Enjoyed this one very much, another fantastic supernatural suspense from author John Connolly. Never disappoints, highly recommend!

I went out of my wheelhouse with this one and am so glad I did. Even though, this book was part of a series, it was so easy to jump in and figure it out on the fly. My favorite thing about this book was the dialogue. There was a lot of good dark humor throughout that broke up the tension. There was so much intelligence and method to the way this story was written. It was complex and vivid throughout. I have a lot of reading to do in the future as I will be going back for more Charlie Parker. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Liked how this story progressed, but the supernatural aspect is not my fave. He writes a lot of details that I tend to skim to get to the gist of the chapter.

PI Charlie Parker is on the case again, along with his fun and fabulous crew, offering lightness and wit to John Connolly’s 22nd book in this series, “The Instruments of Darkness,” a gripping thriller that melds the seriousness of the kidnapping of a toddler with that of the macabre.

The story is set in the atmospheric state of Maine, where protagonist Colleen Clark finds herself in extreme danger from vigilantes. Her husband, her neighbors, and the majority of the public presume her guilty of her son's disappearance.

Fortunately, Maine’s best defense attorney, Moxie Castin, takes her case and hires Parker to investigate. His fact-finding mission follows numerous knarled and twisted trails leading to a psychic channeler, white supremacists, a haunted house, and ancient evil spirits.

This novel is a fabulous non-linear tale that John Connolly expertly crafted. It is a thrill-a-minute read.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author John Connolly, and Publisher Atria/Emily Bestler Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for this advanced reader's copy for review.

John Connolly is a master at combining elements of the supernatural with a well-plotted thriller and The Instruments of Darkness, 21st in his Charlie Parker series, is an example of his prowess in the genre. Set in Maine, which as Connolly suggests in the novel, is steeped in strangeness, he brings together a woman accused of the worst crime conceivable for a mother - the killing of her own child, a husband who insists she’s guilty but who has a history of cheating, a psychic who claims to hear the child crying but who has, at best, a spotty record of locating missing children, a very creepy house in the woods, and, of course, Charlie Parker to investigate supported by the Fulchi brothers and Louie and Angel. Throw in an overly ambitious prosecutor and a band of neo-Nazis, one of whom has a grievance against Charlie and Connolly has, once again, provided the reader with one hell of an unremittingly compelling, exciting, atmospheric, and eerie tale with just a touch of humour running through it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Former NYPD detective turned private investigator, Charlie Parker is on a new case. Charlie must find out what has happened to baby Henry.
Colleen and Stephen Clark find that their baby boy, Henry, is missing and in the public eye Colleen had something to do with it. Ater Stephen finds Henry’s bloody baby blanket hidden inside the trunk of their car it starts to look as if Colleen might have killed their baby. However, Colleen is adamant that she had nothing to do with his disappearance. Can Charlie, the renowned PI, get to the bottom of the case and find who is truly to blame?
Overall rating 2/5
Somehow this book managed to degrate and make the most bigoted character I have ever read. Connolly managed to blunder through and completely botch so many sensitive topics without sensitivity such as women, mothers, racism, and mental illness just to name a few. About 90% of this book was information that deviated from the plot line which was so utterly distracting. If you like police procedural books told in a Matlock or Columbo style this book is definitely in your genre.


*Thank you to the author, Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I really enjoyed this! The ending was unexpected and I had a hard time putting it down! This is a well done crime story and I will definitely be checking out more from John Connolly! Special Thank You to John Connolly, Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️ - I liked the story and the supernatural element was done well, but the story was a little uneven for me. There were certain points where I felt invested, and others where I felt my interest lessen. A fun read overall, just not a favorite.

If you’ve learned nothing else about me, the one thing you’ve probably figured out is that I love three authors’ works more than all others: Sebastien de Castell, Steven Brust, and John Connolly. Of those three, John Connolly’s Charlie Parker books reign supreme in my mind. They are an utterly unique fusion of horror, noir detective fiction, and urban fantasy elements and as hard as I’ve tried to find something that feels similar, so far it’s proven impossible. My love for these books inspired me to start the Every Dead Thing Book Club/Reread, of which the inaugural chapter can be found here! Twenty-one books later I continue to love this series and it’s an instant pre-order the minute it’s available to do so.

The aforementioned twenty-first volume of this series came out May 7th and it was far and away one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It has the typical Charlie Parker vibes: a seemingly straight-forward case with just a little bit of weirdness at the edges and before long you realize that those edges are much deeper and much more malevolent than they first appeared. In this foray, Charlie is hired by his long-time friend and attorney, Moxie Castin, to help prove a young mother didn’t kill her own child. Unfortunately, everyone except Moxie and Charlie think she’s guilty, including the estranged husband/father of the young boy. However, the father seems overly focused on being judge, jury and executioner for his wife and Charlie’s spidey-sense is thrown off by the ex’s seeming hatred for the mother of his child.

But this wouldn’t be a Charlie Parker book if it was that straightforward. There’s two other forces lingering that add an extra layer of chaos to this tale. First, an old enemy of Charlie and Louis who still holds a grudge against them for the death of his son during a shootout and is supporting the creation of a far-right militia in the forests of Northern Maine. Adjacent to the militia’s parcel of land is a house that should never have been built. There’s something evil about the house itself and the forest seems to wish it had never been built. Before too long, Charlie and his allies will find themselves being drawn into the shadow of that house and will encounter for themselves the darkness that lives within it.

Immediately a few things jumped out to me about Instruments of Darkness. First, we are back in first person mode after a long run of books that were in third person. It’s always nice to be living in Charlie’s head and getting to see the world through his eyes and John Connolly returns to this style with great effect. We also get to spend a lot of time with Charlie’s supporting cast in this book. We get Angel and Louis, our lovable thief/contract killer duo. We get the Fulcis, Moxie, Dave at the Bear, Sharon Macy, Jennifer, and more and they are perfectly used. I especially loved a late scene in the book featuring Charlie Parker and Sharon Macy having the “talk,” specifically that Charlie sees his dead daughter and has for years at this point. This talk means dredging up Sharon Macy’s own past with the dead, specifically in the book Bad Men, where she found herself fighting her own battle against the dead on the island of Sanctuary (eventually I’ll talk about this book in Every Dead Thing Book Club so I won’t say much more here).

On the downside, there’s not a lot of forward momentum regarding Jennifer or Amanda’s natures (Amanda barely makes an appearance here at all). Hopefully, before too long we get another lore heavy book and start working towards some resolution with Charlie’s long standing battle against the forces of the God of Wasps. Also, as much as I love Charlie and Sharon Macy being together now, I do miss Rachel’s presence in these books and hope that we get some Charlie/Rachel working together again soon. These are all small flaws to an otherwise remarkable twenty-first entry into a series. Usually by this point serieses have completely fallen apart in quality and I’m thrilled to say that as of now, Connolly doesn’t show any signs of that happening with his books.

If you’ve never read a Charlie Parker book, don’t start here. Start either at the beginning or at the Killing Kind (where the overarching arc of the series really begins to take off). However, if you are someone who has read a lot of the Parker books and has been holding off on this one, I definitely recommend jumping back in and reading the Instruments of Darkness as soon as you can. It’s soooo good.

Another dark Charlie Parker tale...this one in the courtroom. Great storytelling and characters, fast read. Always gobbling these up when he releases a new one!

*4.5 stars rounded up

Charlie Parker is back to help the lawyer Moxie with a child-abduction case in which the mother is accused of killing her son after the child's blanket is found with bloodstains. What always sets these suspenseful thrillers apart from others is the touch of the supernatural involved--in this case, something quite evil. A physic comes forward to help, a woman who was disgraced in another high-profile case. Can her instincts be trusted now?

If you are a longtime reader of the Charlie Parker series, you'll be happy to know that all the usual suspects are brought into this case to help: the 4XL Fulci brothers as well as Angel and Louis. They are violence personified but also bring an element of humor to a story filled with horror. And as always John Connolly shows himself to be quite erudite with his unusual word choices. The book is fairly long but moves along quickly with the help of short chapters and exciting developments. An excellent addition to the series.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

John Connolly’s “The Instruments of Darkness” is a riveting blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and horror set against the inscrutable backdrop of earthy Maine. In this twenty-first installment of the beloved Charlie Parker series, Connolly weaves a tale that keeps readers on the edge of our seats.

🌟 Plot Summary: Colleen Clark, a young mother, stands accused of the worst crime imaginable: the abduction and possible murder of her child. As the trial unfolds, damning evidence points to Colleen’s guilt. But her attorney, Moxie Castin, believes in her innocence. He enlists the help of private investigator Charlie Parker to uncover the truth. Parker, too, is convinced that Colleen is innocent and begins digging deeper into the case.

🔍 Supernatural Intrigue: Connolly’s unique strength lies in weaving multiple threads together, creating depth and intrigue. The Michaud family’s dark history and the events that unfold on their land over generations add palpable tension. The supernatural element is seamlessly integrated, leaving readers questioning what lies beyond our understanding. As Parker investigates, he encounters an old, twisted house deep in the Maine woods—a place that harbors secrets and malevolence.

🌌 The Folly of Ignorance: “The Instruments of Darkness” serves as a stark reminder not to dismiss the unexplained as mere fantasy. Connolly masterfully explores how actions leave imprints on the earth, whether tangible or ethereal. The suspense builds relentlessly, akin to waiting for an inevitable train wreck. As Parker gets closer to the heart of the mystery, the danger escalates, and the truth becomes more elusive.

📖 Stand-Alone Read: Even if you haven’t read the previous books in the Charlie Parker series, fear not. “The Instruments of Darkness” can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. However, be warned: after experiencing this gripping tale, you’ll likely want to delve into the entire series.

🌟 John Connolly delivers another hauntingly powerful tale. If you appreciate well-written narratives, character development, and engaging storytelling, this book is a must-read. Prepare to lose yourself in the shadows and unravel the enigma of darkness.

🌠 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)

📚 About the Author: John Connolly, born in Dublin, Ireland, has crafted a brilliant career as a writer. His ability to blend genres and create atmospheric narratives sets him apart. Whether you’re a seasoned Charlie Parker fan or a newcomer, “The Instruments of Darkness” promises an unforgettable journey into the unknown.

In Maine, Colleen Clark stands accused of the worst crime a mother can commit: the abduction and possible murder of her child. Everyone—ambitious politicians in an election season, hardened police, ordinary folk—has an opinion on the case, and most believe she is guilty. But most is not all. Defending Colleen is the lawyer Moxie Castin, and working alongside him is the private investigator Charlie Parker, who senses the tale has another twist, one involving a husband too eager to accept his wife’s guilt, a group of fascists arming for war, a disgraced psychic seeking redemption, and an old, twisted house deep in the Maine woods, a house that should never have been built. This is another incredible Charlie Parker book. I’ve loved them all and this one does not disappoint. Like the previous books, this is a dark and twisted story so be prepared.

A return to the usual form of Charlie Parker novels, the 21st installment finds Charlie working for Moxie Castin investigating the abduction of Henry Clark, an infant. Henry’s mother, Colleen, is suspected and arrested for Henry’s murder, largely because she suffered from postpartum depression. The story that follows is steeped in the supernatural, with another eldritch horror, white nationalists, and a disgraced psychic, Sabine Drew. Charlie and his allies clear Colleen of her son’s murder. Bobby Ocean finally meets a bad end. Another excellent novel by Connolly. I am grateful to have received an ARC of this novel through the publisher and NetGalley.

Loved it! Start to finish..

I am so In love with these characters as much as one can be for fictional beings
There happiness I feel it as if it were a friends
You are an amazing author your books all of them this one added are exceptional
I thank you truly

Set against the backdrop of Maine’s rugged landscape, this novel blends crime, the supernatural, and human fraility in a way that only Connolly can. I loved it and look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the twenty-first book in the Charlie Parker series, but it is the first one I have read. As embarrassing as it is, I have to admit this is the first book I have read by John Connelly, despite the huge number of book he has written.

Description:
In Maine, Colleen Clark stands accused of the worst crime a mother can the abduction and possible murder of her child. Everyone—ambitious politicians in an election season, hardened police, ordinary folk—has an opinion on the case, and most believe she is guilty.

But most is not all. Defending Colleen is the lawyer Moxie Castin, and working alongside him is the private investigator Charlie Parker, who senses the tale has another twist, one involving a husband too eager to accept his wife’s guilt, a group of fascists arming for war, a disgraced psychic seeking redemption, and an old, twisted house deep in the Maine woods, a house that should never have been built.

My Thoughts:
Well it looks like I have a bunch of reading to do since I enjoyed this one I will have to pick up more by the author. I did like the paranormal aspect in the book and the psychic playing her role in the investigation. Surprising that an entire town was being affected. The plot and the pacing kept me glued to the page in search of answers. There were quite a few surprises. Charlie Parker is a good character with both the drive and instints to find the truth.

Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Everyone turns against introverted Colleen Clark as she stands accused of murdering her infant son following a bout of post-partum depression. Enter eccentric attorney Moxie Castin and his brilliant detective Charlie Parker, who both believe that Clark is innocent and are suspicious of her husband, who immediately throws her under the bus. Add a group of weekend Fascists nearby and a reluctant psychic looking to redeem herself, and you have a potent mixture. Once I started this book, I was glued to the couch until I finished. Plenty of twists and turns with a satisfying resolution. This is my first Charlie Parker thriller. I am late to the party, but it seems like I will spend the rest of the summer catching up.

THE INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS, the twenty-first novel in John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series, is a riveting piece of fiction that seamlessly blends mystery and the supernatural against a shadowy backdrop of horror in an inscrutable, earthy Maine setting.

A young mother, Colleen Clark, stands accused and faces trial for the worst crime a mother can commit, the murder of her child. She claims someone entered the house in the middle of the night and abducted her infant son, and he is still missing. But based on a singular piece of damning evidence, the prosecution, the police, most of her neighbors, and even her own husband Stephen believe she’s guilty and that she disposed of the child’s body. To make matters even worse for Colleen, the local prosecutor and the state attorney general want to use her case to further their political aspirations by convicting her and sending her to prison. But her attorney Moxie Castin believes she is innocent. He hires private investigator Charlie Parker to help him find evidence that exonerates Colleen Clark or at least destroys the state’s weak case. Parker, also convinced of Colleen’s innocence, investigates and soon has plenty of questions about who is responsible for the abduction and possible murder of Colleen’s two-year-old son, Henry, and looks for answers. That puts him on a collision course with the caretakers of an old, twisted house deep within the Maine woods, and the protectors of its evil secrets. As he’s drawn closer to the heart of the mystery and begins to unravel the truth, the greater the peril Parker faces.

Author John Connolly delivers another hauntingly powerful tale with The Instruments of Darkness. This book offers a stark reminder of the folly of regarding everything we cannot explain as phony.

It was only recently that I read my first Charlie Parker novel, Every Dead Thing, the first in the series. By the time I read this one, I had already binged-read the first five novels. I had by then a good feel for the character and had taken the measure of Connolly’s writing style, which I find brilliant. Connolly’s unique strength is weaving together many threads in his stories that add depth and intrigue, and that create apprehension in the reader akin to waiting for an inevitable impending train wreck, as the competing narratives surge toward a shocking climax.

The background of the Michaud family and the heinous events that take place on their land over generations is an aspect of the narrative that helps create an atmosphere of palpable tension building tantalizingly throughout the story. Connolly blends the compelling supernatural element and adroitly explores the way people’s actions leave an imprint on the earth—whether concrete or ethereal.

Despite the hefty length of the book, five hundred plus words, Connolly has crafted a succinct and efficient plot with no wasted pages, taking the time and space needed to develop an absorbing mystery and the host of well-rounded characters. Who knew a mystery and detective novel could be so terrifying? Even horror fans are going to love this novel. And for Connolly’s thriller and suspense fans, this is classic Charlie Parker.

Emily Bestler Books/Altria, an imprint of Simon & Schuster LLC first published The Instruments of Darkness on May 07, 2024. I received an advance reader’s copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley used for this review, which represents my honest opinions.

A creepy house in the woods. A mother is arrested for killing her child. The psychic searching for redemption. Fascists wet-dreaming about the Civil War. And Charlie Parker, who thinks — no feels — something more sinister is going on.

The Instruments of Darkness was my first foray into John Connolly’s work and I couldn’t be more surprised or impressed. I’ve seen Connolly’s books for years and heard good things. I went in ‘dark’; I didn't read the synopsis and knew nothing of Charlie Parker’s world. Boy, was I surprised. Dipping into the paranormal/spiritual caught me completely off guard. I didn’t hate it. I didn’t hate it so much I’ve already finished 3 other Parker books.

The Instruments of Darkness is an excellent read even if the paranormal isn’t your cup of tea.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Instruments of Darkness and be introduced to John Connolly and the world of Charlie Parker.