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Charlie Parker #9
The Whisperers
""'Oh, little one, ' he whispered, as he gently stroked her cheek, the first time he had touched her in fifteen years. 'What have they done to you? What have they done to us all?' ""In his latest dark and chilling Charlie Parker thriller, New York Times bestselling author John Connolly takes us to the border between Maine and Canada. It is there, in the vast and porous Great North Woods, that a dangerous smuggling operation is taking place, run by a group of disenchanted former soldiers, newly returned from Iraq. Illicit goods--drugs, cash, weapons, even people--are changing hands. And something else has changed hands. Something ancient and powerful and evil.
The authorities suspect something is amiss, but what they can't know is that it is infinitely stranger and more terrifying than anyone can imagine. Anyone, that is, except private detective Charlie Parker, who has his own intimate knowledge of the darkness in men's hearts. As the smugglers begin to die one after another in apparent suicides, Parker is called in to stop the bloodletting. The soldiers' actions and the objects they have smuggled have attracted the attention of the reclusive Herod, a man with a taste for the strange. And where Herod goes, so too does the shadowy figure that he calls the Captain. To defeat them, Parker must form an uneasy alliance with a man he fears more than any other, the killer known as the Collector. . . .
The authorities suspect something is amiss, but what they can't know is that it is infinitely stranger and more terrifying than anyone can imagine. Anyone, that is, except private detective Charlie Parker, who has his own intimate knowledge of the darkness in men's hearts. As the smugglers begin to die one after another in apparent suicides, Parker is called in to stop the bloodletting. The soldiers' actions and the objects they have smuggled have attracted the attention of the reclusive Herod, a man with a taste for the strange. And where Herod goes, so too does the shadowy figure that he calls the Captain. To defeat them, Parker must form an uneasy alliance with a man he fears more than any other, the killer known as the Collector. . . .
409 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2010
About the author
John Connolly
177 books7,502 followersJohn Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 513 reviews
December 14, 2022
In this 9th book in the 'Charlie Parker' series, the private detective gets involved in an eerie case where evil spirits are inhabiting Middle Eastern antiquities. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Odd things are going on in Maine. Several veterans of the Iraq war, including Damien Patchett, have recently committed suicide. Damien's father, diner owner Bennett Patchett - stricken by his son's death - has other problems as well.
He's worried that his waitress is being abused by her boyfriend Joel Tobias, who happens to be Damien's former platoon mate.
So Bennett hires PI Charlie Parker to check out Tobias, hoping the investigation also casts light on his son's suicide.
Parker's investigation of Tobias reveals that a cadre of Iraq war veterans are using a semi-truck to smuggle things across the Maine border - from Canada to the United States.
The reader (though not Parker) soon learns that the 'things' are treasures looted from Baghdad's Museum of Antiquities.
Unfortunately for the looters the stolen riches are far from benign. They harbor evil spirits - 'whisperers' - that drive people who come in contact with them to suicide.
The smuggling operation catches the attention of Maine mobster Jimmy Jewel, who wants a piece of the action.
Others are also interested in the stolen goods including Mexican gangsters;
a curator of the Baghdad museum;
Herod - an obsessed, cancer-ridden man.....
.....guided by an evil wraith called 'The Captain';
and 'The Collector' - a demon known to Charlie Parker.
The latter parties are particularly interested in a mysterious item called 'Pandora's Box' which - if opened - could unleash chaos on the world.
The stolen antiquities cause a spate of mayhem - including torture and murder - as the veterans try to profit from their loot while other parties try to wrest the goodies away from them. There are also eerie occurrences where spirits drive people crazy and make them do odd and deadly things.
Some of these supernatural scenes are amusing in a bizarre kind of way.
Private detective Charlie Parker - though a little fuzzy about exactly what's going on - wants to stop the deaths of the veterans, save the waitress, and preserve the world. Thus he enlists the help of his old friends, Angel and Louis, two tough birds who like nothing better than killing bad guys.
I thought the story was interesting and shed some light on veterans suffering from PTSD and their need for more government assistance. The underlying theme of the story - soldiers stealing treasures from war torn regions - was also compelling (though I don't know how realistic this is....some of those statues are pretty big).
Overall, though, the the book was just okay for me. Some parts of the story were overly detailed and very slow moving, and I wanted the action to move along faster. Also, the mixed 'private detective' - 'supernatural phenomena' genre isn't my favorite. Still, there are a good variety of characters in the book (some more well rounded than others) and the story held my attention.
I would recommend the book to Charlie Parker fans and to fans of supernatural mysteries.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
October 26, 2018
Can some authors be ‘too big to fail?’ Is John Connolly one of them? I’ve had my ups and down with the series to be sure, but I found that this book felt particularly disconnected, like Connolly was allowed to take everything he had written in his word processing application and turn it in, without thought to transitions, flow, plotting or narrative voice. Am I being harsh? Perhaps. But that’s the trouble with reading some really great books–of which his prior book, The Lovers, was one–and avoiding chaff. Standards get raised. My rating, therefore, reflects the book in context of both Connolly’s writing and the series; like the English teacher with almost impossible standards, I know he is capable of better. Much better.
A pity, really, because the characters in the book are primarily veterans, and it gives the reader a chance to peek at some of the issues that surround those that sign up to fight in the nation’s ongoing wars. Connolly clearly believes the issues are complicated, and I admire him for it. If only he hadn’t felt the need to info-dump the obvious in the middle of the book, losing both plot flow and narrative sense. Again, capable of much better. There’s some character viewpoint switching that almost facilitates the understanding of the issue, except it is too little, too late (mild spoiler), usually switching as part of building some sort of tension or sympathy
So what happens here? It opens with a scene in the Iraqi Museum, where an employee is discovered by an American who helps him look for a particularly troublesome object, normally buried in the unlabeled archives. We jump to the soldier walking his dog. We jump again to Parker meeting an older man in a diner, the father of the soldier. It’s the father of the soldier. Parker then investigates an ex-soldier boyfriend of a woman who works for that older man and who seems to be able to make payments on a very expensive semi without doing much work. Parker goes to talk to a drug kingpin who controls much of the Canada-US drug-trade (who knew?) and things escalate quickly.
There’s a few scenes that are extremely evocative. When Connolly gets it right, it’s beautiful and eerie and scary. Scenes
Do I recommend it? If you are a serious fan of the series, sure. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. The plot veered all over the place. . I enjoyed parts a lot, but out of most of his books so far, I felt like I was reading an inferior product. It is probably worth it for the last 25%, which contains a (spoiler of a minor character appearance) But temper expectations.
A pity, really, because the characters in the book are primarily veterans, and it gives the reader a chance to peek at some of the issues that surround those that sign up to fight in the nation’s ongoing wars. Connolly clearly believes the issues are complicated, and I admire him for it. If only he hadn’t felt the need to info-dump the obvious in the middle of the book, losing both plot flow and narrative sense. Again, capable of much better. There’s some character viewpoint switching that almost facilitates the understanding of the issue, except it is too little, too late (mild spoiler), usually switching as part of building some sort of tension or sympathy
So what happens here? It opens with a scene in the Iraqi Museum, where an employee is discovered by an American who helps him look for a particularly troublesome object, normally buried in the unlabeled archives. We jump to the soldier walking his dog. We jump again to Parker meeting an older man in a diner, the father of the soldier. It’s the father of the soldier. Parker then investigates an ex-soldier boyfriend of a woman who works for that older man and who seems to be able to make payments on a very expensive semi without doing much work. Parker goes to talk to a drug kingpin who controls much of the Canada-US drug-trade (who knew?) and things escalate quickly.
