Publication
Berkley, c2005
Collection
Series
Status
Available
Description
Lily Ellsworth the grand dame of Dowling, Massachusetts hires Spenser to investigate her grandson Jared Clark's alleged involvement in a school shooting. Though seven people were killed in cold blood, and despite Jared's being named as a co-conspirator by the other shooter, Mrs. Ellsworth is convinced of her grandson's innocence.
User reviews
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
I'm a huge fan of the dry wit and repartee so I enjoyed this as much as the others.
LibraryThing member nbmars
A mass shooting has taken place in a formerly quiet private school in exurban Boston. Seven people were killed and several others injured. One boy, a student, was apprehended at the scene of the crime. He confesses, but he also fingers a classmate, Jared Clark, as a co-perpetrator. Jared later is
Despite the fact that the case appears open and shut as to the facts, the perpetrators refuse to express their motives. Moreover, it is not clear how the boys got the guns or how they learned to shoot. While seeking answers, Spenser finds himself wandering through a complicated web of deception, blackmail, and insanity. Spenser just can’t walk away from a case until he has gotten to its bottom, even if the person who originally hired him no longer needs or wants his services.
Evaluation: The characters’ repartee is one of the main reasons these novels are a delight. Robert B. Parker’s detective - a hard-hitting ex-boxer, is also witty and literate. In this book, Parker serves up enough red herrings to make the conclusion somewhat surprising. In all, this is a satisfying, light read.
(JAB)
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arrested and confesses after several days of confinement. Jared’s grandmother then hires Spenser (no first name), a Boston Private Investigator to prove her grandson is innocent. Despite the fact that the case appears open and shut as to the facts, the perpetrators refuse to express their motives. Moreover, it is not clear how the boys got the guns or how they learned to shoot. While seeking answers, Spenser finds himself wandering through a complicated web of deception, blackmail, and insanity. Spenser just can’t walk away from a case until he has gotten to its bottom, even if the person who originally hired him no longer needs or wants his services.
Evaluation: The characters’ repartee is one of the main reasons these novels are a delight. Robert B. Parker’s detective - a hard-hitting ex-boxer, is also witty and literate. In this book, Parker serves up enough red herrings to make the conclusion somewhat surprising. In all, this is a satisfying, light read.
(JAB)
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LibraryThing member etrainer
You can't beat Spenser for wisecracks. I had already laughed out loud twice in the first chapter. Then it settled down into a typical Spenser novel. I always enjoy them even though I think they depend mainly on the repartee.
LibraryThing member franoscar
I found this better than most late Spenser books; Susan is out of town & Hawk doesn't appear so while there is too much formula, it isn't as much as usual. There are a couple of lazy errors -- he has a young woman smoking at a mall food court in Central Mass, and the stores at South Bay close for
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the night. Show Less
LibraryThing member nyiper
Spenser is just plain delightful as the investigator and teller of the story. Nice twists and turns as it evolves.
LibraryThing member raizel
This time it's not just parents that are dysfunctional, but also educators.
LibraryThing member JennysBookBag.com
This was my first Robert Parker book and I was surprised that I enjoyed it.
LibraryThing member unclebob53703
Very good, topical.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780425211342
Original publication date
2005