Book Review: Dark Hollow

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dark Hollow     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
John Connolly
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Private Investigator
Series: Charlie Parker # 2
Simon & Schuster, Jul 2001, $25.00, 441 pp.

It seems like several lifetimes ago that Charlie "Bird" Parker's world was perfect, but those happy times ended less than a year ago. He enjoyed working as an officer in the New York Police Department and loved his wife and his little girl. His idyllic life ended when a killer murdered his wife and child. Charlie crossed over the line and accompanied by a semi-retired burglar and a professional assassin, he killed his family's murderer. Charlie lives alone in his grandfather's house in Scarborough, Maine, hoping he will attain some measure of peace. However, Charlie soon finds himself drawn into the troubled life of Billie Purdue, who many locals believe stole a million dollar from a desperate and nasty Boston gangster. When Billie's ex-wife and their child are killed with the mother's lips sewn tightly together, the police believe he did it. Charlie spirit dreams of being asked to help prove Billie is innocent and so reluctantly investigates a case filled with many players who want the inquiries stopped. DARK HOLLOW is a very dark atmospheric gothic-like novel that takes place in shadows where few people dare venture. Charlie is an anti-hero seeking peace, but instead finds an opportunity for redemption after taking the law into his own hands. His cohorts are likable felons and good friends to Charlie. The plot is loaded with twists and turns and just when the reader expects a straight road to the climax, another curve surfaces, making it almost impossible to guess the ending. John Connolly is a brilliant storyteller who seems like a Ludlum with a dash of King to add spice to the fabulous mix.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner