John Connolly is back with his twentieth Charlie Parker installment, The Furies. Containing two novels, The Furies is made up of the title story and The Sisters Strange, the serialized story he wrote and released through his website during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But fear not, even if you had read The Sisters Strange as it was being written, it is worth reading once again as John has expanded it into a full length novel.

In The Sisters Strange, Parker finds himself digging into the lives of Dolors and Ambar (no, not typos) Strange as a former lover – and notorious criminal – by the name of Raum Buker returns to Portland. Approached by another, also former lover of Dolors, Parker is tasked with investigating the erratic behavior of Buker as his sudden arrival brings about cause for concern. Hot on the heels of Buker is a mysterious collector of coins, a man who will stop at nothing to get back what was taken from him.

Then, in The Furies, Parker is charged with bringing about the end of a serious case of blackmail against the widow of a deceased Mafia man. Endlessly extorted by two very evil men, she asks Parker to help her recover something very personal of hers that is now in the possession of her tormentors. As if that isn’t enough, Parker also agrees to assist the daughter of a client who is trapped in an abusive relationship. Oh, and I should mention that this all happens during the early days of the lockdowns in March 2020.

Connolly does it again! While both of these stories are solid entries into the Parker mythos, I found The Sisters Strange to be the stronger of the two. Also, I feel slightly rewarded for holding out on reading the original publication as I knew it would eventually find its way into a future book or collection; I just didn’t expect it to be so soon and also to be expanded.

All the hallmarks of the Parker series are here and in fine form. Louis and Angel, two of Parker’s constant companions, shined brightly (especially so when confronting their peers in organized crime). The Braycott Arms Motel and its seemingly lone staff member in Bonny Wadlin, are excellent additions to Parker’s world. The location and Wadlin himself link both stories together as common elements. I love this as a resting place for some of Portland’s most disruptive presences.

Judging by the fact that Connolly’s first novel is the namesake of my blog, it’s no secret that I am a big fan and with a series as long-running as this it is a wonder as to how John keeps the quality at such an unmatched level. I say this after every novel, but I can’t wait to see what he does next.

A John Connolly, Charlie Parker book , ALWAYS brings a sense of excitement with it. Between the stories, the fascinating cast of characters, the hint of the Supernatural, and the main protagonist himself, I know I'm going to be locked in until the last page! This time we have two different stories slightly linked to one another. Each was powerful and captivating in its own way. It was like getting twice the satisfaction in one volume. All I know is.. I LOVE this series of books! Superb once again!

What's better than a new Charlie Parker book? How about two in one?!

The Furies returns readers to the world of Charlie Parker following the character's last full-fledged appearance in the prequel novel The Dirty South and a brief cameo in last year's Louis and Angel book, The Nameless Ones. The Furies, collecting the short novels The Sisters Strange and the titular The Furies, re-centers Parker in the (mostly) present-day, and is inextricably linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, initially by happenstance and later as a backdrop to an ongoing investigation.

As noted in the acknowledgments, The Sisters Strange was originally written and published online in 64 daily installments at John Connolly's website during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020. That original draft is no longer available on his website and has since been revised and expanded to twice its original length for inclusion here. Readers who may have already been introduced to the Sisters Strange will likely find the story familiar, but will certainly want to check out this official "author's cut." Newcomers will find Parker embroiled in a case revolving around a stolen antiquity, a spate of murders and thieves, and an unusual love triangle at the center of it all.

In The Furies, Portland, ME is bracing for lockdown as COVID-19 grows into a global pandemic. Parker takes on the case of a widow being blackmailed by a pair of cons who have stolen the only items she has left of her dead daughter. Connolly brings in some nifty, overarching supernatural elements, including the ghost of the dead girl, while Parker balances this case against another involving the extraction of a domestic abuse victim. The extraction is all the more complicated due to the spreading pandemic, and stay-at-home orders are likely to be a death sentence for the brutalized woman.

Both stories are engaging in their own right, but I found myself drawn deeper into the complexities of The Furies and the ways in which the pandemic introduced a few wrinkles and a greater sense of urgency into Parker's work. Connolly's natural knack for storytelling is firmly on display in both stories, though, and each are pretty easy to sink into thanks to the crisp, honeyed prose. As with finishing any new Parker book, the biggest problem comes in realizing you've hit the end and have to wait at least another year or two for the next one...

I had read Sisters Strange when it was published on line, daily, during the early part of the 2020 lockdown and it was such an nice treat every day. I really enjoyed reading the new re-worked version of it end to end; it was familiar but with some different pieces and it all flowed together so nicely. Glad to read this longer version!

I also really liked The Furies novella; honestly, I just like any time I get to spend with Parker, Louis and Angel and seeing a bit more of all the side characters too. It's set right as the lockdowns were beginning to be a thing we knew were coming so there was an urgency to get things done that I remember and the story is that perfect mix of suspense and supernatural that Connolly does so so well.

Both the novellas are well done, nice and lengthly and I liked them both.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and the publisher for a review.

The Furies is the twentieth entry in the always excellent Charlie Parker series. This book is actually a collection of two novellas, The Sisters Strange and The Furies. Both are related as a decrepit apartment building in Portland, a home for ex cons (and maybe ghosts), figures prominently in both stories.

As is usual for the series, the writing is outstanding, and the plot well constructed. The Sisters Strange bad guy is Kepler, who is eerily like The Collector from the earlier novels. One of the other baddies has just started to dabble in the occult, and stole a rare coin that may have occult connections. The Furies is interesting as Parker is dealing with two cases at the same time, and a ghost lurks in the background.

Another excellent entry in the Charlie Parker novels, one of my favorite series of all time.

My thanks to Atria Books and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of The Furies.

The Furies is the twentieth novel (or to be more precise, a collection of two interrelated novellas) in Connolly’s Charlie Parker series (although only the third in the series for this reviewer). Parker, now living in the quiet backwoods of Maine (or perhaps not so quiet), is a former New York City Police Officer whose world fell apart when his wife and one of his daughters perished. Still haunted by his daughter’s ghost occasionally, Parker now works as a private investigator in Portland, Maine, sometimes employing Angel and Louis, two hard cases from New York. The fact that Parker is a former cop and the often-introspective narrative coupled with the wry sense of humor reminds this reviewer of Block’s Matt Scudder, although Parker is an entirely different character and there’s no connection between them.

These two novellas are incredibly well-written, thoughtful, and intense. In both, Parker takes on cases that perhaps he should not for there is little to be gained for him and a lot to be lost. In the first novella, the Sisters Strange, we meet two sisters, who might be old spinsters except for their strange connection to one Raum Buker, a degenerate whose most recent prison tattoos might lead one to think he dabbles in the occult. It is a portrait of evil and its grip on people who ought to know better. It begins with the death of a coin collector, an old eccentric coin collector, and leads to shady areas where darkness lurks. This is so well-crafted that it is meant to be savored rather than quickly devoured.

The second novella here is the Furies, the title piece, which has Parker returning to the same decrepit motel as in the Sisters Strange, but confronting a different set of evil. Here, he tackles two separate cases at once, one where a mafia widow is haunted by her husband’s misdeeds and the theory that she still had the thousands of dollars her husband skimmed from the organization. She only wants to be left alone in peace, but evil in the form of two rather odd gentlemen has followed her and Parker has to use his connections to find if they are acting on their own or on orders from above. The other case is Parker dipping his foot into intervening in domestic violence and these cases have a way of turning on the do-gooder.

In both novellas, the atmosphere is always dark, dank, with some supernatural things lurking in the background. Parker works at the edges of society, not in the world of the glitterati. A must read!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for honest review!

The Furies is a collection of two novellas set in Maine and connected by location, unsavory characters, and the titular character, Charlie Parker, an old school PI who has dark dealings and a wrought past of his own. This was my first foray into Parker's life and universe and I was instantly sucked in to the setting and characters that Connolly introduces. His writing keeps you in suspense until the last page. The book switches from first to third person, depending on if Parker is involved in the scene or not, and while this may not bother some it was jarring for me to read. This is not necessarily bad, but it was not quite my style. However I enjoyed the book and the dark humor of it overall

It's a Charlie Parker story and that alone is enough for me to know I MUST read it. And it is actually two books in one. Is it insane that I want to go to Portland and steep myself in the gritty part of town? Connolloy can do that to you. It all feels so real and he's one of the best when you want a book to simply immerse yourself in.

Thank you NetGalley!

I’m a huge fan of this series and the author doesn’t disappoint in delivering an unpredictable plot with each instalment.
Here we have two stories that are well crafted, with unique characters and spine chilling situations that could be disturbing for some.
Definitely recommend it for anyone who loves mystery, thrillers and a dash of horror.

If, like me, you're a bit nervous because it's not a traditional Charlie Parker book, then just relax. It's like getting two Charlie Parker books in one. I don't know how long it is, but it felt like I was reading it for forever, and that's just fine with me. There's not a character or storyline I love as much as these.

“The game goes on. The game always goes on. The only issue to be decided is if you’re a player or a pawn.”

Book #20 in the Charlie Parker series is comprised of two novellas: The Sisters Strange and The Furies.

The Sisters Strange is the longer of the two. Revolving around the theft of ancient coins, one of which has supernatural powers, Parker is pulled into the investigation by a person concerned about the sisters Strange: Dolors and Ambar.

This novella features Parker, Angel, Louis, The Fulci brothers, and some other favorite characters. The tone is dark and weird, and it gave me hope that this was where we were going to pick up again from book #18. The ending left it a possibility, but I am not sure if this is the direction the series is headed.

In The Furies, Parker is hired on two separate cases by women trying to save their daughters from evil men. This story takes place in the days leading up to quarantine. The two stories are not linked, but the setting of Portland, Maine, and the characters tie the two together.

The tone is a little more chaotic, with more of Parker’s dark humor shining through. I enjoyed the way this story ended.

“It’s an error to underestimate the intelligence and cunning of women.”

