Lily Ellsworth--erect, firm, white-haired, and stylish--is the grand dame of Dowling, Massachusetts, and possesses an iron will and a bottomless purse. When she hires Spenser to investigate her grandson Jared Clark's alleged involvement in a school shooting, Spenser is led into an inquiry that grows more harrowing at every turn. 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. Jared's parents are resigned to his fate, and the boy himself doesn't seem to care whether he goes to prison for a crime he might not have committed. As the probe goes on, Spenser finds himself up against a number of roadblocks--from the school officials who don't want him asking questions, to Jared's own parents, who are completely indifferent to the boy's defense. Ultimately, Spenser discovers a web of blackmail and some heavy-duty indiscretions--and a truth too disturbing to contemplate. Before the case reaches its unfortunate end, he is forced to make a series of difficult decisions--with fatal consequences.
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"Spenser looks into a school shooting. Turns out things are not as they seem. Spenser is always a good read, but I particularly enjoyed this one. I could not put it down. Literally. Read until 4 AM. Damn, I like Parker's books but I gotta get some sleep!"
— Logan (4 out of 5 stars)
" Always enjoy Parker. Always will. "
— Gwennie, 2/14/2014" This was my first Robert Parker book and I really enjoyed it. It's a modern-day mystery with believable characters, an interesting plot, and it's not predictable. "
— Carlanda, 2/11/2014" Typical Parker Spenser novel, with strengths - witty dialogue throughout - and weaknesses - Spenser's constant macho attitude - every woman wants me, but I'm saving myself for Susan Silverman. "
— Paul, 2/2/2014" Ok -but why do they always make the psychologists such jerks. Also, he did not do his homework and I think anyone that knows a little bit about how schools work and what mental retardation is will see that - still, I had to find out what happened. "
— Gwen, 1/29/2014" I like Robert Parker a lot. His books are extremely easy to read. They are more or less detective books. "
— Kelly, 1/25/2014" It ended a bit to abruptly for me, but it was refreshing to not have a completely closed ending and the style of writing in this book was different from other Robert B. Parker books I have read, so that to was new and somewhat exciting. "
— Adanna, 1/18/2014" Dialogue and action heavy,this was a quick read. Bit of a crush on Spenser. "
— Lisa, 1/17/2014" Not one of the best of the Spenser books "
— Madelaine, 1/16/2014" Great story with many facets and moved along well. "
— Dana, 1/15/2014" Typical Spenser, entertaining but pretty standard for the series. The plot is kind of interesting and I was curious to see how it wrapped up, the ending was kind of interesting, to provide an alternate explanation for a school shooting. "
— Zach, 1/9/2014" I liked this story because I like to know the back story on why things happen. Because things usually happen for a reason and not just randomly. "
— Carol, 12/31/2013" A quick read with solid twists in the plot. However, the end left me a little unsatisfied. I just kind of thought, is that it? "
— Chica, 12/17/2013" Well-written. Interesting plot and characters. Filler read. "
— Susan, 11/24/2013" Big fan of the late Robert B. Parker...another really well written Spenser novel. "
— Ryan, 10/1/2013" Loved this book! I think Spenser is a great character and his dog, Pearl, is a great sidekick. :-) "
— Elaine, 9/24/2013" A little different from other Spenser tales, but still Spenser which means very good. "
— Mailmanr5, 9/24/2013" This is a very powerful story of two misunderstood teenage boys at a high school. It is very emotional. Lots of twists and turns. Amazingly written by Robert Parker. "
— Ranie, 8/13/2013" I like my Spenser novels to have lots of Susan and lots of Hawk. It had neither, but was a good story so worth the read. "
— Jennifer, 6/6/2013" One of the very best of the Spenser books. A bit more developed, deeper plot line, inventive. A great P.I noir read. "
— Alex, 5/22/2013" Another enjoyable read from Robert E. Parker. Two youths shoot up their prep school and a doting grandmother asks Spencer to get evidence to prove that her grandson was not guilty of the crime. When the evidence overwhelmingly points to his guilt, Spencer stays on the case to find out why he did it. "
— Dot, 5/1/2013" A more focused effort by Parker. In this Spenser edition, Spenser digs after the hows and whys of two teens who shoot up a school. Spenser's quips are humorous as usual. "
— Thompson, 12/17/2012" Enjoyed the story. Particularly liked the reading by Joe Mantegna. "
— Marcia, 9/24/2012" Nancy 5 stars; Ron 5 stars (library book) "
— Ron, 8/11/2012" Not a nice, neat ending, but a compelling read. "
— Dina, 8/3/2012" A solid entry on the Spenser shelf. Glad I picked this one up. "
— Kathleen, 6/30/2012" Actually liked this book. Good for a thriller. Better than others I've listened to. Wasn't able to figure it all out till the end. "
— Momruns5, 2/25/2012" another good Spenser story "
— Peter, 2/7/2012" This is one of Mr. Parker's best Spenser stories. It was tight! "
— Yeva, 7/22/2011" Despite being about a Columbine type school shooting, this was a really fun read! It was well paced and well written and completely compelling. I really enjoyed the book and will definitely read more of Parker's Spencer series. "
— Belinda, 7/9/2011" This book is about a high school shooting. It is a fun read and Spencer and his dog Pearl keep the action rolling. "
— Cliff, 6/14/2011" This is, IMO, one of the best book of the Spenser-series. It´s disturbing and you (almost) feel sympathy for the boys causing so much pain and trouble. "
— Heike, 4/24/2011" Dialogue and action heavy,this was a quick read. Bit of a crush on Spenser. "
— Lisa, 3/26/2011" Love Robert B. Parker, but this book wasn't my favorite. No Hawk, strange storyline, and it seemed to wrap up too quickly and neatly. "
— Chelmcp, 3/15/2011" Don't know how this guy got so famous. He's writing as if for 10-year-olds. "
— Leslie, 3/11/2011" Another fun Spencer book. Easy reading, but fun to try to figure out who did it and why. "
— Robin, 3/6/2011" I liked this story because I like to know the back story on why things happen. Because things usually happen for a reason and not just randomly. "
— Carol, 1/7/2011" Not a great Spenser book. He spent too much time mooning over Susan. An effort to deal with the topic of school shootings. Sometimes effective...sometimes a little too much musing over his ideals. "
— Janet, 11/22/2010" An audio book I "read" to and from work. Light mystery. "
— Laura, 11/6/2010" Starts in a promising way. I really enjoy Spenser books! I started to read in the evening and almost was not able to stop. "
— Tiina, 11/2/2010" I have always enjoyed the Spenser books, and this one is just as good as I remembered it. "
— Leslie, 10/16/2010" Slightly new twist on the Columbine story, with some surprises. Fun read. "
— Ginny, 10/11/2010" An enjoyable read over all, but not a very good book. It was entertaining over all and if you like Parker's style and Spencer's personality, then you will like this book. "
— Audrey, 10/1/2010" Don't expect anything earth shattering here. Unfortunately, these novels were so rapid fire that they became formulaic. Parker is just a fun quick read. Spenser amuses me with his dry one-liners. "
— Jeffrey, 9/28/2010" This book is about a high school shooting. It is a fun read and Spencer and his dog Pearl keep the action rolling. "
— Cliff, 8/8/2010" A great book! Lately, I've noticed that I'm brain dead at the end of the day but the past two nights, I could not put this book down. I sat in bed and read for an hour both times, just so I could finish. "
— Kristin, 8/4/2010" 2 1/2 stars<br/><br/>I listened to this book, as recommended by another librarian. It was fine. Good for Readers' Advisory purposes, entertaining, but not something I would select on my own. Just another suspense/mystery with a cocky P.I. as narrator. Entertaining enough, but that's about it. "
— Dana, 7/31/2010Robert B. Parker (1932–2010), long acknowledged as the dean of American crime fiction, was the New York Times bestselling author of the Spenser mysteries, as well as the Jesse Stone novels. He was named Grand Master at the 2002 Edgar Awards by the Mystery Writers of America, an honor shared with earlier masters such as Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen. He has more than fifty books to his credit.
Joe Mantegna is a versatile, seasoned actor on both stage and screen. He first garnered national prominence for his work with writer-director David Mamet, earning a Tony Award for Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983. His name has become synonymous with Robert B. Parker’s Spenser since he has narrated the entire series.