There’s a few scenes that are extremely evocative. When Connolly gets it right, it’s beautiful and eerie and scary. Scenes
Do I recommend it? If you are a serious fan of the series, sure. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. The plot veered all over the place. . I enjoyed parts a lot, but out of most of his books so far, I felt like I was reading an inferior product. It is probably worth it for the last 25%, which contains a (spoiler of a minor character appearance) But temper expectations.
June 28, 2020
La décima entrega de Charlie Parker sigue mezclando el misterio sobrenatural con el thriller. En esta entrega, combina además la guerra de Irak y el expolio de antigüedades en sus museos, así como las consecuencias psicológicas que sufren los soldados tras una experiencia tan traumática. Todo ello narrado con el estilo magistral que un buen escritor como Connolly sabe desplegar en sus páginas.
Aquí tanto Louis como Angel sí que compartirán bastantes páginas con Parker, cosa muy de agradecer.
Y tenemos también un buen número de personajes siniestros, esos que el autor borda cuanto más nos describe. Por supuesto, no faltará la lucha interna entre Parker y las fuerzas del mal. Esos demonios tanto internos como externos que hacen de nuestro protagonista un personaje imperecedero.
He leído algunas críticas negativas, pero, a mi entender esta novela está a la altura de las anteriores, cuando no supere a la mayoría.
Aunque no sea imprescindible, lo aconsejable es leerlas por orden de publicación, al menos las tres o cuatro primeras.
Aquí tanto Louis como Angel sí que compartirán bastantes páginas con Parker, cosa muy de agradecer.
Y tenemos también un buen número de personajes siniestros, esos que el autor borda cuanto más nos describe. Por supuesto, no faltará la lucha interna entre Parker y las fuerzas del mal. Esos demonios tanto internos como externos que hacen de nuestro protagonista un personaje imperecedero.
He leído algunas críticas negativas, pero, a mi entender esta novela está a la altura de las anteriores, cuando no supere a la mayoría.
Aunque no sea imprescindible, lo aconsejable es leerlas por orden de publicación, al menos las tres o cuatro primeras.
June 28, 2020
La décima entrega de Charlie Parker sigue mezclando el misterio sobrenatural con el thriller. En esta entrega, combina además la guerra de Irak y el expolio de antigüedades en sus museos, así como las consecuencias psicológicas que sufren los soldados tras una experiencia tan traumática. Todo ello narrado con el estilo magistral que un buen escritor como Connolly sabe desplegar en sus páginas.
Aquí tanto Louis como Angel sí que compartirán bastantes páginas con Parker, cosa muy de agradecer.
Y tenemos también un buen número de personajes siniestros, esos que el autor borda cuanto más nos describe. Por supuesto, no faltará la lucha interna entre Parker y las fuerzas del mal. Esos demonios tanto internos como externos que hacen de nuestro protagonista un personaje imperecedero.
He leído algunas críticas negativas, pero, a mi entender esta novela está a la altura de las anteriores, cuando no supere a la mayoría.
Aunque no sea imprescindible, lo aconsejable es leerlas por orden de publicación, al menos las tres o cuatro primeras.
Aquí tanto Louis como Angel sí que compartirán bastantes páginas con Parker, cosa muy de agradecer.
Y tenemos también un buen número de personajes siniestros, esos que el autor borda cuanto más nos describe. Por supuesto, no faltará la lucha interna entre Parker y las fuerzas del mal. Esos demonios tanto internos como externos que hacen de nuestro protagonista un personaje imperecedero.
He leído algunas críticas negativas, pero, a mi entender esta novela está a la altura de las anteriores, cuando no supere a la mayoría.
Aunque no sea imprescindible, lo aconsejable es leerlas por orden de publicación, al menos las tres o cuatro primeras.
May 24, 2021
Another great addition to the Charlie Parker series!
The Whisperers has many underlaying plots from previous books in the series, including the character, The Collector. In my opinion, I would not read this as a stand alone.
The book starts off with Charlie Parker getting his private investigator license back.
A heartbroken father contacts Charlie to investigate why his son has committed suicide.
When his son gets back from Iraq, why did he change so much and what did he get involved in with his military buddies?
The Whisperers involves PTSD, a smuggling operation from Maine to Canada, and military veterans struggling to find their way when they get out of the military.
And if involves something evil.
This evil wants to be let out, and Charlie Parker and friends have to stop this forbidding presence from being released.
Definitely read this series if you love crime thrillers and books with supernatural elements!
I love the writing of John Connolly and I wish more people knew about his writing, along with this series. It’s just been so great and I've loved every book so far!
The Whisperers has many underlaying plots from previous books in the series, including the character, The Collector. In my opinion, I would not read this as a stand alone.
The book starts off with Charlie Parker getting his private investigator license back.
A heartbroken father contacts Charlie to investigate why his son has committed suicide.
When his son gets back from Iraq, why did he change so much and what did he get involved in with his military buddies?
The Whisperers involves PTSD, a smuggling operation from Maine to Canada, and military veterans struggling to find their way when they get out of the military.
And if involves something evil.
This evil wants to be let out, and Charlie Parker and friends have to stop this forbidding presence from being released.
Definitely read this series if you love crime thrillers and books with supernatural elements!
I love the writing of John Connolly and I wish more people knew about his writing, along with this series. It’s just been so great and I've loved every book so far!
September 7, 2015
I. Cannot. Get. Enough. Of. This. Series. Or Charlie Parker, or Angel, or Louis. Even The Collector is starting to grow on me.
Okay, now that I've had my fangirl moment, here's the real review. John Connolly--or J-Con as I like to refer to him--is one of those guys who just can't write a bad book. He has a way of weaving a story together flawlessy. For example, in The Whisperers, there are a plethora of characters: some secondary, some primary, some good, some bad, some in between, but all are drawn impeccably. Each is interesting in their own right, each most definitely belonging to the storyworld. No matter how many new characters he introduces, it never gets boring, and more impressively, it never gets confusing. The point of view/narrative/internal dialogue of Charlie Parker himself is always endearing and fascinating. Wit abounds.
When I hit 15% in The Whisperers, I could not stop reading. You won't be able to either. You get a good mystery regarding stolen artifacts from Iraq, a new baddie who is just awfully evil, a returning baddie who I'm actually starting to like (yikes), as well as fan favorites Angel and Louis. The plot is solid, the ending has a nice twist and we get deeper into the supernatural aspect of the series.
The story gets more and more gory and then the ending pretty much kicks ass. I mean, it was awesome.
February 7, 2015
Another excellent book in the Charlie Parker series which is such a great mixture of mystery, horror and the supernatural. My only problem is that this is number nine in the series and I am rapidly catching up with the author who is preparing to publish number thirteen this year. I am now trying to pace myself because I don't want to get to the end! An excellent book in an even more excellent series recommended to any one who enjoys Dean Koontz or Stephen King.
October 6, 2020
Perfect first book for the month of October.
Charlie Parker and friends never disappoint— this installment travels from Iraq war scarred veterans to the deep woods of the Maine-Canadian border to the deteriorating wharf of a dying fishing town.
The characters are equally unique with several layers of villains and heroes. But for readers of this series, the dichotomy of events and shadows of black and white won’t surprise.
It feels like a book that is transitioning a Parker from one story to another. Already wishing I had the next book in hand instead of on hold.
In the meantime, Charlie, Louis, Angel, the Collector and I wish you a bewitching month!!
