During an 18-month period about four years ago I read all of Robert Parker's Spenser books, numbering more than 30. I then took a break from reading him.
And then a year later I picked up this book and, although I was having a bad day, I was soon smiling and laughing. Spenser was back and I was sure enjoying his company.
I have tried before to determine exactly why I love this series so much, since the basic concept is so clichéd: Spenser is a tough, strong private eye, but with a heart of gold, who usually gets the bad guy.
He's very ethical and serious at times, like Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder character, but he is also quite funny at times, a la Donald Westlake. Mostly, though, he is witty, sharp and smart. I suspect that part of me thinks that I could be Spenser if I buffed up and learned how to throw a punch. Oh and I'd have to stop being a pacifist.
The writing is always tight in Parker's books. During one conversation, for example, Spenser tells the reader simply, "I had nothing to add to that," whereas other writers would elaborate on that thought.
There is also a racial element to the series, with Spenser's buddy, Hawk, a black tough guy who acts dumber than he is and plays to the racial stereotype but is actually quite intelligent and uses people's expectation of him to his advantage.
All of this results in great dialogue. At one point in this book, for example, Spenser is injured. "I don't need that much help," Spenser said. "He ain't heavy," Hawk said. "He's my brother."
In this book, Spenser is hired by a law firm concerned that a black man convicted of murdering a white girl in an almost all-white college may actually be innocent of that crime. The suspect is guilty, though, of raping other women, so few go out of their way to help Spenser unravel the truth. Spenser also encounters great deal of racism.
Soon some tough guys tell Spenser to quit his investigation and throw him some muscle to scare him away. Spenser pretty much ignores the threats until he starts getting followed by a guy who prefers to let his bullets do the talking. And then things get really interesting.
I do not want to say more about the plot for it will take away some of the fun of reading the book.
This is not Parker's best book, but even an average Parker book is better than most novels being released these days.
Article comments
1 - Scott Butki
Robert Parker is doing something very interesting with his latest novel. I haven't
decided whether I like it or consider it a gimmick or what. I'll withhold judgement
until I finish the book and write up a review.
In two of his recent books I noticed he was starting to have characters from his Spenser
series appear as characters in his Jesse Stone series and vice versa.
Now with his latest he's gone hog wild with the protagonist of his Sunny Randall series
not only meeting but romancing Jesse Stone of his own series.
And who does Sunny have as her own therapist to talk about such life developments?
Why Susan Silverman - Spenser's squeeze - of course.
Anyone else read this? I'm curious on what others think about having characters moving
from series to series?