Boston

Let me start by saying Bill Lee is a wildly funny and inventive guy! If you have yet to read this book or his autobiography Spaceman do so soon!
Bill Lee has a way of bringing his rich sense of humor out with every word and anecdote.
This particular book is very creative. Bill Lee, like many other members of Red Sox nation has misgivings about many events in Red Sox history. So he takes this lovable but snakebit franchise to task... and rewrites it all!
This revision of history is interesting and laughable. He begins by reversing the curse of the Bambino in 1919... and it just gets wilder and wilder from there.
I guess my only problem with the book is dealing with all the changed history... the premise is funny and engaging at first but begins to wear as the book goes along.
But by all means it is worth your time and effort. If you love the Sox or just love baseball read this book and you will not be disappointed!

I'm not a Red Sox fan, so I can't really identify with long-suffering Boston baseball fans, to whom this book is really directed. I can, however, appreciate the history of baseball, good humor and the occasional satire, all of which Bill Lee provides in his tongue-in-cheek revision of the history of the Boston Red Sox.

From the Ho Chi Minh Trial to Ted Williams' saving of the free world to "Bucky freuging Dent": concert pianist, this book is filled with wonderfully silly speculations of what might have been, had the episodes that have caused so much heartbreak for Boston baseball fans not occurred. Lee takes aim at several of his most despised adversaries, including the Yankees and Don Zimmer (whom he referred to as a "Gerbil" during his career), and never lets up. The fall of New York and the rise of Boston are directly linked to the fate of the Babe, as Yankee fans become the embittered and cynical of the two, and Boston becomes the Baseball capital of the world.

What would have happened if the Red Sox would not have traded Babe Ruth? If Ted Williams hadn't lost 5 years to war? If Jackie Robinson had been signed by the Bosox? If Bucky Dent had become a concert pianist instead of a baseball player? Probably not Lee's revised version of events, but that doesn't make the book any less enjoyable, it managed to keep a smile on my face throughout.

A good, funny, fanciful baseball story.

Saddam Hussein, given the chance, might like to re-write recent history. Perhaps Sonny Bono would have chosen a different slope to ski down. No doubt, Bill Clinton wonders whether sending a different intern for the pizza might have been wise in hindsight.

And so it is for the long suffering Red Sox fans. How many "What Ifs" have they dealt with in the years since their last World Championship in 1918. They need wonder no longer - the proper outcomes for the Red Sox have been set right from the creative minds of former Sox gadfly Bill Lee and his co-author - rabid Red Sox follower and Ted William's number one fan Jim Prime. Prime has co-authored several excellent and respected baseball books including: "The Ted Williams' Hit List", "Tales from the Red Sox Dugout" and the best of the Williams tributes: "Ted Williams: The Pursuit of Perfection".

The Little Red (Sox) Book presents an entertaining, but slightly revisionist, Red Sox history combined with many delightful ponderings on the subject of baseball and life by Chairman Lee. Mao's little red book may have been read by billions but surely with far less delight than the comical, and at times thought-provoking, pages of this treat.

The authors begin their historical revisions in 1919. Had the universe unfolded properly, Joseph Kennedy would have acquired the Red Sox from Frazee and paid wisely to retain the services of a star pitcher and fair hitter by the name of George Herman Ruth. The consequences of this decision naturally enough led to the establishment of a baseball dynasty in Boston. This chapter presents an alternate reality where the greatest outfield in history might have been Ruth, Shoeless Joe Jackson and Tris Speaker. Satisfying many a Sox fan's dreams, the chapter also relegates the hated Yankees to a deserved baseball backwater.

This slight change in history had many rippling side effects outside baseball. Think about the melodic strains of the great Sinatra classic: "Up Yours, New York, New York" or wonder about the impact on literature had Marilyn Monroe hooked up with Henry Miller rather than Arthur. It is not every baseball book that provides an opportunity to think about how and where Henry Miller might choose to set his dinner table. One can even learn of a simple misunderstanding that would have kept America out of the quagmire of Vietnam. With only a slight exercise in imagination, the authors could see the Boston Pops becoming the house band for David Letterman.

One might wonder what the authors and friends had sprinkled on their Buckwheat pancakes when some of the puns of this chapter were set on paper but surely Shakespeare could not have put in any better than: "Alas poor Babe, I know his homer ratio". The book is worth the price of admission just for the many variations on the "Curse of the Bambino", Lee and Prime managed to deliver.

