Review: The Wolf in Winter (Charlie Parker #12)

4 stars. This series tells some fascinating stories of different shapes and sizes. I normally prefer consistency, but I appreciate the variety here: some are more focused on Charlie, some on his associates; some are more focused on the crime or mystery at hand with Charlie as a secondary character; some are more horror, others more procedural; some are cut-and-dry as a bone while others include supernatural components. I guess I'm trying to communicate what to expect, but it's also an observation around why I think this series is so successful: it keeps things interesting.

The Wolf in Winter zooms in on a small town in Maine called Prosperous. The town has experienced good fortune over the years, despite economic downturn and global conflict, thanks to the inhabitants' commitment to an old god who demands a lot more than worship every Sunday. When a girl goes missing, Charlie Parker gets involved, poking his nose in the dark corners of a church with strange carvings and inviting a lot more trouble than usual. 

Connolly pays a lot of attention to Prosperous itself - its residents, its enforcers, its crimes. It's not exactly the most unique premise, but I found the power squabbles, tensions, and clashing personalities endlessly fascinating. We have an anti-hero, of sorts, bumping up against an egomaniac pseudo-pastor, decision makers who enjoy the bloodshed a little too much, and one of the best and most irritating villains in the series - their leader. There are echoes of The Lottery in the bureaucracy of it all. I really, really enjoyed this aspect of the story. And The Green Man is always, always, always of interest, to me.

That being said, I had to dock a star for a UDD (or a UWD as it were), and because - despite being pretty tight and shorter than other Parker books - it could've used maybe a bit more editing/less meandering. But that's par for the course here and I was immersed, as usual, in the unexpected familiar and safe space that is Parker's world. It's less of a whodunnit but the way these characters orbit each other had me chomping at the bit to find out what happens next. Also, I know I've thrown my support behind this series being adapted before, but SERIOUSLY, THIS IS THE ONE. 

The Wolf in Winter on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: The Reyes Incident

2 stars. Hmmm. Am I missing something? Entertaining enough, and easy to understand, but this novella - though a fairly well-told story - packs absolutely zero punches. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood (pregnant and grumpy), or maybe it focused on the wrong things (off-kilter romances), or maybe it just wasn't scary at all (though tense, at parts!). Or maybe it needed to be longer? 

A group of urbex YouTubers venture into an old military bunker in the middle of a forest and encounter a group of sirens. AKA evil mermaids. These creatures stalk them, hunt them, and eat them, picking them off one-by-one. The survivor, a young woman named Olivia Reyes, manages to escape and make her way to a police station, where she's interviewed by a Sergeant with personal problems - and a personal stake - of her own.

A couple of things, in addition to the stuff I mentioned above: the sirens/evil mermaids - although it sounds like they looked really cool - were not intimidating or scary at all. Their names were extremely silly. I think some of the more emotional parts (scenes of grief, angst, break-ups, declarations of love) would've been more effective had we known the characters for longer. Speaking of, the characters themselves acted so weird. And the timing/pacing was off. I guarantee the police would've held that girl until her statement was done. One night. Boom.

A great idea for a vignette, like a monster-of-the-week episode of X-Files or something (though Scully would've pegged the real killer immediately), but ultimately not a hit for me.

The Reyes Incident on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: The Weejee Man

4 stars. An absolute blast. I highly recommend this fun, spooky, atmospheric novella for fans of ghost stories. It's Irish as hell and full of twists and turns, and altogether inappropriate to read during an East Coast heat wave. But I gobbled up every word.

Rick Rooney, former prolific horror author, travels from London to his rural hometown in Ireland to embark on a digital detox and tackle his crippling writer's block. An evening in the local pub turns spooky when he's goaded into using a spirit board - and things only get spookier from there. A creepy encounter in the fog, the appearance of a strange, dark figure... Rick attempts to investigate a local legend in the hopes of finding answers, but the haunting escalates in dark, dangerous directions he never could've imagined.

An author protagonist suffering from writer's block? But Kelly! You may gasp, in terror. That's your pet peeve! Yes, it absolutely is, and I didn't care so much this time around, because it doesn't actually drive the story all that much. All is forgiven... this time.

Honestly, what the heck happened here though? Where can I find some theories and interpretations? I love that this went somewhere I truly didn't expect, and I love some well-placed ambiguity/unanswered questions, but I'm dying to talk about it. There's a lot packed into this little book, and I want to know more! All I can think of is some sort of... supernatural justice for messing with things you absolutely should not.

For fans of: Irish mythology, Irish folklore, Irish horror, horror tropes, detailed descriptions of Irish cabins and pubs, brandy, epistolary clues, graveyards, spooky lakes. 

The Weejee Man on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: Experimental Film

5 stars. Overjoyed to report that my thirst for reading is back after a short break due to first trimester illness and blues (this happened last time too). I missed my Kindle, I missed the escape, and I missed the bone deep satisfaction earned from an immersive story. But I just couldn't read. I wasn't sure if I'd have to give up on this book, honestly, because certain things get unfortunately associated with nausea when you're pregnant, but I was really determined with this one - I sensed something in it, and persevered - I'm so glad I did.

Because it ended up saving me during a particularly difficult week - chasing around a toddler on a beach trip - like, truly engulfing me after the meltdowns and the overstimulation and the stressful World Cup games took their toll. I was thrilled to read even a few pages here and there, stolen in between tantrums and during naps. I absolutely adored Lois' voice and I really rooted for her. She's an incredibly strong and real-feeling protagonist.

I'm getting ahead of myself. Experimental Film is about an out-of-work film critic/former film professor who stumbles upon the vivid work of one of Canada's original filmmakers, a woman who, after the disappearance of her son, also disappears under mysterious circumstances. Lois receives a grant to investigate, but her research leads her down a strange and apparently dangerous path for her family. 

I have seen other reviews criticize this book for a couple of things: for being derivative of certain works - American Gods is one, Night Film is another; for the infodump/detailed exposition about the Canadian film industry; for the slow first half. And I get it, I really do. But I happened to love both AG and NF, and recognized the info dumping as an intentional piece of Lois' characterization. I would argue that this book is in fact large part character study, which makes it even crazier and more interesting when Lois has to channel both her best and worst instincts during the final climax. 

It's not a book for everyone. But I absolutely loved the central mystery here, as well as the primary antagonist, and the way everything unfolded. I appreciated Simon's strength and support as a partner. I understood Lois' struggles as a parent of a child on the spectrum. I gobbled up the descriptions of the films, the threads of dark mythology and folk horror, and the spooky moments. The historical lore is truly disturbing here and I kind of wanted more. 

Idk. This one felt really, really special. I feel like I have so much more to say, but I want to say it to someone who's read it - there's a lot to discuss. And while we’re listing things we want, an illustrated and/or annotated version would be very welcome, thanks very much :)

Experimental Film on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: Falling Angel

4 stars. This was an absolutely fascinating, stylistic, colorful reading experience - a true mystery, a true New York noir, a true detective novel through and through. Super trope-y - which I loved - and very, very dark. In a fun way, mostly. I couldn't get enough, and I'm excited to check out the adaptation, and maybe the sequel (though I've seen mixed reviews on that one).

Private investigator Harry Angel is hired to track down an old famous singer by the name of Johnny Favorite, who disappeared after returning injured from the war. The more he learns, the more Angel gets caught up in black magic, the occult, and the true intentions of his dastardly, enigmatic client. The path to finding Johnny Favorite, apparently, is soaked in blood.

I did dock a star - the portrayal and treatment of women is supremely gross, and there's also a UAD (unnecessary animal death). I also couldn't help but find this book to be very pleased with itself. Not denying that it's a good twist - there was just something a little... smug about it.

But I really enjoyed so many of the successful elements: the crunchy, snappy, classic Noir dialogue; the vivid depiction of New York; the way each clue fell into place. I was really rooting for Angel, almost against my better judgement (my spidey senses started tingling about 80% of the way through). I've seen this described as a horror/noir hybrid, and... I want more, because the flavor was deeply compelling and satisfying to me.

Falling Angel on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: The Wrath of Angels (Charlie Parker #11

5 stars. Oh hell yeah, Connolly crushed this. We got a super dark thriller, we got the return of an epic villain, we got some grade A banter with Angel and Louis, we got a glimpse of Colonial horror (finally! the series is set in New England, after all!) and, best of all, we got some answers. Absolutely loved it.

Our poor dear detective Charlie Parker is hired by two acquaintances whose fathers have recently passed away - but not before sharing the details of a secret discovery made years before: the crashsite of a plane, deep in the woods, and with it, money - a lot of money, and a list of names. Parker immediately realizes the importance of this list, and enlists the help of his old friends to ensure he finds it before it falls into the wrong, evil hands.

John Connolly is building a truly impressive mythology here - one that is quite dark and scary. The pieces are falling into place and I'm so pleased to report that even 10+ books later my memory hasn't failed me in any major ways. I'm not quite sure how to explain this, but it feels like the author really, really tried with this one - with the plotting, the pacing, and the way the characters orbited each other. His efforts paid off.

I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of local folklore, here, and the way it intersected with the main plot. It lended a fresh, spooky edge to the setting as well as a very satisfying demise of a certain character. Sometimes Connolly's deep dives into character or place can be tedious; here it was fascinating and fun. 

Look - these books are a bit ridiculous, okay? A list of names - really? A sophisticated shadow organization with unlimited resources and they rely on hard copies? But I truly didn't mind. I loved that the list created this sort of dark treasure hunt vibe - a set-up for a terrific reveal.

I am excited to keep the series going. This should really be a TV series.

The Wrath of Angels on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: Faerie Tale

2 stars. I almost never, ever, ever, ever regret reading foundational horror - even if it's weird, even if it's dark, even if it's, well, kind of bad. In this case, I actually kind of relished falling into this odd, odd story every time I picked it up (life was chaotic this week). But ultimately this one felt really, deeply outdated - not in an interesting or fun way, in a legitimately annoying way. So much can fall under that criticism - the awkward dialogue, the unbelievable (busty, horny) female characters - or maybe not. Maybe it just isn't the best thing out there. And that's fine!

A move to the East Coast puts the Hastings family directly in the line of supernatural fire: the creatures and monsters of mythology and folklore are real, and they inhabit the land of their new home. One by one each member of the clan experiences strange and unusual happenings around the property, only to forget them later. Finally, one is taken, and the others must use ancient knowledge to bring him back. 

I am sorry for being grumpy about it; I realize that this is a classic and many readers have fond memories of reading it in the 80s. I just kind of couldn't be convinced, not with the clunky POV shifts, forced attempts at colloquial conversation, and contrived character "development." It took awhile too, I think, to get to the point! And unfortunately I didn't find it scary at all. A star was docked for, in this case, a UCD (unnecessary cat death). Was it just me, or was there a lot of self-insertion - several writer characters, for example? 

Still, I absolutely loved the premise, and the passage describing Mark's encounter with The Wild Hunt. Who doesn't love a good Troll Bridge?! All of the scenes describing supernatural encounters were super vivid and compelling. The climactic sequence was stunning. I feel like Feist really did his research into folklore - I recognized echoes of one of my favorite books of this year, The Broken Sword. That sort of thing is interesting to me and I was actually hoping for more of it. 

Idk! It was... interesting, at the end of the day.

Faire Tale on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: Grim Portraits

4 stars. Up my alley - this playful, clever, sometimes very dark collection reminded me of Clive Barker in the best ways. I'm new to this author and ready to dive into his other works; really my only quibble is that I wanted more, or I wanted the stories to be longer. Burke is supremely talented and I was really struck by the quality of his prose. From the big idea down to the word choice, this is a highly entertaining book and I recommend it to horror fans looking for art-related themes, as I am ALWAYS.

I liked all of the stories, but "The Acquisition" knocked my socks off, closely followed by "The Amp," which was so much fun. I am inspired.

Grim Portraits on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: The Burning Soul (Charlie Parker #10)

3 stars. This one didn’t really capture me as much as the others. I really enjoyed the stuff about Randall and the exploration of identity and insanity, but I found a lot of the other through-lines tedious. And I actually predicted a couple of the twists, which hasn't happened before. That being said - zero regrets.

Private investigator Charlie Parker is asked by a lawyer acquaintance for help - a client of hers, with a secret murderous past, is being sent dark and threatening messages. There’s also a girl missing, and allegations abound in the small town from where she disappeared. 

Idk! Idk. I’m not done with this series at all - I’ve learned how comforting it can be to have a reliably familiar world to jump into over a long period of time. It was only a matter of time before I got to one that didn’t hit or click right. I just wasn’t hooked. 

I’m learning that when Connolly leans into religious horror - like demons or angels or super self-righteous villains - he really succeeds. When he leans into ghost stuff, trying to create tense or creepy haunt moments, he’s less effective. Just like in previous books, I found the appearances of Charlie’s daughter cheesy, and kind of random, and not as scary.

The book absolutely still crackles with tension, though, and showcases the strong sense of place so characteristic of John Connolly’s writing. That man really loves to describe a dive bar.

The Burning Soul on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph

Review: Found: An Anthology of Found Footage Horror Stories

4 stars. Oh come on! This was really delightful! Sometimes you don't care how groundbreaking or sophisticated or perfect a story is because you're having so much fun! And I happen to love found footage - originally, epistolary books, starting with Kate Klise and moving up through the Princess Diaries series and landing somewhere around Night Film. So this was right up my fucked up little alley.

This outstanding short story anthology evokes one of the best things about horror: the journey. The feeling you shouldn't be reading/watching/consuming, but you are doing it anyway. The "I can't look away" feeling followed by the relief when it's over only for the unease to return later, when you're in bed, in the dark, and one foot happens to be hanging off the bed, exposed to open space and whatever might be waiting for it under the bed.

Related: there's also something really millennial-coded about these stories, and maybe about found footage in general. We are maybe the most computer literate generation: we grew up alongside the internet, we experienced firsthand online discovery, and the shock of weird rabbit holes, of stumbling across something we had no business viewing. Found footage taps into that, I think.

Of course some stories are better than others, some are cheesy, some are a little too derivative. Let's all argue about which ones we love! My personal favorites: "Junk Pickup," "Ghost Town Adventures," and "Green Magnetic Tape" for its sheer cleverness. I would've read a thousand more. This is a must-read for fans of horror, found footage, and creepypastas.

Open, click, press play... if you dare. 

Found on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph