Showing posts with label Robert B. Parker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert B. Parker. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

November's Books

 


Robert B. Parker’s Fools Paradise by Mike Lupica

Paradise Police Chief Jesse Stone is called to the scene when a body is discovered in a nearby lake. To Jesse’s surprise, he recognizes the man—he attended the same Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that Jesse had been to the previous day. He only knew the man’s first name, Paul, and that he had spoken about making amends. No one has been reported missing, and the only lead Jesse has is one from the taxi company that had picked up Paul on the evening of his death.

Paul had asked to be dropped off at the mansion of one of the wealthiest families in town, but no one—the old man, his wife, or their son—admits to seeing or speaking with Paul before his death. But Jesse suspects one or all members of the family are lying to him. And when he survives an unknown shooter trying to kill him inside his home, he believes that the murder attempt may be related to the victim who is still unidentified, except as Paul. Other members of the Paradise Police force, Suitcase Simpson and Molly Crane, also are targets of attempts on their lives. What is going on in Paradise?

Mike Lupica, sports journalist who has taken over the Jesse Stone series from Reed Farrell Coleman, who inherited the job from Robert B. Parker, gives the reader an exceptional experience with his treatment of Parker’s long established characters. Not an easy job, but Lupica does it admirably, and fans of Jesse Stone won’t be disappointed.

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

The Efficient Library by Elizabeth Rush

Miss Julia Stands her Ground by Ann B. Ross

The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannah

Funny Girl by Nick Hornby

The Gran Tour: travels with my Elders by Ben Aitken

Trouble in the Brasses by Charlotte MacLeod

The Silver Ghost by Charlotte MacLeod

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Friday, September 23, 2011


Comeback: a Parker novel by Richard Stark

In ten words or less: Parker's partner pulls a double cross; Parker settles the score.

Review: It promised to be a big payday for Parker. The target was a Christian Crusade at a local arena--cash only, credit cards and checks not accepted. Parker's friend Ed Mackey had set it up with Liss, who had an inside man. But as they made their way out with the duffel bags full of money, Liss pulled a double cross. The cops are looking for Parker and Mackey, and so is the head of security for the Crhistian Crusade, a tough as nails ex-Marine who takes the robbery personally.

Why bother? Another great mystery from one of the masters of hard boiled crime.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010


ROBERT B. PARKER


Robert B. Parker, author of the wisecracking Boston private detective Spenser series, died this week. He wrote dozens of books, mostly mysteries featuring the hard-as-nails but quick witted Spenser, but also penned series with small town cop Jesse Stone and private investigator Sunny Randall. A fan of westerns, he has a new title coming out this year. You could always count on a Parker novel for snappy dialog and characters that felt real.