Review: The Killing Kind

This is John Connolly's third novel, following on from the very successful 'Every Dead Thing' and 'Dark Hollow'. In this one, Charlie Parker is investigating the death of Grace Peltier. It is said to be suicide, but not everyone believes it. As he looks into the case, Charlie finds links to a secret organisation called the Fellowship and the disappearance of a religious group forty years earlier. Can he find out the truth?

Previously, John Connolly has come under attack from some quarters due to the level of violence in his novels. In 'The Killing Kind', there is no certainly no reduction of this. All sorts of violent, graphic and shocking deaths appear throughout the book, giving this novel a very high body count, although we do see a great development in the character of Charlie Parker. We see him becoming deeper and showing more sides to his character, a character that is constantly changing as the series progresses.

Connolly has written a novel filled with fear and menace. His main killer, Mr. Pudd, is one of the nastiest he has ever created and Connolly paints a picture skilful enough to ensure that every reader will hate him. He puts in a nice touch by alternating the plot of the novel with Grace Peltier's thesis, which is itself written in an accurate and clinical style, and this also gives clues to the plot and allows the reader to work out what is going on before Parker does.

The denouement is interesting, built on the back of revelation after revelation and marks a turning point for Charlie Parker. Written with skill and depth, as well as literary techniques such as pathetic fallacy, 'The Killing Kind' is Connolly's darkest, bleakest and best novel yet. It is fast, interesting and well written, with Connolly having done a great deal of research into religious movements in Maine and will appeal to fans of dark thrillers.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Book Review: The Killing Kind