The second major "What If" that students of the Red Sox often contemplate would be the career stats of Ted Williams had he not lost several prime playing years defending his country. I'd rather not spoil the surprise of how this was accomplished other than to suggest that in this historical revision, Ted did more for world peace on the field then he ever accomplished in the cockpit of a a fighter aircraft. It was hilarious to read the newspaper sub-head: "Ted swings at first pitch!".

As fanciful as these chapters were, there is yet one history where the book takes a more thoughtful and poignant look at the Red Sox. This was the alternate history I found most interesting. Massachusetts and Boston have a long history of tolerance and liberal thought. Would it not have been marvellous if the Red Sox had the foresight to be the first of baseball teams to integrate rather than the last. Imagine Jackie Robinson making his breakthrough in Beantown rather than New York. Imagine the consequences for the team with Robinson stealing bases and upsetting pitchers who ended up serving more fastballs to the Kid. Suppose the BoSox wisdom had attracted the likes of Willie Mays to follow in Robinson's footsteps. Think how many World Series flags would fly today over the green grass of Fenway.

In addition to these histories the book also provides a chance for Bill Lee to share his unconventional thinking about the game of baseball. It was a delight to read his account of what an honest player interview would truly be like. One sample:

Q. Who do you credit with your team's success this year?

A. Were counting on Satan to carry us through Chuck. God appears to be with the Yankees again this year.

I strongly recommend baseball fans everywhere to pick up a copy of "The Little Red (Sox) Book". Imagining the what ifs or enjoying the wit and wisdom of Bill Lee and Jim Prime will provide delight to a broad audience - not just Red Sox fans, but also for history buffs and pun lovers everywhere. A great read to jump start baseball fever for another summer.

Boston based Professor Sweeney St. George is considered an expert on Victorian burial practices and rituals, especially the art representations including gravestones. Her friend Toby DiMarco persuades Sweeney to spend her Christmas vacation with his relatives at Byzantium, Vermont, a town that once hosted a former artists' colony.

Sweeney immediately accepts the invitation. She wants to know about the unknown artist who carved a highly artistic but strange looking tombstone commemorating the death of Mary Elizabeth Denholm by drowning in 1890. Sweeney's efforts to identify the stone's sculptor seem about to be rewarded when a descendent of the deceased Ruth Kimball offers to provide information. However, before Ruth can deliver, someone kills her, but no one seems too excited over the homicide. Sweeney, assisted by another visitor, turns to Tennyson in a quest for a clue to a killer who will murder again to keep some things secret.

Sarah Stewart Taylor's debut novel is entertainingly refreshing because the who-done-it plays a secondary role to the in depth look at the art of death. Cleverly intertwined into the investigative plot is an intriguing analysis of Tennyson, as well as other artists especially from the Victorian period. Fans will appreciate this cleverly crafted fine arts mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Sarah Stewart Taylor's O'Artful Death is a skillfully managed mystery -- several mysteries, in fact. Discovering secrets of a Vermont community's past and present, protagonist Sweeney St. George seeks the truth with an art historian's passion for research and a detective's willingness to ask difficult questions. What's more, Sweeney is likeable, smart, and I enjoyed getting to know her. I look forward to spending more time with Sweeney when Taylor provides her with what I'm sure will be another engrossing adventure.

Sarah Stewart Taylor has written a first mystery novel that gives promise of her achieving the level of P.D. James. O'Artful Death is has all the components of excellent mystery fiction as well as being first rate literature.Readers will not be disappointed.

Any questions. What a bitter disappointment. If you are a novice baseball fan and just want this as a decorative piece, if fails you there too, with quite possibly the worst baseball book cover ever. Save your money and your time...If you MUST purchase this book mine is for sale on Ebay, no reserve!

Jeff
Boston, MA

The writing is superb, attention to detail inspiring. If you're a Red Sox fan, you need to read this book.

If you want to know where this franchise went wrong (and why, every once in a while they haven't), this is the book. Easily the best history of a baseball team I've ever read. It celebrates what there is to celebrate, such as Boston's early successes, 1967, and 1975, and takes an unflinching yet still entertaining look at the rest. New information throughout, from the myth of the curse, Tom Yawkey, to Fenway Park, to the ineptitude of the current acting owner. Although this book is a year old, the reasons why things went wrong this year (and why that's likely to continue barring change) is laid out for you - amazing. Whoever is contemplating buying the Red Sox should read this book and committ it to memory. For the rest of us, it just might get us through til next year.

The first time I came across a story by J.G. Hayes was in the anthology "Men on Men, 2000" a collection of the best in new gay fiction. That story, "Regular Flat-top", which is also in the new book, is among the most emotional, gut-wrenching stories (gay or straight) I have ever read.

Even appearing in a collection containing work by well known and influential authors, Hayes' story sizzled with a heartbreaking authenticity.

"Regular Flat-top" follows the thoughts of a poor, tough, irish kid from the housing projects of South Boston as he grieves for his lifelong boyhood friend, dead from suicide after they stumbled through their first and only homosexual encounter. In a self contained world like Southie, both Catholic and working-class, there is no place for the only love these tough, down-trodden, beautiful boys have ever felt.

The almost overwhelming adolescent pain, the agonizing regret, the unfathomable unconsolable loss of something that SHOULD have been... The author brings it all together and still gives us a radiant ending full of redemption and hope. This is masterful storytelling.

Other stories that stand out in this collection are: "This Thing Called Courage", "The Day Jesus Came To Town", and what must be Hayes' masterpiece; "The Rain"

"The Rain" is one of only two stories which have EVER made me cry. (The other is Jamie O'Neil's "At Swim, Two Boys.")
To say that "The Rain" is an inspired and overwhelming story would be an understatement. The themes of loss, regret, of tender love springing up in the most unlikely soul-killing environments, all of which are explored in "Regular Flat-top", are here taken to the highest pinacle a short-story can reach. Buy the book if only for this story alone! It could come to be recognized as one of the best short stories in gay fiction ever. (How's that for going out on a limb?)

These are all good stories, one or two of them great, in my opinion. South Boston, with it's home-grown pride and its Irish toughness and unexpected tenderness, proves to be a fertile garden ripe for the storyteller's art. I hope this is only the first collection of many from a great storyteller who trasforms Southie into an almost mythical neighborhood where wonderful and magical stories are born.

J. G. Hayes has written seven stories here, six of which are as good as any I've read in a long time. The stories are all set in South Boston. Most of them are about boys on the verge of being adults who are experiencing sexual awakenings that the Catholic Church, their parents and society have told them are forbidden and shameful. These boys are tough and sometimes bullies. Some of them live in the projects; all are from blue-collar famillies. Their futures in general are bleak. If they survive, they will be forever scarred. For most of these young men, their happiness of loving completely another man lasts for just a moment. Sooner or later, they will die in South Boston.

Who can forget Jimmy Callahan, a fireman with three children, two boys and a fragile daugher, and a shrew for a wife? Jimmy has one night of love with another firefighter. "But under June's [the wife] watchful eye, it wasn't long before Jimmy was back leading the life that had been so carefully planned for him." The reader understands that Jimmy will attend mass every Sunday for the next 30 or 40 years, will never see his friend again and will die a broken, old man.

Then there is the narrator of the title story who has to live with what he has done to help ruin the life of his high school gym teacher who, unlike the narrator, showed great dignity and grace under pressure. You won't quickly forget either the homeless, crazed Joey who sleeps in a "washer machine box" and talks to squirrels. When you find out why he is crazy-- what happens to his beloved Kev in addition to Joey's homophobic parents-- his father thinks all gay people should be put on an island and then have an "A-Bomb" dropped on them-- he will break your heart.

Hayes is a powerful writer who is so good at what he does that you can almost hear his characters breathe with forbidden desire. In these stories, although you are on a roller coaster ride that you know will end in tragedy, you cannot put the book down.

I'm a former South Boston resident. I spent most of my life there. The author presents a clear picture of the South Boston of my youth. There existed a sense of community that could not be found elsewhere. To sum it up, without tremendous detail, whether gay or straight, the people took care of their own. I've traveled extensively for work and have lived in other parts of the country. I have yet to find a neighborhood where people are as tight as they are in Southie.

South Boston has changed considerably in the past two decades. Although not as tight knit as the South Boston of my youth, the strong sense of community can still be found. In spite of the negative press of the mid 1970s, South Boston was a great place to be raised. Obviously, it has become trendy with the rest of the outside world as well. I miss it and would love to call it home again someday.

