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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I have some quibbles with Connolly's style (this book is all but drowning in similes, honestly) and his use of "retarded" and "oriental" (I mean, really?) but overall this was a very enjoyable book.
**Warnings for language
Every Dead Thing is the start of the Charlie Parker series - a lengthy series about a curmudgeon of a private investigator. This checks all my boxes: No bullshit, extreme sass, suspense, and a very eccentric cast of characters. This book throws us into this universe head first. Let me tell ya, this was a fucking trip. The level of fuckery in this book is off the charts.
I won't go into detail about where we start (trust me, you don't want me to), but I will say that Charlie "Bird" Parker is one wreck of a man. The first half of the book is fits and starts, alternating between the case he's currently working - reluctantly - and flashbacks of what led him here. It feels a little chaotic and disorganized, but that quite expertly describes Charlie's current state of mind.
Little does Charlie know, the case he's currently working is intimately connected to the murder of his wife and child. The Traveling Man has been lurking, watching, and toying with Charlie for years. And Charlie has been falling into every trap set for him.
Neither of the two cases end with a neatly tied bow calling it a day. There are repercussions and consequences that Charlie must face as a result of his actions and behaviour. Charlie is not without fault, which makes him a great narrator. He owns up to his faults and his murky morals. He does what needs to be done. "And I will live with that, too" he says.
Two other characters that stand out are Angel and Louis. They're fantastic!! They're some the sassiest men I've ever read. Angel, an expert at B&Es and Louis, a semi-retired assassin, are Charlie's most unlikely yet most steady friends. The developing friendship between the three is fascinating. There are no illusions between them, they are all aware of what each other is capable of. In that way, it's kind of the perfect partnership.
Through all the twists and turns of this book, I never once felt at ease. It is creep-tastic from start to finish. This case, well, these two cases are going to be very difficult to get over. If I ever do, for that matter. As I gather my own thoughts and attempt to move forward after these events, I wonder where Charlie Parker is going to lead us next.
Every Dead Thing is the start of the Charlie Parker series - a lengthy series about a curmudgeon of a private investigator. This checks all my boxes: No bullshit, extreme sass, suspense, and a very eccentric cast of characters. This book throws us into this universe head first. Let me tell ya, this was a fucking trip. The level of fuckery in this book is off the charts.
I won't go into detail about where we start (trust me, you don't want me to), but I will say that Charlie "Bird" Parker is one wreck of a man. The first half of the book is fits and starts, alternating between the case he's currently working - reluctantly - and flashbacks of what led him here. It feels a little chaotic and disorganized, but that quite expertly describes Charlie's current state of mind.
Little does Charlie know, the case he's currently working is intimately connected to the murder of his wife and child. The Traveling Man has been lurking, watching, and toying with Charlie for years. And Charlie has been falling into every trap set for him.
Neither of the two cases end with a neatly tied bow calling it a day. There are repercussions and consequences that Charlie must face as a result of his actions and behaviour. Charlie is not without fault, which makes him a great narrator. He owns up to his faults and his murky morals. He does what needs to be done. "And I will live with that, too" he says.
Two other characters that stand out are Angel and Louis. They're fantastic!! They're some the sassiest men I've ever read. Angel, an expert at B&Es and Louis, a semi-retired assassin, are Charlie's most unlikely yet most steady friends. The developing friendship between the three is fascinating. There are no illusions between them, they are all aware of what each other is capable of. In that way, it's kind of the perfect partnership.
Through all the twists and turns of this book, I never once felt at ease. It is creep-tastic from start to finish. This case, well, these two cases are going to be very difficult to get over. If I ever do, for that matter. As I gather my own thoughts and attempt to move forward after these events, I wonder where Charlie Parker is going to lead us next.
