First published 1976
Private investigator Spenser works the mean streets of Boston in this early case that helped establish his name in the detective business. Parker's protagonist faces the kind of moral complexities that would make him a fixture in crime fiction for decades to come. Spenser navigates the city's underworld with his trademark blend of street smarts and philosophical reflection. The detective encounters clients whose problems run deeper than they first appear. Violence and betrayal lurk beneath the surface of seemingly straightforward cases. Parker writes with the spare prose that became his signature style. Spenser's commitment to his own code of ethics drives him forward even when the easy money points in another direction. The detective's relationship with the city of Boston runs as deep as his dedication to finding the truth for his clients.
Genres: american-fiction, mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: code-of-ethics, moral-ambiguity
Setting: Boston
Period: 20th-century
182 pages · Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Company