ROBERT B. PARKER’S BOOKED

5 stars out of 5

Sunny Randall has been around the block more than a few times – this is the 13^th in the series (the third, I believe, by this author) – and I’ve read most of them. For sure this one is on my list of favorites.The plot involves books and murder, so for an avid reader of murder mysteries like me, what’s not to like?

Sunny, a private detective based in Boston, has a lot on her plate right now. For openers, she’s re-engaged to be re-married to her ex, Richie Burke, the son of long-time and mostly likable mobster Dominick Burke. Richie lives and works in New Jersey, though, not that far from Boston but far from Sunny’s favorite place to be. So, she’s dragging her feet a bit on planning wedding details. She’s also a long-time friend of wildly popular author Melanie Joan Hall, who has a new book coming out in a few months (her memoir, a bit off her usual genre).

Problem is, a top online book reviewer/influencer who’s identity remains secret just gave Melanie’s book one star (out of a high of 5), and Melanie is devastated. In a drunken state after she saw it, she fired off a truly nasty response – which, along with the lousy review, went viral. Distraught over her fans turning on her and worried that her publisher will dump her, Melanie wants to set things straight. So, she contacts her friend Sunny with a plea for help; find out who the reviewer, code name Book Babe, really is so she can deliver an in-person apology.

With help from her competent assistant Blake James and best friend Spike, Sunny manages to uncover Book Babe’s identity – and in the process learns there’s more to her relationship with Melanie than Melanie revealed. No surprise, then, when Book Babe turns up dead, Melanie turns into a prime suspect.

Now, Sunny has an even bigger task at hand: finding evidence that proves Melanie didn’t do more than just kindle a grudge against the reviewer. The situation becomes so tense that Sunny is forced to hire hot-shot attorney Rita Fiore, who coincidentally is currently dating former Sunny love interest Jesse Stone, the Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief who happens to have a book series all his own.

For the rest of the details, how the investigation works its way to the truth and how it all ends, you’ll have to read it for yourself – I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else. It’s well worth the effort, IMHO, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

Robert B. Parker’s Booked by Alison Gaylin (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, May 2026); 320 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER’S SHOWDOWN

5 stars out of 5

Has it really been 25 years since Spenser series creator Robert B. Parker passed away? And (whew!) 52 books since the series debut with The Goodwulf Manuscript? Even more unbelievable to me is that both my late husband and I have been there all the way (alas, for him until this installment). And this one, too, doesn’t disappoint, and I know he would have loved reading it probably even more than I did.

Of course, we’ve read all of Parker’s books that have been written by other writers; most have done exemplary jobs. With Spenser, though, I was happy to see one of our favorites – Mike Lupica – take the reins of the series, which is our favorite of the bunch. The reason, at least in my mind, is that he makes it seem (almost) as though Parker never left the building. And so far, he’s the only one who has been able to put realistic dialog in the mouth of Spenser sidekick Hawk. Maybe it’s the sports writer connection – ya know what I’m sayin’?

Anyway, this one brings at least a mention of several favorite characters – first and foremost drop-dead-gorgeous Rita Fiore, who has long had the hots for Spenser, Susan Silverman (Spenser’s main and only squeeze who will never be replaced by anyone, even Rita), the aforementioned Hawk, and even Maine police chief Jesse Stone, long a Spenser friend and the star of another long-running Parker series.

It is Rita, in fact, that provides Spenser’s involvement in this story. She wants him to meet Daniel Lopez, a college-age kid, who when going through his late mother’s belongings came to believe he’s the son of Vic Hale. That’s not necessarily a big deal, except that Hale is a bigly popular podcaster - one who spews hatred and racism to all who listen. Hale is also about to ink a deal that will shoot him into the financial stratosphere; understandably, admitting that he has a son – the result of a dalliance with an immigrant like those he rails about in his podcasts – would put the kabosh on the deal.

For his part, Daniel has no intention of backing down; he’s not in it for the money, he insists – just wants an admission that Vic is his father. Problem is, when Spenser and his buddies start to investigate, the bad guys start revving up; threats, both mental and physical, begin flying in from all directions – some of them a bit unexpected (as only the threat of losing tons of money will do). Spenser turns to his old frenemy Tony Marcus for help, which may or may not turn out to be a good thing; on the side of the law, other old friends like cop Frank Belson prove good to have around.

In the end, it’s quite an adventure, with danger lingering around every dark corner. Through it all, Spenser and Hawk maintain their allegiance (and amazing survival ability), Susan remains a gorgeous sounding board and some of the bad guys get their comeuppance. All told, it’s another winner – and I’m already looking forward to the next adventure. Meantime, many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Robert B. Parker’s Showdown by Mike Lupica (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, November 2025); 346 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S HOT PROPERTY

4 stars out of 5

Ah, Spenser. The Boston private eye has held the No. 2 spot on my Top 10 list of book heroes since, well, forever. And after original author Robert B. Parker's death in 2010 at the age of 77, my favorite takeover author - by a country mile - is the author of this guy (Mike Lupica). Why? Well, I've been impressed with his sports knowledge for many years. But more to the point, besides making Spenser seem like Parker never left the building, he's the only one so far who, in my eyes, has been able to put realistic dialog into the mouth of Spenser sidekick Hawk (who would be on my Top 10 list of heroes except that he's a sidekick).

