψαν. Αντιθέτως, μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ ο “σόλο Πάρκερ”. (Οι αδερφοί Φούλτσι που είναι στο πλευρό του στο πρώτο μισό, δεν είναι το ίδιο, αφού δεν είναι οι σταθεροί teammates του, αλλά ένα –επίσης τρομερά διασκεδαστικό– δίδυμο που πρωτοεμφανίστηκε μόλις ένα βιβλίο πριν).
*Μικρό σπόιλερ κι εδώ*. Η Ρέιτσελ κάνει ελάχιστες εμφανίσεις στο βιβλίο, αφού η σχέση της με τον Πάρκερ είναι (λόγω παλιότερων γεγονότων) σε πολύ κακό στάδιο. Παραδέχομαι ότι δεν μου έλειψε ούτε κι αυτή κι ότι η απουσία της δίνει την ευκαιρία στον Πάρκερ να ξεδιπλωθεί διαφορετικά.
Το μόνο κλασικό “ζήτημα” του Κονολι είναι οι εκτενείς περιγραφές σε διάφορα σημεία που δεν απαιτούνται. Να πω ότι, είτε τον συνήθισα εντελώς είτε στο βιβλίο αυτό η κατάχρηση ήταν μικρότερη. Πάντως δεν με ενόχλησε!
Τέλος, δίνω πολλά επιπλέον συν και για το θέμα που θίγεται. Η κακοποίηση παιδιών είναι κάτι που πιστεύω ότι αγγίζει οποιονδήποτε γονέα, αφού άθελά του σκέφτεται ότι κάτι τέτοιο θα μπορούσε να συμβεί και στα δικά του παιδιά. Είναι προφανώς κάτι που μόνο ως μαχαιριά στην καρδιά περιγράφεται.
Δεν ξέρω λοιπόν αν είναι ιεροσυλία, (για τους φανατικούς των προηγουμένων δύο βιβλίων είναι) αλλά οι “κούφιοι άνθρωποι” είναι για μένα ένα από τα αγαπημένα της σειράς, εξαιτίας των όσων προανέφερα και κυρίως λόγω της γραμμικής του πλοκής.
September 30, 2019
This is a dark read due to the nature of the old crimes which are haunting several of the characters. And as Charlie always does, he becomes personally invested in uncovering what has happened in the past and stop it from happening again.
Connolly took his time with this book— sometimes spending more time describing Maine’s towns, landscapes and deeply wooded world than the villains and victims found there. The story quickly becomes complicated as it unfolds and Parker is drawn in. Characters move in a very dark criminal world, one that I’m not a fan of reading about, no matter how well written and tasteful the writing is— these crimes against children are unspeakable and lead to a variety of revenge scenes. No doubt many readers were cheering on bad men punishing even worse men.
And then there is the question of the Hollow Men... they are just as creepy as you might think. I’m beginning to wonder about their shadowed existence... Parker is also wondering.
The Collector makes another appearance— seemingly on the same side as Parker this time. However he continues to sow discourse and emotional trauma with every conversation with our favorite private detective. He has a role to play again— it remains to be seen as to when and how.
I believe this book is a turning point in the series— Parker is at a new crossroads as the book ends. Regardless, the writing remains stellar and the darkness just creepy enough to leave a reader keeping a light on while reading!!
Connolly took his time with this book— sometimes spending more time describing Maine’s towns, landscapes and deeply wooded world than the villains and victims found there. The story quickly becomes complicated as it unfolds and Parker is drawn in. Characters move in a very dark criminal world, one that I’m not a fan of reading about, no matter how well written and tasteful the writing is— these crimes against children are unspeakable and lead to a variety of revenge scenes. No doubt many readers were cheering on bad men punishing even worse men.
And then there is the question of the Hollow Men... they are just as creepy as you might think. I’m beginning to wonder about their shadowed existence... Parker is also wondering.
The Collector makes another appearance— seemingly on the same side as Parker this time. However he continues to sow discourse and emotional trauma with every conversation with our favorite private detective. He has a role to play again— it remains to be seen as to when and how.
I believe this book is a turning point in the series— Parker is at a new crossroads as the book ends. Regardless, the writing remains stellar and the darkness just creepy enough to leave a reader keeping a light on while reading!!
June 1, 2025
The Unquiet is my first step onto Charlie Parker territory that I haven't already covered - and what a step. Everything slowly building in the previous books comes to a head; personal, career and philosophical issues Charlie has been sidestepping have finally pinned him to a corner.
There's less to unpack here than with the previous books; for the most part we follow a single thread, and I needed that clarity after Black Angels. Though it's an absolutely horrific series of crimes at the core of the central mystery, the focus they're given felt like respect; as though the author didn't want to pull focus from his victims by dabbling too deeply in side issues and supernatural entities. There is an intriguing antagonist I suspect we'll be seeing again; he felt like the darker side of Charlie Parker's avenging self.
