Robert B. Parker was the best-selling author of over 60 books. He lived in Boston with his wife Joan and died in 2010.
Title: Robert B. Parker’s Fool’s Paradise
Author: Mike Lupica
ISBN: 978-0-85730-435-3
Publisher: No Exit Press
Pages: 256
Source: Review copy from Publisher
When an unknown man is found murdered in Paradise, Jesse Stone will have his hands full finding out who he was – and what he was seeking.
When a body is discovered at the lake in Paradise, Police Chief Jesse Stone is surprised to find he recognizes the murder victim – the man had been at the same AA meeting as Jesse the evening before. But otherwise, Jesse has no clue as to the man’s identity. He isn’t a local, nor does he have ID on him, nor does any neighbouring state have a reported missing person matching the man’s description. Their single lead is from a taxi company that recalls dropping off the mysterious stranger outside the gate at the mansion of one of the wealthiest families in town…
Meanwhile, after Jesse survives a hail of gunfire on his home, he wonders if it could be related to the
mysterious murder. When both Molly Crane and Suitcase Simpson also become targets, it’s clear
someone has an axe to grind against the entire Paradise Police Department.
A juicy crime novel filled with lots of crumbs along the way to keep you guessing. Fool’s Paradise was a quick engrossing read that left me guessing all the way through.
My first encounter with Mike Lupica and I enjoyed his writing. At first glance, I felt the dialogue was a little off, but the more I read the more it became clear that the dialogue was perfect for Jesse. As I got to know him, I understood that the author wrote the perfect dialogue for this guy – that is how he would speak.
When a body is discovered on the edge of the lake, Jesse, chief of police, realises that he just met the victim at an AA meeting the night before. The more Jesse and his team dig into the murder, the more things start going wrong….
When they have all been targeted it becomes crystal clear that there is more at play than meets the eye. While struggling not to return to the bottle, can Jesse stay sober long enough to get to the bottom of this case and keep his team and the people around them safe?
The characters in this book are all beautiful people. I do not think Jesse interacted with a single woman he did not describe as smoking hot. The characters were creatively crafted and realistic in their individual personalities – the thing that didn’t work for me was how everyone was extremely good-looking.
Fool’s Paradise is a great “whodunit” novel. It’s an easy, gripping read with an unpredictable ending. If you are looking for a light, relaxing read then this book is the way to go.
Crime enthusiasts will love this book and should add it to their TBR
Title: Robert B Parker’s Grudge Match
Author: Mike Lupica
ISBN: 978-0-85730-402-5
Publisher: No Exits Press
Pages: 224
Source: Review copy from Publisher
When Sunny’s long-time gangster associate Tony Marcus comes to her for help, Sunny is surprised –
after all, she double-crossed him on a recent deal, and their relationship is on shakier ground than ever. But the way Tony figures it, Sunny owes him, and she is willing to consider his case if it will clear the slate.
Tony’s trusted girlfriend and business partner has vanished, appearing to have left in a hurry, and he
has no idea why. He just wants to talk to her, he says. While Sunny isn’t willing to trust his good
intentions, the missing woman intrigues her – against all odds, she’s risen to a position of power in
Tony’s criminal enterprise. Sunny can’t help but admire her and, if this woman’s in a jam, she would like to help. But when a witness is murdered hours after speaking to Sunny, it’s clear there’s more at stake than just Tony’s love life. Someone – maybe even Tony himself – doesn’t want this woman on the loose…and will go to any lengths to make sure she stays silent.
Grudge Match looks at a need for truth and the lives of women forced into prostitution and their struggle to escape the life. The book makes for light reading and since it’s not very long it is a quick easy read.
This was my second book written by Mike Lupica. He tells the story from Sunny’s perspective and doesn’t waste time waffling. Something I enjoy about an author. I want all the details, but don’t waffle on about it. Grudge Match shares more about Sunny, making it a good choice after reading Fool’s Paradise, and Jesse Stone makes an appearance in this book too.
When Tony Marcus, Boston’s top pimp, hires Sunny to find his missing girlfriend she is convinced there is more to the story than he is telling her. Despite her strong feelings about prostitution and mistrust of Tony, she takes the case in the hope that she can help Lisa – whom she is convinced is in a lot of trouble.
Sunny has so little to work with, can she find Lisa before it’s too late?
I managed to fly through this book in two days. It was a light easy read. An interesting story with very colourful characters and a missing person that needs to be found. This book is not an emotional read – I have had a few too many of those lately – Grudge Match is a light work of fiction that entertains and relaxes you as you read.
Sunny Randall did not make much of an impression in Fool’s Paradise – but as the leading lady in Grudge Match, you see a whole new side to her. In Grudge Match you see Sunny as a strong determined woman, eager to help other women and not afraid of a fight. She grew on me in this book and I will be making time to read more of the books in the series.
Grudge Match quickly has you hooked, eager to find out what happened to Lisa and who is telling Sunny the truth. I managed to lose myself in this book, feeling relaxed when I reached the end.
Grudge Match will appeal to fans of Crime Fiction as well as anyone looking for a good story to simply lose themselves in.
About Mike Lupica
Bio from Publisher
Mike Lupica is a prominent sports journalist and New York Times-bestselling author of more than forty works of fiction and non-fiction. A longtime friend to Robert B. Parker, he was selected by the Parker estate to continue the Sunny Randall series.
Title: Robert B Parker’s Someone To Watch Over Me
Author: Ace Atkin
ISBN: 978-0-85730-428-5
Publisher: No Exit Press
Pages: 224
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
In the latest Spenser thriller, the legendary Boston PI and his young protégé Mattie Sullivan take on a billionaire money manager running a network of underaged girls for his rich and powerful clients.
Ten years ago, Spenser helped a teenage girl named Mattie Sullivan find her mother’s killer and take down an infamous Southie crime boss. Now Mattie – a college student with a side job working for the tough but tender private eye – dreams of being an investigator herself. Her first big case involves a fifteen-year-old girl assaulted by a much older man at one of Boston’s most prestigious private clubs. The girl, Chloe Turner, only wants the safe return of her laptop and backpack. But like her mentor and boss, Mattie has a knack for asking the right questions of the wrong people.
Soon Spenser and Mattie find ties between the exploitation of dozens of other girls from working-class families to an eccentric billionaire and his sadistic henchwoman with a mansion on Commonwealth Avenue. The mystery man’s wealth, power and connections extend well beyond Massachusetts – maybe even beyond the United States. Spenser and trusted ally Hawk must again watch out for Mattie as she unravels a massive sex trafficking ring that will take them from Boston to Boca Raton to the Bahamas, crossing paths with local toughs, a highly-trained security company, and an old enemy of Spenser – the Gray Man – for a final epic showdown.
Official Summary
An independent PI on a mission. Someone to Watch Over Me is a crime thriller with an old school PI that packs a punch. I fell in love with this character right away.
This was the third book in the Robert B Parker series I read for this blog tour, the other two were written by Mike Lupica, and this one by Ace Atkin – I have to say that this one was my favourite of the three. This story, set in Boston shows yet another side to the series, focusing on the life of Spencer, who just happens to be the man in Dr Silverman’s life. Dr Silverman was Sunny’s therapist in Grudge Match. I enjoyed how these books fit together each focusing on a character mentioned in the other book. It’s like stepping into an entire community and getting to know each one a little better in every book you read.
When Mattie is asked for help by a friend’s little sister, she has no idea what lies ahead. What starts as a simple case of lost property soon turns into a life-threatening case involving the very rich, and sex traffic. Spencer and Hawk quickly step in hoping to protect Mattie. As the pieces start fitting together, Spencer needs to face an old enemy to save the day….
I found myself flying through this book in two days. Someone to Watch Over Me is a quick gripping read that leaves you wanting to see justice done. This light, entertaining read had me completely engrossed and I could not wait too what the ending would bring.
As an animal lover, I cannot resist a character that has a pet. Spencer and Pearl – well they simply crawled into my heart. I must admit – it’s a little creepy that Spencer keeps naming his dog Pearl. It’s fine to get another dog of the same breed – but calling it by the same name – not something I can ever see myself doing.
The author did a wonderful job with Spencer – I found myself picturing him as I read the book.
Mystery, Crime and Thriller enthusiasts who haven’t spent some time with Robert B Parker’s characters are missing out. I enjoyed the time I spent reading these books. They are light, easy reading guaranteed to provide an escape and keep you entertained.
I look forward to digging into a few more books in this series.
About Ace Atkins
Author bio from publisher
Ace Atkins worked as a crime reporter in the newsroom of The Tampa Tribune before he published his first novel, Crossroad Blues at the age of 30. While at the Tribune, Atkins earned a Pulitzer Prize nomination for a feature series based on his investigation into a forgotten murder of the 1950s. The story became the core of his critically acclaimed novel, White Shadow, a style that was compared to that of Dennis Lehane and George Pelecanos. In 2011, Atkins was selected by the estate of Robert B Parker to take over writing the Spenser series of novels. Wonderland (now a major Netflix film titled Spenser Confidential) was his first Spenser novel published by No Exit Press in 2014. Atkins currently lives on a farm outside Oxford, Mississippi with his family.
Thank you, Anne Cater, from Random Things Tours and everyone from No Exit Press – I had a lot of fun reading these books for the blog tour – I even took the time to watch Spencer Confidential on Netflix – I had to see what it was like.
Thank you for spending the time – I know this was a lot to read and appreciate you taking the time. Have you read any of Robert B Parker’s books? Which is your favourite? Leave a comment below. Until next time… Happy Reading!
Great reviews – will put these on my list!
Sure you will love them
This is such a wonderful post, thanks so much for supporting the blog Tour
Always a pleasure, glad you liked it.