Product Description

When Charlie Parker was still a boy, his father, a NYPD cop, killed a young couple, a boy and a girl barely older than his son, then took his own life. There was no explanation for his actions.

Now Parker is working on his most personal case yet: an investigation into his own origins and the circumstances surrounding the death of his father.

The investigation will reveal a life haunted by lies, by secrets kept and loyalties compromised. And by two figures in the shadows, a man and a woman, with only one purpose: to bring an end to Charlie Parker’s existence . . . (20090607)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8212 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
In The Lovers, John Connolly’s latest, highly individual entry in his distinguished Charlie Parker series, his doughty private eye’s life is in a downward spiral. The authorities don’t trust him, and he has been deprived of his investigator's license (including his right to bear arms). He’s holding down an undemanding job in a Portland bar. But Charlie is not the kind to stay in the shadows for long: he is about to undertake the most challenging (and potentially destructive) assignment of his life: he has decided to uncover the facts behind his policeman father’s death and – even more importantly -- the killing of a young couple that his father was responsible for. Immersing himself once again in the painful circumstances of his own childhood, he comes across a mystery: an unidentified young man and woman who appear to have been present at many death scenes; and – even harder to accept – they have been seen right back to the days of the suicide of Charlie’s father. This mysterious duo are shadowing Charlie -- will he find out the motivation behind his father’s terrible act before he, too, violently dies?

Dublin-born John Connolly is as celebrated in the US as he is in Britain for his perfect assimilation of American idioms in the remarkable series of crime novels featuring Charlie Parker, but it goes without saying that bestselling success requires something more than nailing a US tone of voice. That such as Connolly winners as Every Dead Thing,The Reapers and now, The Lovers, work as well as they do is also down to the fact that he is able to import a striking and stylish use of language into his violent narratives. And there is another element to his work – an audacious move beyond the parameters of normality. The Lovers, like other Connolly books, transports the novels’ battles between good and evil into an almost metaphysical realm. This is always the most controversial component of his books, and inevitably, it’s not to everyone’s taste. But those who love John Connolly know such things are part of the warp and woof of his work, and they move him into a territory that is very much his own. --Barry Forshaw

Review
'More restrained and reflective . . . but no less powerful' (Marcel Berlins, Sunday Times )

'As ever with Connolly, the macabre narrative is couched in prose that is often allusive and poetic.' (Barry Forshaw, Independent )

'Visionary brand of neo-noir . . . terrifically exciting, tightly plotted . . . written in an uncommonly fine, supple, sensuous prose.' (Irish Times )

'Tremendous stuff, as Connolly's novels always are.' (Mark Timlin, Independent on Sunday )

'His latest plot is a clever mixture of quest and chase, written in prose that unfolds at warp speed, and rarely fails to sing.' (Observer )

'A tightly plotted, beautifully constructed novel where John Connolly exhibits his considerable skills.' (crimesquad )

'You may think at times you are reading a literary novel but then Connolly will remind you he's just as adept at the violent strategies of the thriller. Either way you will be left shaken by the experience.' (Daily Express )

'His usual intriguing blend of fast-paced crime fiction and fantasy.' (Independent )

'A strange, compelling mixture of genuinely scary gothic horror, humour and hard-nosed crime, The Lovers is among his best. Best read by torchlight in a broken-down car, right at the end of a forest track. During a storm.' (Herald )

'Superbly written . . . another excellent entry in the Charlie Parker series and can be easily read as a stand-alone' 4 stars (RTE Guide )

About the Author
John Connolly was born in Dublin in 1968. His debut - EVERY DEAD THING - swiftly launched him right into the front rank of thriller writers, and all his subsequent novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers. He is the first non-American writer to win the US Shamus award. (20090607)

Customer Reviews

A return to top form
As a long time fan of John Connolly's writing I was slightly disappointed by his last book "The Reapers", as I felt that it lacked the prose style of his previous books whilst also employing a slightly tired plot scenario. I am happy to say that no such concerns can be raised over the "The Lovers".

Plot-wise, it tells the story of why Charlie Parker's father inexplicably murdered two teenagers before taking his own life when Charlie Parker was a 16 year old boy. This investigation into the past is neatly woven together with contemporary events.

Stylistically, some of the wirting is excellent and is of a standard that if the subject matter were different would place John Connollly's writing in the category of "literature". Happily such boundaries are increasingly blurred so we get to enjoy excellent prose in a contemporary crime thriller.