Overall though, the writing remains as top notch as always, and the book itself was a welcome return to my preferred version of this series.
There's less to unpack here than with the previous books; for the most part we follow a single thread, and I needed that clarity after Black Angels. Though it's an absolutely horrific series of crimes at the core of the central mystery, the focus they're given felt like respect; as though the author didn't want to pull focus from his victims by dabbling too deeply in side issues and supernatural entities. There is an intriguing antagonist I suspect we'll be seeing again; he felt like the darker side of Charlie Parker's avenging self.
Overall though, the writing remains as top notch as always, and the book itself was a welcome return to my preferred version of this series.
December 1, 2017
The only thing you need to know about the entire Charlie Parker series is that you need to read it.
January 1, 2021
I’m loving these books. Well written, with great characters and a fairly straightforward but well handled plot. On the surface this is a dark, disturbing story of child abuse and revenge... underneath the surface it’s an equally dark and disturbing story of ghosts and the supernatural.
(I read the short story The Reflecting Eye first, which I’d recommend as it introduces an important character.)
(I read the short story The Reflecting Eye first, which I’d recommend as it introduces an important character.)
September 4, 2023
Utterly devastating. Everybody loses, there is no light, only darkness.
October 24, 2024
John Connolly's "The Unquiet" is, perhaps, Connolly's most straight-forward murder mystery to date. By that I mean that it does not have the rambling expository passages and poetic flourishes that have graced some of his other novels. I think it's due to the harsh and rather ugly subject matter: pedophelia. Not a lot one can (or would want to) poeticize about that. Not missing from the book is Connolly's deft handling of the supernatural. It's toned down a bit in this one, but he manages to bring it in for excellent dramatic effect.
In "The Unquiet", detective Charlie Parker is hired by Rebecca Clay, the daughter of the infamous Dr. Daniel Clay, a once-prestigious child psychologist who was involved several years before in a class action lawsuit brought against him by ex-patients who claimed that Clay and several other people connected with him had sexually molested them. Dr. Clay mysteriously disappeared before he could go to trial, but his sullied reputation lived on.
Rebecca hires Parker to ward off the unwanted advances of Frank Merrick, an ex-con recently released, who believes Rebecca knows where her father is and/or knows more than she is letting on. Merrick's young daughter was one of Dr. Clay's patients, and she went missing roughly the same time the good doctor did.
Parker does not like Merrick, but he can respect Merrick's motives: the man just wants to find his daughter, or find out what happened to her and then find and kill the men who hurt her. Parker understands this motive extremely well.
With the aid of his friends, Angel and Louis, Parker uncovers a dark and sinister underworld involving the Russian mob, child pornography, and an organized group of pedophiles working in northern Maine. Also hovering in the background is the shadowy recurring character, The Collector, Parker's supernatural arch-nemesis, and a group of ghost-like figures simply called The Hollow Men.
In "The Unquiet", detective Charlie Parker is hired by Rebecca Clay, the daughter of the infamous Dr. Daniel Clay, a once-prestigious child psychologist who was involved several years before in a class action lawsuit brought against him by ex-patients who claimed that Clay and several other people connected with him had sexually molested them. Dr. Clay mysteriously disappeared before he could go to trial, but his sullied reputation lived on.
Rebecca hires Parker to ward off the unwanted advances of Frank Merrick, an ex-con recently released, who believes Rebecca knows where her father is and/or knows more than she is letting on. Merrick's young daughter was one of Dr. Clay's patients, and she went missing roughly the same time the good doctor did.
Parker does not like Merrick, but he can respect Merrick's motives: the man just wants to find his daughter, or find out what happened to her and then find and kill the men who hurt her. Parker understands this motive extremely well.
With the aid of his friends, Angel and Louis, Parker uncovers a dark and sinister underworld involving the Russian mob, child pornography, and an organized group of pedophiles working in northern Maine. Also hovering in the background is the shadowy recurring character, The Collector, Parker's supernatural arch-nemesis, and a group of ghost-like figures simply called The Hollow Men.
November 20, 2017
Back to my yearly Connolly reread picking up from where I left off earlier in the year.
March 5, 2024
"Светът е претоварен с опустошени неща: разбити сърца, нарушени обещания, разсипани хора."
Брутална, изродена и много мрачна история!
Брутална, изродена и много мрачна история!
July 10, 2013
In March of 2009, I started reading Charlie’s journey through the criminal underworld with “Every Dead Thing”. While having a little supernatural stuff thrown in there, his character reminded me of a “Batman-ish” vigilante. You had the classic story line of a traumatic event happening to an undeserving person which leads into spending their life trying to make amends for what happened. I loved it – I was hooked right away. The first book was full of such anger, he hated the world and wanted justice for the murder of his wife and child.
