Book #21 in the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly, but the first for me. Connolly is a skilled storyteller weaving together elements of the supernatural with a thrilling detective novel. Darkness weighs heavily in this story with a young child missing and the mother being blamed despite the lack of a body. Parker is on the case as a private detective working on behalf of the defence lawyer. He links in with a medium, whose reputation is shaky after a failed case involving another young child. With a cast of murky characters, there are a number of avenues for Parker to pursue. The truth will take him close to darkness himself. A superb read that is quite lengthy but will keep you rapt (464 pages / 14.5 hrs). Expertly narrated by Jeff Harding #theinstrumentsofdarkness #johnconnolly #netgalley #audiobook #isisaudio #hodderandstoughton

The Instruments of Darkness - A Charlie Parker Thriller by John Connolly and narrated by Jeff Harding is the first book I have read/ listened to from this author and it is simply fantastic. It has the tone of a classic gangster/ PI movie thanks to the excellent narration by Jeff Harding, but it has a more contemporary setting

A mother falls into a much deeper sleep than usual, her young son Henry has been teething and she has not bwwn sleeping much lately. The house is eerily quiet when she wakes up, her child is far too quiet, she races straight to Henry's bedroom, and he is gone. She races out into the street, screaming in her nightdress. Her husband returns home, both parents are bereft, but the discovery of a bloodied blanket flips the plot on its head and suddenly, fingers are being pointed at the mother.

Charlie Parker is working with Lawyer Moxie Castin. As Charlie puts it "Moxie is here to take care of you and I will take care of Henry". Their job is to find Henry first, then clear Colleen Clarkes name

A side bar continues throughout the audiobook, about a prefab house, the ground excavated, but not much else. What is the connection and why is it so bad that even the flies die when they touch it?

Wit, suspense, intrigue. A mystery/ thriller so good I went out and bought the audiobook to listen to it over again. Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, the author John Connolly and narrator Jeff Harding for this highly compelling ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Great book, well read and very good story. I will now have to go back and read the Charlie Parker books 12-20, should keep me busy for a while
All the Charlie Parker books are a bit weird, not just thrillers/mysteries, but twisted and spooky
Definitely a 5 star book

I’ve dropped in to the Charlie Parker party rather late; this is outing 21 in the series and my first. That said, it feels fresh and whilst I have the pleasure to come of exploring earlier books, this is outstanding as a standalone. A huge round of applause for the narrator who, for me, immediately captured the essence of the old style sleuth. The slow delivery is perfect and allows time to enjoy the many wry and humourous observations that pepper the text. Just brilliant.

As for the story, I was blown away. It’s dark, complex, packed with interesting characters and the investigations feel real. Colleen is accused of abducting her child. Her lawyer, Moxie, calls in his old friend Parker to investigate the disappearance as everyone seems to believe Colleen is guilty. Charlie has his own approach and isn’t afraid to be unorthodox and the action soon has him involved in the seedy side of Maine gang land with a hint of the supernatural thrown in. Sounds an unlikely mix? Possibly, but it works. I loved the short chapters, the dark humour and the insights into what makes people tick. Pure escapist fiction at its best.

Colleen Clark has been charged with the abduction and murder of her young son. Her lawyer Moxie Castin has asked Private investigator Charlie Parker to look into the case. It’s not too long before anomalies start to appear.
Colleen’s husband thinks she guilty and they should throw away the key, a disgraced psychic claiming she can hear the missing boy’s voice, and a house in the remote Maine woods that has secrets buried beneath.
Chuck in gangsters, a group of gun toting hoodlums, along with Charlie Parker and his notorious friends, topped off with a sinister evil that dwells in a house in the middle of the woods that leads to an explosive situation that has a devastating effects for everyone involved.
Every time I listen to a John Connolly book narrated by Jeff Harding it’s a pleasure to listen to. The two of them are perfect foils for each other. Connolly is an incredible writer and Harding is a wonderful narrator.
The novel is dark, compelling, funny and intense. This truly is a glorious piece of writing, expertly read by one of the best in the business.

