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A review by billd
The White Road by John Connolly
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The White Road is the 4th book in the PI Charlie Parker, mystery / thriller series by John Connolly. It's the 2nd book I've read in the series and while there is a back story taking place, not having read #'s 2 & 3 didn't affect my understanding of what was going on or my enjoyment of the story.
Charlie is living in Maine with his pregnant girlfriend, Rachel. An old friend, Elliot Norton, calls him and asks for his help in a case he is representing down in South Carolina. A young black man, is being tried for the rape and murder of a white woman and Elliot is having difficulties with the local white supremacist movement and needs help. Against his better judgement, Charlie agrees to go. He asks two friends. Louis and Angel, to come and provide him some physical assistance.
Also, in Maine, a cult leader who had damaged both Angel and Louis in a previous story (I think, anyway) is coming up for parole. There is something very dark about him, something 'spiritual'? The white supremacists from South Carolina are helping him with legal assistance as they want him in their group.
Oh yes, another guy getting out of prison in Maine, Cyrus, has some dark secrets and he wants to 'share' them with Rachel. Charlie has asked a friend to come up from New York to keep an eye on things while he is gone.
So that's the gist of the story. It's a rambling dark tale that moves from Charlie to Louis and Angel and a few others. It's dark, tense, dangerous and at times horrific. Bodies will ultimately start falling out of the trees... (well, maybe an exaggeration but there are a few). An evil history will come out, even involving Charlie's friend Elliot. There will be betrayal, 'evil spirits' and some twisted violence. It's a story that really draws you in but also might repel you. The bad folks are really evil and dangerous. Charlie and his friends are constantly in danger but they are also dangerous themselves and pretty darned competent.
Fascinating story that will give you the shivers but the ending is fairly satisfying. It's one of the better thriller series I've tried and I'll get back to those I've missed to clear up this back story. (If I dare) (4.0 stars)
Charlie is living in Maine with his pregnant girlfriend, Rachel. An old friend, Elliot Norton, calls him and asks for his help in a case he is representing down in South Carolina. A young black man, is being tried for the rape and murder of a white woman and Elliot is having difficulties with the local white supremacist movement and needs help. Against his better judgement, Charlie agrees to go. He asks two friends. Louis and Angel, to come and provide him some physical assistance.
Also, in Maine, a cult leader who had damaged both Angel and Louis in a previous story (I think, anyway) is coming up for parole. There is something very dark about him, something 'spiritual'? The white supremacists from South Carolina are helping him with legal assistance as they want him in their group.
Oh yes, another guy getting out of prison in Maine, Cyrus, has some dark secrets and he wants to 'share' them with Rachel. Charlie has asked a friend to come up from New York to keep an eye on things while he is gone.
So that's the gist of the story. It's a rambling dark tale that moves from Charlie to Louis and Angel and a few others. It's dark, tense, dangerous and at times horrific. Bodies will ultimately start falling out of the trees... (well, maybe an exaggeration but there are a few). An evil history will come out, even involving Charlie's friend Elliot. There will be betrayal, 'evil spirits' and some twisted violence. It's a story that really draws you in but also might repel you. The bad folks are really evil and dangerous. Charlie and his friends are constantly in danger but they are also dangerous themselves and pretty darned competent.
Fascinating story that will give you the shivers but the ending is fairly satisfying. It's one of the better thriller series I've tried and I'll get back to those I've missed to clear up this back story. (If I dare) (4.0 stars)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism