God Save the Child

Robert B. Parker

This is the second Spenser novel written by Parker. Spenser is still getting his identity molded. Already his wise cracking is apparent.

Spenser is hired by the Bartletts to find their missing, runaway 15 year old son. Spenser quickly determines that the boy has not left the well to do suburban area where he lived with his parents, Smithville. Spenser also witnesses the type of parents the Bartletts are: selfish, negligent to their children, and seemingly uncaring of what their children were doing.

Within a few days the Bartletts receive a ransom note. Instead of running away, Kevin apparently was kidnapped. Spenser meets many of the town's citizens while investigating Kevin's whereabouts. He has to find who kidnapped Kevin, later killed one of the Bartletts' friends, and what is the true story.

There is one Smithville citizen we meet that becomes important in Spenser's life. Susan Silverman is Kevin's guidance counselor in high school. Spenser interrogates her about Kevin's habits. He is also immediately attracted to Susan. Reading later Spenser novels proves this relationship to be a life long one.

This is an enjoyable book. I was able to quickly determine what had happened to Kevin. But I did not put all the other pieces together until Spenser showed me what happened.

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
Rough Weather
Chasing the Bear (young Spenser prequel)
The Professional
The Painted Ladies
Sixkill
Robert B. Parker's Lullaby by Ace Atkins