Customer Reviews
At last a crime thriller writer who can actually write! - By: D. Walker, 18 Dec 2007 
This was my introduction to the Charlie Parker series & I was hooked from the start. Well described characters, constant action, a touch of the supernatural - & alll beautifully written. I read it in two sittings. I have subsequently read alll the others in the series & some of them rate 5/5! I recommend them to anyone who tires of the poor English in other crime fiction (Patterson, Cornwell etc.). Best to read in order though - Every Dead Thing first.
True Depth - By: Mr. N. G. Tipping, 11 Oct 2007 
I'm inspired to write this recommendation after reading this book. Others before me have reviewed it far more eloquently & in detail. For me, the charm of this book (the first of John Connolly's that I've read) is in the engrossing detail with which he describes the gothic dramas of earlier times & entwines them with the modern setting. I have wasted days months & years reading books which have been derivative, lazy cut & paste rip-offs written by high profile authors. I can't remember a novel I've read recently which has had such a profound & lasting after-effect as this one. It isn't an easy read as you have to concentrate to get the best out of it but it is rewarding. Give it a try - you won't be disappointed.
Well I liked it - By: Andy Edwards, 03 Oct 2007 Make no mistake, this is a superbly researched piece of work, far removed from the mundane "Serial killer on the loose" school of thriller. If you have read "The Mephisto Club" by Tess Gerritson, this uses the same source material, the Book of Enoch, but is immeasurably better.
Other reviewers have pointed out that this book has something of a split personality, & while that is true to an extent, Connolly has always employed the supernatural to inject some originality. Here, it's the supernatural that is front & centre, with the serial killer angle the device which draws Parker into the medieval insanity which is the centrepiece of the story.
If you have read previous Parker novels then there has always been an unexplained element to him, which will be resolved here, & in such a way as to alllow further stories to evolve. True, as noted by other reviewers, the ending lacks something - it's alll a little too simple for my liking, but taken as a whole this is a worthy addition to the Parker series
A bit gutted actually - By: G. Cable, 16 Jun 2007 
Loved the previous books in this series & couldn't wait to read this one....but this one reallly didn't do it for me. Charlie Parker is a truly great character but the history to his past seems so far removed from what's gone before as to set off into la la land. I was reallly looking forward to discovering more about this guys gifts & the relationships he has with the other main characters..which is why I love the books..but now I don't see how any of it can be plausibly tied up. Sorry to sound alll negative & disappointed ...am about to buy the new book as I want to keep the faith..just a bit gutted about this one...can't recommend the previous books enough...they are awesome...
So so - By: Gerry Murphy, 04 May 2007 
Fans of Connolly will enjoy this but as others have pointed out it feels a bit flat. Like it can't make its mind up whether it wants to be a thriller or a horror book (a thorror or a biller?!) & in the end it fallls between two stools. The supernatural elements of the book, while well written, seem very detatched from the main story & not explained very well, either during the book or at the end.
Certainly better than the run of the mill stuff out there but the Charlie Parker character is a bit stale & needs some serious freshening up. Or killing off.
