Spenser rescued April from what was doomed to be a short, unhappy life. However, since April refused to go back home and threatened only to run away again if anyone made her go home, Spenser elected an innovative course and talked to professional madam Patricia Utley. Utley agreed to move April from the streets into penthouse prostitution, at least saving her as much as they were able.
A few years later, April became a woman and fell in love. Then she was taken away again. Spenser was once more called on to rescue her in Taming A Seahorse. At the end of the novel, April kind of gave up on love and returned to the life she’d made for herself.
In my own view, I think Spenser (and Parker) played true to their ideas of individual independence by thinking outside the box. A lot of fans were shocked. Some of them were appalled. It gave me some really deep thoughts to consider about how we fit into life and how much freedom we have to give other people we care about.
Over the years, Parker has taken a lot of flack about the April books. I have to wonder if he sat down to compose this story with trepidation or a confidence to once more tweak the noses of the moral majority, because April is back in Hundred Dollar Baby, and she’s brought a ton of trouble with her.
She shows up in Spenser’s office and he doesn’t even know her. Then she quickly explains that she’s opened up a brothel for the upper class. Unfortunately, organized crime members are now trying to muscle in on the operation. Spenser agrees to take the pressure off April and invites Hawk into the mix.
Of course, that’s just the jumping off point of the novel. Spenser still has a lot of dangerous ground to cover, and a lot of soul-searching to do as he once more takes up the gauntlet to defend April’s honor like a knight errant. Except that Spenser is no one’s fool and knows that more is going on that what is seen at first blush.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
2 - Scott Butki
100 novels? I try to read 100 books a year but writing 100? I'm impressed.
I was very underwhelmed by this book and I'm usually a fan of his works. My problem had less to do with my attitude on April than on how predictable it all seemed. It seemed like everyone was going through the motions.
A check of the reviews on Amazon found others sharing similar sentiments.
I'm starting to like his Sunny and Jesse series better.