This is a review of the audiobook of "Instruments of Darkness" by John Connolly is the 21st
instalment in the Charlie Parker series, and it is a testament to Connolly's mastery of the thriller genre. The novel is set to be released on May 7, 2024, and it is fast paced with short
chapters. The narrator is American and at first sounds like the old like a 50's private eye type show, however you quickly understand the timeline is current. The narration is excellent and perfectly delivers this dark tale peppered with wry humour.
The story unfolds in Maine, where Colleen Clark is accused of a heinous crime against her own child. The case has polarized the community, with most people convinced of her guilt.
However, Charlie Parker, alongside lawyer Moxie Castin, senses there's more to the story.
They delve into a world that intertwines the ordinary with the supernatural, as they encounter a group of fascists preparing for conflict, a disgraced psychic seeking atonement, and a sinister house in the depths of the Maine woods—a house that harbours
something far more malevolent
Connolly's narrative is gripping, seamlessly blending mystery, horror, and crime with elements of the supernatural. His ability to create a chilling atmosphere is unparalleled,
and "Instruments of Darkness" is no exception. The novel's pacing is impeccable, with each chapter drawing the reader deeper into the dark heart of the story.
The Charlie Parker series has been lauded for its complex characters and intricate plots, and this latest entry appears to continue that tradition. Connolly's skillful storytelling is on
full display, as he weaves a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The book is also accessible to new readers, as it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, though it will
undoubtedly entice them to explore the previous books in the series.
Overall, "Instruments of Darkness" is a compelling addition to the Charlie Parker saga. It showcases John Connolly's exceptional talent for crafting stories that are as haunting as
they are enthralling. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find themselves captivated by the dark twists and turns of this supernatural thriller. With its release just
around the corner, this novel is poised to be another standout in Connolly's impressive bibliography

Henry is missing, then his Mom is accused of his possible murder. So far he has not been found. Moxie Castin will be Colleen Clark’s lawyer and Charlie Parker, a private investigator will try to find the truth of Henry’s dissapearance..

Excellent novel, well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Enjoyed all the characters min this well paced novel. Plenty of twists and turns will lead them to a very old house in Maine woods. Lots of action, investigation, the help of a Medium, danger and deaths. Well worth a read/listen.

This is the latest in John Connolly's superb Charlie Parker series with its supernatural elements, I listened to this on audio, just over 14 hours and 30 minutes, captivating narrated by Jeff Harding who had me immersed in the atmospheric story so deeply that I never wanted to stop listening as he skilfully conveyed the action and the cast of distinct characters, I particularly enjoyed his picture of medium Sabine Drew. In Maine, a mother, Colleen Clark, who had suffered post-partum depression after giving birth to her son, Henry, is almost universally reviled as a murderer after her 2 year old son is abducted and a blood soaked blanket is discovered in her car under the spare tyre. Even her husband, who spends so much time away from home in his efforts for career advancement, believes her to be guilty.

The police have stopped investigating believing they have the culprit, and although there is no body, the politically ambitious prosecutor is looking forward to a trial in which guilt is assumed. Colleen has hired lawyer, Moxie Castin, who has his private investigator, Charlie, looking into the case. A determined Charlie, who can see his dead daughter, Jennifer, can palpably feel Colleen's all encompassing heavy grief, although he cannot understand how she be so forgiving of her husband and hard stance he has taken against her. As Charlie digs, he comes across a group of fascists, a Sabine Drew who is plagued by the voices of the dead that she can hear, and he is joined in his search for the truth by Louis and Angel, and what lurks under a chillingly disturbing remote house?

This is a fast paced read, with short chapters, and there are a myriad of twists and turns in this dark and suspenseful mystery that I absolutely adored. Charlie is a charismatic presence, unafraid of going where others fear to tread, a man you want in your life, and on your side, especially if you are an innocent client he believes in. This addition to the series can be easily read as a standalone. I am sure reading the book is a fantastic experience, but I cannot recommend the audio enough with its brilliant narrator who brings the book alive! Many thanks to the publisher for an ALC.

I found this a difficult listen just because I couldn’t stand the narration style. It reminded me of those 1950s private detective movies from the US.
The story itself was odd; murder and kidnapping, gangs and a far right cult, with a touch of the supernatural. I kind of enjoyed it.
Suspend belief if you read this. Maybe read the physical book rather than the audio

As one of the biggest fans of John Connolly out there, having read the full series, this is the first time I have listened to a Charlie Parker book.

From the outset I found the narrator to be quite awkward, the voices don’t match the characters so long drawn in my mind, Parker and Louis in particular and then the female voices don’t bare mentioning.

But with those annoyances I did slowly begin to get used to the voice slowly telling another dark and thrilling tale from John Connolly.

I was pleased Connolly returned to the supernatural elements after The Dirty South. I don’t really see the Furies as much more than 2 small stories in a greater universe so for me The Dirty South was the last real Parker book.

All the trademarks were here, as John Connolly agains writes the macabre so beautifully with his cast of damaged yet resolute characters in Parker, Angel and Louis who continue to fight the darkest of evils as they age and darkness seems always ready to befall them.

Connolly is elite. The series is for me is no 1.

3 stars for the narration
5 stars for the story

Once again, Connolly brings back Charlie Parker and it is great hearing his voice once again.

Charlie is living his life in Portland, much the same as he was before, though now he is also working for Moxie, his Lawyer. That is when a case comes to him, a missing boy and his Mother accused of murdering and disposing of his body, Charlie knows he is up against it. He has a feeling that she is innocent, which goes against popular opinion, while also having a bad feeling about the woman's husband. With the aid of a disgraced psychic, Angel and Louie, Parker finds himself in the depths of Maine woodland, against a house that seems to quite literally be evil.

Listening to the audio felt like I was coming home in some ways, I had never realised how much I had missed Parkers voice. The audio itself was read brilliantly, and I loved his take on Parker, and his friends. Another brilliant book from Connelly.

A fun blend of murder, magic and mankind being measured and found wanting. Connolly explores local folklore, greed as a motivational value and the grey shades of what it means to be on the side of justice.

I do love a John Connolly book, and nothing beats being back in the company of Charlie Parker and his unusual collection of friends and colleagues. As readers might expect from a Private Investigator themed novel, our wonderful protagonist is not exactly a stranger to operating on the very fringes of what might be considered legal, but only ever in a worthy cause, and only where Parker knows that he has right on his side. It's fair to say that his companions take things to the limits as well, and none of them are averse to the odd exploration of violence in the course of the their investigations. Perhaps good news for their clients, and by extension us as readers, just as long as they are being straight with Parker. Less so for those that they may come up against.

The Instruments of Darkness is what I'd probably class as a 'classic' Parker investigation. Fans of the series will probably guess what I mean by this, but for anyone who is not acquainted with the books, I'd perhaps recommend starting at the beginning. You don't really need to know Parker's full life story to enjoy this book - it is a self contained mystery - but it certainly helps. On the surface, this is a straightforward(ish) missing child case, where one parent, in this case the mother, Colleen Clark, stands accused of her sons murder. Colleen's lawyer, Moxie Castin, has Parker on retainer, calling on him to find the evidence the Police have thus far failed to uncover. If this is a murder, where is the body? And if Colleen Clark, is guilty, what is her motive? The prosecution would have people believe that it is a gross case of postnatal depression or psychosis. Moxie, and Parker, are not so convinced. And if Parker thinks you are innocent ... well, for the most part he's a pretty astute judge of character. Twenty previous books stand as testimony to that fact.

What I love about these books, apart from John Connolly's unrivalled ability to take readers into the heart of the story, creating imagery so vivid that you can feel the atmosphere seep from the page (or in my case, the speakers), it's that each case takes us beyond the corporeal into a twisting stream of otherworldliness. Now, if you know anything about this series it is that there is often something more lurking in the shadows, something that extends beyond the evil that mankind does unto mankind. The Instruments of Darkness, almost in spite of the title, may now quite take us as far into the shadows as some of its predecessors, but there is still that kind of chilling tension that suggests we should come to expect the unexpected. Parker himself has a unique gift, but he meets another in this book who shares a similar inclination, if I can term it that way, that helps to establish, for us readers first and foremost, where the true guilt in this case might lie.

That element of the book is perhaps more understated than some of the earlier books as well, and much of the action happens as you might expect for in a P.I. novel. Investigator - Parker - follows leads, speaks to witnesses, chases up alternate suspects. So far so typical. But John connolly has a brilliant way with words, and Charlie Parker's dry, sardonic, sometimes ironic, often cynical, humour, particularly when dealing with the bad guys, really makes these books for me. Add in a healthy dose of Tony and Paulie Fulci (who I am loving more with every book) and a nice, if somewhat late in the story, appearance from series stalwarts, Louis and Angel, and I am a very happy bunny.

I listened to the audio book version, very brilliantly narrated by Jeff Harding. He drew me into the story, engaged me in the characters, and really brought John Connolly's prose to life. I know it is a strange thing to say seeing as how the books are set, by an large, in Maine, but I still have to take a moment when hearing the story read in an American accent ( I don;t read it like that in my head if that makes sense), but I settled into the narration really quickly and found it so easy to focus on the audio when I can often find myself distracted by the 'real world'.

The Instruments of Darkness is a story packed with mystery and suspense, a vein of chilling, atmospheric tension and characters to both love, and hate and I loved it. I'd forgotten how much I missed these guys. So nice to have them back. Definitely recommended.

Admission time: this is my first Charlie Parker novel. Not for want of people telling me how brilliant they are. And yes, they were all right. The good news is that the book is clever, funny in parts, creepy, strange, tightly plotted and almost impossible to put down. As I was lucky enough to get the audio version as an advance review copy I have taken it everywhere with me for the past two days. The narration is also expertly done by Jeff Harding - no melodrama, no silly voices and clear as a bell.

The story is just the right side of creepy - not quite Stephen King but we are in Maine so ... it gives you enough background on Parker amd hos past to be helpful but not so much as to overwhelm.

Instruments of Darkness is the story of Henry Clark who is missing, presumed dead. His mother is the main suspect and certainly her husband thinks she's to blame. Charlie Parker disagrees and he's not alone. He calls in his regular helpers but is also assisted by celebrated (then demonised) medium Sabine Drew whose can hear Henry's cries of fear. The question who or what took Henry? Why is his father so convinced his mother killed her own child? And what does a house in the middle of a wood have to do with it?

My first Charlie Parker, most definitely not my last. Grim but not bloodthirsty; cleverly plotted with just enough twists to make it interesting but not impossible to follow. As I said, my first Charlie Parker but I honestly didn't need to have read any others to follow the plot.

Highly recommended. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio. Most appreciated.

John Connolly is back with his latest Charlie Parker thriller, The Instruments of Darkness. This time round it's a case involving a missing child, a disgraced psychic, an old crooked house in the Maine woods and more than a hint of supernatural horror.

If you've read Connolly before, you know what to expect. So, do I really need to say more? Well, I suppose this is an audio version, so I guess I should.

I've not read all the Charlie Parker series, but I've read enough that I've got a mental image of the characters and their voices. Narrator Jeff Harding's voices aren't those I have in mind when I'm reading, but they work. Well, mostly, the female characters voices are irritating and most of them blend into one.

Thanks to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author for an advance copy.

My ARC from NetGalley arrived in my inbox and so straight away I downloaded the audiobook The Instruments Of Darkness by John Connolly and narrated by the great but overused Jeff Irving.
This is my first John Connolly book and I thoroughly enjoyed the story of a missing child, who dun it type mystery.
But unfortunately the paranormal slant left me cold.
Our lead character, Charlie Parker, was so well written that I felt I almost knew him; I guess it must be the same with every other tortured Private Investigator written about that they all become one and the same.
Overall this was an easy and enjoyable read. Fans of John Connolly will love it.
I just reviewed The Instruments of Darkness by John Connolly. #TheInstrumentsofDarkness #NetGalley
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I’m not a fan of anything supernatural but I’m the first to admit that it worked well as part of this book’s plot. Superb writing from an author who has a wicked sense of humour and that’s not easy to introduce into such a sad story but he managed it well.
I will look out for more from John Connolly from now on.

