Ceremony

Robert B. Parker

8/24/2003

Susan Silverman brings Spenser into her school counseling office in Smithfield. She has a set of angry parents whose high school daughter, April, was last seen working as a prostitute in Boston's "Combat Zone." The father wants to disown her. The mother and Susan would like her found. Spenser agrees, for Susan's sake.

So Spenser ventures into the worst area of Boston. When he quickly starts making enemies, he pulls in Hawk for assistance. Between the two of them, they investigate prostitution in Boston. As they begin to dig, things get murkier. April seems to have disappeared. She's not dead, just not around.

As usual, this Spenser novel is a fun, quick read. I fell right back into the cadence of Spenser's narrative style. He realizes April's home situation was not ideal, and doesn't know if she'll return with him or not. Yet he still is determined to find and hold onto her until her future can be decided.

I enjoyed Ceremony, but it's not memorable on its own. It's easy, involving reading. The mystery works well. There are enough of these similar that the plots could be exchanged. That doesn't make it a bad book - it's not. It's great for the series; it just doesn't stand out. You'll enjoy this book.

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Notice: Sexual references, violence

The Godwulf Manuscript
God Save the Child
Mortal Stakes
Promised Land
The Judas Goat
Looking for Rachel Wallace
Early Autumn
A Savage Place
Ceremony
The Widening Gyre
Valediction
A Catskill Eagle
Taming a Sea-Horse
Pale Kings and Princes
Crimson Joy
Playmates
Stardust
Pastime
Double Deuce
Paper Doll
Walking Shadow
Thin Air
Chance
Small Vices
Sudden Mischief
Hush Money
Hugger Mugger
Potshot
Widow's Walk
Back Story
Bad Business
Cold Business
School Days
Hundred-Dollar Baby
Now and Then