What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlie Parker #19
The Nameless Ones
“One of the best thriller writers we have.” —Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author
From the international and instant New York Times bestselling author of The Dirty South, the white-knuckled Charlie Parker series returns with this heart-pounding race to hunt down the deadliest of war criminals.
In Amsterdam, four bodies, violently butchered, are discovered in a canal house, the remains of friends and confidantes of the assassin known only as Louis.
The men responsible for the murders are Serbian war criminals. They believe they can escape retribution by retreating to their homeland.
They are wrong.
For Louis has come to Europe to hunt them down: five killers to be found and punished before they can vanish into thin air.
There is just one problem.
The sixth.
With John Connolly’s trademark “dark, haunting, and beautifully told” (Booklist) prose and breathless twists and turns, The Nameless Ones is an unputdownable thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
From the international and instant New York Times bestselling author of The Dirty South, the white-knuckled Charlie Parker series returns with this heart-pounding race to hunt down the deadliest of war criminals.
In Amsterdam, four bodies, violently butchered, are discovered in a canal house, the remains of friends and confidantes of the assassin known only as Louis.
The men responsible for the murders are Serbian war criminals. They believe they can escape retribution by retreating to their homeland.
They are wrong.
For Louis has come to Europe to hunt them down: five killers to be found and punished before they can vanish into thin air.
There is just one problem.
The sixth.
With John Connolly’s trademark “dark, haunting, and beautifully told” (Booklist) prose and breathless twists and turns, The Nameless Ones is an unputdownable thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2021
About the author
John Connolly
182 books7,546 followersJohn Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1968 and has, at various points in his life, worked as a journalist, a barman, a local government official, a waiter and a dogsbody at Harrods department store in London. He studied English in Trinity College, Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University, subsequently spending five years working as a freelance journalist for The Irish Times newspaper, to which he continues to contribute.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
He is based in Dublin but divides his time between his native city and the United States.
This page is administered by John's assistant, Clair, on John's behalf. If you'd like to communicate with John directly, you can do so by writing to contact-at-johnconnollybooks.com, or by following him on Twitter at @JConnollyBooks.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 543 reviews
May 31, 2021
Brutal but fun!
The Nameless Ones is book #19 in the Charlie Parker series. This installment revolves around Louis and Angel, who are seeking revenge for the murder of a close friend.
After Book #18’s detour to the past, we return to the present in Serbia. Unfortunately, the reader has to experience the inhumanity of the Serbian Croatian war. Connolly describes the war through moments that revolve around violence and brutality. The criminals who fought in the war and gained an immense amount of power in the criminal circuit often are the most brutal, and their deeds are unreadable. When these horrible criminals brutally murder someone Louis cares for, he and Angel, with a little help from some shady U.S. government officials, take it upon themselves to enact revenge.
The details of the violence of the Serbian-Croat conflict were quite hard to read, especially given the nature of the crimes and the details of the violence. This element of the plot is extremely hard to read, but it does highlight the atrocities of this war.
Thankfully, the majority of this book features Louis and Angel, and their characters add a bit of lightness and additional darkness to the events. There are just a few moments featuring Parker, and while I wanted more of him, I was also o.k. having a break. Jennifer does pop in a bit here and there, offering protection. Additionally, a few other characters who frequently play a role in the series make brief, and, humorous, appearances.
The Nameless Ones is not Connolly’s tightest work, nor is it the most compelling in terms of the plot; however, because of Louis and Angel, it is one of the most fun in a sadistic way. Their humor and barbs bled through the violence (no pun intended) and made me smile. This book, like The Dirty South, deviates from the narrative of “the Book.” I don’t know if Connolly needed a break or isn’t sure where to take the threads from book #17, but I have faith. Spending time with my favorite assassin and thief was a nice break from the traditional elements of this series. I can't wait to see what is next for Parker, Angel, Louis, and the rest of the crew.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Nameless Ones is book #19 in the Charlie Parker series. This installment revolves around Louis and Angel, who are seeking revenge for the murder of a close friend.
After Book #18’s detour to the past, we return to the present in Serbia. Unfortunately, the reader has to experience the inhumanity of the Serbian Croatian war. Connolly describes the war through moments that revolve around violence and brutality. The criminals who fought in the war and gained an immense amount of power in the criminal circuit often are the most brutal, and their deeds are unreadable. When these horrible criminals brutally murder someone Louis cares for, he and Angel, with a little help from some shady U.S. government officials, take it upon themselves to enact revenge.
The details of the violence of the Serbian-Croat conflict were quite hard to read, especially given the nature of the crimes and the details of the violence. This element of the plot is extremely hard to read, but it does highlight the atrocities of this war.
Thankfully, the majority of this book features Louis and Angel, and their characters add a bit of lightness and additional darkness to the events. There are just a few moments featuring Parker, and while I wanted more of him, I was also o.k. having a break. Jennifer does pop in a bit here and there, offering protection. Additionally, a few other characters who frequently play a role in the series make brief, and, humorous, appearances.
The Nameless Ones is not Connolly’s tightest work, nor is it the most compelling in terms of the plot; however, because of Louis and Angel, it is one of the most fun in a sadistic way. Their humor and barbs bled through the violence (no pun intended) and made me smile. This book, like The Dirty South, deviates from the narrative of “the Book.” I don’t know if Connolly needed a break or isn’t sure where to take the threads from book #17, but I have faith. Spending time with my favorite assassin and thief was a nice break from the traditional elements of this series. I can't wait to see what is next for Parker, Angel, Louis, and the rest of the crew.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2021
Connolly gave fans what they were looking for - A book heavily featuring Louis and Angel!!! Woohoo!!!!! Plus, there is a little Charlie Parker in this - just a little. Jennifer is back as well! YES! So now that you know the gang is all here, I will give you a brief synopsis:
In Amsterdam four people are horrifically murdered and their bodies are arranged around the crucified body of De Jaager. Fans of the series will remember him from the last book. He was a fixer; he gets things done and acted as a go-between and a confidant for fan favorite Louis. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know that this is not going to go over well with Louis. Those responsible for the carnage are Serbian war criminals.
"This man, this beloved, infuriating man."
Louis goes to Europe to hunt down the five killers. But there is a sixth, that he does not know about .... YET! Angel is still recovering from Cancer, but he does what he can in this book as well. I love these two men together and individually. They are a great couple but also great at what they do. They pack a punch with their love for each other, their dark humor, and their 'unique' skills. I have said in many reviews that I wanted to see more of them featured in this series and Connolly granted this wish.
This book, as all his books, was well written with beautiful passages. Connolly might write some terrifying and bloody scenes, but he has the heart of a poet. I love how all the characters interact and love how Angel and Parker interact with Jennifer. Speaking of Jennifer, the last scene with her had me wondering where Connolly is going to go with this. Consider my interest piqued.
Not for the faint of heart. There is bloodshed, shady characters, assassins, and one that is oozing with creepy vibes. There are also a lot of characters in this book but once I found my footing, this did not bother or confuse me. If you can stomach it, this is a gripping, book which features non-stop action, intrigue, and chills.
Fans of the series (and Angel and Louis) will not be disappointed! I am not sure how this would work as a stand-alone. But this is a rewarding and gripping series, I highly recommend it!
A gripping, page turner which is full of action, heart, brilliant passages, and bloodshed.
A MUST Read!
Thank you to Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
In Amsterdam four people are horrifically murdered and their bodies are arranged around the crucified body of De Jaager. Fans of the series will remember him from the last book. He was a fixer; he gets things done and acted as a go-between and a confidant for fan favorite Louis. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know that this is not going to go over well with Louis. Those responsible for the carnage are Serbian war criminals.
"This man, this beloved, infuriating man."
Louis goes to Europe to hunt down the five killers. But there is a sixth, that he does not know about .... YET! Angel is still recovering from Cancer, but he does what he can in this book as well. I love these two men together and individually. They are a great couple but also great at what they do. They pack a punch with their love for each other, their dark humor, and their 'unique' skills. I have said in many reviews that I wanted to see more of them featured in this series and Connolly granted this wish.
