John Connolly

Author

John Connolly is an Irish author whose Charlie Parker thriller series blends hardboiled crime fiction with elements of horror and the supernatural, creating one of the most distinctive and acclaimed series in contemporary crime writing. His work occupies a unique space where literary crime fiction meets dark fantasy, and he has built one... of the most loyal readerships in the genre. Born in Dublin in 1968, Connolly studied English at Trinity College Dublin and journalism at Dublin City University. He worked as a journalist for The Irish Times, a barman, a local government official, and a waiter before becoming a full-time writer. Every Dead Thing (1999) introduced Charlie Parker, a former NYPD detective haunted by the murder of his wife and daughter, who becomes a private investigator drawn into cases with supernatural dimensions. The series — which now spans over twenty novels including Dark Hollow, The Killing Kind, The Black Angel, The Lovers, A Game of Ghosts, The Dirty South, and many more — follows Parker through increasingly dark territory where serial killers, ancient evils, and otherworldly forces intersect. What makes the series exceptional is Connolly's literary ambition — his prose is beautiful and precise, his plotting is intricate, and his willingness to blend genres creates something genuinely original. Parker's world contains real supernatural evil alongside human cruelty, and the tension between the two gives the series its unique atmosphere. Connolly has also written standalone novels, short story collections, a non-fiction book about horror fiction (he/it), and the Samuel Johnson series for younger readers. He co-writes the Ben Hope series with his partner, Jennifer Ridyard. The audiobook editions of Connolly's Charlie Parker novels are outstanding, with narrators capturing the atmospheric, literary quality of his prose and the mounting dread of his storytelling. His books and audiobooks are essential for anyone who loves crime fiction that pushes boundaries and isn't afraid of the dark. Read more Show less