Promised Land

Robert B. Parker

6/4/2001

Spenser is hired to find a run away wife. Pam Shepard has left her husband in Hyannis Port. She doesn't know Harvey Shepard is also in trouble with a loan shark. She doesn't know who she is outside of his wife and the mother of his children. She wants to find herself. He wants her found.

Unfortunately, Shepard is receiving visits from an enforcer named Hawk. Spenser knows Hawk from his fighting days. He knows Hawk's current profession. Shepard is trying to hide his money problems from Spenser. Spenser instead tries to help him with those problems as well as looking for the missing Mrs. Shepard.

Spenser is his smart alek self. He is evolving from the roving, wise cracking earlier man we met to the one who is still self assured, ready with quick, albeit not always wise, repartee, and true to one woman. In this novel he and Susan solidify their early relationship around the Shepard mystery. Hawk is introduced, but not part of the triangle that is prominent in the later Spenser novels.

Since Spenser always reflects the current events and attitudes, some of this book sounds dated. The feminism movement of the 1970's plays a central role in this story. Pam Shepard is rebelling against being a housewife with no outside employment to help define her. Now many of us would love to return to that role!

This is good mystery, good story. Spenser is his lovable self, and may yet find himself killed for just that reason.

You can find more about this book at .

Notice: Sexual situations (non-explicit)

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