Suspenseful, honest, witty and engrossing, Robert B. Parker’s Showdown is a well-crafted modern take on this cherished five-decade long series. Mike Lupica has given us another wonderful Spenser novel that provides new challenges for our old hero. Delivering a thrilling no-nonsense detective story with the comforting dry humor and moral complexity readers have come to appreciate from our beloved Boston PI.
Spenser is pulled into a sensitive case by his friend and powerful attorney Rita Fiore. Rita represents a young man whose mother was murdered and is now trying to find his birth father, with evidence pointing to controversial podcaster Vic Hale. Given Hale’s anti-immigration position and the young man’s mother having entered the US illegally, this has the potential to be big news. Especially with Hale about to sign a massive deal that will make some powerful people a lot of money. Spenser, feeling responsibility to Hale’s father for having once saved his life, promises to take the investigation to wherever it may lead. And despite death threats, shootouts and offers of big payoffs, he will not be deterred from finding out the truth.
Showdown will appeal to long term fans of the series as well as those who are just looking for a good book to read. It’s a timely story that features the ever-growing influence of podcasters while addressing several hot button topics such as immigration, money, power, and divisiveness within an investigation that includes paternity, murder, and capitalism. It has it all!
And for those of us who have followed the series for decades, Showdown leans on a familiar formula of Spenser tackling a deadly serious case with his trademark sarcasm and playfulness to provide balance and entertainment. Add in a healthy dose of Hawk, Susan Silverman, Rita and other long-time characters, and it feels more like visiting with old friends than reading a fictional book.
No matter what your familiarity with Spenser and friends, Showdown is a book that provides entertainment while provoking thought. Leading to a reading experience filled with juicy drama, amusement, reflection and fun within a thrilling package.
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