readbydusk 's review for:

The Woman in the Woods by John Connolly

4.0

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The latest installment in the Charlie Parker series did not disappoint! One of the best things about this series is how the story lines entwine and emerge into unpredictable consequences. Like a truck explosion that seemed inconsequential turned out to be a spark that led certain characters towards their doom. In the last book, my complaint was that the supernatural aspect was too overt but here, the balance between the dead and the living was just right. In particular, scenes involving a boy and a ringing toy phone were written in such a way that was both creepy and moving.

The villains in this book were perfectly sinister, having no qualms dispatching people who get in their way. It caused a few harrowing and suspenseful moments. But the larger theme was how villains can be the very people you know, and how misogyny plays a terrible part in the lives and deaths of women.

The topic of death was also reflected in Charlie's friends Louis and Angel. Angel had to undergo surgery for a tumor and Louis had to grapple with the possibility of watching his other half die. I've always enjoyed their snarky, humorous, loving relationship and I'm not ready to say goodbye. I'm not sure how long this series will go but it feels like we’re coming closer to the end. I hope I'm wrong!