Every First Novel In Charlie Parker Series
The Charlie Parker series is a crime fiction series written by John Connolly. The series follows the adventures of Charlie Parker, a former policeman turned private investigator who solves various crimes while dealing with his own personal demons. The series is set in Maine, United States, and features a mix of supernatural and thriller elements.
Every Dead Thing
The first novel in the series is "Every Dead Thing," which was published in 1999. In this book, we are introduced to Charlie Parker, who is grieving the loss of his wife and daughter. He is hired to investigate the murder of a young girl and soon discovers that the case is connected to a string of other murders. The book is a mix of crime fiction and horror, with supernatural elements woven into the story.
"Every Dead Thing" won the Shamus Award and the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and it established John Connolly as a major name in crime fiction.
Dark Hollow
The second novel in the series is "Dark Hollow," which was published in 2000. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy businessman's daughter. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of corruption and murder that leads him to a small town called Dark Hollow. The book explores themes of power, greed, and the dark side of human nature.
The Killing Kind
The third novel in the series is "The Killing Kind," which was published in 2001. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the murder of a prostitute. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the killer is a man known only as the Travelling Man, who has been killing for decades. The book is a psychological thriller that explores the mind of a serial killer and the impact of violence on its victims.
The White Road
The fourth novel in the series is "The White Road," which was published in 2002. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman in a remote village in Maine. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a sinister plot involving a group of men who are searching for a lost treasure. The book is a mix of crime fiction and horror, with supernatural elements woven into the story.
The Black Angel
The fifth novel in the series is "The Black Angel," which was published in 2005. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the murder of a prominent lawyer. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the killer is searching for a relic known as the Black Angel, which is said to have the power to bring back the dead. The book is a mix of crime fiction and supernatural thriller, with themes of redemption and the consequences of our actions.
The Unquiet
The sixth novel in the series is "The Unquiet," which was published in 2007. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman in a small town in Maine. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the town is haunted by a malevolent force that feeds on the pain and suffering of its inhabitants. The book is a mix of crime fiction and horror, with supernatural elements woven into the story.
The Reapers
The seventh novel in the series is "The Reapers," which was published in 2008. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the assassination of a wealthy businessman. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the killer is part of a group of assassins known as the Reapers, who are hired to eliminate people who are deemed a threat to society. The book is a mix of crime fiction and thriller, with themes of power and corruption.
The Lovers
The eighth novel in the series is "The Lovers," which was published in 2009. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young woman who was involved in a secret society. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the society is connected to a group of people who are searching for a way to cheat death. The book is a mix of crime fiction and supernatural thriller, with themes of love and obsession.
The Whisperers
The ninth novel in the series is "The Whisperers," which was published in 2010. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a rare manuscript from a library in New York City. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the manuscript is connected to a group of people who are searching for a way to communicate with the dead. The book is a mix of crime fiction and supernatural thriller, with themes of communication and the afterlife.
The Burning Soul
The tenth novel in the series is "The Burning Soul," which was published in 2011. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a young girl in a small town in Maine. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the town is hiding a dark secret, and that the girl's disappearance is connected to a series of other crimes that have been committed in the area. The book is a mix of crime fiction and thriller, with themes of justice and revenge.
The Wrath of Angels
The eleventh novel in the series is "The Wrath of Angels," which was published in 2012. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the crash of a plane in the wilderness of Maine. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the plane was carrying a valuable cargo, and that there are people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. The book is a mix of crime fiction and thriller, with themes of greed and power.
The Wolf in Winter
The twelfth novel in the series is "The Wolf in Winter," which was published in 2014. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a homeless man in a small town in Maine. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the town is hiding a dark secret, and that there are people who will do anything to keep it hidden. The book is a mix of crime fiction and horror, with supernatural elements woven into the story.
A Song of Shadows
The thirteenth novel in the series is "A Song of Shadows," which was published in 2015. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the death of a man in a small town in Maine. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the man was connected to a group of people who are searching for a way to bring back the dead. The book is a mix of crime fiction and supernatural thriller, with themes of grief and loss.
Crimson Shore
The fourteenth novel in the series is "Crimson Shore," which was published in 2015. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the disappearance of a woman in a small town in Maine. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers that the town is hiding a dark secret, and that there are people who will stop at nothing to keep it hidden. The book is a mix of crime fiction and horror, with supernatural elements woven into the story.
The Woman in the Woods
The fifteenth novel in the series is "The Woman in the Woods," which was published in 2018. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the murder of a woman in a remote forest in Maine. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the woman was connected to a group of people who are searching for a way to bring back the dead. The book is a mix of crime fiction and supernatural thriller, with themes of redemption and the consequences of our actions.
A Book of Bones
The sixteenth novel in the series is "A Book of Bones," which was published in 2019. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the murder of a young woman in London. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the woman was connected to a group of people who are searching for a powerful artifact known as the Fractured Atlas. The book is a mix of crime fiction and supernatural thriller, with themes of power and corruption.
The Dirty South
The seventeenth novel in the series is "The Dirty South," which was published in 2020. In this book, Charlie Parker is hired to investigate the murder of a young black man in Arkansas in the 1990s. As he follows the trail of clues, he discovers that the murder is connected to a group of white supremacists who are planning a major attack. The book is a mix of crime fiction and historical thriller, with themes of racism and social justice.
Conclusion
The Charlie Parker series is a must-read for fans of crime fiction, horror, and supernatural thrillers. Each book in the series is well-written and engaging, with complex characters and intricate plots. John Connolly has created a world that is both gritty and supernatural, and his writing style is both literary and accessible. Whether you are a fan of crime fiction or not, the Charlie Parker series is definitely worth checking out.