Our first introduction to Charlie Parker, Private Investigator. Parker is a cop who leaves the force after his wife and three-year-old daughter are horrifically murdered. He becomes a bit of a vigilante, hunting down the gravely evil. His first case? The Traveling Man, the monster that killed his family. Like I said, I don’t read a lot of mystery novels, so I don’t know how this stacks up, but I enjoyed it so…. And the first appearance of Louis & Angel where we learn that Louis, a tall elegant black man, has a massive thing for honky-tonk country music, to Angel’s never-ending dismay.
I’ve had Every Dead Thing on my (personal) TBR for possibly well over a year. Obviously it’s been on my radar as so many people have been raving about it so I picked it up recently to see what the fuss was about!
When we meet Charlie Parker, he is a broken man. Devastated from the horrific killing of his wife and daughter, he is destroyed by grief. Not thinking straight, he agrees to look into a missing girl. What follows is a chilling game of cat and mouse with a killer called The Travelling Man.
John Connolly is an excellent writer, there is no disputing that fact. His prose is so brilliantly descriptive and his characterisation is spot on. Charlie Parker is a wonderful character. Battling his own demons and dealing with everything that’s thrown at him, the reader is constantly gripped by his journey.
Elements of the supernatural, coupled with an investigation riddled with corruption and conspiracies, Every Dead Thing is a really solid start to the series. While it didn’t grab me completely, I am definitely looking forward to reading more from John Connolly.
Recommended for sure!
When we meet Charlie Parker, he is a broken man. Devastated from the horrific killing of his wife and daughter, he is destroyed by grief. Not thinking straight, he agrees to look into a missing girl. What follows is a chilling game of cat and mouse with a killer called The Travelling Man.
John Connolly is an excellent writer, there is no disputing that fact. His prose is so brilliantly descriptive and his characterisation is spot on. Charlie Parker is a wonderful character. Battling his own demons and dealing with everything that’s thrown at him, the reader is constantly gripped by his journey.
Elements of the supernatural, coupled with an investigation riddled with corruption and conspiracies, Every Dead Thing is a really solid start to the series. While it didn’t grab me completely, I am definitely looking forward to reading more from John Connolly.
Recommended for sure!
I hate this book.
I was surprised by this because I thought I was really going to like it. The Book of Lost Things is one of my all-time favorite novels. I like detective stories (on T.V.). I liked the Charlie Parker novella is his collection Nocturnes. So I thought I`d at least enjoy this book.
Unfortunately now I`m trying to decide if the novella was good because he`s improved as a writer or because, due to length, he simply had to cut out all the bullshit.
I had several problems, big and small, that kept me from enjoying this book.
Small example: All Parker has to do is glance at someone to know the exact brand of clothing they`re wearing. I found this to be obnoxious because 1) it happened every few pages and 2) it seemed really out of character.
All of the overly specific references in general, instead of making the story feel more real, just kept pulling me out. For instance Parker thinks “I have a memory of him at Jenny`s third birthday party, a cardboard clown`s hat jammed on his head and a bowl of Ben & Jerry`s Cherry Garcia ice cream in his hand.”
Why? What an oddly specific reference. If you were going to expressly state the brand of ice cream, wouldn`t you at least use one that is normally seen at parties? B&J is weird because it`s expensive and only comes in those little pints and not something you would buy for a birthday party full of toddlers.
That might seem nitpicky but I feel it sums up Connolly`s main problem: he`s trying too hard in all the wrong places to bring this story to life.
Big example 1: I felt like the side mysteries were just there to kill time. Frankly I found them to be boring and the first one is wrapped up super conveniently as if Connolly was just as bored with it as I was.
Big example 2: Every character felt like a cardboard cutout. There is not a single one I liked or cared about.
I found the main mystery, of who killed Parker`s family, much more interesting and wish this had also been a novella that simply focused on that.
I was surprised by this because I thought I was really going to like it. The Book of Lost Things is one of my all-time favorite novels. I like detective stories (on T.V.). I liked the Charlie Parker novella is his collection Nocturnes. So I thought I`d at least enjoy this book.
Unfortunately now I`m trying to decide if the novella was good because he`s improved as a writer or because, due to length, he simply had to cut out all the bullshit.