With Connolly’s “The Unquiet”, we’re six books in and two removed from one of the best Parker novels yet, “The White Road”. In this installment, we find Parker dealing with the separation from the mother of his second child. He picks up a job protecting the daughter of a long since missing child psychologist, Daniel Clay. Daniel’s daughter, Rebecca, is being troubled by a man who believes Daniel is still alive. The man in question, Merrick, desperately wants to find the location of Daniel about some unfinished business. Daniel Clay’s disappearance is linked to a scandal involving a case of alleged child abuse leading to death which had subsequently ruined his career. However, nothing was actually confirmed on whether Mr. Clay had anything to do with the events in question, just that his disappearance seems to indicate his involvement.
Parker’s life is just a huge mess. He can’t seem to make a decision between what he believes is his moral obligation to seek out and help those troubled in life and accepting his role as a father and family man. The novel spends a good chunk of time on the personal life; heavily sinking into Parker’s dilemma. It’s like he’s just sulking around, hoping things will clear themselves up. He seems to have no desire to make any sort of final decision.
Despite my feelings on Parker, his associates Louis and Angel remain excellent. Louis has some of the best lines I’ve read in this series. From his rant on hockey to his explanation of his political views; I just loved him.
I’m a huge fan of Connolly’s wit and sarcastic humor but with a brooding Parker, the novel seems to just fall a little short of what I’m used to. Maybe that’s what Connolly was going for but it’s not something I’m a fan of – at least not this far into the Parker saga. I think the novel also suffered from its length. Finishing at just over 500 pages, I felt it could have been a little tighter. A lot seemed like filler to me.
Despite my overall feelings toward the book, it had a superb ending. Connolly wraps things up well and treats the reader to an epilogue which progresses to the next book nicely. I have to admit, I was intrigued by something hinted at in the final pages – enough to make me pick up the next book right away. Actually, the final 100 pages or so really saved this. If not for some key events occurring before the conclusion, this could’ve been completely forgettable and feel like a less than perfect entry in the Parker series.
Cross Posted @ Every Read Thing
With Connolly’s “The Unquiet”, we’re six books in and two removed from one of the best Parker novels yet, “The White Road”. In this installment, we find Parker dealing with the separation from the mother of his second child. He picks up a job protecting the daughter of a long since missing child psychologist, Daniel Clay. Daniel’s daughter, Rebecca, is being troubled by a man who believes Daniel is still alive. The man in question, Merrick, desperately wants to find the location of Daniel about some unfinished business. Daniel Clay’s disappearance is linked to a scandal involving a case of alleged child abuse leading to death which had subsequently ruined his career. However, nothing was actually confirmed on whether Mr. Clay had anything to do with the events in question, just that his disappearance seems to indicate his involvement.
Parker’s life is just a huge mess. He can’t seem to make a decision between what he believes is his moral obligation to seek out and help those troubled in life and accepting his role as a father and family man. The novel spends a good chunk of time on the personal life; heavily sinking into Parker’s dilemma. It’s like he’s just sulking around, hoping things will clear themselves up. He seems to have no desire to make any sort of final decision.
Despite my feelings on Parker, his associates Louis and Angel remain excellent. Louis has some of the best lines I’ve read in this series. From his rant on hockey to his explanation of his political views; I just loved him.
I’m a huge fan of Connolly’s wit and sarcastic humor but with a brooding Parker, the novel seems to just fall a little short of what I’m used to. Maybe that’s what Connolly was going for but it’s not something I’m a fan of – at least not this far into the Parker saga. I think the novel also suffered from its length. Finishing at just over 500 pages, I felt it could have been a little tighter. A lot seemed like filler to me.
Despite my overall feelings toward the book, it had a superb ending. Connolly wraps things up well and treats the reader to an epilogue which progresses to the next book nicely. I have to admit, I was intrigued by something hinted at in the final pages – enough to make me pick up the next book right away. Actually, the final 100 pages or so really saved this. If not for some key events occurring before the conclusion, this could’ve been completely forgettable and feel like a less than perfect entry in the Parker series.
Cross Posted @ Every Read Thing
August 3, 2011
Charlie “Bird” Parker is an ex-New York police officer. Now working as a private detective, he is also hunting the killer of his wife and daughter. A mother named Rebecca Clay hires him to shoo away Frank Merrick a.k.a. “Revenger” who is stalking and tormenting Rebecca and her daughter. Merrick wants to know the true whereabouts of Rebecca’s father Daniel Clay who mysteriously disappeared five years ago. Daniel Clay used to work as a psychiatrist specializing in abused children. Parker is torn between the people who want to know the truth and those who want it to remain as mystery forever. Parker does not know that Merrick is being used by a sinister old lawyer. The said lawyer wants to settle old scores with Parker. Parker goes to a place called Gilead, a mysterious place in Northern Maine where a sect has been accused of child abuse years before.
The Unquiet refers to the people who abused the children in Gilead. With that as a theme, this book is bleak, full of despair and loneliness. To give you a sample, the book opens with this statement: ��“This world is full of broken things: broken hearts and broken promises, broken people.” It is a crime novel, yes, but has the right amount of supernatural overtone that at some point, people compare to the works of Stephen King. This markedly differentiates him from his competitors in suspense thriller genre like Robert Ludlum, Jeffrey Archer, Vince Flynn or even Dan Brown. For this reason, this book will not be my first and last John Connolly. I enjoy some amount of supernatural or paranormal ingredients when it comes to crime novels.
The only downside is that this is my first John Connolly and I struggled with his recurring characters aside from detective Charlie Parker. Louis and Angel are Parker’s close friends and allies in combat. They are an unlikely couple whose quibbles and good humor are sometimes the source of comic relief. Louis is a huge black man who used to be a hired killer while Angel is a small white man and ex-burglar. I also felt that the character of Dave “the Guesser” Glovsky should have been given more meat as it is very interesting. According to Wiki, he was an actual person with a concession stand at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. He was a part of state’s cultural heritage.
The book maybe dark and sad but it is definitely interesting, prose is taut and clear and there is a bit of light (hope) at the end of the tunnel of loneliness and despair.
The Unquiet refers to the people who abused the children in Gilead. With that as a theme, this book is bleak, full of despair and loneliness. To give you a sample, the book opens with this statement: ��“This world is full of broken things: broken hearts and broken promises, broken people.” It is a crime novel, yes, but has the right amount of supernatural overtone that at some point, people compare to the works of Stephen King. This markedly differentiates him from his competitors in suspense thriller genre like Robert Ludlum, Jeffrey Archer, Vince Flynn or even Dan Brown. For this reason, this book will not be my first and last John Connolly. I enjoy some amount of supernatural or paranormal ingredients when it comes to crime novels.
The only downside is that this is my first John Connolly and I struggled with his recurring characters aside from detective Charlie Parker. Louis and Angel are Parker’s close friends and allies in combat. They are an unlikely couple whose quibbles and good humor are sometimes the source of comic relief. Louis is a huge black man who used to be a hired killer while Angel is a small white man and ex-burglar. I also felt that the character of Dave “the Guesser” Glovsky should have been given more meat as it is very interesting. According to Wiki, he was an actual person with a concession stand at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. He was a part of state’s cultural heritage.
The book maybe dark and sad but it is definitely interesting, prose is taut and clear and there is a bit of light (hope) at the end of the tunnel of loneliness and despair.
September 11, 2019
I’m in constant awe of how exceptional Charlie Parker series is. Also I feel like this series gets better with each book. Connolly’s writing is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read - it’s poetic and poignant, but also grim and gloomy at the same time. I’m pretty sure this guy would be huge when it comes to all these prestigious literary awards if he chose to write in different - more traditional and approachable - genre than horror. Actually these novels are much more than just a horror. Connolly skilfully and with ease and flow blends different genres and themes. These novels are deeply moving and full of emotions, they cut deep into your heart. While reading one minute you'll be crying because of the accumulation of pain and evil present in these books and the very next you'll be laughing because of the witty and sarcastic dialogues. Also this series have one of the most complex characters in characters in horror and thriller literature. I love how Connolly devotes long passages to meticulously describe the lives, childhood years and personalities of minor characters. I know that it may sound boring, but believe - thanks to Connolly’s exquisite writing it’s everything except boring. In “The Unquiet” Connolly takes on the sensitive subject of child sexual abuse. No doubt it’s one of these risky and touchy subjects which needs to be dealt with great sensitivity and delicacy. And in this field, too, Connolly succeeds. So far it’s the bleakest and most disturbing and emotionally devastating novel in Charlie Parker series. Although - comparing to previous books “The Unquiet” may has the most straightforward plot - calling it inferior to the rest of the series would be a huge misunderstanding. Okay, I feel like me trying to write about these books is pointless because no words can do justice to this marvelous (and creepy) series. It’s flawless - so just read it.
July 11, 2018
Ακόμα ένα καταπληκτικό βιβλίο με ήρωα τον αγαπημένο ντετέκτιβ Τσάρλι Πάρκερ! Αυτή τη φορά το θέμα είναι πάρα πολύ δύσκολο, καθώς αφορά την παιδική κακοποίηση. Τα πιο απεχθή εγκλήματα δηλαδή. Θα είμαι ειλικρινής και θα πω, πως μία συγκεκριμένη σκηνή με έκανε να αφήσω το βιβλίο και να χρειαστώ λίγα λεπτά για να ηρεμήσω και να συνεχίσω. Ο ντετέκτιβ μέσα από μία πολύ άσχημη υπόθεση, θα δει για ακόμα μία φορά ότι οι άνθρωποι είναι ικανοί για εξαιρετικά μεγάλο κακό.
Στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο παρατηρούμε πως το υπερφυσικό στοιχείο υπάρχει μεν, αλλά είναι σε δευτερεύουσα μοίρα σε σχέση με την υπόθεση. Αυτό στην προκειμένη περίπτωση λειτουργεί καλά για δύο λόγους. Πρώτον, γιατί με αυτόν τον τρόπο ο συγγραφέας τονίζει το γεγονός πως τα εγκλήματα που έχουν σχέση με την παιδική κακοποίηση τα κάνουν άνθρωποι και αν με κάποιον τρόπο έδειχνε ότι το κάνουν επειδή έχουν επηρεαστεί από κάτι μεταφυσικό θα ήταν λες να το δικαιολογεί. Και, δεύτερον, γιατί ο Τσάρλι Πάρκερ χρειάζεται χρόνο για να επεξεργαστεί όλα αυτά τα μεταφυσικά που συμβαίνουν, οπότε λογικό είναι να υπάρχει σε μικρότερη δόση αυτή τη φορά.
Οι αγαπημένοι μου Λούις και Έιντζελ, εμφανίζονται λιγότερο, αλλά σε όσες σκηνές βρέθηκαν ήταν απολαυστικοί!
Εξαιρετική πλοκή, ωραίες ανατροπές και, για ακόμα μία φορά, περιγραφές για σεμινάριο!
Στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο παρατηρούμε πως το υπερφυσικό στοιχείο υπάρχει μεν, αλλά είναι σε δευτερεύουσα μοίρα σε σχέση με την υπόθεση. Αυτό στην προκειμένη περίπτωση λειτουργεί καλά για δύο λόγους. Πρώτον, γιατί με αυτόν τον τρόπο ο συγγραφέας τονίζει το γεγονός πως τα εγκλήματα που έχουν σχέση με την παιδική κακοποίηση τα κάνουν άνθρωποι και αν με κάποιον τρόπο έδειχνε ότι το κάνουν επειδή έχουν επηρεαστεί από κάτι μεταφυσικό θα ήταν λες να το δικαιολογεί. Και, δεύτερον, γιατί ο Τσάρλι Πάρκερ χρειάζεται χρόνο για να επεξεργαστεί όλα αυτά τα μεταφυσικά που συμβαίνουν, οπότε λογικό είναι να υπάρχει σε μικρότερη δόση αυτή τη φορά.
Οι αγαπημένοι μου Λούις και Έιντζελ, εμφανίζονται λιγότερο, αλλά σε όσες σκηνές βρέθηκαν ήταν απολαυστικοί!
Εξαιρετική πλοκή, ωραίες ανατροπές και, για ακόμα μία φορά, περιγραφές για σεμινάριο!
April 14, 2022
Such a weird and satisfying conclusion to what turned out to be a disturbing thriller. I absolutely love the hints of supernatural, because it doesn't drive the plot, and leaves you wondering if it's even real at all? Since the story comes from Parker's perspective, you can never confirm that things are the way they seem.
This is hands-down my favorite Charlie Parker book, I'm so glad I read it.
As for the novella, The Reflecting Eye, I wouldn't say that it's a requirement to read first. BUT, to miss it would substantially hinder your understanding of certain characters in this book. I had to stop at about 70% so that I could go back and read the novella, and it filled in blanks that were glaring at me in the book. Not to mention, the very end of the epilogue wouldn't have made as much sense.
This is hands-down my favorite Charlie Parker book, I'm so glad I read it.
As for the novella, The Reflecting Eye, I wouldn't say that it's a requirement to read first. BUT, to miss it would substantially hinder your understanding of certain characters in this book. I had to stop at about 70% so that I could go back and read the novella, and it filled in blanks that were glaring at me in the book. Not to mention, the very end of the epilogue wouldn't have made as much sense.
August 12, 2024
La sexta entrega del detective privado Charlie Parker es mucho menos ambiciosa que la anterior. Si en el Ángel negro el detective y sus fieles, y peligrosos, compañeros Ángel y Louis tuvieron que hacer frente a una secta que operaba durante siglo a nivel mundial, ahora, tocado y hundido tras su descalabro matrimonial, deberá hacer frente a un caso, aparentemente, mucho más pedestre. Rebecca Clay, vecina de Portland, contrata sus servicios para amedrentar a un hombre que la está acosando. El hombre en cuestión busca información sobre su padre, Daniel Clay, en sus tiempos afamado psiquiatra infantil, que investigaba y peritaba casos de abusos sexuales a menores; información que ésta no puede darle dado que el psiquiatra desapareció poco después de caer en desgracia. Por supuesto, lo que a priori podía parecer un caso rutinario se vuelve mucho más complejo y oscuro conforme van haciéndose las preguntas adecuadas y molestando a las personas equivocadas. Y es que Charlie Parker tiene un don para meterse donde no le llaman y encontrar enemigos en cualquier lado.
