A Time of Torment by John Connolly

A Time of Torment by John Connolly - 480 pages
Book 13 in the Charlie Parker series

The last book in the series left private detective Charlie Parker a changed man.  No one can be clinically dead and brought back without being different.  Parker has always been able to see through a crack in the veil to the other side to communicate with his murdered daughter and wife but now the cracks are breaking open wider and he is becoming who he was always meant to be.

Parker is approached by a fallen hero whose life changed in an instant when he crossed paths with dark forces.   Once he takes the case then he is put in conflict with a reclusive community called The Cut and the Dead King they serve. 

The real world plot in these books has become secondary to the war occurring on the metaphysical plane with Parker and his allies Louis and Angel set against primal forces of evil.  This is very dark noir mystery with a paranormal layer working in parallel.  I love this series and the risks it takes with turning a traditional mystery on its ear.    

The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly

The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly - 528 pages
Charlie Parker Book 11

A small plane crashes in a desolate Maine woods containing a secret list that could tilt the war between Good and Evil.  Another entity is protecting the crash site from all who try to investigate.  Connolly grounds the paranormal elements in a very gritty real world of fully fleshed out characters which makes it even more jarring.  PI Charlie Parker ends up being tasked with finding the list and in the end just trying to survive what comes.  Another great installment to a fascinating series that stretches the crime genre to encompass forces unseen. 

Wrath of Angels by John Connolly

Wrath of Angels: A Charlie Parker thriller by John Connolly - 480 pages

Deep in the North Woods of Maine the wreckage of a small plane is discovered by hikers.  There are no bodies but there is definitely a presence in the woods.  Good and Evil entities have been seeking the plane and its contents for a long time.  A list of names has gone missing from the plane and having your name on that list will bring the very devil to your door.  Detective Charlie Parker who has a history of facing unimaginable evil fears his own name may be on that list.  Rivals for the list face off in the Maine woods and encounter otherworldly presences outside of their conflict.

The Charlie Parker thrillers are definitely a cut above the average suspense novel.  The writing is very evocative of mood and place and Parker's tortured past adds a whole other layer to the narrative.  I found this book to be a little slow to get started but still a worthwhile addition to the series.