This one begins with a snowstorm of epic proportions, followed by the unwelcome news that Spenser's old and dear friend, hotshot attorney Rita Fiore, has been shot. With her very life hanging in the balance, there's no shortage of possible suspects. In fact, she'd just come off of a trial defending TV anchorman Brian Tully, who ultimately was acquitted on charges of sexual harrassment by fellow TV journalist Shannon Miles. She - and many others who are upset with Rita for "unjustly" freeing someone they consider guilty as sin - have plenty of motive for making sure she never sees the inside of a courtroom again.

But thinking isn't proving; Spenser and Hawk have a lot of investigating to do before the person who put Rita in ICU can be held accountable. The chase leads to a local hot-shot politician and friend of Rita's, some prominent and well-connected real estate developers vying for a lucrative project and even some of the mobsters with whom Spenser has had run-ins (both bad and good) over the years and who will be familiar to regular series readers.

The thrill of the chase remains a thrill here, especially since Spenser gets some help from a couple of old friends from Paradise, Maine, who as good luck would have it happen to be friends of Rita as well. It's wonderful to see them all together again, and I think long-time readers of Parker's various series will agree. At this point, all I can say is more, please - and thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. 

Robert B. Parker's Hot Property by Mike Lupica (G.P. Putnam's Sons, November 2024); 352 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BUZZ KILL

4 stars out of 5

This, the 11th entry in the Sunny Randall series, ushers in a new author, or so I've read. While it's a solid, well-written story, IMHO it doesn't quite have the "edginess" of its predecessors. The Boston private investigator - a sometimes very close friend of the late Robert B. Parker's Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone and a patient of Dr. Susan Silverman, the main squeeze of another of his well-known characters, Spenser - somehow seems a bit subdued and, well, overly nostalgic. Besides that, although Jesse often makes a personal appearance in the series, if only briefly, he's noticeably absent here and I missed him.

But only a little. And it certainly doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this book - I even stayed up a bit late for bed to finish it, in fact. Sunny is in the midst of recovering from a really nasty case that nearly did her in, so she's feeling a bit vulnerable and mulling her future in the business. She's also dealing with mixed emotions regarding her ex, Richie - the son of a powerful local mobster - who's making noises about getting back together (but with some strings attached). When the wife of a billionaire stops in to insist that she take on the case of finding her missing but no-good son Dylan, then, Sunny is less than receptive. That's especially true since she's had a run-in with the kid that left her, shall we say, knowing he's hardly her favorite person.

The ne'er-do-well Dylan just happens to be the head of a highly successful energy drink company called Gonzo, although he seems to have little interest in doing anything except get into trouble (while his long-suffering mother continues to stand by her young man in her best "boys will be boys" manner). The company is actually run in large part by Dylan's best friend, a beautiful and highly talented young woman named Sky Farley.

As Sunny's investigation progresses - with competent help from her office receptionist Blake James (a pretty cool guy, actually) and some other characters familiar to regular readers - she learns that Dylan has a few secrets that might explain why someone might be out to get him - though not whether he's alive or dead. Then, one of the technology gurus at Gonzo turns up dead, and the whole situation takes a turn for the worse. 

But never fear - Sunny and her team are up to the challenge, even if it puts their own lives in jeopardy. All told, it's another satisfying romp that ends with fodder for the next installment. Bring it on! Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Robert B. Parker's Buzz Kill by Alison Gaylin (G.P. Putnam's Sons, September 2024); 316 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BROKEN TRUST

5 stars out of 5

Of all the characters in the late Robert B. Parker's arsenal of books, Spenser is - by far - my favorite. And in the years following Parker's death in 2010, I've continued to read (and for the most part enjoyed) those that were carried on by other writers (all of whom, for the most part, did admirable jobs). But now, a favorite author has tackled Spenser - and I couldn't be happier.

Much of that comes because the others never quite got the hang of Hawk, Spenser's sometime sidekick; in some of the books he was conspicuous in his absence, and I always suspected that was because it was so hard to find Hawk's "voice." This time, though, it rang true (well, as true as it can get minus Parker himself). It also hits a timely topic as Laura Crain, the wife of the world's sixth richest man - and an acquaintenance of Spenser's longtime main squeeze, psychologist Susan Silverman - walks into Spenser's office. Her hubby Andrew, she claims, hasn't been himself lately and she wants to know why. His longtime business partner, Ethan Lowe, is honchoing a major merger with a Canadian company - one that could push the combo into the financial stratosphere (or possibly in the opposite direction).

But with the ink on Laura's retainer check barely dry, disaster strikes; now Spenser is even more intrigued and, like a dog with a bone, doesn't want to let go of the case. As his investigation progresses, he gets to interact with old friends from the Boston Police Department and frenemies who are not - plus, of course, the aforementioned Hawk - all of whom should be familiar to loyal readers of this series. For details, though, you'll just have to read the book. Already, I'm chomping at the bit for the next installment, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing a pre-release copy of this one.   

Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust by Mike Lupica (G. P. Putnam's Sons, November 2023); 400 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BAD INFLUENCE

4 stars out of 5

Of all the Parker main characters, police detective-turned-P.I. Sunny Randall never quite captured my fancy quite like the others. Honestly, I've never figured out why; but I do know that with this book, she's moved up a notch or two. Here, she seems to have picked up somewhat of a softer side (but not too much); while in many ways I hate to say it, if that has come about by virtue of having a female author take over this series for the first time, then bravo - and long may she hold the reins, please.

The story focuses on an in-your-face topic - social media influencers - as well as the usual who-done-what investigation. Sunny's good friend, bar owner Spike, also gets a decent role (fine with me - I love the guy), as does her can't-live-with, can't-live-without ex-husband Richie Burke, the son of a heavy-hitting mobster. At the start, it seems like wildly popular Blake, an Instagram influencer, is being bombarded with threatening texts; his manager, Bethany, asks Sunny to keep him safe and get to the bottom of it. That means getting close to him and his beautiful girlfriend Alena, also an influencer, and getting an up-close-and-personal look at a world that's very new (and eye-opening) to Sunny.

Of course, nothing is ever as it seems, and the deeper the holes Sunny and her team dig, the murkier the water that seeps out. Are Blake, Alena and Bethany all who they say they are? For that matter, is any one of them telling the whole truth? More to the point, will whoever's sending those troublesome messages escalate to something more sinister? Inquiring minds want to know - and you can find out by reading this book for yourself. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me the pleasure of getting to the truth by way of a pre-release copy to read and review. Bring on the next installment!

Robert B. Parker's Bad Influence by Alison Gaylin (G.P. Putnam's Sons, June 2013); 336 pp.

THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY

3 stars out of 5

How is it possible that I enjoyed a book but never understood what was really going on? I don't have an answer, but this story-within-a-story concept truly left me shaking my head despite the surprising reluctance to put it down. Even now, I'm not sure what was real and what wasn't (ditto the who) - but I'll try to explain it as best I can. To paraphrase Billy Joel, I may may be wrong for all I know but I may be right.

Hannah Tigone lives in Australia; in part because of pandemic-related travel bans, she sends chapters of the Boston-set mystery she's writing to Leo, a Boston writer who has agreed to contribute background information and correct content errors. Enter another setting: Four strangers in a Boston library include Winifred (Freddie) Kincaid, an Australia native in Boston on a prestigious writing scholarship. Their quiet is interrupted by a terrifying scream from an unknown person - female, all four conclude after they begin to talk with one another and form a collective friendship based on that common bond. Then, an actual body is found - that of a murdered woman. 

Okay, correct me if I'm wrong here, but that second scenario appears to be the book Hannah is writing. Freddie, the star of that show, is writing a book herself - and one of her neighbors is named Leo. From then on, chapters shift from exchanges between Hannah and Leo and the four new friends - make that the story Hannah is writing. That story held my interest most just because, I guess, of the whodunit factor (even though, I think, it's coming from a writer's imagination).

I can't say I much liked any of those characters - at least two of which are likely murder suspects - but the action did hold my attention. The only thing intriguing about Hannah's exchanges with Leo, on the other hand, was his progression from the role of editor to control freak. In the end, the whodunit was resolved, although I'm not totally sure whether that happened in real life or fiction (the latter, I think). I spent maybe half an hour after finishing the book trying to make sense of the whole thing, but total enlightenment never came. To be sure, it's cleverly written, but overall it just wasn't my cup of tea (or the awful American coffee Freddie - or was it Hannah - complained about). Still, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review it.

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill (Poisoned Pen Press, June 2022); 292 pp.

LAST SEEN ALIVE

5 stars out of 5

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed another book by this author - but not in this series - I didn't hesitate when I got a chance to read a pre-release copy of this one (thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley). Now, the only thing that disappoints me is that I missed the first four, although this one stands on its own quite well. It was so good, in fact, that I put off making dinner for an hour and a half so I could get to the exciting finish.

She was the one who got away: Abigail Ellery Hathaway, now a Boston detective, managed to escape serial torturer and killer of women Frances Coben. He was caught and has been languishing in prison for a couple of decades; the man who found and saved her, FBI agent Reed Markham, later became her lover. Still traumatized by the horrific treatment she endured at Coven's hands, Ellery, as she now calls herself, recently called things off with Reed. But now, out of the blue, Coben claims he's remorseful and wants to come clean by revealing the location of some of his victims' bodies (minus the body parts he keeps as trophies) - but only if he can confess to his "Abby."

Reed objects, but a TV crew gets into the act as well and puts some pressure on the powers-that-be. Just because the confrontation might bring closure to families of the victims, Reed and Ellery agree to meet Coben in prison. It's arranged, but Coben does little more than confuse the issue. Confounding things even more, a new body turns up with a too-similar M.O. - but Coben couldn't possibly have done it from jail. Or could he?

