Paper Doll

Robert B. Parker

4/20/2000

Spenser novels are always so much fun to read. He is such a smart alec (most would say wise a@@ and be correct). The novels have twists and turns and hidden agendas that keep the reader guessing until the end. I have finally realized that Susan, Spenser's girlfriend, is every monogamous man's fantasy woman - doesn't want marriage, talks dirty when appropriate, and always available when needed. I like the relationship despite that. I like that Spenser stays devoted only to her, and that she still sends a thrill through him all these years and trials later.

Loudon Tripp, the current patriarch of one of Boston's old money families, hires Spenser to discover who murdered his wife. The police have given up on the case, finally coming to the decision that it was a random act of violence. The only way they feel they will catch the murderer is if he does it again. They also have been receiving outside pressure to drop the case.

Spenser warns Tripp from the beginning that once he startts looking into the case, he will not let go until it is finished. The Tripp family seems perfect. If there are skeletons, Spenser warns, he will rattle them. Tripp only hears what he wants to hear, and hires Spenser. As Spenser makes discoveries that Tripp's wife was not the perfect wife, mother, charity worker, saint presented to society at large, Tripp refuses to believe them. Who really was this person who had died? What was going on behind those closed doors?

As with many Spenser novels, this one explores the hidden side of life. Whenever he gets involved with the richer side of Boston society, he seems to find the dark secrets. This one is well done, with things not discovered until the very end. He keeps pulling those strings, and unravels illusions.

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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