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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
15 years ago I read Every Dead Thing and rated it two stars.
Overall I wasn't that impressed as there were far too many shootouts and the incessant descriptions of pants, shirts and shoes of every character was really grating on me.
But throughout the years with every Charlie Parker novel that's released there's a ton of love for the series. So I relented and decided to give the series another try.
I will admit that there is a lot to like about Dark Hollow. The plot was very good, and much more linear than I found Every Dead Thing to be. Also, this guy is a very good writer. His sense of place and atmosphere really is top notch. Yes, the incessant descriptions of pants, shirts, and shoes were ever present, but I found it didn't bother me too much this time, I actually started to find it amusing:
Even the reveal of a body in a freezer lets us know the victim is sporting overalls.
I will take Connolly to task on what he knows about snow and cold, though.
Snow will not pile up on your tongue. It will melt no matter how cold it is outside (and in this instant, a pond was barely frozen).
Noone, and I mean no one, would survive a swim in a freezing pond, especially clad in a coat, thick sweater, and shirt.
After being shot.
And thanks again for the wardrobe breakdown.
Despite my little gripes here, I did enjoy a lot about Dark Hollow. I really like the supernatural touches that are haunting Parker, and the crimes are quite grim.
But the shootouts again. You know, it's just not for me. I read for great characterization and captivating story, not action. I mean, yeah you need things to happen but chases and shootouts really annoy me in novels, when they are obviously key points to the story development. I guess I'm not a thriller guy. I'm a suspense guy.
It would be unfair to rank this book really low for what it is. Because, for what it is, it is very good. But I don't think I'll do another one, let alone 14.
No regrets. Three stars.
Overall I wasn't that impressed as there were far too many shootouts and the incessant descriptions of pants, shirts and shoes of every character was really grating on me.
But throughout the years with every Charlie Parker novel that's released there's a ton of love for the series. So I relented and decided to give the series another try.
I will admit that there is a lot to like about Dark Hollow. The plot was very good, and much more linear than I found Every Dead Thing to be. Also, this guy is a very good writer. His sense of place and atmosphere really is top notch. Yes, the incessant descriptions of pants, shirts, and shoes were ever present, but I found it didn't bother me too much this time, I actually started to find it amusing:
Spoiler
Even the reveal of a body in a freezer lets us know the victim is sporting overalls.
I will take Connolly to task on what he knows about snow and cold, though.
Snow will not pile up on your tongue. It will melt no matter how cold it is outside (and in this instant, a pond was barely frozen).
Noone, and I mean no one, would survive a swim in a freezing pond, especially clad in a coat, thick sweater, and shirt.
After being shot.
And thanks again for the wardrobe breakdown.
Despite my little gripes here, I did enjoy a lot about Dark Hollow. I really like the supernatural touches that are haunting Parker, and the crimes are quite grim.
But the shootouts again. You know, it's just not for me. I read for great characterization and captivating story, not action. I mean, yeah you need things to happen but chases and shootouts really annoy me in novels, when they are obviously key points to the story development. I guess I'm not a thriller guy. I'm a suspense guy.
It would be unfair to rank this book really low for what it is. Because, for what it is, it is very good. But I don't think I'll do another one, let alone 14.
No regrets. Three stars.
mysterious
fast-paced
This was a decent follow up to the first book in the series with a creepy killer and an eerie environment (the backwoods of Maine). To nitpick, the complete 180 of the relationship/friendship with his NYPD pal felt forced and to justify the storyline/plot we see in the book.
John Connolly's prose is better than his contemporaries, and the way he merges gritty crime thriller with occasional sombre and supernatural contemplation is so poignant. My only gripe with this story is that it takes too much time to develop, but once it does, it is so remarkably well written that it won't leave you until you have reached the epilogue.
Alucinante. Para que a nadie se le ocurra denigrar al género policial/novela negra. No es que sea una experta en la materia, pero la fantástica forma en la que Connolly logra espantarte, horrorizarte, hacerte reír en voz alta y obligarte a estrujar tu cerebro, en la misma continuidad argumental es incomparable. Sin cortes abruptos, ni pozos literarios ni agujeros en la historia. Al final, si no lográs dar con el "asesino" es porque su autor claramente es más inteligente que todos nosotros, simples mortales, no por falta de datos previos ni porque se le haya ocurrido cuando terminaba de escribirla. "Bird" Parker es un protagonista intenso como pocos, con el que te aliás sin dudarlo, adoptando su causa como propia. Y el contrapunto que entabla con los personajes secundarios ayuda, cual bálsamo, a atravesar las partes más duras de la novela. Tengo un listado de libros pendientes, de temáticas y autores que admiro o que me han recomendado. Lo siento, Parker se ha convertido en una droga que no puedo dejar.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoy this series. Having read some of the later books, I enjoy reading some of the themes/characters develop in the first few books in the series.
One two many dead bodies in small Northern Maine towns to convince anyone that this violent fantasy is anything but. I don't know about you, but the "it's only a flesh wound" gambit leaves me wondering if Charlie Parker needs something as strong as kryptonite to keep him down.
Anyone wanting to put their life on the line just needs to hang with Charlie Parker for a bit. Sooner or later, guns will fire, knives will be thrown, bombs or some other form of homicidal attack will be sure to show itself! But Charlie survives another book with only a few more scars to show for his work. Great story. Love Angel and Louis, warming up nicely to Charlie as well. But so many bodies!
Recommend if you're not queasy or sensitive to violence.
Recommend if you're not queasy or sensitive to violence.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was the first John Connolly book I read. I enjoyed it so much I have bought every one since. He is the only author I buy the hard back versions of now. When I'm reading one I savour it enjoying the poetic literary prose right through to the last sentence. While the subject matter can be truly horrifying and dark having seen John in the flesh his humour also is something fascinating too - brought our in the Samuel Johnson books particularly.