Amid all this, the impossible happens (no, I won't say what) - and from that point on, I was on the edge of my seat even though some of the happenings were predictable. Besides that, I really liked Ellery and Reed (him in particular), so I had my fingers and toes crossed that they'd get back together again (no, I won't reveal that, either). All in all, a most engrossing novel very much recommended.

Last Seen Alive by Joanna Schaffhausen (Minotaur Books, January 2022); 320 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BYE BYE BABY

5 stars out of 5

Yes! Although I've read and enjoyed all the Spenser book written by this author since original author Robert B. Parker's passing, there always seemed to be something missing. For one thing, the "voice" of Spenser's pal Hawk never seemed quite right (and too often, he didn't get enough page space for my liking - he's a favorite recurring character). Well, I'm delighted to report that both my complaints went down the drain in this entertaining adventure; both Spenser and Hawk sound very much like they used to, and Hawk appears enough to keep me satisfied (well, almost).

To be sure, the topic is timely as well; asked by her chief of staff to help with protection, Spenser takes on guardian duties of Carolina Garcia-Ramirez, an incumbent congresswoman of color who's in the middle of a reelection campaign. In the primary, she's trying to hold off one of the "establishment" - meaning an old white man. Problem is, she's been getting death threats that her chief of staff thinks she isn't taking seriously enough. Carolina doesn't believe she needs extra protection and Spenser isn't sold on the job, but his longtime squeeze Susan Silverman is a huge fan of the congresswoman so offers some encouragement. 

Just in case (and because he can't be everywhere at once, Spenser brings Hawk into the security detail - and later, another familiar character, Zebulon Sixkill, a brute of a guy who got his training courtesy of Spenser and Hawk. The whole thing turns deadly serious when someone tries to run down Carolina and her boyfriend; Spenser's team, and the FBI (who, needless to say, aren't thrilled that Spenser is on the case) chalk up most of the threats to a group called The Minutemen - white supremacists at their finest led by a Harvard grad turned gun-toting anti-establishment guru.

A few other characters from previous books will be familiar to fans as well, including the late Joe Broz, with whom Spenser had a sort of hold hands to keep from fighting relationship. This time, though, he tangles with the gangster's wayward son, Gerry - whose hand Spenser has no intention of holding. And in the midst of all this, Hawk asks Spenser for a favor that no doubt will make its way to the next book and beyond.

Spenser's usual humorous banter seems even more on target than usual (I hope the line about '50s heartthrob Pat Boone stays in the final version - it's a hoot, so watch for it). The most recent incarnation of Spenser and Susan's dog, Pearl, adds a bit of fun to lighten the story's darker side. All told, this one grabbed and held my attention throughout - so much so that I polished it off in a single day (which, of course, made me sorry the next day that I hadn't tried to make it last). Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. 

Robert B. Parker's Bye Bye Baby by Ace Atkins (G.P. Putnam's Sons, January 2022); 320 pp.

FIRST TO LIE

4 stars out of 5

In many respects, think I'd have named this one The Last to Lie - in the end, it seems to me, it comes down to the last one to get caught in a whopper. And while I won't reveal who that is, I will say that there are plenty of possibilities; virtually every single character is not telling the truth about something. 

Almost all of the lies are centered around issues surrounding a pharmaceutical company's drug and its off-label use as a female fertility booster. Problem is, the company's reps are using illegal tactics to promote the drug's prescriptions by their clients. What's more, the doctors may not be warning patients sufficiently of potentially devastating side effects. At least one character, Ellie, is leading a crusade to right what she considers to be an unholy wrong; as a newly minted Boston investigative news reporter, she's trying to pull together enough evidence to air the story of her lifetime - one that will take down the company and its owners, the uber-wealthy Vanderwold family. Like it or not, she's assigned a novice assistant, Meg, an eager beaver who has to be one of the most annoying characters on the planet.

Enter another would-be company opponent, Nora, manages to get hired by the company as a pharmaceutical rep. But her motive isn't to become sales team leader; rather, she, too, is surreptitiously looking for evidence of company wrong-doing. Then there's the family itself, and it's anything but the Ozzie and Harriet variety. There's a powerful but off-putting father, a manipulative mother who makes the Wicked Witch of the West look like a saint, a suntanned hunk of a son who will one day take over the company and a younger sister whose hatred of her parents all but consumes her life.

The story is told mostly from the perspectives of Ellie and Nora, with chapters flipping between the two as well as back in time to focus on what's happening with the Vanderwold crew. That's done as well as this technique ever is, but it gets more confusing as we learn that not everyone is who they claim to be (oh heck, almost no one is). The crossover into the realm of unbelievability, though, happens as the various characters meet and interact with each other as their various alter-egos and no one is the wiser (put another way, even with different colored contact lenses and a wig and a seven-year absence, I'm pretty sure I'd recognize my husband). 

All told, it's a clever concept that held my attention throughout and it's well worth reading. Thanks very much to the publisher, via NetGaley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. Now I'm looking forward to the next one from this talented author!

