Helpful Score: 4
I've always wondered how Spenser met Susan Silverman. It is told in this story which is typical irreverant Spenser. Very good story.
Helpful Score: 3
The 2nd Spenser novel. These early Spenser's are fun because Robert Parker does a great job of describing the clothes and fashions of the early 70's ... what a walk down memory lane!!
Helpful Score: 3
Not my favorite Spenser book plot-wise but this is the book that introduces Susan Silverman to the mix. Their relationship is more important than the story, at least to me. There is a twist (a little one) to the ending.
Helpful Score: 3
Parker (and Spenser) at his best. This is the 2nd Spenser novel. A must read for fans of Parker, Spenser, or detective fiction.
One of Robert Parker's better writings.
A great read! Robert Parker is a master at capturing fascinating characters and great mysteries. His Spenser series starts in the late 60's-early-70's so each book is like a perfect time capsule for the way life was during those decades. Rather like an historical novel, but totally true-to-form since it was contemporary while being written. Absolutely marvelous books. I highly, highly recommend!
Fast and hard.... No pun intended!
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Appie Knoll is the kind of suburb where kids grow up right. But something is wrong. Fourteen-year-old Kevin Bartlett disappears. Everyone thinks he's run away -- until the comic strip ransom note arrives.
It doesn't take Spenser long to get the picture -- an affluent family seething with rage, a desperate boy making strange friends...friends like Vic Harroway, body builder. Mr. Muscle is Spenser's only lead and he isn't talking...except with his fists. But when push comes to shove, when a boy's life is on the line, Spenser can speak that language too.
Appie Knoll is the kind of suburb where kids grow up right. But something is wrong. Fourteen-year-old Kevin Bartlett disappears. Everyone thinks he's run away -- until the comic strip ransom note arrives.
It doesn't take Spenser long to get the picture -- an affluent family seething with rage, a desperate boy making strange friends...friends like Vic Harroway, body builder. Mr. Muscle is Spenser's only lead and he isn't talking...except with his fists. But when push comes to shove, when a boy's life is on the line, Spenser can speak that language too.
Homophobic novel, Spenser gets into unnecessary fisticuffs (of course, most of what Spenser does is unnecessary), presumably to prove to a 15 year old what a true man is like.
Fast Read.
