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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
This was such an enjoyable mystery thriller about a crime involving a little boy. I was captivated by the author’s writing style and this was my first time reading any of their works.
This is book 21 in the Charlie Parker series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I was able to jump right in without any confusion.
It was interesting to see how the author wove supernatural elements into the plot. Those were some of my favorite aspects of the book overall.
Thank you Atria Books for the gifted copy of this book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
A child goes missing, the mother is suspected, Parker is brought in to check around, while something dark and evil lurks in the woods of Maine. Parker's back! I still marvel at Connolly's ability to carve character, place and atmosphere out of his words.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another excellent Charlie Parker mystery with all your favourite support characters.
Not enough of Louis and Angel in this one more me, love those boys
Not enough of Louis and Angel in this one more me, love those boys
Charlie Parker is an investigator working for lawyer, Moxie Castin. Charlie and Moxie are hired by Colleen Clark who is suspected of abducting and murdering her son, Kevin. Does the discovery of Henry’s blood-soaked blanket in Colleen’s car mean she is guilty? Charlie and Moxie are on the case.
The first few seconds into this book, I am drawn to the voice of the narrator. I enjoy most of the plot, but find I lose a bit of interest during the chapters devoted to the psychic, Sabine. While this is the twenty-first book in the Charlie Parker series, it can be read as a standalone. This is the first time I’m reading a Charlie Parker novel and look forward to reading the backlist. Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read an advance reader copy of INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A child is missing, his mother under suspicion…but evil comes in many guises.
When young Henry Clark goes missing in Portland, ME, suspicion soon falls on his mother Colleen. She was known to have suffered from postpartum issues, and even her husband is convinced that Colleen is guilty. Her mother Evelyn contacts lawyer Moxie Castin to represent Colleen, and Moxie in turn brings investigator Charlie Parker on board. Colleen has been found guilty in the court of public opinion, and Attorney General Paul Nowak and Assistant AG Erin Becker concur. They also have political ambitions, and the successful conviction of a baby killer would help both of their career aspirations. Nowak and Becker also loathe Moxie and Parker, which will only complicate matters. Parker lost his own child to violence, which makes him either the best or the worst choice to investigate Henry’s disappearance. As he digs into the case, he looks more deeply into Stephen’s possible role in the disappearance, especially given the man’s recent infidelity. When Parker is contacted by Sabine Drew, a woman whose psychic powers had in the past helped law enforcement in cases like Henry’s but who retreated from public view when her involvement in a case went horribly wrong, new but dark avenues to pursue emerge. They are drawn to a property which in days of yore would have been simply marked on a map as, “here there be evil”. What if anything does the Michaud family land have to do with the Clarks? Is Sabine genuine, or does she have ulterior motives? Can Parker find out what happened to Henry, or will others have to die?
This is the 21st outing of Charlie Parker, but do not fear….this novel can easily be read as a standalone. The characters and their relationships are well drawn, and the story is one that grabs the reader’s attention quickly and doesn’t let go. There is more going on than just a missing child, there is a sense of tangible evil at play throughout the story. There is also a peek at the political considerations that can affect a criminal case, and the reality of how quickly the public can and does assign guilt and blame based on a few headlines. As a mother I can think of little more terrifying than for my child to go missing and then to be blamed for the crime….knowing myself to be innocent and realizing that the search for my child is not being pursued effectively. A nuanced and gripping thriller, The Instruments of Darkness should be snatched up by fans of Dean Koontz, John Sanford and Preston & Child, as well as by those who have already read some or all of author John Connelly’s previous books. Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for allowing me early access to this dark but gripping story.
When young Henry Clark goes missing in Portland, ME, suspicion soon falls on his mother Colleen. She was known to have suffered from postpartum issues, and even her husband is convinced that Colleen is guilty. Her mother Evelyn contacts lawyer Moxie Castin to represent Colleen, and Moxie in turn brings investigator Charlie Parker on board. Colleen has been found guilty in the court of public opinion, and Attorney General Paul Nowak and Assistant AG Erin Becker concur. They also have political ambitions, and the successful conviction of a baby killer would help both of their career aspirations. Nowak and Becker also loathe Moxie and Parker, which will only complicate matters. Parker lost his own child to violence, which makes him either the best or the worst choice to investigate Henry’s disappearance. As he digs into the case, he looks more deeply into Stephen’s possible role in the disappearance, especially given the man’s recent infidelity. When Parker is contacted by Sabine Drew, a woman whose psychic powers had in the past helped law enforcement in cases like Henry’s but who retreated from public view when her involvement in a case went horribly wrong, new but dark avenues to pursue emerge. They are drawn to a property which in days of yore would have been simply marked on a map as, “here there be evil”. What if anything does the Michaud family land have to do with the Clarks? Is Sabine genuine, or does she have ulterior motives? Can Parker find out what happened to Henry, or will others have to die?
This is the 21st outing of Charlie Parker, but do not fear….this novel can easily be read as a standalone. The characters and their relationships are well drawn, and the story is one that grabs the reader’s attention quickly and doesn’t let go. There is more going on than just a missing child, there is a sense of tangible evil at play throughout the story. There is also a peek at the political considerations that can affect a criminal case, and the reality of how quickly the public can and does assign guilt and blame based on a few headlines. As a mother I can think of little more terrifying than for my child to go missing and then to be blamed for the crime….knowing myself to be innocent and realizing that the search for my child is not being pursued effectively. A nuanced and gripping thriller, The Instruments of Darkness should be snatched up by fans of Dean Koontz, John Sanford and Preston & Child, as well as by those who have already read some or all of author John Connelly’s previous books. Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for allowing me early access to this dark but gripping story.
I loved it! This was my first Charlie Parker book and I cannot believe it! How have I lived without these in my life?
I was captivated right away. We meet the main characters, Charlie (obviously), Moxie and Colleen early in the story. Colleen is charged with murdering her so despite there being no body. Moxie and Charlie set to work to prove Colleen innocent and we follow their journey.
I was right there the whole way until the end. This would have been 5 stars but I had a couple of questions that were not answered. Either way, I loved it!
Advance reader copy provided by Atria Books but all opinions are my own.
I was captivated right away. We meet the main characters, Charlie (obviously), Moxie and Colleen early in the story. Colleen is charged with murdering her so despite there being no body. Moxie and Charlie set to work to prove Colleen innocent and we follow their journey.
I was right there the whole way until the end. This would have been 5 stars but I had a couple of questions that were not answered. Either way, I loved it!
Advance reader copy provided by Atria Books but all opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated