The Lovers (Charlie Parker Series #8)

Amazing

This was my very first John Connolly book. It will not be my last. I had not read anything about it - merely bought it based on jacket description.I simply could not stop reading this book.I literally read into the early morning hours. The only reason I did not post a 5 is that there were several places where I did get lost and hand to reread in order to make sense of what was happening. Charlie Parker was a flawed protagonist but very likable, in spite of his flaws. One thing I wanted to know more about was "Why" he was chosen. I am assuming he would have been a threat to their existence. The story was engrossing and pulled me in quickly. I will be checking into more of Mr.Connolly's books!

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Connolly continues building the persona of Charlie Parker

If you are looking for the typical private eye formula thriller, John Connolly is not for you. If you are looking for a unique superbly written detective/horror/supernatural type story, welcome to the world of Charlie Parker. While other reviewers complain about the supernatural element of Connolly's novels, they miss the point entirely. Connolly's Parker is somehow tied to the mythological fallen angels of ancient scriptures, and with each novel we learn a bit more of about who Charlie may be, the evil he is meant to battle, and what purpose he is destined to fulfill. With "The Lovers", Connolly goes farther than he ever has in developing this fundamental character concept. Parker is not just a tough guy private eye out to shoot the bad guys. Charlie battles true evil, not just your basic criminal element. For those new to the Charlie Parker series, typically, Connolly tries to write stand alone stories that only briefly reference components of other Connolly novels to provide some background on his character or plot development. To fully appreciate "The Lovers", one really need to have read the previous books in the series to understand the implications of all that is said and takes place. For Charlie Parker fans who appreciate the character John Connolly is building, "The Lovers" is an excellent building block.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Read the other Charlie Parker novels to understand this one

Ive' read all of John Connolly, novels and think he is very very good at what he does. Although, I did miss Louis and Angel this answered alot of questions raised in the series- of Charlie Parker. I read in a start to finish would not put it down.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Another Connolly page-turner

I look forward to all John Connolly books. I particularly welcomed this look into Charlie Parker's mysterious past and was not disappointed. As always the answers revealed lead to more questions, which is what makes this series so addictive. Parker and his friends Angel and Louis are strangely compelling, and I do mean strangely. Although the tales are dark and disturbing - they literally haunt my dreams - the writing is surprisingly beautiful and often lyrical. The Lovers would also be a good introduction for any reader new to the series. Warning - once you start any John Connolly novel you cannot put it down (and it may disrupt your sleep.)

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A great urban Noir fantasy

With his private investigator's license revoked (see THE REAPERS), Charlie Parker leaves New York City to tend bar in Portland, Maine. The job gives him time think about the other tragedy in his life besides the murders of his wife and daughter that haunts him. When Charlie was fifteen, his father Will an NYPD cop shot dead two teens, who after he kills them learns they were unarmed. Unable cope, Will committed suicide.-----------------

As Charlie digs into the background of that traumatic incident, he finds some shocking evidence that makes him wonder if his beloved parents were his biological ones. He decides to return to Manhattan to investigate and avoid the police. At the same time a frightened disturbed woman is on the run from whatever killed her boyfriend. Writer Mickey Wallace investigates the stranger that haunt the Big Apple; as this pair converge on Charlie, two of the undying also come together wanting Parker dead.-----------

Charlie's focus remains on his personal life, but spins to what happened to his father rather than himself. He is at his best as he begins to uncover shocker after shocker as if someone has connected his body to live electrical wires (see the Cheney torture handbook for more details). He makes the LOVERS a great urban Noir fantasy although the paranormal is kept to the minimal. Readers will relish his escapades as Charlie investigates his father's suicide while the undying want to give him an opportunity to question dad in whatever hell the dead old man resides in.--------------

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Connolly is the best!!!

His best work since Dark Hollow or Killing Kind. I have loved all of his books, but this is a return to the best of the Parker series. Connolly's characters are people you know, minus the seeing dead folks stuff. You can feel the characters and you love to see the bad things happen to the bad guys. Everything I read that is not Connolly is just filler until the next Connolly hits the shelf.

I have read all of John Connolly's books, and like them very much.

I will add this book to my library collection. It is a great read.

excellent

Flat out The best book of the series. Can not wait for the next.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not his best work

Connolly has been toying for several books with the supernatural forces at work on his private detective, Charlie Parker. This book answers all the questions. If you haven't read his previous works you'll be left at sea with the many references to what has gone before. And it is a S L O W book. Connolly takes two thirds of the book setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation and then, when it occurs, settles the book with a fizzle and a whimper, nary a bang.
This author has written much better novels and likely will write another good one in the future. This one is just passable.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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