The Instruments of Darkness: A Thriller, Charlie Parker Book 21, John Connolly, Author, Jeff Harding Narrator
This is a great thriller, read by a narrator par excellence, and written by an author with a golden pen. He writes with such humorous descriptions that the book is an easy read and is really enjoyable, even when the story is about a terrible crime. I don’t think there was one wasted sentence either. It is simply a great read.
The setting is Maine. A young mother, Colleen Clark, had previously suffered from postpartum blues. When her toddler suddenly goes missing, and her husband discovers a blood-soaked blanket in the car, all eyes turn toward her. Her husband viciously accuses her of the murder of their son and sues for divorce. She is soon arrested, though there is no body, and she swears she is innocent.
A ladder-climbing, politically-savvy prosecutor, is hoping to use this case to advance her career. It is an election year. She wants to be Attorney General, and she isn’t going to let the idea of guilt or innocence stand in her way. Once Colleen is arrested, all further investigation into other suspects is halted. Colleen and her husband, Stephen, had already been having marital problems, so the disappearance of Henry Clark exacerbated the situation, and she is the only one without an alibi that can be substantiated. Stephen’s reaction, however, was way over the top and shocking in its vindictiveness.
Colleen hires Moxie Castin to defend her. Charlie Parker is the PI helping in the investigation. They thoroughly investigate all leads, and they delicately deal with the charges, gaining the most advantages for their client. When Sabine Drew, a person gifted with second sight, enters the scene, the direction of the investigation changes. She warns the detective about the child’s location and condition. She describes the abduction. Unlike most of the gossips, she does not think Colleen is guilty. Still, most people turn against Colleen and sympathize with her husband, since she is placid and clinical in her approach, and he is very overwrought. Charlie trusts Sabine and follows up on her information.
Charlie and Moxie engage some very interesting people to help uncover the facts. Charlie begins to wonder about Stephen. Since he had cheated on Colleen, could he have wanted to arrange to have the child kidnapped? When his supposed one-night stand is tracked down, all Hell breaks loose. There is a house of horrors in the woods on the Michaud family property. They are a strange family that is reclusive. Sabine was right to be afraid of the location. There are many nightmare visions hidden in those woods.
In the end, will Colleen be convicted? Will her son be recovered? Will we find out who really took Henry from his home and why? Will the truth come out and justice be done? This author has written this story with perfection.