Charlie Parker and friends never disappoint— this installment travels from Iraq war scarred veterans to the deep woods of the Maine-Canadian border to the deteriorating wharf of a dying fishing town.
The characters are equally unique with several layers of villains and heroes. But for readers of this series, the dichotomy of events and shadows of black and white won’t surprise.
It feels like a book that is transitioning a Parker from one story to another. Already wishing I had the next book in hand instead of on hold.
In the meantime, Charlie, Louis, Angel, the Collector and I wish you a bewitching month!!
February 15, 2014
An excellent addition to this series of books. Connelly's writing is so engaging it becomes difficult to stop reading the books.
This particular entry to the series concerns soldiers and veterans suffering from PTSD and suicide tendencies of some of the returning vets.
The book also delves into the second Iraq war and how the soldiers got short changed by the government and the military.
Mr. Connolly wraps this information into his on going plot of Evil vs. Good and the shades of grey that exist in both realms. Charlie Parker's side kicks Angel and Louis play their usual hard boiled antics,
I would highly recommend this book even if none of the other books in the series have been read.
This particular entry to the series concerns soldiers and veterans suffering from PTSD and suicide tendencies of some of the returning vets.
The book also delves into the second Iraq war and how the soldiers got short changed by the government and the military.
Mr. Connolly wraps this information into his on going plot of Evil vs. Good and the shades of grey that exist in both realms. Charlie Parker's side kicks Angel and Louis play their usual hard boiled antics,
I would highly recommend this book even if none of the other books in the series have been read.
July 19, 2019
Well ,nine books in and I'm running out of superlatives for the Charlie Parker novels. Suffice to say that The Whisperers was just as good as the others. This really is a must read series.
July 19, 2018
Δηλώνω μεγάλη φαν του John Connolly! Απολαμβάνω τη σειρά βιβλίων με πρωταγωνιστή τον Τσάρλι Πάρκερ και αυτό το βιβλίο δε θα μπορούσε να είναι εξαίρεση!
Πολύ καλή πλοκή, ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες και ιδανική ατμόσφαιρα! Δεν μπορώ να ζητήσω κάτι άλλο!!
Πολύ καλή πλοκή, ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες και ιδανική ατμόσφαιρα! Δεν μπορώ να ζητήσω κάτι άλλο!!
August 3, 2020
Ehh. This one dragged a lot for me. We had too many points of views going on. I also have to say I loathe reading italics in books. I know Connolly does this to represent the past with different characters, but it's aggravating as heck. We get some interesting insight into "The Collector" and also we get just a bit of a tease about the entity we heard of from the last book, Mr. Goodkind.
The book opens on the looting of the Iraqi Museum during the latest Gulf War. Then the book moves to an ex-soldier who seems to have someone or something taunting him and we are left then knowing that he has killed himself. We then move to Charlie who has his PI license back in this one. Charlie is being asked by a man to look into whether the boyfriend of one of his waitresses is up to no good and whether it has ties to why his son committed suicide. Charlie initially thinks there is nothing there, but it appears the boyfriend is moving something illegal across the border into Canada. When Charlie gets to close he is threatened which makes him dig in even more. Charlie and others are about to find out what the men are moving and why it's so important to get back something called "the box."
Charlie in this one is hurt and hurt definitely leaves you scared, cause Charlie is going to make the men who hurt him, hurt 1,000 times worse. I loved that we get Angel and Louis in this one, but wanted more of them. I also laughed at Angel making fun of Charlie for giving anyone relationship advice (yeah me to Angel). The interaction between characters though at times seems to be a bit off. I think it's because Connolly decides to follow way too many of the Iraq war vets in this one and it drags the book down a lot. For the most part I just care about Charlie, doing segues into other characters via flashbacks and then I guess present day was just a lot after a while.
That said, the writing was really great in places. The banter between Charlie and the character named Jimmy was hilarious. I cracked up when he said that Death probably sends Charlie a fruit basket every Christmas. That said, the flow for me was just off throughout until the end. This book drags a lot and doesn't even get going until "The Collector" is on the scene with him and Charlie actually working together in this one.
The ending definitely leaves you with more questions though. Charlie sees something or someone that appears to be scared of him. What does this mean for Charlie? And why now does even "The Collector" seem hesitant about Charlie Parker?
The book opens on the looting of the Iraqi Museum during the latest Gulf War. Then the book moves to an ex-soldier who seems to have someone or something taunting him and we are left then knowing that he has killed himself. We then move to Charlie who has his PI license back in this one. Charlie is being asked by a man to look into whether the boyfriend of one of his waitresses is up to no good and whether it has ties to why his son committed suicide. Charlie initially thinks there is nothing there, but it appears the boyfriend is moving something illegal across the border into Canada. When Charlie gets to close he is threatened which makes him dig in even more. Charlie and others are about to find out what the men are moving and why it's so important to get back something called "the box."
Charlie in this one is hurt and hurt definitely leaves you scared, cause Charlie is going to make the men who hurt him, hurt 1,000 times worse. I loved that we get Angel and Louis in this one, but wanted more of them. I also laughed at Angel making fun of Charlie for giving anyone relationship advice (yeah me to Angel). The interaction between characters though at times seems to be a bit off. I think it's because Connolly decides to follow way too many of the Iraq war vets in this one and it drags the book down a lot. For the most part I just care about Charlie, doing segues into other characters via flashbacks and then I guess present day was just a lot after a while.
That said, the writing was really great in places. The banter between Charlie and the character named Jimmy was hilarious. I cracked up when he said that Death probably sends Charlie a fruit basket every Christmas. That said, the flow for me was just off throughout until the end. This book drags a lot and doesn't even get going until "The Collector" is on the scene with him and Charlie actually working together in this one.
The ending definitely leaves you with more questions though. Charlie sees something or someone that appears to be scared of him. What does this mean for Charlie? And why now does even "The Collector" seem hesitant about Charlie Parker?
June 9, 2018
Για τις ανάγκες τις ένατης περιπέτειάς του, ο ιδιωτικός ντεντέκτιβ Τσάρλι Πάρκερ θα βρεθεί κοντά στα σύνορα του Μέιν με τον Καναδά, σε μια περιοχή που έχει και στ’ αλήθεια κακή φήμη λόγω του λαθρεμπορίου κάθε είδους που γίνεται εκεί.
Η συγκεκριμένη ιστορία θα μπορούσε να πει κανείς ότι είναι αρκετά ανεξάρτητη σε σχέση με τις προηγούμενες του Πάρκερ, αφού τα όσα αντιμετωπίζει δεν περιστρέφονται γύρω από τα δικά του ζητήματα. Εξαίρεση αποτελεί σαφώς η επανεμφάνιση ενός χαρακτήρα που προσωπικά είναι ο αγαπημένος μου στην όλη σειρά (και που δεν τον ονοματίζω για να μη χαλάσω την έκπληξη σε όσους προτιμούν να μη γνωρίζουν καμία τέτοια πληροφορία όταν ανοίγουν ένα καινούργιο βιβλίο). Πέραν αυτού, η τελική σκηνή κατά μια έννοια δίνει επίσης μια πολύ μεγάλη (και ανατριχιαστική) σύνδεση με τα «ζητήματα» του Πάρκερ, αλλά τουλάχιστον, μέχρι να φτάσουμε εκεί, τα πάντα είναι εντελώς άσχετα και ανεξάρτητα.
