In The Furies, John Connolly (The Nameless Ones; A Book of Bones) combines two short novels into one fiery thriller that has detective Charlie Parker--from the series of the same name--stepping back to let scorned women take down the bad guys. The first part centers on Raum Buker, an ex-con who commits a coin heist promptly upon his release from prison. He books a room at the Braycott Arms, a seedy motel, to lie low. While there, Raum renews sexual relations with the Sisters Strange, Dolors and Ambar. Dolors tells her ex-boyfriend, Will Quinn, that Raum smells of burning, and Will hires Parker to keep her safe. A sinister paranormal presence has been following Raum, putting both sisters in danger. But the Strange women aren't pushovers and it might be best for Parker to step out of the way.
In the second novel, comprising part two of the book, Sarah Sawyer hires Parker. She's being threatened by lowlifes Lyle Pantuff and Gilman Veale for money her late husband stole. The thugs are holding hostage some of her dead daughter's possessions and demanding money Sarah doesn't have. The blackmailers hide out at the Braycott Arms, where Veale endures sleepless nights hearing a child running up and down the hallway. But the motel has a strict no-kids policy. Who or what is prowling the place at night?
Fans of the Charlie Parker series will be elated at two doses of their favorite supernatural detective in one spectacular volume, complete with macabre humor and spinetingling mystery. --Paul Dinh-McCrillis, freelance reviewer