Author Claire Wolfe is an adament supporter of individual liberty and personal responsibility. She feels that government has gone way too far in the past few decades in its attempt to govern and control every facet of our lives. In this book, "Don't Shoot the Bastards..Yet", Wolfe lists 101 ways that individuals can still salvage a little bit of freedom from an ever- intrusive government before it's time to let the weapons do the talking.

Wolfe writes about several different topics, and her style jumps from serious to humorous throughout this writing. But the area where she seems to be the most gung- ho on individual liberty is with gun ownership. Wolfe recommends owning guns- lots of guns- as one of the primary means of thwarting off any final attempt from government to take away any more rights. She has other recommendations too, but the gun issue pops up the most frequently. Wolfe believes (like many other political thinkers) that gun rights are the most critical of all because once the guns are confiscated, there will be no means available to fight off oppressive government force if/when the nation turns into a total police state.

This book might seem radical at first and in many ways, it is. But it's not radical to the point of violence. Wolfe reminds the reader over and over again that she is NOT an advocate of force. She just wants the public to know that there are many ways to salvage freedom that are non- violent, easy to do, and completely free (or almost free) of any cost.

Wolfe wrote this book as a follow up to "101 Things to do 'til the Revolution". This book is written in a similar fashion, with a numeric listing of "things" to do. They aren't in any particular order, and the vary widely in length (some are less than one page, some are several pages long). But they all drive home the same point: America is not as free as it once was and unless government officials realize this fact and take action to restore liberty, it's only a matter of time until a revolution takes place. And at that time, the guns and the freedom- loving Americans who own them could very well come out of hiding.

Read this book, and see for yourself how you can regain some of your lost liberty!

If Claire Wolfe doesn't watch out, she is going to be tagged as one of the great voices for freedom of our age. (Or any age for that matter) Wolfe's third book is a triumph of humor and practicality. Even when she's being humorous she drives her point home yet does not preach. This is not a book to just read, this and her first book "101 Things to do till The Revolution" should be used as guides for potential hard times. BTW, this book is not a sequel. It stands by itself. There is no need to read "101 Things..." first.

Got friends who think you're a nut? Give them "101 Things..." and "Don't Shoot the Bastards". I've had many friends (including my wife) who never seemed to "get it" when we would discuss politics. After reading Wolfe's work, a light came on for many of them. (including my wife) I think they are the perfect books for the friends and family members who just don't seem to understand present day politics.

Buy them, read them, love them. This is great work

If you haven't already gotten both of her previous books (101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution, I Am Not A Number), you owe it to yourself to do so. "Don't Shoot the Bastards (Yet)" is a continuation of her original "101 Things", and it maintains her pragmatic, down-to-earth writing style, as well as her "we're all in this together" themes, but without getting preachy or hyper-patriotic. In a market of books that is over-run with testosterone and paranoia, a level-headed work written by an equally level-headed woman is a breath of fresh air. Wolfe writes of freedom of the heart, mind and body, and how it is slowly disappearing. Her suggestions on how to reclaim it, or at least slow down the process (without reverting to terrorism or running to the woods with shotguns and Spam), does my heart good. While not a "Steal This Book" for the twenty-first century, it's awfully close.

A great read! The characters are well developed, the setting is perfect, and Peale makes Boston come alive. The best part is, I had no idea who did it until the very end! I would highly recommend this book to people who love a good mystery. Can't wait for the next installment.

I am a great fan of Anne Perry so imagine my delight when I found this author and this book. The era is the same as Ms. Perry, but the setting is in Boston, not England. Ms. Peale delineates Victorian Boston very well, and her characterizations are quite good. The proprieties and social consciousness are the same as Ms. Perry, and the evils are just as vivid. This book deals with the death of Colonel Mann who we never meet in the story, but we certainly hear enough about him. He wrote scandal sheets and used information that he gleaned from his many informants to blackmail various people in society. The kind of character that has many people who are happy at his death, but the murder needs to be solved anyway because Addington's nearest and dearest were affected by everything and in danger. I look forward to more Beacon Hill mysteries.

I really felt I was in Beacon Hill at the turn of the century, and I enjoyed the book tremendously. Very good mystery - reminds me a little of Detective Pitt & his wife Charlotte of the Anne Perry novels, only set in Boston USA! I look forward to reading the rest in the series. It kept my interest throughout the evenings of an exciting vacation. I very much enjoyed the details about the characters involved in the story. So much so that I could read a mystery set in Dr. Mckenzie's background in the military right now!

Do Animals have souls? As an animal lover I could not conceive of a happy afterlife without the presence of all the wonderful animals that have been such a large part of my life. Their lives have been brief compared to mine, and it is the thought of being with them once again that is the only remedy for the grief that is felt at their loss. Arlene Millman's book about her beloved Boston Terrier, Boomerang, reaffirms the belief that animals do indeed have souls and that no life is truly lost, it is merely transformed. I highly recommend this book for all novice seekers of enlightenment, and as a source of solace for anyone who has ever lost a beloved companion, animal or human.

Whether by accident or by design, the author very effectively conveys the progression of Boomerang's awareness and understanding of the universe and of his purpose. In the first book of the trilogy, Boomerang's first life and puppy-hood, the writing is simple, as if written for a child to read. In the second part of the trilogy the writing matures along with Boomerang and his growing awareness. In the third part of the trilogy, the writing takes on a certain majesty, almost a poetic cadence, as Boomerang experiences true enlightenment. The author states that Boomerang is the author and she is merely the translator. The transition in writing style makes that statement believable.

Boomerang's mission is his message - the spreading of enlightenment through love and kindness. Both are contagious, infectious and eternal - pass them on. Pass on the book too, but make sure you get it back. It's a keeper!

I found the book Boomerang - A miracle Triology to be a very touching personal memior that deals with the attachment and loss of a beloved canine family member through a warm and enchanting story of unconditional love, hope and family values. Boomerang is a truly warm, comforting, feel good book with a positive and uplifting after taste. I would recommend it for all adults, not just boston terrier fanciers and for children who have achieved a fifth or sixth grade reading comprehension.

Both as a writer and a book editor, I compare a book with the author's
preface to see if I agree that an author has accomplished what he or she
set out to do. In the preface of Arlene Millman's charming book, she
states that her purpose is to "inspire, inform, and entertain." She has
accomplished her goal imaginatively and admirably, with the help of a
remarkable Boston Terrier.
There is a lot about "Boomerang" that will have a familiar ring to those
of us who love and are loved unconditionally by animals. There is also a
lot to provoke thought and inspire hope.
In a too human world where some religions try to convince us that
animals do not have souls -- when we who know and love animals and the
love and generosity of our Creator know otherwise (because we only need
to look into their eyes to see their souls), "Boomerang - A Miracle
Trilogy," is smile-provoking, an "I told you so," a candle in the
darkness, and a message of love and hope.
Even its backcover illustration provides an appropriate conclusion:
"Through Love, all things are possible."

FIREBOAT tells the story of the John J. Harvey. In it's hey-day, the John J. Harvey was one of the finest fireboats in New York City, patrolling the piers and helping to save lives. However, society changed and the piers were destroyed and New York didn't have much use for many fireboats. Eventually, the boat was retired and was going to be turned into scrap. However, some people were interested in saving the John J. Harvey and bought the old ship. They restored her to pristine condition and she became a proud site for people to look at. No one thought she would ever fight another fire. Then came September 11th, 2001. Fires were raging and many water lines were broken. A call came asking for the John J. Harvey to help and help she did. For four days the little fireboat fought fires along with two newer, larger fireboats. When all was said and done, everyone was thankful for the John J. Harvey. She was given an award and would no longer have to worry about ever being turned into scrap.

The illustrations that accompany the text are quite colorful and playful, adding to the story the book tells.

Even though the story is mainly about the life of the John J. Harvey, it is also about September 11th. This book is directed towards young children, some who maybe too young to even remember the events of that day. For those that still do, the book deals with the tragedy in a very sensitive way. In time, I can see the book being used widely to help introduce children to something that, though still so close to our hearts and lives, will one day be remembered as a tragic day in history. The book also has some subtle lessons, such as respect for the elderly and how even the most seemingly insignificant things in this world can be worthwhile.

Overall, FIREBOAT is a great children's book that deals with some very deep issues in a sensitive way.

I am a Nanny and I am studying to teach and have an extensive kids book collection. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
What a great find and, of course, it would be Maira Kalman that wrote it. An amazing, proud, touching, simple and most importantly, honest story about New York City in it's time of crises. The thing I like most about her is that she talks to kids with such respect. She doesn't dumb down for them or put on another "voice".
As far as previous negative reviews, I ALWAYS read a book by myself before I read it to children. Sharing books with children is great but you must be responsible and aware of what you are sharing.

This book is highly recommended for all to read, especially for young children. 9/11 happened, and while it might be all well and good to shelter your children from the events of that day, there are 10,000 children without a mom or dad that cannot be. So, be a responsible adult and screen everything but, do not lose an opportunity to educate your children no matter what their age. And, teach them about giving back to others, not about the terrors involved. You'd be surprised.

Harry Jordan is a Boston homicide detective. He comes from money but makes a point not to flaunt his wealth and is one of the good guys.

Mallory Malone hosts a crime investigative show. She lives in a New York high rise, only taking on cases "worthy" of her time and talent.

When a serial killer is stalking young women in Boston and the leads are all dead ends, Harry is desperate to stop the murders. He swallows his pride and goes to Mallory asking for her help. It's obvious the picture of the alleged killer has affected Mallory in some way. She tells Harry she doesn't like "rich cops" (this from a woman who wears expensive designer clothes) and refuses to help him. She tells her assistant it's because he "doesn't have his act together" and then jets off to a spa in Arizona.

Granted Mallory has been through some terrible things in her past which had left her haunted. However, she had the opportunity to prevent another murder but didn't.

I liked Harry and loved his dog. The plot was great and the murderer a surprise. If the female lead had a more generous, caring spirit this would have been a five!

*Note to editing: Navajo is not spelled with an h. (nitpicky I know but drives me crazy)

I read lots of mysteries and, in the politically correct 90's, more than a few have underlying messages; or they are too far into the hard-boiled school; or they are so cozy that they put you to sleep. How fun to find a book that is just a an exciting fun read with glamourous settings and a murderer who wears up-grade cashmere. (My last Boston set mystery was a Dennis Lehane - this is a completely different version of Boston, thank heavens).

Oh, there's blood and gore but there's also champagne and romance. I often don't care for the mix but Adler does a terrific job of the blend. Fundamentally, there's enough chemistry between Mallory and Harry that the pages turn. And, unlike many romantic suspense novels where you simply want to skip the suspense pages, Adler writes a engrossing who dunnit. The writing isn't top-notch but it goes down easy. It was good enough to be a nominee for Romantic Times Romantic Suspense book of the year. A good book for reading at the beach or when you're home sick with a cold.

I enjoyed this book. The book got into the mind of all of the characters. It took us into the deep, darkness of the mind of a serial killer. It took us into the mind of a woman who was not fortunate to enjoy the comfort of love and wealth. It took us into her mind as a victim of rape and her struggles of dealing with the rape. It took us into the mind of one who seemed to have a life full of love and wealth, yet, was not content. The meeting of these people was explosive. One may think the plot to be predictable, however, Adler, did put bizarre twist in this story to keep one guessing. The story conveys how three people, who appear to be such stronge individuals, deal with their past. It shows how the past affects the future of these individuals. Hence, showing how it is possible to be stronge for the world to see, and so weak on the inside for no one to see, unless truly looking....It is so easy to portray to the world...someone we are not....

This book has very little narrative summary to support the dialogue. As a result, it reads much like a movie script. Character development is weak and inconsistent, and the prose is almost juvenile in spots. It is something I would expect to see from a freshman college student, not a well-respected, seasoned author. I haven't read Parker's other books, so perhaps they are all written in this same over-simplistic style. It apparently works for some people, but not for me.

I have read several Robert Parker "Spenser for Hire" novels and have enjoyed all of them. This particular book was good, but seemed more formulaic than most. Some of his books are very interesting with unusual plot twists. Unfortunately, some of them, like this one, seem to be cranked out to a formula. Parker has been very successful in slowly defining Spenser's character and nuances. I felt this book drew on already established characteristics and went too far in the extreme with the climactic gunfight scene in the end. Still, the novel plays well into the series and is a fast paced book and a good read for true Spenser fans.

I have read all the Parker books more than once, and this one is my favorite. You shouldn't start with it - it would be better to be familiar with the character first - but if you're going to pick and choose, choose this one. The mystery is top-shelf, the supporting characters are carefully drawn, there isn't too much of the adorably annoying Susan, and Spenser is at his wise-cracking best. He really hit his stride with this book.