Για το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο έχω δει τις κριτικές του να αποκλίνουν σημαντικά σε βαθμολογία και μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσής του μπορώ εύκολα να κατανοήσω γιατί. Το «ζήτημα» που υπάρχει έχει να κάνει με το βασικό θέμα της πλοκής. Και εξηγούμαι καλύτερα:
Εδώ πέρα, ο Κόνολι, ο κατά πολλούς «Δουβλινέζος που γράφει σαν Αμερικάνος», ασχολείται με το απόλυτο «αμιγώς αμερικάνικο θέμα». Μιλάει για τον πόλεμο και κυρίως για τα όσα βιώνουν όσοι στρατιώτες έχουν επιστρέψει πίσω στην πατρίδα από μια αποστολή στο Βιετνάμ, στο Ιράκ ή το Αφγανιστάν, έχοντας όμως βιώσει διάφορες φρικτές καταστάσεις όσο βρίσκονταν εκεί. Εστιάζει στο μετατραυματικό στρες, το οποίο έχει οδηγήσει πάρα πολλούς εξ αυτών στην αυτοκτονία ή σε ακραίες παραβατικές συμπεριφορές, ακόμα και χρόνια μετά την επιστροφή τους, ενώ υπογραμμίζει και την κάκιστη, σε βαθμό αδιαφορίας μέριμνα που υπάρχει από το αμερικάνικο κράτος για αυτούς τους ανθρώπους.
Το θέμα της πλοκής λοιπόν για τους περισσότερους από εμάς (τους Έλληνες αναγνώστες) κρίνεται μάλλον αδιάφορο και χιλιοπαιγμένο. Και είναι λογικό να μας φαίνεται έτσι, πολύ απλά επειδή δεν μας αγγίζει όσο άλλα που έχει καταπιαστεί ο συγγραφέας στο παρελθόν (πχ κακοποίηση ανηλίκων). Κανένας από εμάς δεν έχει σταλεί για να πολεμήσει κάπου, ούτε έχει βρεθεί στη φρικτή κατάσταση αναμονής κάποιου συγγενικού προσώπου που βρέθηκε στο μέτωπο. Αν σκεφτούμε όμως πόσοι Αμερικανοί έχουν βρεθεί σε παρόμοια κατάσταση, τότε θα τους κατανοήσουμε πολύ περισσότερο για την ψύχωσή τους να διαβάζουν τέτοιες ιστορίες. (Εδώ μπορούμε να προσθέσουμε και μερικούς συμπατριώτες του Κόνολι –Βρετανούς– μιας και στην τελευταία αποστολή στο Ιράκ, έστειλαν κι αυτοί αρκετό κόσμο).
Είναι φυσικά προφανές πώς όταν με αγγίζει προσωπικά το θέμα του βιβλίου που διαβάζω τα πράγματα είναι ακόμα καλύτερα, αλλά είναι εξίσου προφανές ότι δεν είναι και εντελώς αναγκαίο, και αυτό είναι κάτι που ισχύει στο έπακρο για το συγκεκριμένο. Η δράση του βιβλίου είναι σκέτη απόλαυση, οι απρόσμενες εξελίξεις και οι ανατροπές είναι και πάλι εδώ, ενώ μου άρεσε πολύ και η «αναλογία» που υπήρχε μεταξύ αστυνομικού και μεταφυσικού. Το πρώτο υπερισχύει αισθητά, ενώ, κατά μία έννοια, είναι δύο ξεχωριστά κομμάτια μέσα στην ίδια ακριβώς ιστορία. Νομίζω ότι όσοι γνωρίζουν τι εστί Κόνολι θα περάσουν πολύ ωραία και με αυτή την ιστορία του Πάρκερ.
Η συγκεκριμένη ιστορία θα μπορούσε να πει κανείς ότι είναι αρκετά ανεξάρτητη σε σχέση με τις προηγούμενες του Πάρκερ, αφού τα όσα αντιμετωπίζει δεν περιστρέφονται γύρω από τα δικά του ζητήματα. Εξαίρεση αποτελεί σαφώς η επανεμφάνιση ενός χαρακτήρα που προσωπικά είναι ο αγαπημένος μου στην όλη σειρά (και που δεν τον ονοματίζω για να μη χαλάσω την έκπληξη σε όσους προτιμούν να μη γνωρίζουν καμία τέτοια πληροφορία όταν ανοίγουν ένα καινούργιο βιβλίο). Πέραν αυτού, η τελική σκηνή κατά μια έννοια δίνει επίσης μια πολύ μεγάλη (και ανατριχιαστική) σύνδεση με τα «ζητήματα» του Πάρκερ, αλλά τουλάχιστον, μέχρι να φτάσουμε εκεί, τα πάντα είναι εντελώς άσχετα και ανεξάρτητα.
Για το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο έχω δει τις κριτικές του να αποκλίνουν σημαντικά σε βαθμολογία και μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσής του μπορώ εύκολα να κατανοήσω γιατί. Το «ζήτημα» που υπάρχει έχει να κάνει με το βασικό θέμα της πλοκής. Και εξηγούμαι καλύτερα:
Εδώ πέρα, ο Κόνολι, ο κατά πολλούς «Δουβλινέζος που γράφει σαν Αμερικάνος», ασχολείται με το απόλυτο «αμιγώς αμερικάνικο θέμα». Μιλάει για τον πόλεμο και κυρίως για τα όσα βιώνουν όσοι στρατιώτες έχουν επιστρέψει πίσω στην πατρίδα από μια αποστολή στο Βιετνάμ, στο Ιράκ ή το Αφγανιστάν, έχοντας όμως βιώσει διάφορες φρικτές καταστάσεις όσο βρίσκονταν εκεί. Εστιάζει στο μετατραυματικό στρες, το οποίο έχει οδηγήσει πάρα πολλούς εξ αυτών στην αυτοκτονία ή σε ακραίες παραβατικές συμπεριφορές, ακόμα και χρόνια μετά την επιστροφή τους, ενώ υπογραμμίζει και την κάκιστη, σε βαθμό αδιαφορίας μέριμνα που υπάρχει από το αμερικάνικο κράτος για αυτούς τους ανθρώπους.
Το θέμα της πλοκής λοιπόν για τους περισσότερους από εμάς (τους Έλληνες αναγνώστες) κρίνεται μάλλον αδιάφορο και χιλιοπαιγμένο. Και είναι λογικό να μας φαίνεται έτσι, πολύ απλά επειδή δεν μας αγγίζει όσο άλλα που έχει καταπιαστεί ο συγγραφέας στο παρελθόν (πχ κακοποίηση ανηλίκων). Κανένας από εμάς δεν έχει σταλεί για να πολεμήσει κάπου, ούτε έχει βρεθεί στη φρικτή κατάσταση αναμονής κάποιου συγγενικού προσώπου που βρέθηκε στο μέτωπο. Αν σκεφτούμε όμως πόσοι Αμερικανοί έχουν βρεθεί σε παρόμοια κατάσταση, τότε θα τους κατανοήσουμε πολύ περισσότερο για την ψύχωσή τους να διαβάζουν τέτοιες ιστορίες. (Εδώ μπορούμε να προσθέσουμε και μερικούς συμπατριώτες του Κόνολι –Βρετανούς– μιας και στην τελευταία αποστολή στο Ιράκ, έστειλαν κι αυτοί αρκετό κόσμο).
