Lovers

De: John Connolly

Narrado por: George Guidall

New York Times bestselling author John Connolly writes an “unfailingly compelling” (New Orleans Times-Picayune) and lyrical tale that forces Private Investigator Charlie Parker to examine his haunting past and all that he has ever believed true about his beloved parents—and himself.

Charlie Parker is a lost soul. Deprived of his private investigator's license and under scrutiny by the police, Parker takes a job in a Portland bar. But he uses his enforced retirement to begin a different kind of investigation: an examination of his own past and an inquiry into the death of his father, who took his own life after apparently shooting dead two unarmed teenagers. It's a search that will eventually lead Parker to question all that he believed about his beloved parents, and about himself.

But there are other forces at work: a troubled young woman who is running from an unseen threat, one that has already taken the life of her boyfriend; and a journalist-turned-writer named Mickey Wallace, who is conducting an investigation of his own. And haunting the shadows, as they have done throughout Parker's life, are two figures: a man and a woman who seem driven to bring an end to Charlie Parker's existence.

Haunting, lyrical, and impossible to put down, The Lovers is John Connolly at his best.

A fascinating story about detective Charlie Parker

For Charlie Parker fans, this early novel attempts to explain the mysterious history of detective Charlie Parker. Why did his father kill two apparently innocent teenagers? Why does Parker continuously encounter strange, often ephemeral enemies determined to kill him? Who are the secret "friends" equally determined to protect him? And.....exactly who is he, really? This is one of my favourite CP novels. I love the subtle references to themes from Jordan's "Wheel of Life" novels (i.e., the lovers who must seek each other out with each reincarnation), and, oddly enough, even to "The Terminator." Very highly recommended, and, by the way, very well read by my favorite narrator, George Guidall.

Exciting Entry to the Charlie Parker Saga

I have been a fan of John Connolly since his very first book. I love the story. Great pacing. My only problem is with the narration. At the time of this story, Charlie Parker would have been in his 30's? With this narrator Parker sounds like a 70 year old man. The narrator is great for other books I'm sure.

Great story read by the best, George Guidall

George Guidall is an actor:: he reads the text in each character thereby drawing the audience into the story. John Connolly never ceases to spin webs of mystery that keeps one on the edge of the seat!!!

There’s a bigger story here!

My only recommendation is: don’t start here. Even though each of these books contains a whole story, you miss so much if you haven’t followed Charlie Parker’s story arch from the beginning. These stories are dark and violent, but all of them are about justice in a big multilayered complex way. Start at the beginning!

Super

One of the best Charlie Parker novels so far. Don’t miss this one. More about some of the supernatural elements.

I don't think John Connolly knows how to do wrong

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is hard to listen to Charlie Parker books in one sitting because of the subject matter. His books are full of genuine evil, and Connolly doesn't spare his readers. He describes every gritty detail and makes you feel every discomfort and pain the characters feel. But! Connolly is a master writer you don't find that often today. His Charlie Parker novels do exactly what Orson Scott Card said the true purpose of literature is: “We don't read novels to have an experience like life. Heck, we're living lives, complete with all the incompleteness. We turn to fiction to have an author assure us that it means something.” It is Connolly's ability to explain what all the bad and all the good things that happen to you and people everywhere signify (at least in his opinion) that makes you want to push through his novels, and his insistence that even though the evil is never fully defeated, it is the pleasure of peace, the power of good, the good of love, that is worth fighting all the time.

Could it be the best?

This was an exraordinary story. when Charlie Parker was setting himself to meet some very brutal murderers I smiled and said aloud... "God damn Charlie, you go man." The character development leads my mind to believe that we are buddies. This is my second time through the series. I am still in awe.

Pure evil

Couldn’t stop listening great series! Each book is worth reading. The characters are just the best.

Won't return to this genre

Would you try another book from John Connolly and/or George Guidall?

I love George Guidall but even he could not overcome for me the storyline about the occult, fallen angels, etc.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Icky. Not a thriller. Tedious. The ending leaves most of what might have been remotely interesting unresolved. If anyone can explain the reasoning behind the whole occult quest I would be happy to hear it.

Deceptive Title

If you are expecting/wanting classic mystery or suspense, run dont walk to the next book on your list. I stepped into this goat rope because G. Guidall was the narrator and the other books I had read by Connelly I liked very much. Not this one. By midway through Part 1 I had feeling I was not going to like where this book was going, but I plowed ahead. By Part 2 I was beginning understand why "IT" was killing all the other people. And then I began to wonder why 'It/They" were looking for Charlie. Why did 'They' have to kill Charlie! He's a threat to them we are told,but we are never told why! In conclusion, I have to admit Connelly wove the events of this book rather well so as to keep me looking for answers! Guidall's voice was masterful in bringing a dark and brooding feel to the book so only Performance got high marks from me on this one.