La calidad de una novela negra se mide en base a los trapos sucios y fantasmas que expone de una sociedad. Como ya hiciera con el sórdido mundo de las sectas religiosas o el racismo sistémico de los estados sureños, en Los atormentados John Connolly pone el punto de mira en los abusos sexuales a menores y la institución encargada de identificarlos, investigarlos, denunciarlos y, si se puede, tratarlos. Los mejores capítulos son, paradójicamente, los más expositivos. Uno de los colegas de Daniel Clay, el doctor Crichton, nos da todas las claves de esta problemática, exponiendo las aristas y complejidades sin paños calientes y poniendo énfasis en un punto incómodo: que la sociedad no consiente la duda, la ambigüedad o prudencia sobre algo tan visceral como el abuso a un menor. También se trata, por supuesto, el repugnante negocio de la trata de blancas, la prostitución infantil y las mafias que las hacen posibles. Todo este trasfondo es oro puro, aunque exige un estomago endurecido; que a estas alturas de la saga ya se presupone al lector.
En este punto, Charlie Parker sigue siendo atormentado por los fantasmas de su esposa e hija muerta, y a su proceso de autodestrucción se le suma el haberse separado de Rachel y su hija recién nacida. A lo largo de la novela habrá un intento de reconciliación entre el detective, su pasado y las muchas víctimas de sus acciones, aquellas que no pudo salvar y aquellas con las que acabó. Gracias a un personaje, que actuará como catalizador, el detective podrá ir cicatrizando estas heridas.
Quizá no sea tan espectacular como su anterior entrega, pero la investigación sigue siendo sólida, mucho más detectivesca que la anterior, que con tanto esoterismo a veces se acercaba peligrosamente al terreno Dan Brown, y las atmósferas terroríficas, así como la aparición de los elementos sobrenaturales, sigue estando cuidada hasta el milímetros e introducidas con la ambigüedad suficiente para no diferenciarlas de la sugestión el delirio pasajero.
La siguiente entrega va sobre Angel y Louis. O sea, que tiene que ser la ostia.
La calidad de una novela negra se mide en base a los trapos sucios y fantasmas que expone de una sociedad. Como ya hiciera con el sórdido mundo de las sectas religiosas o el racismo sistémico de los estados sureños, en Los atormentados John Connolly pone el punto de mira en los abusos sexuales a menores y la institución encargada de identificarlos, investigarlos, denunciarlos y, si se puede, tratarlos. Los mejores capítulos son, paradójicamente, los más expositivos. Uno de los colegas de Daniel Clay, el doctor Crichton, nos da todas las claves de esta problemática, exponiendo las aristas y complejidades sin paños calientes y poniendo énfasis en un punto incómodo: que la sociedad no consiente la duda, la ambigüedad o prudencia sobre algo tan visceral como el abuso a un menor. También se trata, por supuesto, el repugnante negocio de la trata de blancas, la prostitución infantil y las mafias que las hacen posibles. Todo este trasfondo es oro puro, aunque exige un estomago endurecido; que a estas alturas de la saga ya se presupone al lector.
En este punto, Charlie Parker sigue siendo atormentado por los fantasmas de su esposa e hija muerta, y a su proceso de autodestrucción se le suma el haberse separado de Rachel y su hija recién nacida. A lo largo de la novela habrá un intento de reconciliación entre el detective, su pasado y las muchas víctimas de sus acciones, aquellas que no pudo salvar y aquellas con las que acabó. Gracias a un personaje, que actuará como catalizador, el detective podrá ir cicatrizando estas heridas.
Quizá no sea tan espectacular como su anterior entrega, pero la investigación sigue siendo sólida, mucho más detectivesca que la anterior, que con tanto esoterismo a veces se acercaba peligrosamente al terreno Dan Brown, y las atmósferas terroríficas, así como la aparición de los elementos sobrenaturales, sigue estando cuidada hasta el milímetros e introducidas con la ambigüedad suficiente para no diferenciarlas de la sugestión el delirio pasajero.
La siguiente entrega va sobre Angel y Louis. O sea, que tiene que ser la ostia.
December 22, 2020
This book is just as great and dark as the rest of them!
September 20, 2017
Great, creepy read, with elements of mystery/crime fiction. Not really horror, though; Connolly creates his own genre. Creepish-mystery.