I love John Connolly’s writing so I was excited to see a new Charlie Parker mystery and I’m very happy to say that it really didn’t disappoint. The character and the world are so well established now and the balance of different character stories, supernatural elements and detective work are perfectly balanced.

The Instruments of Darkness centres around a missing child whose mother has been accused of murder, a strange family and old house in rural Maine, and a psychic who claims to be able to communicate with the dead. Parker is on the case to clear the mother and find out what has happened to the boy. The different elements are all beautifully written and I couldn’t put the book down at all (I listened to the audiobook version and the narration was absolutely superb).

The Charlie Parker books always remind me of Stephen King at his best and this was no exception, a really excellent mystery with just the right amount of supernatural elements. It’s incredible to me that this is the 21st book in the series but the quality never dips and instead keeps on getting better. I’m already looking forward to number 22.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review. I have posted this review to Goodreads and Waterstones today and will add to Amazon on publication day.

A new Charlie Parker book is always a cause for celebration. I’m also a big fan of Jeff Harding’s narration, which in this instance, with his gravelly voice, fits the Charlie Parker character beautifully and yet he also manages to read the female characters without strain and the whole works together flawlessly.

The Instruments of Darkness follows Charlie in the search for Henry, a missing 2 year old boy, in his home territory of Portland, Maine. Colleen Clark had been suffering from post-partum depression and had trouble sleeping, undoubtedly not helped by her separation from her husband. So she had one glass of wine and went for an early night. When she awoke, Henry had vanished.

A search proves fruitless, and then her husband finds the boy’s bloody blanket under the spare tire in her car. Colleen protests her innocence but to no avail. She is charged with murder and with even her husband believing her guilty; the odds are stacked against her.

The prosecutor is positively salivating about the profile this case will give him in an election year. Moxie Castin, her lawyer, hires Charlie to investigate, and find the boy before the court of public opinion has Colleen hung, drawn and quartered, metaphysically if not literally.

The Instruments of Darkness contains the characters we have come to love in these books. The Fulci Brothers, Louis and Angel all feature prominently and we meet Sabine Drew, a psychic who, despite early success, blotted her copy book some years ago and is now discredited. But Sabine has heard Henry’s cries and she is propelled to go to Maine to see if she can help find him. Charlie is not inclined to dismiss her. He knows there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy.

Parker’s early investigations show that all is not as it seems. Colleen’s husband Stephen had had an affair with Mara Teller before Henry disappeared. But Teller cannot be found. This case just doesn’t smell right to Parker.

Tracking down the elusive Teller and following insight from Sabine Drew takes Charlie, Angel and Louis to the Maine woods; to a creepy place which the locals avoid because they are sure something evil lurks there.

Here the book takes on the familiar, eerie, supernatural feel we get from this series. The sense of evil festering in the dark woods; the tension as Sabine hears both the cries of a child and experiences some of what he is feeling evokes a strong sense of fear and revulsion for whatever is out there.

The tension is high and the fear is strong, aided by other, more distinctly human, threats, in the form of a white supremacist militia whose members are storing arms deep in the woods in preparation for an assault on Portland.

John Connolly is able to leaven some of this tension with a string of dry and witty one-liners which always provoke a smile or outright laughter. Charlie, Angel and Louis are hard, battle weary characters but they can always raise a moment of humour even as they head into the bowels of full on explosive chaos and destruction.

Verdict: This is a beautifully complex story with multiple strands which John Connolly knits together to make a perfectly formed, gripping and tense novel that raises the hairs on the back of your neck and engulfs the reader in darkness with just a sliver of light to show you the way out.
The Instruments of Darkness is classic Connolly and classic Charlie Parker. I loved it.

After the (for me) disappointment of The Furies this is an excellent return to form, all of our favourite characters and their peculiarities, the superlative mix of PI noir and supernatural sucks you in and keeps the desire to read the next page tense, as alway Jeff Hardings narration was outstanding
Thanks very much Netgalley for this book, It was a pleasure