Είναι φυσικά προφανές πώς όταν με αγγίζει προσωπικά το θέμα του βιβλίου που διαβάζω τα πράγματα είναι ακόμα καλύτερα, αλλά είναι εξίσου προφανές ότι δεν είναι και εντελώς αναγκαίο, και αυτό είναι κάτι που ισχύει στο έπακρο για το συγκεκριμένο. Η δράση του βιβλίου είναι σκέτη απόλαυση, οι απρόσμενες εξελίξεις και οι ανατροπές είναι και πάλι εδώ, ενώ μου άρεσε πολύ και η «αναλογία» που υπήρχε μεταξύ αστυνομικού και μεταφυσικού. Το πρώτο υπερισχύει αισθητά, ενώ, κατά μία έννοια, είναι δύο ξεχωριστά κομμάτια μέσα στην ίδια ακριβώς ιστορία. Νομίζω ότι όσοι γνωρίζουν τι εστί Κόνολι θα περάσουν πολύ ωραία και με αυτή την ιστορία του Πάρκερ.
May 23, 2021
This series is crazy good. I have no idea how John Connolly keeps writing at this level. The books are awesome, I never know whats going on or what's going to happen. And at the end, I'm ready to devour the next book! Way to go JC!
July 25, 2021
As always, with every book so far its web weaves itself thicker and thicker around me. I constantly want to keep ploughing through the series to find out just what will become of Parker's destiny, its seeming that his pathway has always been laid out and destiny is just waiting for time to catch up. (Which in turn is waiting on my slow ass reading!)
P.S...
Im having a problem with rating these!
To begin with I rated each as I would with stand alone reads and what they deserve but then I read Black Angel, book #5, and it was so amazing and worthy of all the stars and more that from then on I felt like I should rate them all against that one. If it wasnt as outstanding as Black Angel then it shouldnt be 5 stars... BUT the problem I now have is that if I had read these as individual reads then I would most definitely give them 5 stars which then makes me think its unfair of me to take any stars away from Connolly and his ratings when he deserves every star he gets for been on book number 10 and STILL gripping me on each and everyone! Iv now come to the decision that basically Connolly... You can have all my stars in the universe and even then I would search the darkness for more to give! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
P.S...
Im having a problem with rating these!
To begin with I rated each as I would with stand alone reads and what they deserve but then I read Black Angel, book #5, and it was so amazing and worthy of all the stars and more that from then on I felt like I should rate them all against that one. If it wasnt as outstanding as Black Angel then it shouldnt be 5 stars... BUT the problem I now have is that if I had read these as individual reads then I would most definitely give them 5 stars which then makes me think its unfair of me to take any stars away from Connolly and his ratings when he deserves every star he gets for been on book number 10 and STILL gripping me on each and everyone! Iv now come to the decision that basically Connolly... You can have all my stars in the universe and even then I would search the darkness for more to give! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 20, 2011
A few months ago, I heard that John answered all his messages on his official Facebook page. So, I thought, "Hey, I like Connolly a lot, perhaps I'll tell him that". So I sent him a message expressing my appreciation for his work and his signature Charlie Parker character. Much to my surprise, he actually did respond.
Dear Brandon,
Thanks very much for the kind words. Good for morale as I work toward the end of the draft of the next book, so much appreciated.
All best wishes,
John
Awesome.
Anyway, onto my review:
I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I know a whole lot about the Iraq War. Most of what's fed to me comes from either John Stewart, Saturday Night Live, or, most recently, the film, "The Hurt Locker". That isn't to say I'm opposed to the war, I just don't have enough of an opinion either way.
When I picked up John Connolly's newest Charlie Parker thriller, I was surprised that he wasn't dealing with pimps, religious oddities or child molestation. This time, he was delving into the world of post-traumatic stress felt by soldiers returning home from overseas. Except, that it's not REALLY dealing with that. Connolly always loves to mask his thrillers with a relatable issue only to delve into something supernatural. That's not a spoiler folks, Connolly is now 10 books into the Charlie Parker universe and if you haven't picked up a hint of otherworldly forces intruding into Parker's life, then something is missing in your understanding of the series.
Over the past 9 installments, Parker has amassed such a gallery of impressive adversaries. Somehow, Connolly keeps coming up with enemies that outdo the last one. In The Whisperers, we're introduced to Herod and his commander, The Captain. Herod is driven by a promise of relief from the cancer that has stricken his body. In obtaining that in which The Captain seeks, he will be given a much better existence on the other side. So basically, nothing is going to stop this guy. The Captain, described as "evil incarnate" is chilling. Appearing in only the reflections brought about by mirrors, still water and windows, Connolly writes him in a way that can disturb the reader, even without supplying the character with any dialogue or substantial actions. Just his described appearances are more than enough.
My only real beef with this novel is that the witty banter between Louis, Angel and Parker is stifled. I'm a massive fan of Parker's friends and am a little disappointed in the size of their roles in the two most recent installments. Perhaps Connolly is planning a follow up to the mostly Louis and Angel standalone entry, The Reapers. Who knows? Either way, I could've use a little more humor and sarcasm injected.
Overall, while it doesn't live up to the feelings I had after finishing both The White Road and The Reapers, it's still an excellent entry into the Parker series.
** By the way, I'm stealing a page from Stephen's review system and rating this 4.5 stars.
Dear Brandon,
Thanks very much for the kind words. Good for morale as I work toward the end of the draft of the next book, so much appreciated.
All best wishes,
John
Awesome.
Anyway, onto my review:
I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I know a whole lot about the Iraq War. Most of what's fed to me comes from either John Stewart, Saturday Night Live, or, most recently, the film, "The Hurt Locker". That isn't to say I'm opposed to the war, I just don't have enough of an opinion either way.
When I picked up John Connolly's newest Charlie Parker thriller, I was surprised that he wasn't dealing with pimps, religious oddities or child molestation. This time, he was delving into the world of post-traumatic stress felt by soldiers returning home from overseas. Except, that it's not REALLY dealing with that. Connolly always loves to mask his thrillers with a relatable issue only to delve into something supernatural. That's not a spoiler folks, Connolly is now 10 books into the Charlie Parker universe and if you haven't picked up a hint of otherworldly forces intruding into Parker's life, then something is missing in your understanding of the series.
Over the past 9 installments, Parker has amassed such a gallery of impressive adversaries. Somehow, Connolly keeps coming up with enemies that outdo the last one. In The Whisperers, we're introduced to Herod and his commander, The Captain. Herod is driven by a promise of relief from the cancer that has stricken his body. In obtaining that in which The Captain seeks, he will be given a much better existence on the other side. So basically, nothing is going to stop this guy. The Captain, described as "evil incarnate" is chilling. Appearing in only the reflections brought about by mirrors, still water and windows, Connolly writes him in a way that can disturb the reader, even without supplying the character with any dialogue or substantial actions. Just his described appearances are more than enough.
My only real beef with this novel is that the witty banter between Louis, Angel and Parker is stifled. I'm a massive fan of Parker's friends and am a little disappointed in the size of their roles in the two most recent installments. Perhaps Connolly is planning a follow up to the mostly Louis and Angel standalone entry, The Reapers. Who knows? Either way, I could've use a little more humor and sarcasm injected.
Overall, while it doesn't live up to the feelings I had after finishing both The White Road and The Reapers, it's still an excellent entry into the Parker series.
** By the way, I'm stealing a page from Stephen's review system and rating this 4.5 stars.
January 16, 2019
Starting my early re reading of some of the Charlie Parker novels in preparation for the new one later this year.
Went for a "mid season" ish start with The Whisperers. I don't think I need to say a lot this time round apart from you either know this series and are already on board with it's particular levels of genius or you are not.
If not then "Every Dead Thing" is where to start. Be ready though. It's not like any other series out there and will slowly steal tiny portions of your soul.
Onto "The Burning Soul" it is then...
Went for a "mid season" ish start with The Whisperers. I don't think I need to say a lot this time round apart from you either know this series and are already on board with it's particular levels of genius or you are not.
If not then "Every Dead Thing" is where to start. Be ready though. It's not like any other series out there and will slowly steal tiny portions of your soul.
Onto "The Burning Soul" it is then...
September 20, 2015
Almost gave this one 3 stars, which is the first time I've even considered it for this series. but just about made the 4 star cut. Maybe I'm holding Connolly's high standards against him. He's manages to be as consistent as he is dark throughout this entire series. Not the best in the series but still very good. Maybe it was a little light on Angel and Louis? always the best bits of the book for me! However Connolly not quite at his best is still better than most.
April 19, 2011
Me gusta cómo escribe John Connolly. Me gustas sus historias, que aunque pueden encuadrarse dentro del género negro, van un poco más allá, incluyendo ese "toque Connolly" tan característico, es decir, el añadir unas ciertas gotas de elementos fantásticos o paranormales. Connolly sabe construir historias. Su pulso narrativo es estupendo; a partir de una idea central (la madeja) va deshilvanando otra serie de tramas, llegando a confluir perfectamente al final. Y las historias no son complejas, aunque lo parezcan, ya que Connolly es tan buen narrador que las sigues sin ningún problema. Con el añadido, nada despreciable, de que leer su prosa es todo un disfrute por lo buena que es.
En 'Voces que susurran', volvemos a reencontrarnos con el detective Charlie Parker, en la que ya es la novena novela de la serie. Pero no es imprescindible (aunque sí recomendable para saber de todo el bagaje de Parker) haber leído las anteriores para disfrutar de ésta. En este caso, un padre, Bennett Patchett, acude a Parker para que investigue el suicidio de su hijo, veterano de la guerra de Iraq. Durante la investigación Parker se encontrará con un grupo de ex combatientes involucrado en actividades demasiado sospechosas; así como también con sus fantasmas del pasado, entre ellos cierto siniestro personaje. Y, por supuesto, no faltan esos secundarios de lujo, Louis y Ángel, colegas y amigos de Parker, sin los cuales no sería lo mismo.
El primer tercio de la novela es perfecto, y lo he disfrutado enormemente. El segundo tercio no está mal, pero he echado de menos algo más de profundidad. Y el último tercio, encuentro que está resuelto con demasiadas prisas. Aunque tal vez si hubiese tenido más páginas podría haber ido en detrimento de la historia. En general, es una muy buena novela.
En 'Voces que susurran', volvemos a reencontrarnos con el detective Charlie Parker, en la que ya es la novena novela de la serie. Pero no es imprescindible (aunque sí recomendable para saber de todo el bagaje de Parker) haber leído las anteriores para disfrutar de ésta. En este caso, un padre, Bennett Patchett, acude a Parker para que investigue el suicidio de su hijo, veterano de la guerra de Iraq. Durante la investigación Parker se encontrará con un grupo de ex combatientes involucrado en actividades demasiado sospechosas; así como también con sus fantasmas del pasado, entre ellos cierto siniestro personaje. Y, por supuesto, no faltan esos secundarios de lujo, Louis y Ángel, colegas y amigos de Parker, sin los cuales no sería lo mismo.
El primer tercio de la novela es perfecto, y lo he disfrutado enormemente. El segundo tercio no está mal, pero he echado de menos algo más de profundidad. Y el último tercio, encuentro que está resuelto con demasiadas prisas. Aunque tal vez si hubiese tenido más páginas podría haber ido en detrimento de la historia. En general, es una muy buena novela.
November 10, 2017
Loved this one!
You want creepy with a dash of detective thrown in with weird and unusual villains - multiple villains! - and yet a story which comes right out of the current era - smuggling stolen antiquities from Iraq? - and with former military veterans who want to do right but some of'em do wrong ...?
This is the book for you. I loved every minute, every word, every page. Connolly not only spins a deft and twisty-turvy tale, but he's no fan of stereotypes. The MC doesn't get the gorgeous woman; the MC doesn't constantly fight with his 'superiors.' The MC often is confused and stays that way and the sidekicks-who-protect him aren't always there when needed like the cavalry rushing down the hill. Scene after scene is fraught with suspense and the locations? Old diners, creepy woods, fortresses which masquerade as warehouses, I love this stuff. I eat it up with a huge soup spoon.
Anyhow, Mr. Charlie Parker gets involved with a smuggling ring after being asked to look into the suicide of an Iraqi-war vet. The plot is a tangle of everyone-is-after-some-special-thing-smuggled-out-of-Iraq. The 'everyone' includes more than one of Connolly's creepy villains who often pop up in his stories. As for the writing, it sings, it just moves along. It doesn't distract, but it's perfect. (I keep a notebook because occasionally Connolly throws in a word I don't know and I'm what? What did he just say? I look it up; I jot it down.)
Anyhow, you should read this one in the dark with a single light over your shoulder. Wind blowing, rain hitting the windows, makes it even better. Seriously.
Five creepy stars.
You want creepy with a dash of detective thrown in with weird and unusual villains - multiple villains! - and yet a story which comes right out of the current era - smuggling stolen antiquities from Iraq? - and with former military veterans who want to do right but some of'em do wrong ...?
This is the book for you. I loved every minute, every word, every page. Connolly not only spins a deft and twisty-turvy tale, but he's no fan of stereotypes. The MC doesn't get the gorgeous woman; the MC doesn't constantly fight with his 'superiors.' The MC often is confused and stays that way and the sidekicks-who-protect him aren't always there when needed like the cavalry rushing down the hill. Scene after scene is fraught with suspense and the locations? Old diners, creepy woods, fortresses which masquerade as warehouses, I love this stuff. I eat it up with a huge soup spoon.
Anyhow, Mr. Charlie Parker gets involved with a smuggling ring after being asked to look into the suicide of an Iraqi-war vet. The plot is a tangle of everyone-is-after-some-special-thing-smuggled-out-of-Iraq. The 'everyone' includes more than one of Connolly's creepy villains who often pop up in his stories. As for the writing, it sings, it just moves along. It doesn't distract, but it's perfect. (I keep a notebook because occasionally Connolly throws in a word I don't know and I'm what? What did he just say? I look it up; I jot it down.)
Anyhow, you should read this one in the dark with a single light over your shoulder. Wind blowing, rain hitting the windows, makes it even better. Seriously.
Five creepy stars.
April 20, 2014
The Whisperers concentrates on a more definitive plot as Charlie Parker’s latest case sees him investigating an army veteran’s suicide which in turn leads him onto a smuggling operation and the author delves deeply into post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of war on the soldiers.
John Connolly demotes Charlie Parker’s demons to the sidelines somewhat but what we do have is two characters that demand all the attention in the return of the killer known as the Collector and the deliberate finality of Herod, shadowed by an old demon called the Captain, Herod is an old man at the end of his life but he makes a stunning entrance with a simple ultimatum.
The supernatural element comes in a stolen artifact, one when revealed attracts some highly dangerous people and Charlie has to work with and stop two people who definitely make the skin crawl.
One of the standout moments early on is Charlie’s reaction to his own torture, his humiliation when he wishes for his death, for it to end and he vows.
‘You should have killed me, you should have left me to drown in that water. Because now I’m going to come after you, and I’m not going to do it alone. The men I’ll bring with me will be worth a dozen of you, military training or not. Whatever you’re doing, whatever operation you’re running, I’m going to tear it apart and leave you to die in the wreckage.
For what you did to me, I’m going to kill you all.’
And the wrath of Charlie Parker is imminent.
Another excellent addition to the Charlie Parker series and now just three to complete.
Recommended.
John Connolly demotes Charlie Parker’s demons to the sidelines somewhat but what we do have is two characters that demand all the attention in the return of the killer known as the Collector and the deliberate finality of Herod, shadowed by an old demon called the Captain, Herod is an old man at the end of his life but he makes a stunning entrance with a simple ultimatum.
The supernatural element comes in a stolen artifact, one when revealed attracts some highly dangerous people and Charlie has to work with and stop two people who definitely make the skin crawl.
One of the standout moments early on is Charlie’s reaction to his own torture, his humiliation when he wishes for his death, for it to end and he vows.
‘You should have killed me, you should have left me to drown in that water. Because now I’m going to come after you, and I’m not going to do it alone. The men I’ll bring with me will be worth a dozen of you, military training or not. Whatever you’re doing, whatever operation you’re running, I’m going to tear it apart and leave you to die in the wreckage.
For what you did to me, I’m going to kill you all.’
And the wrath of Charlie Parker is imminent.
Another excellent addition to the Charlie Parker series and now just three to complete.
Recommended.
June 27, 2017
Some might say that John Connolly is channeling his inner Stephen King with his Charlie Parker tales. I haven’t read much King but this is my 9th book in the series and there are some pretty creepy supernatural forces at work here. Veterans feature prominently in this story and the vets are not---surprise---the good guys. Connolly intertwines the real life experience of veterans with PTSD committing suicide with the influence of the supernatural forces on the vets’ actions. I guess he was maybe trying to highlight a real issue while still using it to advance his story. Not nearly enough Angel and Louis in this one but what little there was sparkled.
Connolly aligned with King in another way that I don’t appreciate. His basic theme is that US military members are corrupt, crazy and inherently violent wherever they are, too stupid to get jobs in the “real” world, leadership doesn’t care about lower ranks, etc. Basically Connolly is saying the same thing as King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAFXo...
I alternated between 1 Star for the insults to the vets and 4 Stars for always good writing…and wind up at 3 Stars
Connolly aligned with King in another way that I don’t appreciate. His basic theme is that US military members are corrupt, crazy and inherently violent wherever they are, too stupid to get jobs in the “real” world, leadership doesn’t care about lower ranks, etc. Basically Connolly is saying the same thing as King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAFXo...
I alternated between 1 Star for the insults to the vets and 4 Stars for always good writing…and wind up at 3 Stars
February 5, 2022
Another fantastically dark story, lots of supernatural elements, but a slightly flat ending.
March 17, 2011
It took me ages to finish this book, not because it was a particularly demanding read, far from it, but because I've been working late every evening for a while now. As such, it was a bit of a disjointed experience, but an enjoyable one. This is the first Charlie Parker I've read, even though it is a late entry to the series.
It seems that this was the book's saving grace, if other reviews are to be believed. I didn't have any expectations, so the supernatural angle came as a welcome surprise rather than a letdown.
Some other longtime Charlie Parker readers seem disappointed about the direction the series has taken, but as far as I'm concerned it's actually quite entertaining.
It is a mystery novel with supernatural underpinings and not quite the straight out horror fare of, say, early Dean Koontz or Stephen King. Although, if anything, it reminded more of Koontz than King for some reason. It still reads more like a crime thriller than a bona fide 'horror' story, in my opinion.
If there was a letdown for me, it was the somewhat sparse character development of the lead protagonist, but considering that this is a series I'm assuming the earlier novels have addressed that accordingly.
All in all a great read. I was pleasantly surprised. I actually bought this edition for its very atmospheric cover, which goes to show that good cover art can sell, never having heard of the series before.
It certainly bears further investigation.
It seems that this was the book's saving grace, if other reviews are to be believed. I didn't have any expectations, so the supernatural angle came as a welcome surprise rather than a letdown.
Some other longtime Charlie Parker readers seem disappointed about the direction the series has taken, but as far as I'm concerned it's actually quite entertaining.
It is a mystery novel with supernatural underpinings and not quite the straight out horror fare of, say, early Dean Koontz or Stephen King. Although, if anything, it reminded more of Koontz than King for some reason. It still reads more like a crime thriller than a bona fide 'horror' story, in my opinion.
If there was a letdown for me, it was the somewhat sparse character development of the lead protagonist, but considering that this is a series I'm assuming the earlier novels have addressed that accordingly.
All in all a great read. I was pleasantly surprised. I actually bought this edition for its very atmospheric cover, which goes to show that good cover art can sell, never having heard of the series before.
It certainly bears further investigation.
September 24, 2019
2nd read - Start with soldiers returning from the Iraq war, throw in some stolen antiquities, add some PTSD, and mix in three demons trapped in a gold puzzle box, and you have the recipe for a good Parker thriller.
'I hate you guys,' said Angel.
'No, you don't.'
'I do,' he confirmed. 'You don't respect me.'
'Well, that is true,' I admitted. 'But, then, we really have no reason to.'
Angel thought about this before conceding that I had a point.
1st read - My vote for the best of the Charlie Parker series - so far. I rate this a 4.5, with only the confusion between three of the antagonists, the Collector, Herod, and the Captain, keeping this from a 5. More humor than in the previous entries, it gives the darkness a nice balance.
'I hate you guys,' said Angel.
'No, you don't.'
'I do,' he confirmed. 'You don't respect me.'
'Well, that is true,' I admitted. 'But, then, we really have no reason to.'
Angel thought about this before conceding that I had a point.
1st read - My vote for the best of the Charlie Parker series - so far. I rate this a 4.5, with only the confusion between three of the antagonists, the Collector, Herod, and the Captain, keeping this from a 5. More humor than in the previous entries, it gives the darkness a nice balance.
December 22, 2020
The Whisperers is another one of the better entries in the series, perhaps because it takes a different perspective than many of the preceding novels. In the forward Connolly discusses the poor treatment returning military receive after risking their lives for our country. They are ignored or met with disrespect by the public while the military refuses to properly recognize and assist them with their combat related injuries whether physical or mental. This is a recurring theme through much of the story.
The Whisperers starts out with several seemingly unrelated plot lines told from a mixture of first and third person perspectives. Many of the characters are villains to one degree or another. Some are set in Iraq during combat, several are set in Maine after some of the military have returned, some are from the perspectives of some of the supernatural villains that populate the Parker novels.
Parker is drawn into the case by the father of a soldier who committed suicide after returning from combat. It turns out he is just one of several soldiers who know each other and pursued the same end. Parker learns there is smuggling going on, but is finding it hard to pin down the details.
Parker is an important, but almost peripheral character and Louis and Angel barely show up. Parker is becoming nostalgic for the old Maine that is gradually succumbing to changing times and the poor economy. We also get hints that Parker may be more than he seems and more than he realizes.
Connolly continues to exhibit his excellent use of English with his vivid and efficient descriptions of scenes and characters and the occasional laugh out loud cynical humor. The normal little bits of history that pepper these books is not really part of this book.
The Whisperers starts out with several seemingly unrelated plot lines told from a mixture of first and third person perspectives. Many of the characters are villains to one degree or another. Some are set in Iraq during combat, several are set in Maine after some of the military have returned, some are from the perspectives of some of the supernatural villains that populate the Parker novels.
Parker is drawn into the case by the father of a soldier who committed suicide after returning from combat. It turns out he is just one of several soldiers who know each other and pursued the same end. Parker learns there is smuggling going on, but is finding it hard to pin down the details.
