The Dirty South

Charlie Parker, Book 18

By: John Connolly

Narrated by: Jeff Harding

Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Mr. Connolly’s slam-bang thriller is studded with memorable characters and boasts cliffhangers within cliffhangers." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Brilliant...Connolly is writing at the top of his game." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

The New York Times best-selling author of A Book of Bones and “one of the best thriller writers we have” (Harlan Coben, number one New York Times best-selling author) goes back to the very beginning of Private Investigator Charlie Parker’s astonishing career with his first terrifying case.

It is 1997, and someone is slaughtering young women in Burdon County, Arkansas.

But no one in the Dirty South wants to admit it.

In an Arkansas jail cell sits a former NYPD detective, stricken by grief. He is mourning the death of his wife and child, and searching in vain for their killer. Obsessed with avenging his lost family, his life is about to take a shocking turn.

Witness the dawning of a conscience.

Witness the birth of a hunter.

Witness the becoming of Charlie Parker.

©2020 Bad Dog Books Limited. All rights reserved. (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ugh!! What was *that*?!?!

I’ve been waiting 2 years now (considering “Book of Bones” was the same sort of let down) for this year’s Parker release. What happened to the story line? Why aren’t we progressing? Has Connolly effectively written himself into a corner he ant navigate his way out of? I’m so disappointed. And during a time when stress relief is **so** imperative right now, it would be wonderful to get lost in a new, yet *real Charlie Parker* read. PLEASE bring back the Parker novels that resemble the first 15-16 books. Where’s Sam? How is Angel? What has become of “the backers”? Are we ever going to find out the mystery of all that is “Charlie and Sam”? And there wasn’t nearly enough of Angel and Louis... I’m sad.... I don’t suppose Mr. Connolly has anything in the “can” he can quickly whip into shape and release it in December or January? 🙏🏻

john's best work

color, color, color in a great way. you don't have to have been following charlie parker like I have for years and years to keep up. great work and wish it went on and on.

Maybe a “trunk” novel? Regardless, ignore the negative reviews

I love the Parker series and The Dirty South is another excellent entry into the dark, dangerous, and often mildly comic world of Charlie Parker. This novel is not part of the ongoing narrative and saga, and that’s why I wonder if it might have been written previously as almost an aside, and then released at this time. The racial themes are relevant in 2020. Regardless, the classic Parker vibes are here, and it’s a great small-town PI tale. Also — any time you get a dose of Angel and Louis, it’s a win.

Glad I ignored the negative reviews

I hope to read more of Charlie Parker and his posse in the future. Hopefully in the near future.

Insight into Charlie Parker

This story filled in a lot of gaps of Charlie Parker after his wife in child’s death.

louis and angel are my favorite

this is my favorite series that being said I didnt like this one as much I m glad my 2 favorite criminals were in it. I waited almost a year for this book I hope he come out with another one soon its still a good book thanks Connelly

I loved this

latest Charlie Parker, Angel and Louis book!

This one as practically flawless and I could barely stop listening and can't wait for the next one!

Best Dialogue Yet

A pretty gripping story. Harding is the best a narrating Charlie Parker novels. No one does Angel and Louie better. Because of this, I would have liked to have these two characters be a bigger part of the story, but I get that they wouldn’t have fit larger into the local Cargill premise. Connolly has really fine tuned his characters with some of the best and sometimes funniest lines yet. Definitely worth a listen or read.

Love the book

Another great story, with a great narration, 5 stars all around, look forward to the next novel.

Worth a Listen

Another good one from John Connolly. Overall solid story. Jeff Harding was excellent as usual.