This book, as all his books, was well written with beautiful passages. Connolly might write some terrifying and bloody scenes, but he has the heart of a poet. I love how all the characters interact and love how Angel and Parker interact with Jennifer. Speaking of Jennifer, the last scene with her had me wondering where Connolly is going to go with this. Consider my interest piqued.
Not for the faint of heart. There is bloodshed, shady characters, assassins, and one that is oozing with creepy vibes. There are also a lot of characters in this book but once I found my footing, this did not bother or confuse me. If you can stomach it, this is a gripping, book which features non-stop action, intrigue, and chills.
Fans of the series (and Angel and Louis) will not be disappointed! I am not sure how this would work as a stand-alone. But this is a rewarding and gripping series, I highly recommend it!
A gripping, page turner which is full of action, heart, brilliant passages, and bloodshed.
A MUST Read!
Thank you to Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
April 26, 2022
My thanks to Atria books, John Connolly and Netgalley.
I loved everything about this book! I'll confess it made me very uncomfortable at times. Serbia is no place for me. I still remember the atrocities. But also, this story took a deep dive into subjects that I find disturbing. Corruption, gangs and hate.
Thankfully, Louis and Angel are wonderfully human! Murderous? Sure! They do at least kill those that deserve every bit of it.
I was so glad to see Angel recovering. I would have a hard time continuing these books without him.
It was nice visiting Charlie and the Fulci brothers. That bear head!! Jennifer Parker, is still freaky.
Mostly? I was happy to spend time with my two favorite sidekicks.
Who are always compelling on their own.
Bravo, Mr. Connolly!
I loved everything about this book! I'll confess it made me very uncomfortable at times. Serbia is no place for me. I still remember the atrocities. But also, this story took a deep dive into subjects that I find disturbing. Corruption, gangs and hate.
Thankfully, Louis and Angel are wonderfully human! Murderous? Sure! They do at least kill those that deserve every bit of it.
I was so glad to see Angel recovering. I would have a hard time continuing these books without him.
It was nice visiting Charlie and the Fulci brothers. That bear head!! Jennifer Parker, is still freaky.
Mostly? I was happy to spend time with my two favorite sidekicks.
Who are always compelling on their own.
Bravo, Mr. Connolly!
March 26, 2023
So sad— every time I finish another of these great reads, I come closer to catching up… and that will be a sad day!!
Minus a short appearance by Parker and the Fulci brothers, this story belongs to Louis and Angel. Revenge or vengeance, you decide.
Either way, it’s filled with bad guys, kinda good guys and worse… a lawyer (couldn’t help myself—Connolly loves a good lawyer jibe so I was inspired).
He also loves him some foreshadowing and it’s all through out this shorter than usual book (450 compared to the last book’s 700+ pages). As always, a ton of double, triple and maybe even a quadruple cross in this one. This is a world of international and vile criminals and no one can be trusted.
Jennifer Parker even plays a small feature role— the author, as always, ratcheting up the background creepiness… and foreshadowing what’s next for Parker and friends.
Minus a short appearance by Parker and the Fulci brothers, this story belongs to Louis and Angel. Revenge or vengeance, you decide.
Either way, it’s filled with bad guys, kinda good guys and worse… a lawyer (couldn’t help myself—Connolly loves a good lawyer jibe so I was inspired).
He also loves him some foreshadowing and it’s all through out this shorter than usual book (450 compared to the last book’s 700+ pages). As always, a ton of double, triple and maybe even a quadruple cross in this one. This is a world of international and vile criminals and no one can be trusted.
Jennifer Parker even plays a small feature role— the author, as always, ratcheting up the background creepiness… and foreshadowing what’s next for Parker and friends.
October 5, 2021
Note to self: study the concept of impulse control. Then buy some.
While I was supposed to be reading 2 other books for pleasure & review, I made the mistake of perusing the first few pages of this latest offering from John Connolly. BIG mistake. I can't claim to be a faithful reader of the excellent Charlie Parker series which is a mystery to me as every time I pick one up, I have the same thought.....Damn, this guy can tell a story. By page 3 I was hooked.
This particular instalment has a little something extra. Here, Charlie takes on the role of peripheral character while Louis & Angel step up as the MC's. As much as I love Charlie, it's this compelling couple I've enjoyed most (not sure what that says about me as they're probably best described as hitmen with sociopathic tendencies). My fate was sealed, sincere apologies to the other 2 books.
What follows is a wild ride as Angel & Louis seek revenge after a colleague is murdered in the Netherlands. The killers are identified as the Vuksan brothers, Serbian gangsters with a distinctive M.O. The hunt is on & our MC's quickly discover the Serbs are as elusive as they are brutal. Amsterdam, Paris, London, Belgrade, Vienna.....these are just some of the stops on what becomes a trail of carnage across Europe.
Along the way we're introduced to new characters who bring compelling side stories to the overall plot. And although he remains stateside, poor Charlie Parker gets dragged into the whole mess as well. This is great news for the reader as he's featured in one of the best scenes in the book. Charlie, the Fulci brothers & a stuffed bear head...that's all I'm saying.
Connolly's prose brings to mind authors such as James Lee Burke, Joe R. Lansdale & Robert Crais. Despite an economy with words (& seriously flawed characters), there's a warmth or intimacy that connects with the reader early on. Angel & Louis are not exactly pillars of society but because they are so complex & interesting, you become completely invested in their lives. And then there is the humour....a dry & wicked sort of funny best showcased by Louis' dialogue.
Chapters are short & the pacing is perfect. There's not a boggy passage or even an extra sentence in sight. I don't recommend starting this in the evening as the real challenge is trying to find a "good" place to put it down.
In case you haven't guessed, I loved it. I've been in a bit of a reading slump this year as I find myself distracted & busy dealing with real life. What a pleasure to pick up a book that made it all go away.
My sincere thanks to Emily Bestler & Atria Books for providing an ARC via Netgalley.
While I was supposed to be reading 2 other books for pleasure & review, I made the mistake of perusing the first few pages of this latest offering from John Connolly. BIG mistake. I can't claim to be a faithful reader of the excellent Charlie Parker series which is a mystery to me as every time I pick one up, I have the same thought.....Damn, this guy can tell a story. By page 3 I was hooked.
This particular instalment has a little something extra. Here, Charlie takes on the role of peripheral character while Louis & Angel step up as the MC's. As much as I love Charlie, it's this compelling couple I've enjoyed most (not sure what that says about me as they're probably best described as hitmen with sociopathic tendencies). My fate was sealed, sincere apologies to the other 2 books.
What follows is a wild ride as Angel & Louis seek revenge after a colleague is murdered in the Netherlands. The killers are identified as the Vuksan brothers, Serbian gangsters with a distinctive M.O. The hunt is on & our MC's quickly discover the Serbs are as elusive as they are brutal. Amsterdam, Paris, London, Belgrade, Vienna.....these are just some of the stops on what becomes a trail of carnage across Europe.
Along the way we're introduced to new characters who bring compelling side stories to the overall plot. And although he remains stateside, poor Charlie Parker gets dragged into the whole mess as well. This is great news for the reader as he's featured in one of the best scenes in the book. Charlie, the Fulci brothers & a stuffed bear head...that's all I'm saying.
Connolly's prose brings to mind authors such as James Lee Burke, Joe R. Lansdale & Robert Crais. Despite an economy with words (& seriously flawed characters), there's a warmth or intimacy that connects with the reader early on. Angel & Louis are not exactly pillars of society but because they are so complex & interesting, you become completely invested in their lives. And then there is the humour....a dry & wicked sort of funny best showcased by Louis' dialogue.
Chapters are short & the pacing is perfect. There's not a boggy passage or even an extra sentence in sight. I don't recommend starting this in the evening as the real challenge is trying to find a "good" place to put it down.
In case you haven't guessed, I loved it. I've been in a bit of a reading slump this year as I find myself distracted & busy dealing with real life. What a pleasure to pick up a book that made it all go away.
My sincere thanks to Emily Bestler & Atria Books for providing an ARC via Netgalley.
September 26, 2021
My only disappointment is that I have finished it! Another brilliant book in this excellent series.
Connolly takes a different approach in this nineteenth book in the series, and gives us a book about Louis and Angel doing what they do best - hunting and, where necessary, killing. I think you have to have read earlier books to really appreciate this one and to understand where the two of them are coming from. Charlie Parker does get a chapter to himself - one of the best in the book actually which he shares with the Fulci brothers and a bear's head. I am not going to try to explain that. You must read it yourself.
As usual there is a lot of blood, lots of killing and a fair degree of the supernatural (Jennifer). There is also a great story written in Connolly's inimitable style with plenty of humorous asides to lighten the load. As usual I loved every word of it. Now back to waiting for the next one.
Connolly takes a different approach in this nineteenth book in the series, and gives us a book about Louis and Angel doing what they do best - hunting and, where necessary, killing. I think you have to have read earlier books to really appreciate this one and to understand where the two of them are coming from. Charlie Parker does get a chapter to himself - one of the best in the book actually which he shares with the Fulci brothers and a bear's head. I am not going to try to explain that. You must read it yourself.
As usual there is a lot of blood, lots of killing and a fair degree of the supernatural (Jennifer). There is also a great story written in Connolly's inimitable style with plenty of humorous asides to lighten the load. As usual I loved every word of it. Now back to waiting for the next one.
March 21, 2021
Sometimes you need a good palate cleanser after too many literary books, and sometimes that palate cleanser comes in the form of a mystery with a heavy dose of Eastern-European torture. I mean, a lot of torture. The guards at Abu Ghraib are blushing. Much of it happens off-screen, but be prepared nonetheless.
This is a solid, methodical thriller/mystery that is equally well-written and well-researched. Connolly folds in quite a bit of history surrounding the various Yugoslav Wars and the violent fallout that the characters still contend with. It gives the writing and setting a depth that most thrillers don't posses, but those looking for Harlan Coben might struggle with the interruptions.
I love the first fifty pages and the meditations on death, which give the subsequent killings an emotional heft.
The middle of the section of the book turns repetitive, following the pattern of: secretive conversation, identification of target, killing of said target. It felt like a brutal march of executions towards the climax, each cold body providing diminishing returns.
Listen to full reviews at: https://bookclubbed.buzzsprout.com/
This is a solid, methodical thriller/mystery that is equally well-written and well-researched. Connolly folds in quite a bit of history surrounding the various Yugoslav Wars and the violent fallout that the characters still contend with. It gives the writing and setting a depth that most thrillers don't posses, but those looking for Harlan Coben might struggle with the interruptions.
I love the first fifty pages and the meditations on death, which give the subsequent killings an emotional heft.
The middle of the section of the book turns repetitive, following the pattern of: secretive conversation, identification of target, killing of said target. It felt like a brutal march of executions towards the climax, each cold body providing diminishing returns.
Listen to full reviews at: https://bookclubbed.buzzsprout.com/
November 9, 2021
“…it could not be denied that Parker and the others lived by a moral code and — if even a fraction of the stories, both reported and unreported, were true — had brought a great deal of wickedness to an end. If they were not strictly good, they were whatever was required to face down evil.”
This book is part of the Charlie Parker series, but Parker doesn’t appear until the 75% point and his participation doesn’t last more than a few pages. Parker’s creepy dead daughterJennifer is in the book a lot more than her father. The book is an extremely convoluted revenge story featuring Parker’s colleagues Louis and Angel. The book does not deal at all with the search for the Backers, an occult cabal searching for the Buried God who is reputed to be a fallen angel imprisoned below ground. It can probably be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend starting the series here.
Louis and Angel go to Europe to hunt down and eliminate the Serbian gangsters who committed some murders in Amsterdam. As usual, the writing in this book is excellent, however it was very hard to follow. There is a lot of discussion of complicated Balkan history and much graphic violence. New characters with unpronounceable names are introduced in every chapter. Fortunately, I listened to the audiobook, so the narrator had to do the heavy lifting with respect to the names. After a while I gave up trying to keep track of the details of the revenge scheme and just enjoyed the writing and the interaction of Louis and Angel.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This book is part of the Charlie Parker series, but Parker doesn’t appear until the 75% point and his participation doesn’t last more than a few pages. Parker’s creepy dead daughterJennifer is in the book a lot more than her father. The book is an extremely convoluted revenge story featuring Parker’s colleagues Louis and Angel. The book does not deal at all with the search for the Backers, an occult cabal searching for the Buried God who is reputed to be a fallen angel imprisoned below ground. It can probably be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend starting the series here.
Louis and Angel go to Europe to hunt down and eliminate the Serbian gangsters who committed some murders in Amsterdam. As usual, the writing in this book is excellent, however it was very hard to follow. There is a lot of discussion of complicated Balkan history and much graphic violence. New characters with unpronounceable names are introduced in every chapter. Fortunately, I listened to the audiobook, so the narrator had to do the heavy lifting with respect to the names. After a while I gave up trying to keep track of the details of the revenge scheme and just enjoyed the writing and the interaction of Louis and Angel.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
December 10, 2021
John Connolly remains one of my favorite authors even after all these years and 19 books in this series alone. Charlie Parker, Angel and Louis are among my favorite characters of all time, and this is me trying NOT to gush!
I'm keeping my review brief today, even though it's way late. This volume remains focused on Angel and Louis, which was just fine with me. Angel is still recovering from his health issues, but he IS recovering. Charlie Parker makes an appearance or two, but that's it. I think we see more of his daughter than we do of him.
Angel and Louis set out traveling to Belgrade, Serbia, to France, and to a few other locations as well, to do what they do. The Fulci brothers make an appearance back in Maine and end up saving the day. As a side note, I learned a bit about the break up of Yugoslavia and some of the atrocities that occurred during the war in the 90's. I had no idea that some of them mimicked the horrors of WWII which saddened and disgusted me. A few new characters were introduced and as always with this series, you never know which ones might show up again in future books.
I was entertained, never bored, and at times fearful for my friends. I can't wait for the next book!
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
I'm keeping my review brief today, even though it's way late. This volume remains focused on Angel and Louis, which was just fine with me. Angel is still recovering from his health issues, but he IS recovering. Charlie Parker makes an appearance or two, but that's it. I think we see more of his daughter than we do of him.
Angel and Louis set out traveling to Belgrade, Serbia, to France, and to a few other locations as well, to do what they do. The Fulci brothers make an appearance back in Maine and end up saving the day. As a side note, I learned a bit about the break up of Yugoslavia and some of the atrocities that occurred during the war in the 90's. I had no idea that some of them mimicked the horrors of WWII which saddened and disgusted me. A few new characters were introduced and as always with this series, you never know which ones might show up again in future books.
I was entertained, never bored, and at times fearful for my friends. I can't wait for the next book!
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
July 2, 2023
Novela cuya acción transcurre en Europa, y tiene como telón de fondo la desintegración de la antigua Yugoslavia y los crímenes de guerra cometidos a raíz de la disolución de las seis repúblicas que la conformaban.
La trama esta vez está protagonizada por Louis y Ángel, y se inicia con el brutal asesinato en Ámsterdam de cuatro personas, entre ellas el anciano De Jaager, a manos de varios mafiosos y criminales de guerra serbios, que se quieren retirar y volver a casa no sin antes vengarse cruelmente de quien propició el asesinato del sicario Andrej Buha, un animal y familiar suyo anteriormente liquidado por Louis a instancias de su confidente, De Jaager. Y Louis se propone vengar esta y las otras muertes, claro.
Muy buena historia donde los buenos ya pueden acabar con el resto del elenco, que a mí me caen genial, y unos malos malotes que no pueden tener peor fondo. Grandes personajes, complejos y carismáticos, en una novela intrigante y dura - pero no exenta de humor -, con un elemento sobrenatural muy bien integrado en la que Parker y los hermanos Fulci aparecen de manera anecdótica pero dejando huella - de oso, mayormente.
4,5 ⭐.
La trama esta vez está protagonizada por Louis y Ángel, y se inicia con el brutal asesinato en Ámsterdam de cuatro personas, entre ellas el anciano De Jaager, a manos de varios mafiosos y criminales de guerra serbios, que se quieren retirar y volver a casa no sin antes vengarse cruelmente de quien propició el asesinato del sicario Andrej Buha, un animal y familiar suyo anteriormente liquidado por Louis a instancias de su confidente, De Jaager. Y Louis se propone vengar esta y las otras muertes, claro.
Muy buena historia donde los buenos ya pueden acabar con el resto del elenco, que a mí me caen genial, y unos malos malotes que no pueden tener peor fondo. Grandes personajes, complejos y carismáticos, en una novela intrigante y dura - pero no exenta de humor -, con un elemento sobrenatural muy bien integrado en la que Parker y los hermanos Fulci aparecen de manera anecdótica pero dejando huella - de oso, mayormente.
4,5 ⭐.
March 4, 2022
So much murder and mayhem it's hard to keep up. Somehow Mr. Connolly salvages this story at its dying end. 7 of 10 stars
April 2, 2021
Yugoslavia had been held together by a series of clothes pins and bandaids for the entire Cold War. A strongman, Tito, held the various ethnic communities in his iron grip, masking the hate and division that seethed under the surface. With his passing, the very gates of hell opened up and devils walked among men. The genocidal barbaric cruelty that was wrought as while villages were executed, rape camps established, and torture chambers created, burned into history the names of towns like Srebernica and other places. When the wars ended, some of the devils were tried, but others marched back into Sarajevo, and others tore a path of criminality and bloodlust across Europe.
The nineteenth book in the Charlie Parker saga almost does not include Parker, but features his two associates, Louis and Angel, on a hunt across Europe as a pair of crime lord brothers, their associates, and a witch who sometimes crosses over, painted the walls of an Amsterdam safe house with blood. Others are hunting too for the brothers as their deeds prove too much for the crime bosses back home and they fail to complete a deal with others who cannot be trifled with.
This is a thick book that takes some time to work through, but it is worth the effort because it is such an exciting, well-developed international thriller with unforgettable characters.
The nineteenth book in the Charlie Parker saga almost does not include Parker, but features his two associates, Louis and Angel, on a hunt across Europe as a pair of crime lord brothers, their associates, and a witch who sometimes crosses over, painted the walls of an Amsterdam safe house with blood. Others are hunting too for the brothers as their deeds prove too much for the crime bosses back home and they fail to complete a deal with others who cannot be trifled with.
This is a thick book that takes some time to work through, but it is worth the effort because it is such an exciting, well-developed international thriller with unforgettable characters.
August 24, 2022
Δεν έχω να γράψω πολλά πολλά για αυτό το βιβλίο, μιας και η σειρά είναι όλη υπεροχότατη και αγαπημενότατη ❤️ πράγμα που σημαίνει πως ακόμα και κάτι λαθάκια επιμέλειας δεν στάθηκαν ικανά να απασχολήσουν το μυαλό μου πολύ.
Η παρέα είναι εθιστική,τα ιστορικά πρόσωπα και γεγονότα, όπως πάντα, πολύ καλά ψαγμένα και τεκμηριωμένα,ενσωματωμένα επιδέξια με τους χαρακτήρες της ιστορίας.
Τρομοκρατία, Σερβοκροατικός πόλεμος, η διάλυση της Γιουγκοσλαβίας, αγοραπωλησίες μεταναστών,διακίνηση ναρκωτικών, κατασκοπεία και πολιτική, παρακολουθήσεις, δολοφονίες και ξεκαθαρίσματα,μια Ευρώπη που βράζει, δύο αδέρφια που...
ΥΓ: Προς κάθε ενδιαφερόμενο, Ε + Αδελφοί Φούλτσι = Λοβ φορ έβερ 🖤
(If you know what I mean 😉)
Η παρέα είναι εθιστική,τα ιστορικά πρόσωπα και γεγονότα, όπως πάντα, πολύ καλά ψαγμένα και τεκμηριωμένα,ενσωματωμένα επιδέξια με τους χαρακτήρες της ιστορίας.
Τρομοκρατία, Σερβοκροατικός πόλεμος, η διάλυση της Γιουγκοσλαβίας, αγοραπωλησίες μεταναστών,διακίνηση ναρκωτικών, κατασκοπεία και πολιτική, παρακολουθήσεις, δολοφονίες και ξεκαθαρίσματα,μια Ευρώπη που βράζει, δύο αδέρφια που...
ΥΓ: Προς κάθε ενδιαφερόμενο, Ε + Αδελφοί Φούλτσι = Λοβ φορ έβερ 🖤
(If you know what I mean 😉)
July 31, 2024
"Безименните" е с една идея по-добра от предните две книги в серията.
Обаче, Ейнджъл и Луис някак не са ми толкова интересни сами по себе си, когато не са редом с Чарли Паркър.
Постарал се е Конъли, направил е сериозни проучвания и резултатът му е приличен. Факт е обаче, че външните не разбират мрака и историите, които носят гниещи в утробата си от памтивека Балканите.
Убийства, насилие, геноцид, предателства, корупция, суеверия, отмъщение, злоба, завист и прочие гнусотии, просто Балканите са си гадно място и извор основно на проблеми, трудни са за живот и издържане. И сърбите са основните апологети на тинята заляла тези прокълнати земи, без да отричаме или принизяваме ролята на останалите замесени етноси и народи...
Зоря не е създадена добре и е напълно излишен образ в историята, пето колело непотребно.
Цитати:
"С две думи, Мусулин е купил всичките си приятели и затова изобщо няма приятели."
"А и някои бяхме оптимисти. Мислехме си, че краят на комунизма е ново начало."
"Хората обичат конспирациите. Действат им успокоително. Утешава ги мисълта, че някъде някой може би все пак има план. Страхливците прегръщат конспиративните теории по същата причина, по която вярват в Бога."
"Невежите не разбират, че палачите са винаги едни и същи, само униформите се сменят."
P.S. Братята Фулси къртят! ;)
Обаче, Ейнджъл и Луис някак не са ми толкова интересни сами по себе си, когато не са редом с Чарли Паркър.
Постарал се е Конъли, направил е сериозни проучвания и резултатът му е приличен. Факт е обаче, че външните не разбират мрака и историите, които носят гниещи в утробата си от памтивека Балканите.
Убийства, насилие, геноцид, предателства, корупция, суеверия, отмъщение, злоба, завист и прочие гнусотии, просто Балканите са си гадно място и извор основно на проблеми, трудни са за живот и издържане. И сърбите са основните апологети на тинята заляла тези прокълнати земи, без да отричаме или принизяваме ролята на останалите замесени етноси и народи...
Зоря не е създадена добре и е напълно излишен образ в историята, пето колело непотребно.
Цитати:
"С две думи, Мусулин е купил всичките си приятели и затова изобщо няма приятели."
"А и някои бяхме оптимисти. Мислехме си, че краят на комунизма е ново начало."
"Хората обичат конспирациите. Действат им успокоително. Утешава ги мисълта, че някъде някой може би все пак има план. Страхливците прегръщат конспиративните теории по същата причина, по която вярват в Бога."
"Невежите не разбират, че палачите са винаги едни и същи, само униформите се сменят."
P.S. Братята Фулси къртят! ;)
March 10, 2024
Another excellent addition in the Charlie Parker series!
I always wonder when John Connolly is going to stumble and put out a less than stellar book in this series. Well, he's still knocking 'em out of the ballpark!
Connolly blends elements of crime fiction, supernatural horror, and the concept of good vs evil into a narrative that's thought-provoking while being a rollercoaster of a ride.
One of the most captivating aspects of Connolly's writing is his ability to create characters with depth and originality.
In The Nameless Ones, Charlie Parker takes a backseat to Louis and Angel.
The supporting cast ends up being the main characters in this addition and takes the reader to Amsterdam, Vienna and multiple places in Europe.
Louis is on a quest for revenge but will he accomplish this mission?!
The Nameless Ones gets dark and violent with a complex plot of characters and deadly events throughout the book. The ending is also intense and action packed!
The Charlie Parker series has become a favorite of mine and it's always a good day when I pick up the next book in this series. I'm never disappointed!
I always wonder when John Connolly is going to stumble and put out a less than stellar book in this series. Well, he's still knocking 'em out of the ballpark!
Connolly blends elements of crime fiction, supernatural horror, and the concept of good vs evil into a narrative that's thought-provoking while being a rollercoaster of a ride.
One of the most captivating aspects of Connolly's writing is his ability to create characters with depth and originality.
In The Nameless Ones, Charlie Parker takes a backseat to Louis and Angel.
The supporting cast ends up being the main characters in this addition and takes the reader to Amsterdam, Vienna and multiple places in Europe.
Louis is on a quest for revenge but will he accomplish this mission?!
The Nameless Ones gets dark and violent with a complex plot of characters and deadly events throughout the book. The ending is also intense and action packed!
The Charlie Parker series has become a favorite of mine and it's always a good day when I pick up the next book in this series. I'm never disappointed!
April 12, 2024
Tumbas sin nombre
Otra novela más de esta serie que hace la diecinueve. Últimamente el señor Connolly va ampliando el marco de acción de Parker y sus amigos. En este caso volvemos a Europa en busca de conflictos y viejas leyendas para introducir el tema sobrenatural.
El conflicto no es otro que la guerra de los Balcanes que tuvo lugar en los años noventa. De ahí saca a los personajes malos malísimos de esta historia. Un repaso a lo que ocurrió en esos años terribles es una pequeña lección de historia que siempre va bien recordar. Desde la unión a la fuerza de las regiones balcánicas por el dictador Tito hasta la muerte de este en 1980 y la separación traumática de las diferentes regiones en los noventa.
¿Pero a qué viene meter a unos serbios en la saga de Charlie Parker? Pues que los escritores de sagas tienen que escribir cada año un nuevo libro y aprovechando que en la número diecisiete, "Antigua sangre", Parker y sus amigos ya habían estado en Europa, concretamente en Holanda. Louis, el asesino profesional amigo de Parker dejó un fleco suelto con sus antiguos amigos holandeses.
La consecuencia de esto, es otra novela en Europa aderezada con antiguos combatientes serbios, turcos y otra serie de gente nada recomendable. Pues ahí tenemos a Louis y Ángel en busca de venganza por Europa.
Aquél que siga esta serie se acordará de "Los hombres de la guadaña" que fue la número siete. Esa novela estuvo dedicada a la vida de Louis. En ella la aparición de Parker fue testimonial, pues en esta también.
Hay el tema sobrenatural que en este caso está metido a la fuerza. Cada autor crea su contenido como cree oportuno, no seré yo el que critique la forma de trabajar de este autor siempre bien documentado y creador de novelas sólidas en la trama y con grandes personajes. En este caso ha recurrido al pueblo Valaco, una gente originaria de Rumanía relacionada con la magia negra para presentar un personaje con síntomas sobrenaturales para presentarlo en frente de quien todos sabemos si seguimos la serie.
Una novela sólida, bien escrita, en la línea del autor, que es como una continuación de "Antigua Sangre" de la que recomiendo si no leer, si consultar los nombres De Jaager y Timmerman, antiguos conocidos de Louis, y el germen de esta historia.
Otra novela más de esta serie que hace la diecinueve. Últimamente el señor Connolly va ampliando el marco de acción de Parker y sus amigos. En este caso volvemos a Europa en busca de conflictos y viejas leyendas para introducir el tema sobrenatural.
El conflicto no es otro que la guerra de los Balcanes que tuvo lugar en los años noventa. De ahí saca a los personajes malos malísimos de esta historia. Un repaso a lo que ocurrió en esos años terribles es una pequeña lección de historia que siempre va bien recordar. Desde la unión a la fuerza de las regiones balcánicas por el dictador Tito hasta la muerte de este en 1980 y la separación traumática de las diferentes regiones en los noventa.
¿Pero a qué viene meter a unos serbios en la saga de Charlie Parker? Pues que los escritores de sagas tienen que escribir cada año un nuevo libro y aprovechando que en la número diecisiete, "Antigua sangre", Parker y sus amigos ya habían estado en Europa, concretamente en Holanda. Louis, el asesino profesional amigo de Parker dejó un fleco suelto con sus antiguos amigos holandeses.
La consecuencia de esto, es otra novela en Europa aderezada con antiguos combatientes serbios, turcos y otra serie de gente nada recomendable. Pues ahí tenemos a Louis y Ángel en busca de venganza por Europa.
Aquél que siga esta serie se acordará de "Los hombres de la guadaña" que fue la número siete. Esa novela estuvo dedicada a la vida de Louis. En ella la aparición de Parker fue testimonial, pues en esta también.
Hay el tema sobrenatural que en este caso está metido a la fuerza. Cada autor crea su contenido como cree oportuno, no seré yo el que critique la forma de trabajar de este autor siempre bien documentado y creador de novelas sólidas en la trama y con grandes personajes. En este caso ha recurrido al pueblo Valaco, una gente originaria de Rumanía relacionada con la magia negra para presentar un personaje con síntomas sobrenaturales para presentarlo en frente de quien todos sabemos si seguimos la serie.
Una novela sólida, bien escrita, en la línea del autor, que es como una continuación de "Antigua Sangre" de la que recomiendo si no leer, si consultar los nombres De Jaager y Timmerman, antiguos conocidos de Louis, y el germen de esta historia.
March 19, 2022
The best of them were wilfully cruel, either to distract themselves from the prospect of their own inevitable damnation or to indulge their basest impulses, seeing no merit in depriving themselves of entertainment if their perdition was already assured. But in others nature and nurture had conspired in a grave error, giving the resulting creations no other option but to behave as they did, just as a bullet fired from a gun can only go in one direction until stopped by an impact or rendered harmless by the laws of energy and decay. They did not recognize concepts such as viciousness and sadism, just as any attempt to explain their opposites would be met with stares of absolute incomprehension. They were as content to inflict hurt as not to inflict it, and if they dreamed, they did not recall their visions. In repose, they gazed out on a featureless vista and heard only white noise. They were humanity's detritus and the devil's foot soldiers.
The best thing I can do in John Connolly reviews is let the man speak for himself - there's just no-one else around who can turn a phrase like that, who can marry the most beautiful writing with the worst that humanity has to offer, and make it not just readable, but compulsively so. I've mentioned before, but it bears repeating, that my ratings for his books should be considered as having their own scale, and it's true here too - I'm measuring my own enjoyment and how it ranked against the other books in this series. I will always recommend this author!
So, The Nameless Ones - still not fully returning us to the series and Charlie Parker, but instead following Louis and Angel as they issue vengeance following a particularly nasty massacre in Amsterdam. Charlie does pop up for a moment, and the conversation between him and Louis is, as always, the best part of the whole thing, as long as it's allowed to tie for first place with the Fulci brothers. The rest of the book was the usual excellence, but I struggled with how grim it was (and if you're familiar with this series at all, you know that bar's already pretty high). John Connolly has written about the honeycomb world before, and how if you're not treading carefully you can break through the surface into hidden historical atrocities; the areas of Europe under the scope this time around have an even more storied and horror-filled past. It's fertile ground for this series, it's rendered with care and thought, but it is still genuinely tough to read sometimes.
However - that said - this is still such an astoundingly well-written series, and the included humour alleviates enough of the grim that it keeps being worth coming back to.
The best thing I can do in John Connolly reviews is let the man speak for himself - there's just no-one else around who can turn a phrase like that, who can marry the most beautiful writing with the worst that humanity has to offer, and make it not just readable, but compulsively so. I've mentioned before, but it bears repeating, that my ratings for his books should be considered as having their own scale, and it's true here too - I'm measuring my own enjoyment and how it ranked against the other books in this series. I will always recommend this author!
So, The Nameless Ones - still not fully returning us to the series and Charlie Parker, but instead following Louis and Angel as they issue vengeance following a particularly nasty massacre in Amsterdam. Charlie does pop up for a moment, and the conversation between him and Louis is, as always, the best part of the whole thing, as long as it's allowed to tie for first place with the Fulci brothers. The rest of the book was the usual excellence, but I struggled with how grim it was (and if you're familiar with this series at all, you know that bar's already pretty high). John Connolly has written about the honeycomb world before, and how if you're not treading carefully you can break through the surface into hidden historical atrocities; the areas of Europe under the scope this time around have an even more storied and horror-filled past. It's fertile ground for this series, it's rendered with care and thought, but it is still genuinely tough to read sometimes.
However - that said - this is still such an astoundingly well-written series, and the included humour alleviates enough of the grim that it keeps being worth coming back to.
October 10, 2021
‘I must make an observation,’ said Johain. ‘You are very accepting of all this strangeness.’
Angel and Louis exchanged a glance, and thought of Parker.
‘Man,’ said Angel, ‘you don’t even know from strange.’
I keep on reading the Charlie Parker books on autopilot, and I honestly think that at this stage they are written on autopilot as well. #19 is basically a retread of #12, replacing Nazi atrocities with Serbian war crimes.
Whereas ‘The Dirty South’ was billed as a ‘prequel’ that centred Charlie Parker on a case from his past, hence conveniently removing him from the main narrative drive that has been propelling the series since ‘Every Dead Thing’, here Connolly focuses on Louis and Angel as the main duo and relegates Parker to a mere cameo.
#19 is a tad more successful because, surprisingly, a character that to date has largely been (literally) lurking in the shadows unexpectedly becomes an active agent. Weirdly though, and this is not a spoiler, the ending is rather reminiscent of ‘The Outsider’ by Stephen King.
As per usual, Connolly’s research is excellent, but he doesn’t allow this to overwhelm the story, as it did in ‘The Black Angel’. I was wondering if he’d make a South African connection, especially as one of the brothers is called ‘Radovan’, and indeed the story does end up in Cape Town … In May this year, our local media reported that “Czech mobster Radovan Krejcir fears he will die in prison, as his mental and physical health continues to deteriorate behind bars.”
So, this is a competently written and engaging thriller, but with little of the spark or fervour of the earlier books. This is probably because the recipe of interspersing true crime with horror and supernatural elements is tried-and-tested to the point now where Connolly needs to throw some new ingredients into the mix, or we’re going to end up with a main dish well past its sell-by date.
Angel and Louis exchanged a glance, and thought of Parker.
‘Man,’ said Angel, ‘you don’t even know from strange.’
I keep on reading the Charlie Parker books on autopilot, and I honestly think that at this stage they are written on autopilot as well. #19 is basically a retread of #12, replacing Nazi atrocities with Serbian war crimes.
Whereas ‘The Dirty South’ was billed as a ‘prequel’ that centred Charlie Parker on a case from his past, hence conveniently removing him from the main narrative drive that has been propelling the series since ‘Every Dead Thing’, here Connolly focuses on Louis and Angel as the main duo and relegates Parker to a mere cameo.
#19 is a tad more successful because, surprisingly, a character that to date has largely been (literally) lurking in the shadows unexpectedly becomes an active agent. Weirdly though, and this is not a spoiler, the ending is rather reminiscent of ‘The Outsider’ by Stephen King.
As per usual, Connolly’s research is excellent, but he doesn’t allow this to overwhelm the story, as it did in ‘The Black Angel’. I was wondering if he’d make a South African connection, especially as one of the brothers is called ‘Radovan’, and indeed the story does end up in Cape Town … In May this year, our local media reported that “Czech mobster Radovan Krejcir fears he will die in prison, as his mental and physical health continues to deteriorate behind bars.”
So, this is a competently written and engaging thriller, but with little of the spark or fervour of the earlier books. This is probably because the recipe of interspersing true crime with horror and supernatural elements is tried-and-tested to the point now where Connolly needs to throw some new ingredients into the mix, or we’re going to end up with a main dish well past its sell-by date.
April 12, 2022
A nice installment in the Charlie Parker series though most of the book follows Angel and Louis as they go about avenging themselves of people who are friends with Louis. Readers will recall some of the characters since they appeared in the last book. This feels much tighter than prior Charlie Parker books. I think that's because for once we don't have to follow what feels like a 100 side characters all over the place with dubious movements. The book does slow at times to the point that you can feel yourself losing interest at times, but then the book picks up speed and pulls you back in. I loved the ongoing questions about Jennifer Parker. What exactly is coming next she's so watchful for. And what does her ability to be able to "talk" to Louis and Angel mean? FYI, still confused about the character of Zorya.
All in all, a great read and it was wonderful to spend time with Louis and Angel again.
All in all, a great read and it was wonderful to spend time with Louis and Angel again.
October 16, 2021
Be careful what you wish for.
I always wait impatiently for a new John Connolly. The Charlie Parker novels are my favourite series. I particularly wanted more of Louis and Angel. So, here we have a novel entirely featuring Connolly's great gay couple, I'm 30% in and... I'm struggling with this one.
Set with the Balkans war as the historical impetus of events, this is a bombardment of names and allegiances within Serbian crime families that draw Louis back to the Netherlands to avenge a murder. As yet another Serbian historical event is mentioned, or another name linked to a name, associated with a name, I keep thinking... I don't care! And I was in the damn army during the Balkans War, and I still don't care. I really can't imagine most people can point Serbia out on a map, let alone sort out the entanglement of that tribal conflict now. I know we couldn't at the time.
I will stick with it. I can't imagine giving up on a John Connolly. That is literally unthinkable. But this novel does not make good reading. My eyes are closing, my brain shutting down on the sheer tedium.
I'll update when finished.
Finished this last night. To be fair, it did improve somewhat. I did finish. But all the good stuff, the usual John Connolly was condensed to a few pages here or there. The major character throughout was dispatched off screen, so to speak, the second major one gone within one page and the third almost an afterword. Three pages maybe devoted to the resolution of the characters, but the rest of the novel given over to something else.
Maybe it's me. I'm entirely willing to believe my old noggin' can't cope with something like this anymore, but seriously, crime families preying upon criminals, chased by the CIA, ex-CIA, shadowy unknowns, spies upon spies, Jihadis, witches, police, politicians, lawyers... operatives coming out of the woodwork and all of them corrupt and having weird conversations because they feared they were being wired tapped.
In fact, were I suspicious sort of reader, I'd say this wasn't John Connolly at all, except for the very short chapter where Charlie Parker makes an appearance. That, and the whole Jennifer Parker stuff, was shoehorned into another, very complex spy novel which had Louis and Angel in but could have had anyone unrelated to this series entirely. It just didn't have the same vibe as any of them.
Disappointed. And the previous in the series was so good. Intimate, small setting, tiny cast of characters and fabulous atmosphere.
Again, be careful what you wish for.
I always wait impatiently for a new John Connolly. The Charlie Parker novels are my favourite series. I particularly wanted more of Louis and Angel. So, here we have a novel entirely featuring Connolly's great gay couple, I'm 30% in and... I'm struggling with this one.
Set with the Balkans war as the historical impetus of events, this is a bombardment of names and allegiances within Serbian crime families that draw Louis back to the Netherlands to avenge a murder. As yet another Serbian historical event is mentioned, or another name linked to a name, associated with a name, I keep thinking... I don't care! And I was in the damn army during the Balkans War, and I still don't care. I really can't imagine most people can point Serbia out on a map, let alone sort out the entanglement of that tribal conflict now. I know we couldn't at the time.
I will stick with it. I can't imagine giving up on a John Connolly. That is literally unthinkable. But this novel does not make good reading. My eyes are closing, my brain shutting down on the sheer tedium.
I'll update when finished.
Finished this last night. To be fair, it did improve somewhat. I did finish. But all the good stuff, the usual John Connolly was condensed to a few pages here or there. The major character throughout was dispatched off screen, so to speak, the second major one gone within one page and the third almost an afterword. Three pages maybe devoted to the resolution of the characters, but the rest of the novel given over to something else.
Maybe it's me. I'm entirely willing to believe my old noggin' can't cope with something like this anymore, but seriously, crime families preying upon criminals, chased by the CIA, ex-CIA, shadowy unknowns, spies upon spies, Jihadis, witches, police, politicians, lawyers... operatives coming out of the woodwork and all of them corrupt and having weird conversations because they feared they were being wired tapped.