Parker is an important, but almost peripheral character and Louis and Angel barely show up. Parker is becoming nostalgic for the old Maine that is gradually succumbing to changing times and the poor economy. We also get hints that Parker may be more than he seems and more than he realizes.
Connolly continues to exhibit his excellent use of English with his vivid and efficient descriptions of scenes and characters and the occasional laugh out loud cynical humor. The normal little bits of history that pepper these books is not really part of this book.
December 16, 2019
This was the first John Connolly book I ever read, back in January 2012, even though it was the ninth book in Connolly's Charlie Parker series.
Iraqi war veterans in the same platoon are mysteriously committing suicide. They claim to hear voices whispering to them from behind closed doors, under the bed, behind the walls. Their deaths are being written off as just more tragic cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but private detective Charlie Parker thinks there is something much more sinister going on, and apparently when Parker has a gut instinct it is usually right, and it also means some Very Bad Things are going to happen.
"The Whisperers" by John Connolly is the ninth book in Connolly's series to feature his private eye Parker. It's the first one I have read, but it's definitely not the last. Indeed, I am chomping at the bit to rush to the bookstore to buy up every single one of his books, they are that good. Connolly writes good detective fiction, with a supernatural twist. Imagine James Lee Burke if Burke wrote horror novels.
In this one, Parker is hired by the owner of a local pub to follow the boyfriend of one of his employees, a young woman whom he suspects is being physically abused. He also thinks the girl's boyfriend may have something to do with the death of his son, as they fought together in Baghdad.
Parker soon uncovers a smuggling ring out of Canada. Instead of drugs, though, the smugglers are transporting art, ancient art stolen from an Iraqi museum in 2003. Several of the pieces, it seems, are far from innocuous pieces of art. They are cursed.
Fast-paced, creepy, and with excellently-drawn characters, "The Whisperers" is an awesome book, and Connolly may turn out to be one of my new favorite writers.
Iraqi war veterans in the same platoon are mysteriously committing suicide. They claim to hear voices whispering to them from behind closed doors, under the bed, behind the walls. Their deaths are being written off as just more tragic cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but private detective Charlie Parker thinks there is something much more sinister going on, and apparently when Parker has a gut instinct it is usually right, and it also means some Very Bad Things are going to happen.
"The Whisperers" by John Connolly is the ninth book in Connolly's series to feature his private eye Parker. It's the first one I have read, but it's definitely not the last. Indeed, I am chomping at the bit to rush to the bookstore to buy up every single one of his books, they are that good. Connolly writes good detective fiction, with a supernatural twist. Imagine James Lee Burke if Burke wrote horror novels.
In this one, Parker is hired by the owner of a local pub to follow the boyfriend of one of his employees, a young woman whom he suspects is being physically abused. He also thinks the girl's boyfriend may have something to do with the death of his son, as they fought together in Baghdad.
Parker soon uncovers a smuggling ring out of Canada. Instead of drugs, though, the smugglers are transporting art, ancient art stolen from an Iraqi museum in 2003. Several of the pieces, it seems, are far from innocuous pieces of art. They are cursed.
Fast-paced, creepy, and with excellently-drawn characters, "The Whisperers" is an awesome book, and Connolly may turn out to be one of my new favorite writers.
June 30, 2012
AFter the answers given in "The Lovers" the stories on CHarlie Parker seem to be not over yet.
Charlie Parker does investigate the suicide of an Iraq veteran and soon finds out that this is a much more common problem than he thought. And yet there is something off and when he investigates he finds out a lot more about the trauma's of soldiers and scars on their souls. Not being without a the scaring on his soul he pushes ahead with his investigations. Once more he has Louis and Angel by his side which is a good thing as there is a return of a certain Collector. And then there is this other collector with a secret passenger.
Once more JC has written an excellent thriller in which he also explores a current problem in the veterans of modern warfare. He does explore and explain the trauma's of living in constant fear and pressure. And in doing so gives this book an unexpected depth.
Well worth the read but start at the beginning. These books have one handicap, you miss too much if you step in at the 9th episode. It is readable but it lacks the power of having been there since the beginning.
Charlie Parker does investigate the suicide of an Iraq veteran and soon finds out that this is a much more common problem than he thought. And yet there is something off and when he investigates he finds out a lot more about the trauma's of soldiers and scars on their souls. Not being without a the scaring on his soul he pushes ahead with his investigations. Once more he has Louis and Angel by his side which is a good thing as there is a return of a certain Collector. And then there is this other collector with a secret passenger.
Once more JC has written an excellent thriller in which he also explores a current problem in the veterans of modern warfare. He does explore and explain the trauma's of living in constant fear and pressure. And in doing so gives this book an unexpected depth.
Well worth the read but start at the beginning. These books have one handicap, you miss too much if you step in at the 9th episode. It is readable but it lacks the power of having been there since the beginning.
June 11, 2018
John Connolly seems to write best when he is teaching us a lesson. For instance, we have briefly touched on Vietnam vets via Parker's Native American friend Straydeer. Now Connolly is concerned with the Iraq war.
It is acknowledged that the Iraq vets are poorly treated, both in country and at home. A group of them decides to loot a Baghdad museum for valuable antiquities to sell, with the proceeds not only going to the group, but other needy vets. Not surprisingly, so much money hangs in the balance that the leaders of the group decide that only the group shall benefit. Unfortunately, one of the items they steal is a rather plain box, intricately locked and containing something mysterious, something that whispers so relentlessly that the men exposed to it (now stateside,) begin to kill themselves. Charlie Parker comes in when he is hired by the father of a dead vet to both investigate the death and the apparent leader of the Iraq vets.
Also in the mix; a dying, deformed man who is accompanied by an invisible friend, both of whom want to obtain and open the box and release its terrifying contents; and our old friend the Collector, who wants to work with Charlie on this mystery of the box.
The story was fast-moving and engrossing. I'm afraid a lot of vets die; they are up to no good, but no one would wish upon them the punishment that they receive. After finishing this book I read this news item (Partial:)
Prince Harry is concerned about the rate of suicide among British soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prince Harry pleaded with British heroes to not take their own lives after they return home from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Connolly published this book in 2010. The problem goes on, without the help of mysterious gold boxes. As I suppose he wanted us to realize.
It is acknowledged that the Iraq vets are poorly treated, both in country and at home. A group of them decides to loot a Baghdad museum for valuable antiquities to sell, with the proceeds not only going to the group, but other needy vets. Not surprisingly, so much money hangs in the balance that the leaders of the group decide that only the group shall benefit. Unfortunately, one of the items they steal is a rather plain box, intricately locked and containing something mysterious, something that whispers so relentlessly that the men exposed to it (now stateside,) begin to kill themselves. Charlie Parker comes in when he is hired by the father of a dead vet to both investigate the death and the apparent leader of the Iraq vets.
Also in the mix; a dying, deformed man who is accompanied by an invisible friend, both of whom want to obtain and open the box and release its terrifying contents; and our old friend the Collector, who wants to work with Charlie on this mystery of the box.
The story was fast-moving and engrossing. I'm afraid a lot of vets die; they are up to no good, but no one would wish upon them the punishment that they receive. After finishing this book I read this news item (Partial:)
Prince Harry is concerned about the rate of suicide among British soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prince Harry pleaded with British heroes to not take their own lives after they return home from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Connolly published this book in 2010. The problem goes on, without the help of mysterious gold boxes. As I suppose he wanted us to realize.
March 14, 2019
John Connolly never disappoints me... nor does Charlie Parker or Angel or Louis! Great one as usual. We all need a Charlie, a Angel or a Louis in our lives :)
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