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Charlie Parker #1-4
The Charlie Parker Collection 1
Former NYPD Charlie Parker first appears in EVERY DEAD THING on a quest for the killer of his wife and daughter. He is a man consumed by violence, guilt and the desire for revenge. When his ex-partner asks him to track down a missing girl, Parker embarks on a grim odyssey through the bowels of organised crime to a unique serial killer: The Travelling Man.
In DARK HOLLOW, Private detective Charlie Parker embarks on a nerve-shredding manhunt and closes in on his prime suspect. But someone else is tracking them both.
Parker's empathy with the powerless victims of crime is growing ever stronger. It makes him a natural choice to investigate the death of Grace Peltier in THE KILLING KIND - a death that appears to be a suicide. Genial killers Angel and Louis join Parker again as he descends into a honeycomb world populated by dark angels and lost souls.
In THE WHITE ROAD, a black youth faces the death penalty for rape and murder; his victim, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in South Carolina. It is a case with its roots in old evil, and old evil is Charlie Parker's speciality. Evil men from his past unite to exact a terrible revenge on the private detective.
In DARK HOLLOW, Private detective Charlie Parker embarks on a nerve-shredding manhunt and closes in on his prime suspect. But someone else is tracking them both.
Parker's empathy with the powerless victims of crime is growing ever stronger. It makes him a natural choice to investigate the death of Grace Peltier in THE KILLING KIND - a death that appears to be a suicide. Genial killers Angel and Louis join Parker again as he descends into a honeycomb world populated by dark angels and lost souls.
In THE WHITE ROAD, a black youth faces the death penalty for rape and murder; his victim, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in South Carolina. It is a case with its roots in old evil, and old evil is Charlie Parker's speciality. Evil men from his past unite to exact a terrible revenge on the private detective.
1653 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2013
202 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
John Connolly
218 books7,948 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 5, 2018
I bought the who!me Charlie Parker series on audible last year and it makes a whole new experience. The books get weirder as they go along, and I can highly recommend this way of reading them.
July 27, 2016
Of the book series I have read, the start of this series is hard for me to offer a review.
The main character is a former New York homicide detective that now is a private investigator. The opening novel involves the main character Charlie Parker searching for a serial killer named the The Traveling Man.
I grow weary of fictionalized serial killers that are diabolical geniuses that seem to leave bodies in more of a fashion found in that of psychopathic spree killers.
These books are really good, but for me, they do not grab me like they are certain to grab other readers.
In some ways, these four novels resemble the books of James Lee Burke involving the Dave Robicheaux character. The opening group of novels involve settings of the American south and of our country's past involving race and class.
The story lines are complex and sometimes convoluted in their progression through the novels. John Connolly also has a tendency to introduce a large number of characters and is not shy when it comes to the back stories of his characters.
If I had to suggest one thing when reading these books, it would be to read them through - do not pick them up and read them in segments. When my reading was delayed, I had to pause to remind myself of each characters.
Still, this should not be seen as a negative review. These books just aren't my cup of tea, but they still are very good and others should give the a try.
Also, eading method when reading these books is to .
The main character is a former New York homicide detective that now is a private investigator. The opening novel involves the main character Charlie Parker searching for a serial killer named the The Traveling Man.
I grow weary of fictionalized serial killers that are diabolical geniuses that seem to leave bodies in more of a fashion found in that of psychopathic spree killers.
These books are really good, but for me, they do not grab me like they are certain to grab other readers.
In some ways, these four novels resemble the books of James Lee Burke involving the Dave Robicheaux character. The opening group of novels involve settings of the American south and of our country's past involving race and class.
The story lines are complex and sometimes convoluted in their progression through the novels. John Connolly also has a tendency to introduce a large number of characters and is not shy when it comes to the back stories of his characters.
If I had to suggest one thing when reading these books, it would be to read them through - do not pick them up and read them in segments. When my reading was delayed, I had to pause to remind myself of each characters.
Still, this should not be seen as a negative review. These books just aren't my cup of tea, but they still are very good and others should give the a try.
Also, eading method when reading these books is to .
August 7, 2016
Book 1 of 4 - Every Dead Thing
As several have already said, this is definitely a book of two halves and I did sometimes get lost with the extensive cast of characters, more so in the first half. Neither am I keen on the organised crime element and all the gang war stuff, I thought this unnecessarily muddied the already swampy waters.
Even so, I persisted because the writing is so very good; dark, pained and elegant. The serial killer in question, who murders the wife and child of main character Charlie Parker, is also fiendishly clever and cruel.
Having read some other reviews I had expected more of a supernatural, 'otherworldly' feel to the novel, though for now this was merely hinted at, and I very much hope this will be built upon in the later novels in the series.
Next up - 'Dark Hollow'!.
As several have already said, this is definitely a book of two halves and I did sometimes get lost with the extensive cast of characters, more so in the first half. Neither am I keen on the organised crime element and all the gang war stuff, I thought this unnecessarily muddied the already swampy waters.
Even so, I persisted because the writing is so very good; dark, pained and elegant. The serial killer in question, who murders the wife and child of main character Charlie Parker, is also fiendishly clever and cruel.
Having read some other reviews I had expected more of a supernatural, 'otherworldly' feel to the novel, though for now this was merely hinted at, and I very much hope this will be built upon in the later novels in the series.
Next up - 'Dark Hollow'!.
October 23, 2016
Life changing
Made me want to read again having lost concentration due to mental health issues. Forever thankful for changing my life
Made me want to read again having lost concentration due to mental health issues. Forever thankful for changing my life
July 30, 2021
"Their gray morality, tempered by expediency, was closer to goodness than most people’s virtue."
I'm often conflicted about backtracking and rereading a favorite series. There's just so many really good, new stories that are being published every day. But there is satisfaction in visiting what you've read years ago. You have the perspective of the future continuation of the story. In Charlie Parker's case I had just finished book 19.
The early works lay the foundation for the Why of Charlie Parker's continued vendetta against truly twisted killers who always evade the law. It becomes clear by book 3 that there's a connection between them and a supernatural evil that manifests through these murderers. Parker is repeatedly drawn back in, to administer justice for the restless dead who often haunt him.
I'm often conflicted about backtracking and rereading a favorite series. There's just so many really good, new stories that are being published every day. But there is satisfaction in visiting what you've read years ago. You have the perspective of the future continuation of the story. In Charlie Parker's case I had just finished book 19.
The early works lay the foundation for the Why of Charlie Parker's continued vendetta against truly twisted killers who always evade the law. It becomes clear by book 3 that there's a connection between them and a supernatural evil that manifests through these murderers. Parker is repeatedly drawn back in, to administer justice for the restless dead who often haunt him.
June 15, 2019
I was really looking forward to this series. I was expecting something like Phil Rickman's Merrily Harper series - investigating crimes where a paranormal element exists beneath the surface. But it's not like that at all. There are brief hints of 'something', but it doesn't add to the story. The writing is epic - beautiful descriptions and words - but the middle of a gunfight isn't the place to notice the fall of a sparrow or the scent of geraniums (not literal quotes, but you get the gist). All in all, I struggled to finish the first book, and I very much doubt I'll bother with the rest. It's just far too slow and long winded.
February 2, 2025
The Charlie Parker Collection 1-4
Every Dead Thing , Dark Hollow , The killing Kind , The White Road. Absolutely brilliant books each one getting better and better as we learn more about each character . I read these books years ago in hard back now have bought complete collection in kindle as new books from this series are out looking forward to reading them all old an newer . Highly recommend shame they won't been made into series of films they would be amazing.
Every Dead Thing , Dark Hollow , The killing Kind , The White Road. Absolutely brilliant books each one getting better and better as we learn more about each character . I read these books years ago in hard back now have bought complete collection in kindle as new books from this series are out looking forward to reading them all old an newer . Highly recommend shame they won't been made into series of films they would be amazing.
May 24, 2017
Invest the time and you will be rewarded
4 good entertaining books that introduce Charlie Parker and his friends. Although sometimes tough to trudge through the rather long winded descriptions of places, people, on going events, and the books flow well and the link between them are well thought out.
4 good entertaining books that introduce Charlie Parker and his friends. Although sometimes tough to trudge through the rather long winded descriptions of places, people, on going events, and the books flow well and the link between them are well thought out.
January 22, 2020
Brilliant
I read these books when they first were printed and loved them. Probably not for people who like straight forward murder mysteries but more for those who love the supernatural as well. I love the characters especially Angel and Louis and the twisting stories in these books
I read these books when they first were printed and loved them. Probably not for people who like straight forward murder mysteries but more for those who love the supernatural as well. I love the characters especially Angel and Louis and the twisting stories in these books
March 23, 2018
Excellent read
Best thriller series there is with a hint of the supernatural. Traditional thriller mixed with an element of Stephen King.
Best thriller series there is with a hint of the supernatural. Traditional thriller mixed with an element of Stephen King.
January 6, 2019
A Gripper.
Well written and the story grips on page one and doesn't let go. A whole world full of nasty characters.
Well written and the story grips on page one and doesn't let go. A whole world full of nasty characters.
November 29, 2020
You start to read the first and have to continue. I came to know Charlie Parker because in the library someone had put the 9th book on the table of books to take and keep. This character is like a drug, you just want more!
February 2, 2017
Fantastic
Four amazing books for a brilliant price. All compelling page turnovers and could not put this down, definitely money well spent.
Four amazing books for a brilliant price. All compelling page turnovers and could not put this down, definitely money well spent.
July 27, 2019
gold
Merged review:
gold
Merged review:
gold
September 18, 2020
Charlie Parker fites crime and the suppernatural .
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews