Looking for Rachel Wallace

Robert B. Parker

I do enjoy Parker's Spenser novels. Spenser's character is well done and quite believable. In this one, Spenser is hired as a body guard for a radical gay feminist author who barely tolerates chauvenistic men. She reluctantly accepts Spenser to guard her, then fires him after a couple days because he continues to protect her his way, not the way she wants so she can make her statement.

Or course Rachel Wallace, the feminist author, is kidnapped after she has released Spenser. He now feels obligated to find her. She was his responsibility, he knew, even if she didn't want him hovering over her. So he starts looking for her and following his leads.

The relationship between Spenser and Rachel is very vibrant and abrasive. Spenser shows his tolerance for lifestyles, but intolerance for insensitivity and rudeness. I could almost hear some of their conversations out loud, as well as some he had with Susan. After Rachel fired Spenser, Susan berated him for the same actions when he repeated the story.

This is an excellent book. Spenser sounds like a real person. The story takes its related and unrelated twists and turns.

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