I enjoyed both novellas, but I am ready for this series to finally move forward, as it has been at a standstill since the events of book 18. As always, Connolly’s writing is well-crafted, and I loved spending time with Parker, Angel, Louis, and other favorite characters. I am ready to see where this series is headed and cannot wait to find out in book #21.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.

Another Charlie Parker mystery with the help of Louis and Angel. It's actually two separate mysteries, both of which are mesmerizing. The Furies has a supernatural twist. The Strange Sisters is just plain fun.

Oh man, I do sincerely love the works of John Connolly. Few authors can write a book that is at once funny (in a completely sarcastic way), terrifying, heart-wrenching and impossible to put down. John (may I call you John?) is such an author.

I read this book (or these two books, as they are 2 different, completely unrelated stories) in just under a day. It was that good. I literally could not put it down until I was finished.

I love Charlie Parker, I love Louis and Angel, I even love Tony and Paulie Fulci (how could you not?) The was a distinct absence of Jennifer, which I was unhappy about, but enough death and chaos and sarcasm to keep me interested.

Thank you to Netgalley for my THIRD Charlie Parker ARC, thanks to John Connolly and Simon & Schuster Publishing for allowing me the privilege.

All opinions are my own.

Thank you Atria Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview The Furies. Connolly is back! This book gives the reader a “double shot” of Parker. These two books are separate but are joined by locations, unsavory characters, and Charlie Parker.
The Sisters Strange is a novella John posted online in 2021. He has expanded and freshened it up for us and the second chapter brings Louis and Angel into the mix with another Parker book.
Both stories are so good and I didn’t want to them to end. This book is old school Connolly I did like the Nameless Ones but this is straight forward Parker, Maine, and unsavory scary bad guys. I loved this book So fans have to wait another year for more of this series. I hope not!
This is 5 stars and more. Absolutely recommend. And if you have never read this series and read this book, you are in for. Treat. From the First Charlie Parker book- Every Dead Thing - to this book, it’s a journey. These characters become real to the reader and Connolly is one of the best suspense novelist (maybe the best).
RECOMMEND!

This is my first book by Connolly. I am happy to have him as a new addition to my bookshelf as a result of reading The Furies. Well done, engrossing and a good read

John Connolly's The Furies is a fantastic pair of new installments in the long-running Charlie Parker series that I think fans of the series will love.

The first short novel (roughly 55% of the page count) is The Sisters Strange. This book was previously shared (in a shorter form) on John Connolly's website at the start of Covid. I did read the story when it was on Connolly's site so when I saw that it was being included (after being expanded) I was a little concerned that half the book would have been something I'd already read but these fears turned out to be unfounded.

The general premise of the story is that a longtime Portland hooligan Raum has returned to Portland after a prison stint and brings with him some very bad vibes. Early on, Parker and Raum square off when Raum makes an appearance at the Bear. However, the momentum of this story really begins when Parker is approached by a man who is dating one of Raum's past (and maybe again) romantic partners. This man warns Parker that he thinks that there is something occult happening with Raum and Parker finds himself drawn into the mystery of that. Simultaneously a bizarre murder in Pennsylvania of an antique coin collector and its the mysterious man behind it slowly approaches Portland.

Honestly, I think I liked this story more now that it has been expanded than I did in March 2020. The additions of the new villain of the story (who feels like a mix of Herod from Whisperers and Quayle from Woman in the Woods/The Book of Bones) and some of the references to the greater Parker-canon drew me in far more quickly than the previous version. The villain is definitely a highlight and will probably be added to the top of my list of villains in Parker stories. Parker is also in great form in this story, caught between his reluctance to get involved in something that at start is nothing more than a domestic situation and the ongoing sense of spiritual wrongness he is getting from Raum.

The second story is the Furies and is competely new. I think this story is more a return to the classic mob type stories of some past Parker stories (the mob parts of Dark Hollow and the mob subplot in Game of Ghosts come most to mind). A dark reflection of Parker (a woman whose mob husband's action got her daughter killed) is now being blackmailed by a pair of criminals. They threaten to destroy something related to her daughter if the woman doesn't pay up. However, the criminals find themselves haunted (and maybe hunted) by the mysterious seeming ghost of a child.

This story felt more like classic Connolly (while the Sisters Strange felt more along the lines of more recent Connolly stories). The villains were interesting and quite disturbing and the mob elements of the story resulted in more work for Angel and Louis, who were characterized in fine form in this book. This book is also set at the same time as Covid starting and that results in some interesting stories as Parker finds himself racing the clock on shut-downs and travel bans to solve his cases before the world lock's down.

Overall, these stories were wonderful and I'm excited for their release in September. I think longtime fans of the series will love these as well and the little nuggets they drop to the going-ons in Parker's world. Some past characters from a whole bunch of previous Parker stories are name dropped or even make appearances and I think readers will love getting the chance to revisit some of them. I also think some fans will be excited that the first person narrative of the earlier books returns in this one. Overall I think this book is far-and-away a winner and currently a strong candidate my favorite book of 2022.