Spare Change

By Robert B. Parker

Another mystery novel by Parker, this one follows Sunny Randall, another detective in his Spenser-verse of the Boston area. While I gennerally prefer his Spenser mysteries, I had nothing against this one. Since it has become pointless to review Parker novels anymore—they're all equally great—I'll attempt to give a synopsis without providing any spoilers. Incindentally, this is the second Sunny Randall novel I've listened to. I don't know why, but I failed to review Blue Screen, though I enjoyed it as much as any other Parker novel.

A serial killer from Sunny's fathers's past has reemerged. The Spare Change Killer case was one Sunny's father, a retired cop, wasn't able to solve. So dubbed because of his peculiar habit of leaving an odd assoretment of coins with his victims, after a 20 year hiatis, the Spare Change Killer has started claiming new victims. Sunny's dad, Phil, has been asked to consult for the police on the case and asks for her assistance. As an ex-cop, he figures she knows her way around the system.

In this novel, Parker lets us know a little bit more about Sunny and her family. What her mother's like and the nuances of her relationship with her father. All this while solving a world-class serial killing mystery. One thing I liked about this book is that Parker demonstrates that the police are able to have lives outside of their work. While crime solving is important to them, since sometimes it can take weeks or months, the crime chasers still have families and friends to spend time and nurture relationships with.

One thing that I noticed while listening to this (yes, I listened to the audiobook on CD) is that all of Parker three main characters—Jesse Stone, Sunny Randall and Spenser—is that they all have troubled love lives. Stone can't get over his ex-wife, but can't get back with her, Spenser is in a stable relationship with Susan Silverman, but can't commit to marriage, and Sunny Randall is still stuck on her ex-husband, but doesn't want to get back together with him either, at least not at the altar. I'm sure this mirrors some aspect of Parker's personal relationships, but not knowing the author personally, I can't say what it is.

Sunny Randall, while different from Spenser, is a complete character able to stand on her own. She handles this case with about the same amount as ethics as Spenser, though she has legal access to police resources and lacks his smart mouth. After listening to this book, I know that I can pick up any Parker novel and enjoy the listen, whether it be with a Boston-area murder mystery or even a western (such as with Appaloosa). Parker's witty, spare prose never fails to please.

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External links

• Spare Change from Parker's official website