First To Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Forge Books, August 2020); 352 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S GRUDGE MATCH

5 stars out of 5


Of the Parker series featuring Spenser, Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall, the beautiful blonde private eye has for the most part ranked third in my preference order (not that she's very far behind, mind you). But if this book is any example, she just may have edged into second place (no one will ever knock Spenser out of the top spot, even if most of the post-Parker books haven't been exactly standouts in my book). 

This one - the eighth in the Sunny Randall series - begins as long-time gangster Tony Marcus asks Sunny - who helped him with an earlier project and then pretty much double-crossed him - to find the woman he claims to be in love with. She suddenly up and left, and he's missing her terribly and wants to know why she took off. Perhaps more to the point, he wants to know that she hasn't hooked up with the enemy; after all, he gave her access to details about his business (which these days is heavy on prostitution) that could bring him down if it got to the hands of a rival - one like Gabriel Jabari.

Meanwhile, Sunny's personal life is stressing her out. Her ex-husband, Richie (now her boyfriend again), had a son by his former wife Kathryn, who moved far away with the boy. Now they're back in Boston, and she wants her son to get to know Richie. Although Sunny knows Richie no longer has feelings for Kathryn - and she and the boy hit it off well - she's understandably nervous about how the situation will play out.

One thing is very clear, though - no one except Sunny wants her to get involved with Marcus again. But he's promised that finding his missing lover will even the score between them (and besides, Sunny is curious about what she's like and what she knows). So against all advice, she sets out to find the former hooker.

Needless to say, doing so puts her on a path toward personal danger; clearly, someone doesn't want the woman to be found. It also puts her on the path to the small town of Paradise, where she meets up with a former lover and police chief who's familiar to readers of other Parker books - none other than Jesse Stone. While I'm on the familiarity kick, it's nice to see Spenser's main squeeze, Dr. Susan Silverman, make a couple of appearances here as Sunny's therapist.

All I'll say from this point on is that some things work out well and others not so well - and there's a hint of what might be in store in the next edition. I enjoyed this one thoroughly, and I'm more eager than ever to get my hands on more. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this one.

Robert B. Parker's Grudge Match by Mike Lupica (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2020); 320 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S ANGEL EYES

5 stars out of 5

When it comes to carrying on the legend

of the late Robert B. Parker's Spenser, Ace Atkins hit the ground running from the git-go; almost always, I'm impressed with the similarities to the originals and always look forward to the latest installment. In this one, I'd say he's hit it out of the park in that regard.

Here, Spenser goes Hollywood, hired by a friend of his main squeeze, psychologist Susan Silverman, to find her missing daughter. Far from his familiar Boston haunts, Spenser hooks up with former apprentice Zebulon Sixkill, who headed about as far west from Massachusetts as he could to ply the trade he learned from the master.  

The girl, Gabrielle Leggett, hasn't spoken with her mother in 10 days, and a search of her trashed apartment raises suspicions of foul play. Spenser and "Z" learn that Gabby had been dating a high-powered movie mogul, who in turn may have ties to a local Armenian mob and/or a shady self-help group with which Gabby has become enamored (willingly or not, that is the question).

None of this bodes well, of course, but despite threats of fates worse than death if they continue to investigate, the coastal private-eye pair keep on digging (with a little help from Chollo, another old friend. There are ups and downs, ins and outs, but in the end, they manage to get to the bottom of things as usual. I was especially happy to see more of Susan, who surprisingly gets personally involved in the investigation. Conspicuous by his absence once again is Spenser's loyal sidekick Hawk - perhaps my only disappointment because I love the guy. That said, he's the only character from Parker's books whose personality and dialogue Atkins never quite nailed down, IMHO, so maybe that's a good thing. 

Bottom line? Well-written, intriguing story that serves the series well - so Spenser fans, don't skip this one. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review an advance copy.

Robert B. Parker's Angel Eyes by Ace Atkins (G.P. Putnam's Sons, November 2019); 320 pp.

NEVER TELL

5 stars out of 5

Over the past few years, I've read four books by this author, and every single one earned a 5-star rating from me. As such, I wasn't too worried about this one. And guess what? It carries on the tradition of high marks; quite literally, I didn't want to put it down once I got started.

The "stars" of the show are D.D. Warren, a sergeant detective in the Boston Police Homicide Division, and her feisty street-wise informant, Flora Dane. Once a tortured kidnap victim, Flora mostly works as an advocate for survivors of similar crimes; she's far from healed emotionally, but her horrific experience turned her into a force to be reckoned with.

The story begins with a pregnant Evie Carter, who returns home to find that her husband of 10 years, Conrad, has been shot and killed. She admits she believes he'd been cheating - and also to picking up the murder weapon and "killing" his computer with several well-placed shots. But she insists she isn't his killer. D.D. gets called in on the case, and immediately there's a problem: Several years earlier, Evie's father was shot and killed in a similar fashion. Evie admitted to the shooting, but swore it was an accident (a claim backed up by her mother). Ultimately, her father's death was deemed an accident. D.D. investigated that years-ago case - and she's always had doubts about Evie's innocence. The second time around, something really stinks; D.D. just doesn't buy the coincidence thing.

