First off, it's not RB Parker at the top of his game. Second, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

While still streamlined compared to many contemporary P.I. tales, Atkins' take is far from the pared-down Hemingway-esque style Parker's worked the last several years. This harkens back to the style of early Spenser novels of the late 70s, which I consider a good thing. For Spenser fans, all the beats are there: workouts with Hawk in back of Henry Cimoli's, a good hard run interrupted with action, flirting with the comely Rita Fiore, dinner with Susan, Pearl the Wonder Dog.

As for the particulars of this tale, 14-year-old client Mattie Sullivan is a wonderful invention. Z Sixkill, Spenser's latest protege, is mercifully absent. But I'd love to see Mattie recur through the series much as Paul Giacomin has - a character whom she brings rather forcefully to Spenser's mind.

I could stand to see the series continue with this writer, and at this pitch.