It's best to read the Charlie Parker series in order, IMO. Each book can be read alone, but a lot of the nuances, depth, and complexity are lost if done so. There are reoccurring characters, most of whom get their own back stories, eventually. But like people do irl, these characters develop, change, and take twists and turns which are both predictable to their character, and yet again, (like in irl), are not.
(Okay how many times have you heard the family of a murder suspect say on camera, omg, my John-Bill-Petunia would NEVER do that? Or, I've known him forty years; he'd never do-say-believe that! Yes, we humans are both creatures of predictability - and surprise.)
Connolly keeps a nice balance here. Not once have I ever felt, umm, he wouldn't DO that. However, occasionally, in some of the more long-winded, heartfelt speeches, I hear the voice of Charlie Parker emenating from a minor character. It happens, I guess, with a lot of writers. Hard to keep all those personalities inside yourself from not merging sometimes. (Yes, I meant to write 'merging.')
The story's about Charlie being hired to stop a stalker. Simple idea. Done a zillion times by a zillion writers. But from that simple premise springs all sorts of things: murder, horrible secrets, an abusive cult from the past, weird and horrible beings that appear on the fringe of one's vision, one killer, two killers, three killers, more. The trouble this guy can get into! It's amazing. Plus Charlie has so many layers to his past and ghosts which might - or might not - be haunting him. It's amazing what Mr. Connolly can pull out of his writer's hat.
One issue, he did introduce a character with a past that I hadn't heard of - and I am reading the books in sequence. There is a sense that Parker has dealt with this guy before, but wth - who is he? I realized I missed a novella in the series and I plan to read that, too, and have it on hold at the local library. It's a small gap, but I'll fill it in.
So, a great book to read while Hurricane Jose was creeping up the coast, and yes, I know, among the many monster hurricanes out there which have lately come and gone, including one still following Jose, I'm lucky that's all I have to deal with. Still, a good book to read while the rain and the wind are humming outside.
Five creepy stars.
It's best to read the Charlie Parker series in order, IMO. Each book can be read alone, but a lot of the nuances, depth, and complexity are lost if done so. There are reoccurring characters, most of whom get their own back stories, eventually. But like people do irl, these characters develop, change, and take twists and turns which are both predictable to their character, and yet again, (like in irl), are not.
(Okay how many times have you heard the family of a murder suspect say on camera, omg, my John-Bill-Petunia would NEVER do that? Or, I've known him forty years; he'd never do-say-believe that! Yes, we humans are both creatures of predictability - and surprise.)
Connolly keeps a nice balance here. Not once have I ever felt, umm, he wouldn't DO that. However, occasionally, in some of the more long-winded, heartfelt speeches, I hear the voice of Charlie Parker emenating from a minor character. It happens, I guess, with a lot of writers. Hard to keep all those personalities inside yourself from not merging sometimes. (Yes, I meant to write 'merging.')
The story's about Charlie being hired to stop a stalker. Simple idea. Done a zillion times by a zillion writers. But from that simple premise springs all sorts of things: murder, horrible secrets, an abusive cult from the past, weird and horrible beings that appear on the fringe of one's vision, one killer, two killers, three killers, more. The trouble this guy can get into! It's amazing. Plus Charlie has so many layers to his past and ghosts which might - or might not - be haunting him. It's amazing what Mr. Connolly can pull out of his writer's hat.
One issue, he did introduce a character with a past that I hadn't heard of - and I am reading the books in sequence. There is a sense that Parker has dealt with this guy before, but wth - who is he? I realized I missed a novella in the series and I plan to read that, too, and have it on hold at the local library. It's a small gap, but I'll fill it in.
So, a great book to read while Hurricane Jose was creeping up the coast, and yes, I know, among the many monster hurricanes out there which have lately come and gone, including one still following Jose, I'm lucky that's all I have to deal with. Still, a good book to read while the rain and the wind are humming outside.
Five creepy stars.
July 6, 2014
Charlie Parker - you are my hero! Plus Angel and Louis of course. This is the sixth in the Charlie Parker series and they are definitely not losing my interest. In fact I think they are getting better and better. There is some disturbing stuff in this one about child pornography which I tried not to dwell on too much. And there are quite a few ghostly beings making themselves known which makes it a book you read in a well lit room preferably in the middle of the day surrounded by a lot of people. Charlie however seems to have nerves of steel and deals with the supernatural the same way he deals with the day to day. In fact to him it is day to day. I have a strong urge to move straight on to Charlie Parker#7 but I think I might take this series slowly in order to appreciate it fully.
April 11, 2014
I started reading this write when somebody in a Harry Dresden discussion told me about this series of books with a certain Charlie Parker. More real crime with a touch of darkness was how he described this series.
