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naomistrange's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
lyerin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The events of this book take place after Charlie’s wife and daughter are murdered but before he confronts The Traveling Man. Charlie is in the town of Cargill, AK, investigating the murders of three young black women to see if they are related to the Traveling Man. The local chief asks Charlie to assist in his investigation. Charlie uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that is rotting the town. The murders of the girls are solved, and Charlie continues on his way toward the discovery of the Traveling Man.
sibbostar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
madsuperlong's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amy_h29's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
Good book, which, if taken in order would have been the second in the series. I can't remember the first book in the series, Every Dead Thing, other than it was a great book and the bare bones on the plot. I don't know if Louis and Angel were introduced there or in this book, but as always they bring the story right along. Different in that this novel takes place in the 80's not long after the death of his wife and child, but it is not dependant on that fact. Good book that could be a stand alone if you haven't read the series...but read the series!!!
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the book. First time reading a book in this series and I can hear the audiobook actor’s voices as each of the regular character’s make their appearance.
slavicsongbird's review against another edition
3.0
It is no surprise that the story is great. But I keep missing Charlie Parker. Every Dead Thing, as well as all first 12 books in the Charlie Parker series, is my favourite book because it is, and they are, about Parker, and to a lesser extent about Louis and Angel. The three work so well together that any story they are in becomes either fantastic or at least a thousand times better. But books 13, 17 and 18 disappointed me a little bit. The Dirty South especially because from what I can tell, the story would have unwound itself whether Parker were there or not. Half of the chapters are from other people's point of view. Louis and Angel barely appear and they're not needed when they do. I love you, John Connolly (even though there is about 99% chance you will never read this), but I miss Parker and I want him back. He is a fantastic character, one of the best in all fiction as far as I'm concerned, and Louis and Angel are the most wonderful sidekicks anyone could imagine. Please, make it about him, and them, again.
prestonj662's review against another edition
5.0
And so it begins... Charlie Parker just after his resignation from NYPD after the brutal slaying of his wife, Susan and daughter, Jennifer. Deaths that continue to haunt Parker, as do their personalities, throughout the Parker series.
This is the start of Parker’s journey to find the person responsible for his family’s violent end. Though following a trail of other cruel murders of women to Arkansas he soon realises the town he has arrived in won’t hold any answers to his own grief he decides to stay and assist the local police with their attempts to uncover the murderer or murderers in their midst.
We meet Angel and Louis, his two friends from New York. We are also introduced to how others see Parker as an outsider in a small community in Arkansas where family and economic ties running as far as Washington DC have a habit of protecting criminals from being brought to public justice.
Once again John Connolly encapsulates mystery, grief in his own excellent and imitable way. I guess for those who haven’t read any of the series yet you could start with this origin story.
Highly recommended.
This is the start of Parker’s journey to find the person responsible for his family’s violent end. Though following a trail of other cruel murders of women to Arkansas he soon realises the town he has arrived in won’t hold any answers to his own grief he decides to stay and assist the local police with their attempts to uncover the murderer or murderers in their midst.
We meet Angel and Louis, his two friends from New York. We are also introduced to how others see Parker as an outsider in a small community in Arkansas where family and economic ties running as far as Washington DC have a habit of protecting criminals from being brought to public justice.
Once again John Connolly encapsulates mystery, grief in his own excellent and imitable way. I guess for those who haven’t read any of the series yet you could start with this origin story.
Highly recommended.