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John Connolly: Nocturnes

Harriet

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Nocturnes
John Connolly
Atria, Mar 2005, $12.95, 406 pp.
ISBN: 0743270193

This is an interesting anthology that bookends with two novellas and thirteen short stories (nine are actually transcripts written for radio) in between the two longer tales. Regardless of format, all the entries are thrilling, chilling and fulfilling as John Connolly dives deeper into the dark side of the supernatural than he previously has.

"The Cancer Cowboy Rides”. The drifter spreads the fast-acting cancer by touch. He “accidentally” on purpose makes physical contact with people knowing what a casual bump does to the recipient. He runs amuck spreading deadly illness like a cancerous Typhoid Mary touching and bringing death to the multitude and seems unstoppable as no one knows about his “Midas” touch.

"The Reflecting Eye". In Maine, private detective Charlie Parker feels as peaceful as he has in a long time, definitely before the murders of his wife and child. Much of his positive feelings are caused by his upbeat relationship with his pregnant girlfriend Rachel. Reluctantly Parker investigates an abandoned house last occupied by a serial killer whose targets were children. The current owner wants Parker to insure that the good, the bad and the ugly spirits have gone on and are not waiting in mirrors to pounce on mortals.

The remaining tales showcase John Connolly’s range to use everyday scenes to portray the macabre dark in which the supernatural is the norm and the natural is the otherworldly. Combined with two deep novellas, especially a Parker thriller, readers will become creatures of the night reading Mr. Connolly’s string eerie anthology.

Harriet Klausner
 
One of my favorite authors and I loved the short stories. However I hate when he takes time away from Charlie Parker to write something else. That series is at the top of my list for must reads every time a new one comes out. I would also recommend The Book Of Lost Things. A really fantasy that puts a twist on a lot of the fairy tales. The Little Red Riding Hood story is my favorite.
 
So good to encounter fellow John Connolly fans. I love his books. Charlie Parker, Angel and Louis are three of the most engaging fictional characters I've encountered in a long time.
 
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