In fact, were I suspicious sort of reader, I'd say this wasn't John Connolly at all, except for the very short chapter where Charlie Parker makes an appearance. That, and the whole Jennifer Parker stuff, was shoehorned into another, very complex spy novel which had Louis and Angel in but could have had anyone unrelated to this series entirely. It just didn't have the same vibe as any of them.
Disappointed. And the previous in the series was so good. Intimate, small setting, tiny cast of characters and fabulous atmosphere.
Again, be careful what you wish for.
April 26, 2021
I love Charlie Parker and this is a nice interlude in the series.
This book focuses on Louis, with Charlie being a minor player. While I love Louis and adore Angel, I have to admit that I missed Charlie. While he pops up in the background, and the story hints at some fascinating things to come, I missed the pathos and edge that he brings to the story.
Our story is very violent – it starts heavy and crescendos upward at a furious pace. We also get the introduction of a new dark character who is truly intriguing. I want more of this one.
If I had one complaint it is that I never actually worried for Louis or Angel at all. I needed more of the danger to touch them directly.
Still a very good book. It adds to the series and definitely whets my appetite for the next book!
*ARC via Net Galley
This book focuses on Louis, with Charlie being a minor player. While I love Louis and adore Angel, I have to admit that I missed Charlie. While he pops up in the background, and the story hints at some fascinating things to come, I missed the pathos and edge that he brings to the story.
Our story is very violent – it starts heavy and crescendos upward at a furious pace. We also get the introduction of a new dark character who is truly intriguing. I want more of this one.
If I had one complaint it is that I never actually worried for Louis or Angel at all. I needed more of the danger to touch them directly.
Still a very good book. It adds to the series and definitely whets my appetite for the next book!
*ARC via Net Galley
August 1, 2024
Best not to read this book as an introduction to John Connolly. But as I have read all his books it was a seamless read for me. I did not find it as engaging as other Charlie Parker’s and this was not because he only appears fleetingly. The intense pace and brooding horror of earlier works was missing.
That said I enjoyed the story of Louis and Angel avenging the death of a friend. Zorya the strigoi was a ‘good’ character also. As with the authors other books I do not read immediately on receipt of the Amazon day 1 release. As I know there will be a year before the next book I like to reduce the wait time😉
That said I enjoyed the story of Louis and Angel avenging the death of a friend. Zorya the strigoi was a ‘good’ character also. As with the authors other books I do not read immediately on receipt of the Amazon day 1 release. As I know there will be a year before the next book I like to reduce the wait time😉
March 19, 2022
Какво да кажа - треснах Безименните за 24 часа :) Доста читатели негодуват, усетили елемент на изчерпване, схематичност или прекалено много залитане към хоръра в последните книги, но аз няма проблем - пристрастѐн съм към тая серия. Макар да се води Чарли Паркър №19, романът е фокусиран основно върху приятелите на детектива, Ейнджъл и Луис, впуснали се по дирите на шайка мнооого кофти типове от бивша Югославия. Птицата тук е второстепенен герой, мярка се в едва две-три сцени, но пък едната е просто бонбон :)
April 10, 2024
This one took me a little longer than usual to warm up to. I admit, a lot of it was for personal reasons.
The bad guys in this one are really, really bad. We are reminded over and over of this. Charlie is back in Maine for this book while Louis and Angel are away, taking care of business. We are following them for the majority of the book.
The story was good, characters were as they were supposed to be. No real complaints other than the minor one stated above. Of course, I'll keep reading the series. Breaks my heart my friends and I are almost caught up. I have no idea what we will have to do then. Wait like everyone else I guess, lol!
The bad guys in this one are really, really bad. We are reminded over and over of this. Charlie is back in Maine for this book while Louis and Angel are away, taking care of business. We are following them for the majority of the book.
The story was good, characters were as they were supposed to be. No real complaints other than the minor one stated above. Of course, I'll keep reading the series. Breaks my heart my friends and I are almost caught up. I have no idea what we will have to do then. Wait like everyone else I guess, lol!
October 20, 2021
Connolly has written the creepiest, spookiest, best written novel you will see this October. The Nameless Ones is #19 in the Charlie Parker series; my thanks go to Atria Books and Net Galley for the review copy. This book will be up for sale October 26, 2021.
The series continues a conflict that began earlier in the series; that said, you can jump in here anyway. However, once you read this one, you’ll want to go back and pick up the others, or at least, say, the last five or six leading up to it. That’s all to the good, since Connolly can’t write as fast as you can read. Perhaps if you collect them you will be entertained until his next one comes out.
Unlike any of his other Charlie Parker stories, Parker plays a relatively peripheral role, with his two massively popular assistants, Angel and Louis, up front, with Louis having the lion’s share of the action. These two, who have served as Parker’s investigators and at times, as his body guards, are interesting characters. They do not love the law, but they do love each other. Angel is recovering from cancer treatment and Louis is in search of vengeance. Someone they had hired as a liaison in Serbia has been murdered, and the man’s last act, when he saw the walls closing in, was to wire a substantial sum into Louis’s account. Louis, in turn, intends to use that money to terminate the men that terminated his colleague. Stranger still, he is supported—in a massively unofficial manner—by the FBI. He doesn’t like it much, but there they are.
There’s a new character named Zorya, who is dead, but hasn’t crossed over. “She was a creature of the cold and dark. Zorya had winter blood.” She is physically small, and in a hoodie she is generally accepted by bystanders as an adolescent. She has attached herself to one of the men Louis is hunting, and has clairvoyant gifts. But what’s particularly interesting is her relationship to Jennifer Parker, the murdered seven-year-old daughter of Charlie. Jennifer has appeared to her father on a number of occasions, sometimes providing him with critical information. Now Connolly has decided to develop Jennifer, who has obtained a fair amount of power and authority on the other side of the veil. When Zorya targets Charlie, Jennifer targets Zorya. This is one of the coolest gambits I have seen in years, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. But let’s get back to this one, since that’s what I’m supposed to be doing here.
New readers should prepare for a good deal of violence, and the most graphic and horrific shows up right at the beginning, so if you read it and aren’t sure you can stay the course through the end of the book, take heart. Lots more people are going to drop dead, but the most nightmarish details are up front. Nevertheless, it’s not something I read directly before sleeping.
The intensity and horror are nicely broken up with humor; the dialogue featuring Louis, Angel, or both positively crackles. I laughed out loud more than once. A pair of secondary bodyguards, the Fulci Brothers, whom Angel and Louis have deputized to watch out for Charlie at one point, are also welcome additions, and in no way resemble the pair that hired them. Sure enough, they save Parker’s butt. When the police arrive and Parker tells them only the bare minimum, the detective in charge reminds him that his would-be assassins may try again. “The Fulcis won’t always be ready to come to the rescue with a tire iron and a bear head.” (!!!)
As always, Connolly deftly employs a huge number of characters, and yet I am able to keep all of them straight. He keeps the time sequence linear, and this helps the story flow and keeps the players and events from becoming entangled.
If you’ve followed this review to this point, you have all the stamina you need to enjoy this exceptional novel. True, the book is longer than my review, but Connolly writes a lot better, too.
Highly recommended!
The series continues a conflict that began earlier in the series; that said, you can jump in here anyway. However, once you read this one, you’ll want to go back and pick up the others, or at least, say, the last five or six leading up to it. That’s all to the good, since Connolly can’t write as fast as you can read. Perhaps if you collect them you will be entertained until his next one comes out.
Unlike any of his other Charlie Parker stories, Parker plays a relatively peripheral role, with his two massively popular assistants, Angel and Louis, up front, with Louis having the lion’s share of the action. These two, who have served as Parker’s investigators and at times, as his body guards, are interesting characters. They do not love the law, but they do love each other. Angel is recovering from cancer treatment and Louis is in search of vengeance. Someone they had hired as a liaison in Serbia has been murdered, and the man’s last act, when he saw the walls closing in, was to wire a substantial sum into Louis’s account. Louis, in turn, intends to use that money to terminate the men that terminated his colleague. Stranger still, he is supported—in a massively unofficial manner—by the FBI. He doesn’t like it much, but there they are.
There’s a new character named Zorya, who is dead, but hasn’t crossed over. “She was a creature of the cold and dark. Zorya had winter blood.” She is physically small, and in a hoodie she is generally accepted by bystanders as an adolescent. She has attached herself to one of the men Louis is hunting, and has clairvoyant gifts. But what’s particularly interesting is her relationship to Jennifer Parker, the murdered seven-year-old daughter of Charlie. Jennifer has appeared to her father on a number of occasions, sometimes providing him with critical information. Now Connolly has decided to develop Jennifer, who has obtained a fair amount of power and authority on the other side of the veil. When Zorya targets Charlie, Jennifer targets Zorya. This is one of the coolest gambits I have seen in years, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. But let’s get back to this one, since that’s what I’m supposed to be doing here.
New readers should prepare for a good deal of violence, and the most graphic and horrific shows up right at the beginning, so if you read it and aren’t sure you can stay the course through the end of the book, take heart. Lots more people are going to drop dead, but the most nightmarish details are up front. Nevertheless, it’s not something I read directly before sleeping.
The intensity and horror are nicely broken up with humor; the dialogue featuring Louis, Angel, or both positively crackles. I laughed out loud more than once. A pair of secondary bodyguards, the Fulci Brothers, whom Angel and Louis have deputized to watch out for Charlie at one point, are also welcome additions, and in no way resemble the pair that hired them. Sure enough, they save Parker’s butt. When the police arrive and Parker tells them only the bare minimum, the detective in charge reminds him that his would-be assassins may try again. “The Fulcis won’t always be ready to come to the rescue with a tire iron and a bear head.” (!!!)
As always, Connolly deftly employs a huge number of characters, and yet I am able to keep all of them straight. He keeps the time sequence linear, and this helps the story flow and keeps the players and events from becoming entangled.
If you’ve followed this review to this point, you have all the stamina you need to enjoy this exceptional novel. True, the book is longer than my review, but Connolly writes a lot better, too.
Highly recommended!
March 23, 2021
John Connolly's Charlie Parker Series, here in its 19th unfailingly outstanding appearance, is the one Series for which I drop everything to read. For this Series, I would willingly sword-swallow and cross hot coals. However, Reader beware: you're going to need a cast-iron stomach, the capacity to compartmentalize memories, and ability to persevere in spite of triggering fictional events and factual history. Also, check your optimism at the door: the horrors of man's inhumanity to man, woman, child, did not end with the depredations of the 15th century Ottoman Empire and its sworn enemy, Vlad Dracul the Impaler. Mr. Connolly's background as an accomplished journalist infuses his deep and extensive research, and his consummate grasp of Balkan history through to the present infuses THE NAMELESS ONES, providing material to keep readers awake all night grieving and striving to find light amid the darkness of the human condition.
August 22, 2024
Love John Connolly, love his Charlie Parker series. Love the edge to it, but there's not so much 'edge' that you want to call his books horror. They ARE mysteries, with an edge. (Yes, I wrote 'edge' thrice.)
But this one, in which Charlie appears only once, near the end, as an almost-marginal character? I was tres disappointed! His daughter Jennifer makes more appearances than him and that's saying something, cuz she's dead!
(Was that a spoiler? No. If you want to know more about Jennifer, read the very first book in the series, which is GREAT.)
This story's about Charlie's two 'cohorts,' Angel and Louis, and their hunt, mostly all over eastern Europe, for the assassin(s) who killed a friend. (Actually the dead guy wasn't really a 'friend,' so to speak, but someone important to Angel and Louis.)
And just to keep things straight, Angel and Louis are assassins, too, but only of those who deserve it. Seriously, this book is all over the place, and for anyone picking this book up to read now, keep a cue card, of sorts, with names, locations and just who the heck everyone is, because that was part of the problem. Lots of central and eastern European names with constant references to the Yugoslavia of yore which broke up into several smaller states after the dictator, Tito, died. And then all the horrible stuff which happened afterwards, in the 1990's, to entire populations, villages, ethnicities - it was an unholy, random, horrific mess. Genocide. Mass murders. Destruction of entire communities. This is all constantly referenced, including what came out of those times; most of which was NOT GOOD.
This is also a book filled with constant, long, paragraph-laden passages, which is not always true of Mr. Connolly. Seriously, he has to do so much explaining for the American - and dare I say - uninformed reader, that it can become a very tiresome read. I was an adult in the 1990's, paid attention to the news and still I was confused and had to re-read and think, who is THIS I'm reading about? (Shuffle back a dozen pages, find the name, figure it out, over and over.) This was an exhausting read...
That's the word, so...
Three exhausted stars.
But this one, in which Charlie appears only once, near the end, as an almost-marginal character? I was tres disappointed! His daughter Jennifer makes more appearances than him and that's saying something, cuz she's dead!
(Was that a spoiler? No. If you want to know more about Jennifer, read the very first book in the series, which is GREAT.)
This story's about Charlie's two 'cohorts,' Angel and Louis, and their hunt, mostly all over eastern Europe, for the assassin(s) who killed a friend. (Actually the dead guy wasn't really a 'friend,' so to speak, but someone important to Angel and Louis.)
And just to keep things straight, Angel and Louis are assassins, too, but only of those who deserve it. Seriously, this book is all over the place, and for anyone picking this book up to read now, keep a cue card, of sorts, with names, locations and just who the heck everyone is, because that was part of the problem. Lots of central and eastern European names with constant references to the Yugoslavia of yore which broke up into several smaller states after the dictator, Tito, died. And then all the horrible stuff which happened afterwards, in the 1990's, to entire populations, villages, ethnicities - it was an unholy, random, horrific mess. Genocide. Mass murders. Destruction of entire communities. This is all constantly referenced, including what came out of those times; most of which was NOT GOOD.
This is also a book filled with constant, long, paragraph-laden passages, which is not always true of Mr. Connolly. Seriously, he has to do so much explaining for the American - and dare I say - uninformed reader, that it can become a very tiresome read. I was an adult in the 1990's, paid attention to the news and still I was confused and had to re-read and think, who is THIS I'm reading about? (Shuffle back a dozen pages, find the name, figure it out, over and over.) This was an exhausting read...
That's the word, so...
Three exhausted stars.
November 1, 2021
This latest of John Connolly’s books in the Charlie Parker series shifts focus a bit to Louis and Angel. These two men, who have very criminal backgrounds, have changed their ways, so to speak, since they have been living and functioning in Parker’s world. They now work within his moral code and universe. Still violent when necessary, but with a purpose and to an end.
As The Nameless Ones begins we witness the deaths of several people in the Netherlands. These are brutal, savage, awful. The main victim is a man well known to Louis. These deaths, a senseless revenge by Serbian war criminals living in exile in Western Europe, living high on their criminal lives, triggers an action to prevent any further such atrocities.
While this book is very well written, it is not for the faint of heart. There is a good deal of violence (which varies between books of the series). There is also only limited participation from Parker himself in this outing and but his influence is felt throughout.
I recommend this for all Parker followers. Others may know from reading descriptions and reviews if the book is for them
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
As The Nameless Ones begins we witness the deaths of several people in the Netherlands. These are brutal, savage, awful. The main victim is a man well known to Louis. These deaths, a senseless revenge by Serbian war criminals living in exile in Western Europe, living high on their criminal lives, triggers an action to prevent any further such atrocities.
While this book is very well written, it is not for the faint of heart. There is a good deal of violence (which varies between books of the series). There is also only limited participation from Parker himself in this outing and but his influence is felt throughout.
I recommend this for all Parker followers. Others may know from reading descriptions and reviews if the book is for them
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 21, 2022
Probably my least favorite Charlie Parker book. Only some scenes toward the end with Parker and other great characters saved it from being a boring history of the troubles in eastern Europe.
March 6, 2024
More amazingness from this series! Can’t say anything without spoiling earlier books. This series is a must read!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 543 reviews