I found this book in HC including a cd mr Connelly used as a soundtrack to his writings, which did indeed set a certain mood. The topic of this book "abuse of children" was knowledgable written about in tale that was well worth its dark edges and has for me given a prove of high capability. Due to its subject this story can be very unsetteling when it sometimes is confronted by the very funny dialogues of the "hero" of the tale. At the end a story well written and it does deliver on its promise.
Another bonus is the setting of the story namely Maine which is a wellknown place for those folks that enjoy the writings of a certain Mr. King.
So I guess I'll be adding some more titles by mr. Connelly to my personal library.
I found this book in HC including a cd mr Connelly used as a soundtrack to his writings, which did indeed set a certain mood. The topic of this book "abuse of children" was knowledgable written about in tale that was well worth its dark edges and has for me given a prove of high capability. Due to its subject this story can be very unsetteling when it sometimes is confronted by the very funny dialogues of the "hero" of the tale. At the end a story well written and it does deliver on its promise.
Another bonus is the setting of the story namely Maine which is a wellknown place for those folks that enjoy the writings of a certain Mr. King.
So I guess I'll be adding some more titles by mr. Connelly to my personal library.
April 2, 2012
Magnificent as always. A bit less supernatural than its predecsesor Black Angel. One thing worth mentioning is (and I wish I knew this beforehand) it would make sense to read Charlie Parker novella included in Nocturnes first before reading this book. Highly recommended.
March 31, 2021
I find I fall in love with Connolly's Parker series a little more with each book I devour. He creates a crime thriller as full and addictive as an Iles and a supernatural tale as exciting and believable as a King! My two favourite authors so what more could I want!
This one is a dark one... But then again, arent they all! Im gonna go straight onto the next one, no time wasted!!!
This one is a dark one... But then again, arent they all! Im gonna go straight onto the next one, no time wasted!!!
March 23, 2021
This series just getting better and better.
December 18, 2020
This is an extremely well written book that delves within the darkness of sexual child abuse. I read for pleasure and the subject matter is anything but and I find these types of books hard to read. I am hoping after this book that the author leaves Gilead behind and has Charlie move on with his life.
June 11, 2016
This is one dark story, a tale of child abuse and revenge. Darkness envelops Parker throughout, he’s haunted by his dead wife and daughter as well as by other ghostly beings. If you like a story guaranteed to raise the hair at the back of your neck and goosebumps on the arms, this is one for you. This story is pretty straightforward, no wandering off the main thrust. Parker is hired to protect a woman from a stalker. Parker brings in Jackie Garner and the Fulci brothers to help out but they don’t have much of a role except in the background, darn it. Love those guys.
The stalker, an ex-con hitman named Frank Merrick, is out for retribution because his daughter was taken and abused, and subsequently disappeared while he was in prison. Merrick is not going to let anything stop him which brings him and Parker into conflict. You will be somewhat sympathetic to Merrick.
Of course, Angel and Louis show up later in the story. A bunch of people die in the story but Parker, Angel and Louis don’t do any of the killing. As I expected, Connolly is trying to move Louis out of his current role as a “Republican gay black assassin”. Louis is now a “liberal Republican” and not like any other in the party. My contention is that Connolly first described Louis the way he did to annoy his caricature of conservatives. But Louis is a force of nature, he’s righteous, moral and a “good” guy role model, even if he is pretty intense. He is on the side of the angels. Hence Connolly can’t leave him that way as a “Republican”. So my guess is Louis will move to the other party at some point.
What always strikes me about Connolly’s writing is how authentically American it seems. Connolly was born in Ireland and seems to have worked and studied mostly in the UK. But he has an ear for Americana that is uncanny. He is as good as Lee Child of “Jack Reacher” fame. Both are amazingly tuned to the American culture and society. 4 Stars
The stalker, an ex-con hitman named Frank Merrick, is out for retribution because his daughter was taken and abused, and subsequently disappeared while he was in prison. Merrick is not going to let anything stop him which brings him and Parker into conflict. You will be somewhat sympathetic to Merrick.
Of course, Angel and Louis show up later in the story. A bunch of people die in the story but Parker, Angel and Louis don’t do any of the killing. As I expected, Connolly is trying to move Louis out of his current role as a “Republican gay black assassin”. Louis is now a “liberal Republican” and not like any other in the party. My contention is that Connolly first described Louis the way he did to annoy his caricature of conservatives. But Louis is a force of nature, he’s righteous, moral and a “good” guy role model, even if he is pretty intense. He is on the side of the angels. Hence Connolly can’t leave him that way as a “Republican”. So my guess is Louis will move to the other party at some point.
What always strikes me about Connolly’s writing is how authentically American it seems. Connolly was born in Ireland and seems to have worked and studied mostly in the UK. But he has an ear for Americana that is uncanny. He is as good as Lee Child of “Jack Reacher” fame. Both are amazingly tuned to the American culture and society. 4 Stars
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