Bennett is the owner of a local diner which does enough business to earn his livelihood, and he, in turn, makes an effort to look after his staff whom he considers more of an extended family than employees. At the moment he is most concerned about Katie Emory, one of his waitresses. Katie is currently living with Joel Tobias another Iraq veteran and something of a bad boy. Bennett asks Charlie if he won’t look into that situation as well .

Charlie doesn’t have to look far to determine that Tobias as well as several other war veterans are probably involved in illegal smuggling across the border from Canada to Maine. The product in question appears to be something other than the expected drug running. In addition there seems to be a feeling of intense evil emanating from the whole operation. The feeling is palpable and pervasive.

Beyond a top notch mystery story, John Connolly has demonstrated in his latest effort his immense talent as a writer. He sets the mood almost imperceptibly until he has his reader on the edge of their seats, looking over their shoulders. You know the evil is there but you can’t quite discern it. He encourages his characters to invite the reader to evaluate other characters; though with the introduction of new perspectives the reader feels less sure he knows where good and evil reside.

Because PTSD plays such an important part in this story the author has chosen to provide a great deal of background on the subject. The disorder is explained in almost clinical terms though not without feeling. The depth of knowledge that is imparted is substantial and pertinent to several subplots developing within or alongside the main story. The illegal activities that accompanied the war require some further education for the reader which Connolly thoughtfully provides without losing sight of the main goal of the story. As a result the reader is treated to a mini education on art, museums and associated treasures. Rather than being a distraction, this sidelight only enhances the plot.

The paranormal or supernatural plays a role as well in this tale. I am often turned off when this subject enters the narrative as it seems a way for the author to get himself out of that corner into which he has painted himself. Connolly has spared his reader this disservice. It is with clever sleight of hand that the “otherworld” comes calling into this clever tale. It is extremely difficult to ascertain what is real and what is imaginary. It feels right to let Charlie Parker take your hand and lead you along. There are some truly evil beings lurking within the pages of this tome and it is left for the reader to determine just where and how this evil figures in.

I am new to John Connolly and Charlie Parker so I am not sure how this  novel fits in with the previous entries in the series. Since it was not at all difficult to get to know Charlie in this novel, I suppose that his backstory is not necessary to enjoy this adventure. A few references are made to his dead wife and daughter but their major impact is limited to one short scene toward the end of the novel.

John Connolly is a master of his craft. He grabs the reader’s attention from the first page, takes him in several directions and finishes with a memorable climax. The reader isn’t exactly left hanging, but there are several corridors in this mansion of a work that bear exploring in a future novel, I hope.

--Andy Plonka