John Connolly

[Paul_Hochman]

I was fortunate enough to receive a manuscript of John Connolly's upcoming Charlie Parker book. He really is one of the best crime novelists writing today and Parker is as unique a protagonist as you'll ever encounter.

Any other Connolly fans out there? What's your favorite book?

[DanaKing]

I'm a huge Connolly fan. My favorite is THE BLACK ANGEL, which is probably his most ambitious Parker book. I've never read anything by Connolly I didn;t like, including THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS, which is completly unlike any of the Parker books.

[Paul_Hochman]

I loved the Black Angel as well, Dana. His descriptions of the ossuary at Sedlec are just haunting as is the whole book. You're in for a treat with the next book, The Lovers, which centers around Parker's parents.

Did you read The Reapers?

[Paul_Hochman]

Here's some copy about "The Lovers" from John's Site (incredible site by the way):

The next Charlie Parker novel, THE LOVERS, will be out this June. Parker is working in a bar in Portland, having been deprived of his P.I.'s license. He uses his enforced retirement to begin a different kind of investigation: an examination of his own past and an inquiry into the death of his father, who took his own

(UK)

life after apparently shooting dead two unarmed teenagers, a search that will eventually lead to revelations about Parker's own parentage. And haunting the shadows, as they have done throughout Parker's life, are two figures: a man and a woman, the lovers of the title, who appear to have only one purpose, and that is to bring an end to his existence . . .

[DanaKing]

Paul,

I was fortunate enough to review The Reapers, which I loved. Switching the points of view to see Parker more from the outside, and Louis from the inside, lends each character a depth I'm looking forward to seeing continued in The Lovers.

Aside from his great characters and atories, I think Connolly's use of thelanguage is rivaled by few writers working today. He's truly an artist.

[Paul_Hochman]

Where was the review, Dana? I'd love to read it.

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DanaKing wrote:

Paul,

I was fortunate enough to review The Reapers, which I loved. Switching the points of view to see Parker more from the outside, and Louis from the inside, lends each character a depth I'm looking forward to seeing continued in The Lovers.

Aside from his great characters and atories, I think Connolly's use of thelanguage is rivaled by few writers working today. He's truly an artist.

---

[DanaKing]

Paul,

Here's a link to the review. You may have to scroll down a little on the page to see it.

http://www.newmysteryreader.com/june_mystery_in_hardcover.htm#black%20angel

The Black Angel was my first exposure to Connolly's work. I was blown away, which rarely happens with me.

[Paul_Hochman]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing, Dana.