And that's not the only coincidence; as D.D. leaves the latest crime scene, she spots Flora across the street. D.D. learns that Evie's husband may have had a connection to Jacob Ness, the awful man who kidnapped and tortured Flora. As the chapters shift from the points of view of D.D., Evie and Flora, the connections between the latter two women and the men they knew get stronger and stronger - as did my eagerness to know how the whole thing would turn out. If Evie really didn't kill her father, who did? Was her husband of 10 years and the father of their unborn child keeping dark secrets from her?

I know the answers, of course, but I'll [insert book title here]. What I will do, though, is recommend this one - another one well done!

Never Tell by Lisa Gardner (Dutton, February 2019); 414 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BLOOD FEUD

5 stars out of 5


Of all the main characters in the late Robert B. Parker's books - among them Spenser, Jesse Stone and Susan Silverman - I'd have to say Sunny Randall has been my least favorite (although I suspect that's mostly because I wasn't happy back when she had a fling with Jesse). After reading this one, though, I've moved her up several notches.

I'll chalk that up to the writing skill of the author, who was chosen by the Parker estate to bring this character back to life in this, the seventh book in the series. In many ways, I was reminded of the original as written by Parker; the above-mentioned characters and a few other old familiars appear here, either by reference to past interactions (e.g., Jesse) or in person (Susan is Sunny's therapist). And the action and dialog are, for the most part, reminiscent of Parker as well.

It is in the ways that aren't quite the same, I think, that make me like this Sunny better. I really can't explain it, but while the author has done a good job with keeping Parker's style alive and well, the subtle differences make Sunny his own. That may be a plus or minus depending on who's doing the reading, but count me among those who are very happy with the result.

As this one begins, Susan and her ex-husband Richie Burke - the son of longtime mobster Dominick Burke - have reconciled of sorts; they're getting together now and again (if you get my drift), but Sunny isn't convinced she wants to renew a more permanent relationship. In fact, she  commented that she'd "rather run my hand through Trump's hair" than get married again (that line alone won me over on the spot).

One night, Sunny is called with the devastating news that Richie has been shot; he's alive, but it appears that was by the shooter's intent - perhaps to send a message to his mob family. Not long thereafter, Richie's uncle - the youngest of the three Burke brothers - is shot, this time fatally. Someone, it appears, may be nursing a big-time grudge against the Burke dynasty. But mobsters don't share their secrets, not even with their own children (and certainly not with their children's ex-wives). To get to the bottom of things, then, Sunny has to do some serious investigation into family history - a process virtually guaranteed to threaten already tenuous relationships and maybe even get somebody else killed.

Of course, I can't reveal the ending. But I do have a verdict: Five thumbs up. And I have one other thing - a wish that the next one won't be long coming.

Robert B. Parker's Blood Feud by Mike Lupica (G.P. Putnam's Sons, November 2018); 335 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S OLD BLACK MAGIC

4 stars out of 5


I won't say I liked the plot in this book as well as others I've read, but my husband and I - both long-time fans of the Spenser series - agree that the Boston private eye's "voice" here is more true to that of original series author, the late Robert B. Parker. In 2011, Parker's estate chose Ace Atkins to carry on the legacy, and he's written - if my research is correct - six Spenser books prior to this one (all of which we've read and enjoyed).

Twenty years after an extremely valuable El Greco painting was stolen from a ritzy Boston art museum, it's whereabouts remain unknown. One of Spenser's old friends who's spent years trying to solve the case is dying, and he doesn't want to exit this world amid unfinished business. So, he asks Spenser to take on the case and insists that the museum director and chief board member go along with the arrangement. Uppity creatures that they are, they hold their noses and agree - or so it appears. Sweetening the pot is the chance at a $5 million reward, and the lengths to which some characters will go to get a piece of that action isn't surprising.

The trail leads to some very shady characters, several with mob connections and not-so-pleasant past encounters with Spenser, who gets capable assistance from Vinnie Morris - a criminal Spenser has come to (for the most part) trust. Conspicuous in his absence, though, is Spenser's long-time pal and back-up guy, Hawk, who's said to be somewhere in South America cavorting with a woman (despite the fact that the book description at Amazon inexplicably claims Spenser gets help from both Vinnie and Hawk). Since Hawk's presence has been rather limited in the last couple of books in the Atkins series, I can't help but suspect that he's being phased out. Frankly, IMHO, Hawk hasn't been the same since his words were crafted by his creator; still, I love the guy and hope he's just on hiatus.

Most of the book is just Spenser doing what he does best; following leads, chowing down (sometimes with his girlfriend, Susan Silverman), interjecting amusing one-liners and trying his best not to get killed. The investigation puts him in contact with old police colleagues and members of the aforementioned mob, most of whom would never get invited to Spenser's wedding (should he and Susan ever decide to tie the knot, which is unlikely). Along the way, the list of characters with names ending in "i" or "o" grew too long for me to keep them straight, but in the end, Spenser prevails as usual (and with a little twist, yet).

Bottom line? A quick and easy read and another solid entry in an excellent series.

Robert B. Parker's Old Black Magic by Ace Atkins (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2018); 336 pp.

LOOK FOR ME

5 stars out of 5

I really like D.D. Warren, a woman who hasn't quite reached "normal" after a very shaky past despite loving, understanding husband Alex and 5-year-old son Jack. Here, she teams up with Flora Dane (a character from previous books), who's also making strides toward normal after more than a year of being kidnapped and seriously abused. Both women bury themselves in their work; D.D. as a sergeant detective with the Boston P.D., and Flora as an advocate who helps other crime victims find new and productive lives.

Neither trusts the other; but sometimes, two heads really are better than one no matter how reluctantly they bump together. In this instance, the motivation to join forces follows the grisly murder of a family of two adults and two children. An older daughter, Roxanna, somehow escaped - presumably because she was out walking the family's two blind dogs.

They seemed like a typical family, but they weren't without issues; the mother, a recovering alcoholic, lost her three children to a frightening foster care experience for a time, only recently turning her life around, getting them back and moving to a small but cozy house. To that end, the question of why the family was murdered in cold blood needs to be answered before they can determine the who. And speaking of the latter, why hasn't Roxanna turned up? Surely she's heard that her family is dead - could it be she's in hiding because she's the killer?

As much as anything, this book is a study in character - or more to the point, how people act (and react) when bad things happen to them. D.D. and Flora are trying to help themselves by helping others; but the Baez family, from mother Juanita to Roxanna, her younger sister Lola and even their much younger brother, Manny, have found their own, very different, ways of coping. Chapters shift from the perspectives of D.D., Flora and Roxanna, each revealing bits of what's going on until they blend together in a far from perfect - but somewhat hopeful - ending. 

And from my perspective, I say another one well done. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Look for Me by Lisa Gardner (Dutton, February 2018); 400 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S LITTLE WHITE LIES

4.5 stars out of 5


The author has done a commendable job taking over the late, great Robert B. Parker's Spenser series, IMHO. Most of what I've missed is the snappy banter between Spenser and his faithful sidekick Hawk (and to some extent, between Spenser and his main squeeze, Dr. Susan Silverman). That, and the occasional interjections of humor, seem better here. When Spenser visits a service in a Georgia mega-church and listens to the music from a rock band and a gospel choir, for instance, he quips that it "was a bit like Andrew Lloyd Webber meets Three Dog Night."

The adventure begins when Spenser gets a visit from Connie Kelly, a woman not only scorned, but ripped off. Her handsome and much older lover - whom she met online and trusted because he's a "talking head" TV networks - has flown her coop along with the nearly $300,000 she gave him to invest in a "sure thing." Distraught, she discussed her feelings with her shrink - you guessed it, Susan - who in turn recommended that she bring the matter to Spenser's attention.

 All Connie wants is for Spenser to find the man who done her wrong, M. Brooks Welles, and get her money back. But almost immediately, Spenser learns Welles is far from what he claims to be; his hot-shot military and espionage experience, Harvard degree and even his name are nothing more than hot air. But wait, there's more: it seems he's to in cahoots with some very dangerous characters from the Atlanta area who don't take kindly to a Boston private eye poking around in their territory. What's more, they, too, have set their sights on finding Welles; apparently, Connie isn't the only person he ripped off. 

Even after some twists and turns that mean he could turn his back on the whole mess and walk away, Spenser remains determined to carry out Connie's directive and recoup her money. To help, he calls in the super-capable Hawk and even his old pal Teddy Sapp; but will they be able to get to the bottom of things before at least one of them gets seriously wounded or even killed? 

Ah, you'll just have to find that out for yourself. It's short, sweet and snappy - what I call perfect summer reading. 

Robert B. Parker's Little White Lie by Ace Atkins (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2017); 310 pp.

SLOW BURN

4 stars out of 5

Taking over where another fiction writer left off has to be one of the toughest jobs there is. Not only are you "stuck" with the same locations and characters, you've got to make it all read as if you didn't write it - or face the wrath of hundreds of angry fans of the original author. So when the estate named Ace Atkins to keep Parker's popular Spenser series alive (Parker had penned 37 of them at the time of his death in 2010 and unless I missed one I don't know about, I've read them all), I was among the skeptics. 

This one, I believe, is the fifth for Atkins, and I've read all of them as well. And while I'd be the first to say he's never quite reached the same level as Parker, they've all been quite good and mimic the originals close enough for horseshoes, as we natives of Indiana say. What's different? Mostly, IMHO, the banter among the major characters - Boston private investigator Spenser, his main squeeze Susan Silverman and his pal Hawk - seems less snappy than when Parker was writing the dialogue.

The plots, though, are on the whole done well; in this one, arson is the hot topic after an old Catholic church is burned to the ground, killing three firefighters who became trapped inside. Originally deemed a tragic accident, a year later a string of fires take place, each more serious than the last. One long-time Boston firefighter, who lost his best friend in the church fire and always suspected it was arson, wonders if there's any connection and asks Spenser to look into it. 

Following the trail to identify the firebug (or bugs) puts Spenser at odds with some unsavory characters from Boston's underworld who have a burning desire to see him and Hawk six feet under. The race is on: Can Spenser find who is setting the fires before the gangsters make good on their threats? 

Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn by Ace Atkins (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2016); 316 pp.

THE GIRL WITH A CLOCK FOR A HEART

3.5 stars out of 5

It's not an issue here on my own book review blog, but other websites at which I post reviews don't have an option of fractional ratings, so for them I rounded off my real rating of 3.5 stars to 4 instead of going the other direction - although to be honest, the latter crossed my mind. What didn't I like? For one thing, everything that happened seemed more than a little too contrived. For another, I can't imagine a real-life grown man being so gullible - time after time after time - no matter how head-over-heels in lust he thinks he is.

Apparently, the book has been optioned for a motion picture, though - and when I envision that, I'm pretty sure it would make a decent one. Looking back, most of the scenes would, I think, translate well to the silver screen (I'll vote for Ben Affleck as love-struck "boyfriend" George Foss.

I put "boyfriend" in quotes, BTW, because the word barely qualifies. Back in college in Boston, George had a brief fling with fellow student named Audrey - a fling he clearly took far more seriously than she. Now, 20 years after she vanished from his life, he sees a woman who looks like her and flips out all over again. Surprise: Turns out it's really her, although she now goes by the name of Jane. The bigger problem is that she's wanted by the police as the prime suspect in a long-ago murder (yes, George has known that fact for years but - another surprise - he shoves it aside in the hope that he can rekindle the college relationship that flamed out when she disappeared).

From there, for George, at least, it's downhill all the way. Not just once, but several times, Jane (who George now knows really is a woman named Liana from Florida) begs him to help get her out of a bind - and he agrees despite knowing that the long-ago murder he's now convinced she really did commit may be just the tip of the iceberg. 

The chapters shift from present to that brief college fling, and I found myself almost looking forward to the earlier periods. On reflection, I decided that anticipation was in part because I could understand the college-student hormones that were in play back then and wasn't constantly mumbling, as I did in the present, "For God's sake, George, grow a set!" each time Audrey/Jane/Liana made her latest demand and he quickly acquiesced. The ending, which in a very real sense isn't an ending at all (another bit of a sore point), was totally predictable.

Still, as I said at the beginning, the book is very well written and it all flows smoothly (well, except perhaps for those college-year chapters that are in all italics and thus more of a chore to deal with on the Kindle). It's definitely worth reading - keep in mind it's relatively short as books go - and it's for sure I'll be among the first to go see the movie if and when it happens.

The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson (William Morrow, February 2014); 304 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S KICKBACK

4 stars out of 5

I doubt I'm the first to say that I'll never enjoy the Spenser books as written by Ace Atkins nearly as much as those by the late, great Robert B. Parker. Because of that alone, it's unlikely that any of the post-Parker books will earn 5 stars from me. But doggone it, I enjoyed this one - and I remain happy that Mr. Atkins got the nod to continue the series. 

But regrets? I've got a few, starting with a more subdued Susan - private investigator Spenser's main (make that only) - squeeze. And then there's the formidable sidekick Hawk, who seems to have lost a lot of the witty, irreverent banter of years past - with a few notable exceptions like this one:

Hawk to Spenser as they drive past an IHOP: "You eat here?"

Spenser: "God, no."

Hawk: "Good, 'cause there's a limit to the sh** I'll do for you."

Conversation aside, Hawk also is a major presence (or should be), and it's very disappointing to me that he doesn't make an appearance until halfway through this book - give or take a chapter or two. 

Another complaint is that this one - which focuses on the mistreatment of young boys who are sentenced to a private "tough love" island prison mostly on the whim (and personal financial enrichment) of a couple of corrupt judges - borders on the preachy in spots. I haven't decided which kind of prison system is better - that operated by the government or privately owned - I'm convinced only that neither works very well. But I got the distinct feeling that the author has made up his mind and is intent on converting the rest of us. I read the Spenser books for enjoyment, so save the lectures for a non-fiction effort, if you please.

The book begins as the Boston-based Spenser is hired by the mother of a 17-year-old who was sent to the Boston Harbor prison because he set up a Twitter account on which he ridiculed his high-school vice-principal. The corrupt judge, known for his zero tolerance policy on youthful miscreants, sentences the kid to the island prison. His mother understandably is upset, and when mama ain't happy, nobody's happy; even the hard-nosed Spenser caves when she insists he look into the case even though it's on a pro bono basis.

Of course, proving that a respected local judge (and a higher-up) are acting illegally isn't easy - especially true when the dots connect with heavy-duty mobsters who aren't exactly Spenser's close and personal friends. Collecting the evidence takes Spenser and Hawk from frigid Boston to sunny Florida and back, with their lives - and perhaps those of the young prisoners - in the balance every mile of the way. In the end, it may not be the perfect Parker, but it's pretty sweet nonetheless.

Robert B. Parker's Kickback by Ace Atkins (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2015); 304 pp.