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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Excellent entry in the series, drawing on the world of Charlie Parker and new puzzles.
This series just keeps getting better and better. There is always a supernatural twist to these books and this one is no exception. While tracking down private eye Jaycob Eklund Charlie finds himself in the crosshairs of the Brethren. With the help of his trusted psychopath friends, Louis and Angel Charlie embarks on trying to track down the missing PI who seems to have stumbled upon the origins of the group known as the Brethren. Also tracking them is the Collector whose Hollow Men scare the Brethren.
Twisted, terrifying and magical A Game of Ghosts doesn't disappoint but if you haven't read any other books in this series you may want to skip this until you have started more toward the beginning, you will probably be left confused and lost if you start with this installment.
Twisted, terrifying and magical A Game of Ghosts doesn't disappoint but if you haven't read any other books in this series you may want to skip this until you have started more toward the beginning, you will probably be left confused and lost if you start with this installment.
Rápido, coherente, divertido (Ángel es uno de los mejores personajes con que me he topado). Corto. Preferiría que se extendiera un poco más pero se que está justo como debe ser. Me jode la existencia que el próximo tarde un año más.
Connolly is in fine form with this book. A fantastic piece of work delicately blending the thriller, horror and the supernatural genres. A great read!
Another enjoyable Charlie Parker. I'm not always sure why I enjoy these stories so much.
The serial nature means books never quite seem completely stand alone but that isn't much of a criticism. In earlier episodes Connolly wasn't above reusing a favoured phase one (or more) times too many, but as the series has progressed the writing has developed and so has the author's ability to structure each tale for maximum effect. I finished this book in two days and would have been faster if work and sleep didn't get in the way.
You might think that fifteen takes would be enough but I am already looking forward to the next book.
The serial nature means books never quite seem completely stand alone but that isn't much of a criticism. In earlier episodes Connolly wasn't above reusing a favoured phase one (or more) times too many, but as the series has progressed the writing has developed and so has the author's ability to structure each tale for maximum effect. I finished this book in two days and would have been faster if work and sleep didn't get in the way.
You might think that fifteen takes would be enough but I am already looking forward to the next book.
If you like the more down-to-earth, personal tone of the early Charlie Parker books, then this is for you.
If you like the off-the-wall paranormal horror elements of the later Charlie Parker books, then this is ALSO for you.
This book does a lot. We see our boys dealing with custody battles and live-threatening illnesses at the same time that they're investigating actual honest-to-god ghosts.
As always, Parker, Angel and Louis are the strengths here. No Fulcis, sadly, but Ross is an ever-looming presense. We also have wannabe mobster Philip struggling to gain control of his deceased father's criminal empire while his mother, known only as Mother, seeks to dismantle it. We have the Collector, whose brief appearance in this book will undoubtedly have a lasting effect on Parker's world. Sam and Rachel continue to struggle with being associated with Parker. And finally, we the Bretheren, our primary antognists and I just... I didn't jive with the Bretheren.
A close-knit, incestuous family, deeply entrenched in the paranormal, the Bretheren are very similar to the people of the Cut. But while the Cut were sinister and gripping, the Bretheren felt very generic, with a sprawling network of individuals whose names you need to remember, whose relationships you need to keep track of, to really get the most out of the conclusion. I found myself constantly going back to the first appearance of most of the characters to check who was who and still kept getting lost. It's a shame, because this book would be so close to perfect otherwise.
This book did a lot to remind me of all the things I didn't realise I'd missed from the early Parker novels. While [b:The Black Angel|905563|The Black Angel (Charlie Parker, #5)|John Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408925792l/905563._SY75_.jpg|890709] has always been my favourite, it marked a departure from the more relatable, provincial cares of Parker's every day life. A Game of Ghosts masterfully balances personal and the paranormal in the way that no other book in this series has quite managed.
If you like the off-the-wall paranormal horror elements of the later Charlie Parker books, then this is ALSO for you.
This book does a lot. We see our boys dealing with custody battles and live-threatening illnesses at the same time that they're investigating actual honest-to-god ghosts.
As always, Parker, Angel and Louis are the strengths here. No Fulcis, sadly, but Ross is an ever-looming presense. We also have wannabe mobster Philip struggling to gain control of his deceased father's criminal empire while his mother, known only as Mother, seeks to dismantle it. We have the Collector, whose brief appearance in this book will undoubtedly have a lasting effect on Parker's world. Sam and Rachel continue to struggle with being associated with Parker. And finally, we the Bretheren, our primary antognists and I just... I didn't jive with the Bretheren.
A close-knit, incestuous family, deeply entrenched in the paranormal, the Bretheren are very similar to the people of the Cut. But while the Cut were sinister and gripping, the Bretheren felt very generic, with a sprawling network of individuals whose names you need to remember, whose relationships you need to keep track of, to really get the most out of the conclusion. I found myself constantly going back to the first appearance of most of the characters to check who was who and still kept getting lost. It's a shame, because this book would be so close to perfect otherwise.
This book did a lot to remind me of all the things I didn't realise I'd missed from the early Parker novels. While [b:The Black Angel|905563|The Black Angel (Charlie Parker, #5)|John Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408925792l/905563._SY75_.jpg|890709] has always been my favourite, it marked a departure from the more relatable, provincial cares of Parker's every day life. A Game of Ghosts masterfully balances personal and the paranormal in the way that no other book in this series has quite managed.
Very interesting novel. Lots of spookiness and world building and things lurking beyond mortal sight... perhaps a little too much. There were quite a few plot threads and they didn't all quite connect up. However, I read this in consideration for a book list and it because I'd read the rest of the series. It would probably have felt more coherent if I had all the backstory of fourteen other books! I do plan to to go back and read them. So, in the end, a good story with a standalone mystery in it, but perhaps more satisfying if read as part of the larger series.
While I picked up A Game of Ghosts without ever having read another Charlie Parker novel, it didn't take long to discover why this series by John Connolly remains a fan favorite. Parker is fully developed as is his family, especially his daughter, and it's apparent their story arch is much bigger than a single book but no less enjoyable.
Like many authors who spin long series, Connolly does an exceptional job of giving new readers just enough without boring those who have joined him since the beginning. Doing so is very much a skill set on its own.
In this story, Parker is hired by the FBI to track down private investigator who has gone missing while piecing together a case against a cult-like family with ties to the supernatural side. He, in turn, brings in two additional players, Angel and Louis, to cover more ground and provide extra muscle — which contributes to being fruitful against this group called "The Brethren."
Along with this primary plot thread, there are plenty of subplots, and series plots spun in at the same time, including a fight Parker is having with his ex-wife over the custody of his daughter Sam. Sam, by the way, also has unique abilities. This thread worked reasonably well in the novel, even if Connelly didn't make it a crucial element to moving the story to its climax.
Some of the other subplots, however, didn't always play as well. While they help make the novel feel complex, some of them weigh down the more dramatic elements of the story, specifically those that feel confined to this one book (as conversely, the thread with "The Collector" was interesting.)
All in all, if you are looking for a New England PI story with a supernatural twist, John Connolly seems to serve up an excellent series with Charlie Parker. Even though it gets weighed down with some subplot blot )or perhaps just too many points of view), I found myself landing somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but ultimately sticking with 4 for the writing style.
Like many authors who spin long series, Connolly does an exceptional job of giving new readers just enough without boring those who have joined him since the beginning. Doing so is very much a skill set on its own.
In this story, Parker is hired by the FBI to track down private investigator who has gone missing while piecing together a case against a cult-like family with ties to the supernatural side. He, in turn, brings in two additional players, Angel and Louis, to cover more ground and provide extra muscle — which contributes to being fruitful against this group called "The Brethren."
Along with this primary plot thread, there are plenty of subplots, and series plots spun in at the same time, including a fight Parker is having with his ex-wife over the custody of his daughter Sam. Sam, by the way, also has unique abilities. This thread worked reasonably well in the novel, even if Connelly didn't make it a crucial element to moving the story to its climax.
Some of the other subplots, however, didn't always play as well. While they help make the novel feel complex, some of them weigh down the more dramatic elements of the story, specifically those that feel confined to this one book (as conversely, the thread with "The Collector" was interesting.)
All in all, if you are looking for a New England PI story with a supernatural twist, John Connolly seems to serve up an excellent series with Charlie Parker. Even though it gets weighed down with some subplot blot )or perhaps just too many points of view), I found myself landing somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but ultimately sticking with 4 for the writing style.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great Charlie Parker story. They keep getting better and better. I'm always so happy when a new book arrives and then terribly sad when I finish it because I know I'll have to wait for the next one.