To say this was an easier and more likable book than The Dark Angel is a contradiction given the subject matter involves child abuse and there is nothing easy or likable when reading a book about that subject. It was easier to read in that is was set in Maine and Charlie never really left the state in his hunt for these abusers. The story is constantly being propelled forward there is some history but not to the extent we have seen in other books or the previous one. It’s about the grief of a father and his need for revenge, regardless of the impact it causes to people around him. It’s about how Charlie can empathize with this man even when he is attacked in his own home making him vulnerable in the one place he thought he was safe. We are also introduced to The Collector new to us but not new to Charlie, Angel or Louis. The Collector is a man when described sounds unassuming but is in fact lethal. He is a man who collects the souls of the worst of humanity leaving them to wander among those that can see the otherworld as Hollow Men and he is after the souls of the abusers. Once again we are introduced to another little town in Maine which leaves me wondering if I want to go on a road trip of the state or add it to places I never want to visit.

This is a quick story and doesn’t have a happy ending. I don’t think its even possible. Charlie’s life is still in a mess only this time professionally as well as personally.

A word of advise to Charlie is that he needs to stop sleeping naked. So far in these stories he’s been caught short a couple of times. Try some nice boxer briefs for bed. Comfy and you don’t end up left with things hanging out.

'The Unquiet', book 6 in the private detective Charlie Parker series, is a sad novel. It has an ending, but it isn't very happy. Not only is Parker shocked by how the stalking case he tries to fix for his new client spins out into an unexpected crime of child abuse, he suffers a more personal loss which he can't afford. Then, after learning a little more than he wants about the supernatural forces following him, he is left with a sour truth "This world is full of broken things..."

The dark entities won't let him alone, tormenting him with dark mysteries that seem to rise up within himself. But he can't seem to stop asking them questions.

The Charlie Parker series is more of a bleak, primarily paranormal, horror genre, with mysteries mixed in. If you start this dark series, gentle reader, begin with book 1, [b:Every Dead Thing|175242|Every Dead Thing (Charlie Parker, #1)|John Connolly|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393929687s/175242.jpg|890720], otherwise most of the following books will be confusing and full of too much partial information than what is needed to completely understand what is going on. This book is the first one with a detective plot which moves forward in a straight line, so if you are too curious to read through the five previous books, this one can be read first if the intention is to give a reader an idea of Parker's world, but I think it isn't the best thing to do.

If you enjoy paranormal horror and mystery and/or dark graphic comic novels, then I recommend this series. However, those who like mysteries only may find this series TOO dark with dead things walking, dripping foul rotting bits behind them.

I love John Connolly, in his genre I think he is close to the top of my list. Charlie Parker (the main character, in most of his books) is great, yet troubled and tortured by the deaths of his Wife and Child, in the first book.The thing that makes these books as good as they are is the people he fills them with. The normal folks are quite believable, and the not so normal folks ie, the hollow men, the Collector, Frank Merrick are all as equally as unlikeable as the good guys are likeable.

I am glad that Louis and Angel had a part in this book as well, they are great additions to the series. Who wouldn't love a gay couple that just happen to be hit men ?? Overall a thouroughly enjoyable read. My only complaint is this one started off a bit slow, it made up for it about 100 pages in, but most of them grab me from page 1 ( thus the 4 stars). I do have [b:The Reapers|2515832|The Reapers|John Connolly|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51flREuCuoL._SL75_.jpg|2425284] on my book case waiting patiently for me to pick up.

5 STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another winner in the Charlie Parker series!
I loved this book and series dispite the subject matter.

Here's the thing about this series.
It's not an easy read if you have a hard time reading dark topics, evil men or things that go bump in the night.
But the series is so well written and realistic that it's not for shock value. The plots and characters are amazing!

It's more like...

"Yeah, bad shit happens out there.
I'm writting about it and you'll love the book, series and characters regardless of where I take you on this dark and twisted journey.
And the only men that will save you will be grey men that are neither black or white.
You will come to love these men: Charlie, Angel and Louis even though you know that they are not "good" men. They are ruthless and flawed men that will find a way to stop the more evil predator when possible."

Honestly, I think John Connolly said that one time at a book interview.

Give me more

I’m in constant awe of how exceptional Charlie Parker series is. Also I feel like this series gets better with each book. Connolly’s writing is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read - it’s poetic and poignant, but also grim and gloomy at the same time. I’m pretty sure this guy would be huge when it comes to all these prestigious literary awards if he chose to write in different - more traditional and approachable - genre than horror. Actually these novels are much more than just a horror. Connolly skilfully and with ease and flow blends different genres and themes. These novels are deeply moving and full of emotions, they cut deep into your heart. While reading one minute you'll be crying because of the accumulation of pain and evil present in these books and the very next you'll be laughing because of the witty and sarcastic dialogues. Also this series have one of the most complex characters in characters in horror and thriller literature. I love how Connolly devotes long passages to meticulously describe the lives, childhood years and personalities of minor characters. I know that it may sound boring, but believe - thanks to Connolly’s exquisite writing it’s everything except boring. In “The Unquiet” Connolly takes on the sensitive subject of child sexual abuse. No doubt it’s one of these risky and touchy subjects which needs to be dealt with great sensitivity and delicacy. And in this field, too, Connolly succeeds. So far it’s the bleakest and most disturbing and emotionally devastating novel in Charlie Parker series. Although - comparing to previous books “The Unquiet” may has the most straightforward plot - calling it inferior to the rest of the series would be a huge misunderstanding. Okay, I feel like me trying to write about these books is pointless because no words can do justice to this marvelous (and creepy) series. It’s flawless - so just read it.

Brilliant. I couldn't put this one down.

John Connolly departs from the more creepy and supernatural in this Charlie Parker novel, drawing the focus instead to the horrifying and evil things that humans are capable of. I grimaced so often while reading this book that it almost became a permanent fixture on my face. Connolly is able to capture the depravity of some souls with such a quality of reality that it makes my flesh crawl. He aims to make his readers uncomfortable, and he succeeds.