I had several problems, big and small, that kept me from enjoying this book.
Small example: All Parker has to do is glance at someone to know the exact brand of clothing they`re wearing. I found this to be obnoxious because 1) it happened every few pages and 2) it seemed really out of character.
All of the overly specific references in general, instead of making the story feel more real, just kept pulling me out. For instance Parker thinks “I have a memory of him at Jenny`s third birthday party, a cardboard clown`s hat jammed on his head and a bowl of Ben & Jerry`s Cherry Garcia ice cream in his hand.”
Why? What an oddly specific reference. If you were going to expressly state the brand of ice cream, wouldn`t you at least use one that is normally seen at parties? B&J is weird because it`s expensive and only comes in those little pints and not something you would buy for a birthday party full of toddlers.
That might seem nitpicky but I feel it sums up Connolly`s main problem: he`s trying too hard in all the wrong places to bring this story to life.
Big example 1: I felt like the side mysteries were just there to kill time. Frankly I found them to be boring and the first one is wrapped up super conveniently as if Connolly was just as bored with it as I was.
Big example 2: Every character felt like a cardboard cutout. There is not a single one I liked or cared about.
I found the main mystery, of who killed Parker`s family, much more interesting and wish this had also been a novella that simply focused on that.
I guess all people react to stressful situations differently ... but the wanting to have sex with a seriously emotionally damaged man right after killing someone seems so off to me.
This book spooked the pants off me and I don’t normally get spooked by books. From the beginning, when Charlie’s wife and daughter were murdered to the end…..I got chills. Put it this way, I couldn’t read this book at night because of how creepy it was. The one time I did, all I dreamed about was human beings being cut open and flayed. So yeah, I read this book during the day.
I felt awful for Charlie. I mean, I can’t imagine coming home to my family murdered. I don’t even think I could cope. Actually, I know I couldn’t cope. So I was a little surprised when it looked like he had moved on. New job, new house. Then everything came to a head when he takes a job to find the missing girlfriend of the son of an influential women and clues show up about his wife and daughter.
My favorite characters had to have been Angel and Louis. A thug and an assassin in a relationship, yes please!!! Louis I liked because of his fashion style and the fact that nothing seemed to phase him. Also, I think I would want him as a back up when things when south. Angel was very cute (but also very dangerous) and you could tell that he genuinely loved Louis.
The action in this book was insane. It went from zero to bloodshed within a chapter. Which is OK with me. Sometimes I need that!!!
I liked that the author really didn’t play up the paranormal part of the book until the end. And even then, it was understated. Creepy but understated. With everything else that was going on in the book, I liked that.
I will say that the author did have me going about who The Traveling Man was until the end of the book. I did have a suspicion as to who it was but with everything that was going on in the book, I kinda said “Nah”. Well, color me surprised when it ended up being who I originally thought it was.
The end of the book was very good. All of the storylines were tied up, for the most part, and I could see where the author left an opening for the next book. Which I am going to have to read because I got hooked on this series!!
How many stars will I give Every Dead Thing: 4
Why: A very intense mystery will kept me guessing and I refused to read at night. The violence and bloodshed might be a little much for some people but I didn’t care.
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sexual situations, violence and language
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
I felt awful for Charlie. I mean, I can’t imagine coming home to my family murdered. I don’t even think I could cope. Actually, I know I couldn’t cope. So I was a little surprised when it looked like he had moved on. New job, new house. Then everything came to a head when he takes a job to find the missing girlfriend of the son of an influential women and clues show up about his wife and daughter.
My favorite characters had to have been Angel and Louis. A thug and an assassin in a relationship, yes please!!! Louis I liked because of his fashion style and the fact that nothing seemed to phase him. Also, I think I would want him as a back up when things when south. Angel was very cute (but also very dangerous) and you could tell that he genuinely loved Louis.
The action in this book was insane. It went from zero to bloodshed within a chapter. Which is OK with me. Sometimes I need that!!!
I liked that the author really didn’t play up the paranormal part of the book until the end. And even then, it was understated. Creepy but understated. With everything else that was going on in the book, I liked that.
I will say that the author did have me going about who The Traveling Man was until the end of the book. I did have a suspicion as to who it was but with everything that was going on in the book, I kinda said “Nah”. Well, color me surprised when it ended up being who I originally thought it was.
The end of the book was very good. All of the storylines were tied up, for the most part, and I could see where the author left an opening for the next book. Which I am going to have to read because I got hooked on this series!!
How many stars will I give Every Dead Thing: 4
Why: A very intense mystery will kept me guessing and I refused to read at night. The violence and bloodshed might be a little much for some people but I didn’t care.
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sexual situations, violence and language
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
Just finished it and find myself sorely disappointed. With the award and really high rating I expected something better.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that it's correctly written book. But maybe bit to 'correctly'. It clutches so painfully the formula for noir crime, you can barely tell it's happening during the '90 and not '50. Attitudes of characters, way of building the story, the setting, everything is so soaked in cliche, even the whodunit part is rater disappointingly predictable.
The tiny pinch of mystical can't save this dish from being formulaic and devoid of original thought.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that it's correctly written book. But maybe bit to 'correctly'. It clutches so painfully the formula for noir crime, you can barely tell it's happening during the '90 and not '50. Attitudes of characters, way of building the story, the setting, everything is so soaked in cliche, even the whodunit part is rater disappointingly predictable.
The tiny pinch of mystical can't save this dish from being formulaic and devoid of original thought.
Y'know, I'm a pretty flawed person. I know it. I like my fantasy books, I like my science fiction books, and that's generally where it ends, no ifs ands or buts. It used to be, too, that I couldn't read anything in first person. Stout third person book thumper. Just couldn't, no sir, read first person. That was nine or ten years ago, and like any 89 year old trapped in an early 30's body, I drug my slug first person reading prejudices out of the gutter of my grumpy front law mind and made myself read through some well recommended first person.
Shock. Gasp. Surprise.
I liked them.
But crime books? Thrillers? Horror (that wasn't Stephen King?) , mystery? FICTION?! Nope. Couldn't do it.
And then two days ago I sat down with Every Dead Thing and said, "come on you old bastard. Give it a chance. Let's do it."
I am both partly ashamed at what I have missed, and elated at finding this book. It was so god damned good I couldn't put it down and was finished it within two days. I'm now a few chapters into Dark Hollow and I refuse to put it down. John's writing, his descriptions, his blatant poetic look at the down and dirty things we humans can do to each other, and have done, blow me away. I'm not real good like with describing the descriptions, or the clear cut, brutal honest look at humanity and the characters in John's books...But I can say I loved them. I love these. I love Birdman--because he's like me. He's like everyone else. Intensely flawed, intensely human, and desperate to change something, even when some things never change anyway.
Not sure how I could eloquently put it any better than, "BUY THESE. READ THESE. LOVE THEM."
Shock. Gasp. Surprise.
I liked them.
But crime books? Thrillers? Horror (that wasn't Stephen King?) , mystery? FICTION?! Nope. Couldn't do it.
And then two days ago I sat down with Every Dead Thing and said, "come on you old bastard. Give it a chance. Let's do it."
I am both partly ashamed at what I have missed, and elated at finding this book. It was so god damned good I couldn't put it down and was finished it within two days. I'm now a few chapters into Dark Hollow and I refuse to put it down. John's writing, his descriptions, his blatant poetic look at the down and dirty things we humans can do to each other, and have done, blow me away. I'm not real good like with describing the descriptions, or the clear cut, brutal honest look at humanity and the characters in John's books...But I can say I loved them. I love these. I love Birdman--because he's like me. He's like everyone else. Intensely flawed, intensely human, and desperate to change something, even when some things never change anyway.
Not sure how I could eloquently put it any better than, "BUY THESE. READ THESE. LOVE THEM."