In summary this really was the most enjoyable read I have had for a time (and I pile through 2-3 books a week),. It is a definite return to top form for John Connolly.

Horror for crime lovers (and crime for horror lovers)
It is time...yes my friends, time to rise, time to stand up and say proudly...."I like horror". Yes there will be those who mock, those who will cast you out. They will attack you with their vampire romance but you must be strong. To test your faith, I have a task for you. Go to your nearest bookshop, enter the crime section (no-one said it would be easy) and find John Connolly's books. Then you must move them, one by one and carefully place them in the horror section (if you can find it) and if anyone moves them back you must persist and return them to the horror section once again. Should you be challenged in your task, by a well meaning staff member perhaps, say only these words.."it's a horror novel".

You see, without wishing to cause civil unrest in your local Borders (although come to think of it, that might be fun) there is a serious point to be made here. John Connolly is one of my favourite authors and the reason I like him so much is that he injects his crime novels with a fair old dose of supernatural adrenalin. His writing has an edge, a darkness, it's on the borderlands but with The Lovers Connolly has crossed over to the darkside. The supernatural elements don't remain in the background here they are at the forefront, indeed without the spectre of the occult this book could not exist.

Charlie Parker is John Connolly's hero, a troubled, even broken man, his history is one filled with blood, death and loss. The previous books have detailed some of this history but have left several large boulders unturned. The Lovers fills in a few of these blanks and in particular the mystery surrounding the death of Parker's father. Why a seemingly mild mannered family man and respected police officer shot two, apparently innocent young people and then took his own life. I can't go into any detail without spoiling the book for you, suffice to say the answer explains much of the supernatural elements that have lurked in the pages of the previous books.

A word of caution though, if you are new to Charlie Parker then please start at the beginning and work your way to this book. Start at Every Dead Thing and read them chronologically, yes you could probably read them out of sequence but if you do you won't get the full sense of mystery, the subtle hints at something deeper. Without that history this book would be much weaker as it is though it is an immense achievement, tying up several loose ends in dramatic and unexpected fashion whilst at the same time unravelling a few other areas of mystery which will no doubt lead us deeper down the supernatural rabbit hole (I can't wait).

So highly recommended this is the book which finally gets to the soul of Charlie Parker and does it with style, inventiveness, vivid characterisation and beautiful prose. In my mind Connolly keeps getting better with each book and seems to be getting the rewards he deserves in terms of sales (currently No4 in Tesco Book charts just ahead of Michael Jackson: Life Of A legend!). So, on second thoughts, maybe we shouldn't upset the applecart, leave the public to appreciate the nuances and skill of a great horror writer, even if they do think they are reading a crime novel.

Parker's return to the spotlight!
Having taken something of a backseat role in The Reapers, it's safe to say that, in The Lovers, Charlie Parker is well and truly back! This time around the action is focused almost totally on Parker, the rest of the gang - Louis and Angel, Jackie Garner and The Fulcis, though all present and correct, barely get a look in this time around.

The Lovers is possibly the first book in the series that feels more like "one for the fans" than it does a book the casual reader could pick up and enjoy, at least to quite the same degree, on its own merits. Of course, being as well established as the series is, this is no bad thing and Charlie Parker fans will doubtlessly be fascinated by the myriad of revelations within.

And if there's one thing The Lovers isn't short on it's revelations.

Like The Reapers it's also a slighter slimmer novel than most of those preceding it and wastes little time getting down to the task in hand of telling its tale(s).
The main focus of the story concerns a restless Parker delving into his family history, primarily to discover why his policeman father shot two unarmed teenagers before taking his own life. However, as you may expect, his investigation unearths far, far more than this and the deeper he digs the more skeletons he unearths...

Then there are the eponymous Lovers, but it's best you find out about them for yourselves!

The Lovers also differs from the other books in that Parker has had his PI license and his firearm permit revoked and is working in a bar to tide himself over. Also significant, as a product of this turn of events, is that he has no "official case" to look into and obviously no client to report back to. He's very much on his own in this one which does lend a slightly different air to the proceedings! This time it's very much personal...
Fans of the supernatural bent to the series will be pleased to know that this element is very much present and correct here, having been pushed into the background somewhat for The Unquiet and The Reapers.

All in all then, The Lovers is an excellent addition to an excellent series. It answers many questions about the enigmatic Parker and poses a few besides for future books! The prose is as flowing and the dialogue as sharp as ever and, as ever with Connolly, you know all the facts have been painstakingly researched and, as a reader, you're in trustworthy hands!

Roll on The Whisperers then!