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BAD MEN is a standalone thriller by John Connolly, author of the Charlie Parker series. BAD MEN relates the history of an island called Sanctuary and how this history intersects with the present. Sanctuary is also called Dutch Island; the name used depends on the age of the person speaking. Joe Dupree is the only resident police officer – the remaining members of the force are on rotation and live on the mainland. Even though Joe is a native to this island, in a lot of ways he is just as much an outsider as the other police. He is a giant and is very quiet and reserved. Joe is also one of the few people who knows the secrets of the island and its bloody history. A woman, Marianne and her son, Danny, are recent arrives to the island. Marianne is running from her past, which includes a very dangerous husband. Interspersed with village life is the narrative of Moloch, a convicted criminal, and his group of assassins who are traveling toward the island. Unusual crimes have increased on the island and there is an abundance of moths, even though it is January. There are reported cases of ghosts searching for light and other unexplainable events. There are several theories as to the reason there are sprees of violence but the prevalent idea is that the island tries to rid itself of the evil that invades its tranquility. Will Joe be able to protect the town or will the island cause the death of innocent people? Normally a fan of Connolly, this book was difficult to read. The drive behind his characters’ actions is missing; these characters are not interesting or deep; and at times it seemed as though he lost the narrative thread. Rather than focus on one narrator, Connolly attempted to jump between characters. This method worked in regards to Joe and Moloch; however, all of the other characters sounded the same. It is always important that an author continues to expand his or her horizons; however, it is disappointing when their new work is not as strong as their older works. The inclusion of ghosts was interesting; however, it simply made the book feel more unbelievable. The book felt as though Connolly had a burden he needed to rid himself of; not something that truly needs an audience or to be successful on its own.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, May 2003
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