At last, a Parker novel that's more about actual detective work than displaying one's level of male hormones, well.. almost..

This time, Spenser is hired to investigate a Columbine-like shooting by the grandmother of one of the shooters. Though he is in custody and has confessed to having a part in the crime, she doesn't think he is guitly and wantsSpenser to prove it.

Spenser sets about in his usual break-all-the rules manner and soon has everybody in the whole town pretty much ticked off at him, including the parents, the lawyers, the cops, and the students. And this time, Parker manages to tick me off as well with Spenser's behavior.

I want to see smart-aleck private eyes. I want them to be tough. However, I want them to observe some conventions, like not allowing his dog to run wild everywhere he goes. I get fed up with his dog being with him everywhere, going in other places where dogs don't belong, etc.

Further, I get tired of every Parker's obsession with food. My brother thinks this demonstrates a certain predisposition to being a gourmet.. if it was just gourmet foods that Spenser is interested in -- well. when he even has to mention Lean Cuisines (or was it Budget Gourmet) frozen dinners.. well.. it just doesn't add anything to the plot.. I don't really give a rat's long tail and the rump it is attached to what Spenser eats and it certainly isn't required in nearly every single chapter.

Finally, Just when I thought Parker would be creative in the conclusion of this novel (and which would have greatly improved my opinion of it.. Spenser has to get into an absurd (and almost comical) shootout that just plain doesn't advance the plot well at all. Does Parker think that Spenser has to shoot a specific number of villains in each novel or something?

This one was better than some.. Parker still waxes on about shrinks and psychology, food, and brute action takes the place of clever crime solving.