Read by Jeff Harding
Book 3 of the Charlie Parker series
Genre: paranormal crime fiction
Format: paperback & unabridged audiobook
About The Killing Kind:
John Connolly's "Every Dead Thing" and "Dark Hollow" were international bestsellers. Now the "compulsively readable" "(Publishers Weekly)" Connolly returns to heart-pounding form with a crime novel that combines sinister menace with superb style.THE KILLING KINDSource: Info in the About The Killing Kind was taken from GoodReads at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/175246.The_Killing_Kind on 30/09/2012.
When the discovery of a mass grave in northern Maine reveals the grim truth behind the disappearance of a religious community, private detective Charlie Parker is drawn into a violent conflict with a group of zealots intent on tracking down a relic that could link them to the slaughter. Haunted by the ghost of a small boy and tormented by the demonic killer known as Mr. Pudd, Parker is forced to fight for his lover, his friends...and his very soul.
When I first picked this series up, I thought that this is gonna be a gritty crime fiction. Which it is. What I did not expect is for it to be a paranormal crime fiction. Now, I am all for paranormal crime fiction, what I find irritating is that the author dedicates about half a chapter describing paranormal element(s) into the story that goes nowhere and is barely related to the story! What is that all about?! *sigh* Having said that, I am a paranormal stories geek, so I did my darndest to ignore the inconsistencies and plod on...
I like the way Jeff Harding reads. His imitation of a thug and his gravely-voiced version of Louis. However, there is this thing in the plot which nags me though... so Charlie "Bird" Parker lost his wife and daughter in book 1, Every Dead Thing, while Charlie was still a cop. You would think that Charlie would learn that lesson well. Not only that, the dangers to loved ones and people around him was even highlighted to him by Al Z. You would think that the sensible thing to do would be to protect the ones he loves by keeping them away from harm. So, what does Charlie do? Arranges liaison with Rachel which got her within punching distance of the bad guys and she ends up in the hospital. Little details, but still naggingly annoying... However I keep coming back because this book retains the same totally compelling story telling quality that I have come to know of John Connolly. Or maybe it's the addictive world building that this author seems to weave so masterfully around my reader's head. Either way, I keep coming back to read/listen for more Charlie "Bird" Parker stories.So be warned, this series is addictive!
Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 3
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 2
Pace = (13 hrs and 9 mins listening time)
Plot = 3.5
Narrator = 4.5
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries
I did like the novellas I read by him
ReplyDeleteI like John Connolly but this book wasn't one of his best.
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ReplyDeleteGreat review sweetie :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ju :-)
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ReplyDeleteSorry to hear there is stuff overdone here. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMelissa (My World...in words and pages) - Guess a series gotta have it's ups and downs and for the Charlie Parker series, this bookis it :)
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