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Sunny Randall #2
Perish Twice
This time out, Sunny finds herself enmeshed in the problematic lives of three troubled women. The first is her sister Elizabeth, a shallow, self-absorbed neurotic who loses her bearings when her husband leaves her for another woman. The second is her old friend Julie, a professional therapist struggling to cope with the painful dissolution of her own moribund marriage. The third is a client named Mary Lou Goddard, a feminist and self-professed lesbian who hires Sunny to protect her from an unidentified stalker. Mary Lou's dilemma, with its multilayered mysteries and attendant dangers, serves as the novel's central dramatic thread.
Sunny quickly identifies the stalker as Lawrence Reeves, a pathetic middle-aged misogynist. Shortly after Sunny's first confrontation with Reeves, Gretchen Crane, Mary Lou's assistant, is murdered, ostensibly because of her slight resemblance to Mary Lou. Shortly after that, Lawrence Reeves commits -- or appears to commit -- suicide, leaving an unambiguous confession behind. Satisfied, the Boston PD closes the file on Gretchen's murder, while Sunny, not at all satisfied, continues to investigate. Her investigation carries her from the bastions of radical feminism to the sleazy underworld of organized prostitution, gradually uncovering a sordid account of twisted relationships, sexual betrayal, and blind, murderous rage.
With consummate skill, Parker moves the complex narrative back and forth across three intersecting story lines. In the process, he takes us deeply into Sunny Randall's life, an austere, disciplined existence built around her love of art, her absolute dedication to her chosen profession, and her unresolved relationship with ex-husband Richie Burke, whose family, ironically, is a major force in the Irish-dominated Boston mob.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
715 people are currently reading
915 people want to read
About the author
Robert B. Parker
492 books2,305 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Robert B. Parker.
Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, primarily of fiction within the mystery/detective genre. His most famous works were the 40 novels written about the fictional private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the mid-1980s; a series of TV movies was also produced based on the character. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area. The Spenser novels have been cited as reviving and changing the detective genre by critics and bestselling authors including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.
Parker also wrote nine novels featuring the fictional character Jesse Stone, a Los Angeles police officer who moves to a small New England town; six novels with the fictional character Sunny Randall, a female private investigator; and four Westerns starring the duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The first was Appaloosa, made into a film starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, primarily of fiction within the mystery/detective genre. His most famous works were the 40 novels written about the fictional private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the mid-1980s; a series of TV movies was also produced based on the character. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area. The Spenser novels have been cited as reviving and changing the detective genre by critics and bestselling authors including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.
Parker also wrote nine novels featuring the fictional character Jesse Stone, a Los Angeles police officer who moves to a small New England town; six novels with the fictional character Sunny Randall, a female private investigator; and four Westerns starring the duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The first was Appaloosa, made into a film starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
June 27, 2024
Втората книга от поредицата за нахакания детектив Съни Рандал вероятно ще е и последна за мен.
Твърде простичко е всичко, много клишета и повторения, а и сестра ѝ е пълна тъпачка и много ме дразни. Дебилната ѝ приятелка Джули също. Отделно нямаше завършен край историята...
Като цяло, не се е справил добре с женските образи Паркър.
Твърде простичко е всичко, много клишета и повторения, а и сестра ѝ е пълна тъпачка и много ме дразни. Дебилната ѝ приятелка Джули също. Отделно нямаше завършен край историята...
Като цяло, не се е справил добре с женските образи Паркър.
July 12, 2023
Very enjoyable. This second book in the series has Sunny dealing with her sister Elizabeth and her best friend Julie, both of whom are having marital difficulties. Elizabeth handles it badly and doesn't understand anything; Julie handles it badly, but knows she needs to do better. In the meantime, Sunny is working on a homicide that has been closed by the police as solved, but Sunny doesn't believe the explanation. She wants to know what really happened, and that quest takes her back to the streets to talk to pimps and hookers, as well as into the rarefied atmosphere of a feminist consulting firm. Parker takes the opportunity to look at feminist theory and how if falls just short of some realities, which is one of his favourite themes - he preferred to look at situations an individual at a time, and holds the generalizations that are part of 'movements' to be highly suspect.
I think Perish Twice was better than Family Honor - an engaging addition to the series.
I think Perish Twice was better than Family Honor - an engaging addition to the series.
June 20, 2021
The story begins with PI Sunny Randall being hired as a bodyguard. But she soon has other issues to deal with.
It's the usual great character descriptions and turns of phrase from Parker. A lot of humour – even from Sunny’s dog, Rosie, constantly poking and exploring away at any old sweet wrapper that comes into her path. But most humour probably comes from the scenes of Sunny’s frustration at her shallow sister (Chapter 23):-
I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice. I felt sort of bad for her. It was like talking to a self-absorbed child.
‘Maybe you should move on,’ I said.
‘To whom?’
‘To the next guy that seems suitable. No rush. I like men, but I find it perfectly nice to be without one as needed. I’m enough.’
‘That’s feminist propaganda. A woman without a man is nowhere, and you know it.’
‘Actually, hon, I don’t know that.’
‘Men are where the bucks are,’ she said. And anyone who pretends differently is just lying to themselves.’
‘So you’re going to keep seeing Mort?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘And when the evening’s over you’ll go home and, what, grope him?’
‘It’s where the bucks are,’ she said. ‘You’d do exactly the same thing.’
If I was quick, I could push her in front of one of the fill trucks moving along Summer Street. She would be out of her misery. I would be out of mine. I could plead justifiable homicide.’
Sunny Randall is a likeable character who’s good to get to know, and the novel is another fun and pacey read from Parker. The only disappointment is a rather wordy and oddly static explanatory end.
This is the second in a series of six books by Parker.
It's the usual great character descriptions and turns of phrase from Parker. A lot of humour – even from Sunny’s dog, Rosie, constantly poking and exploring away at any old sweet wrapper that comes into her path. But most humour probably comes from the scenes of Sunny’s frustration at her shallow sister (Chapter 23):-
I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice. I felt sort of bad for her. It was like talking to a self-absorbed child.
‘Maybe you should move on,’ I said.
‘To whom?’
‘To the next guy that seems suitable. No rush. I like men, but I find it perfectly nice to be without one as needed. I’m enough.’
‘That’s feminist propaganda. A woman without a man is nowhere, and you know it.’
‘Actually, hon, I don’t know that.’
‘Men are where the bucks are,’ she said. And anyone who pretends differently is just lying to themselves.’
‘So you’re going to keep seeing Mort?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘And when the evening’s over you’ll go home and, what, grope him?’
‘It’s where the bucks are,’ she said. ‘You’d do exactly the same thing.’
If I was quick, I could push her in front of one of the fill trucks moving along Summer Street. She would be out of her misery. I would be out of mine. I could plead justifiable homicide.’
Sunny Randall is a likeable character who’s good to get to know, and the novel is another fun and pacey read from Parker. The only disappointment is a rather wordy and oddly static explanatory end.
This is the second in a series of six books by Parker.
August 10, 2020
Чудех се какво точно ме гложди, докато четях двете книжлета от серията Съни Рандъл и преди малко го проумях - това си е чиста проба чиклит, завоалиран като кримка. С инфантилните женски образи, с насилената политкоректност, с комичните до абсурдност сцени... В заключение... безвкусно, по скромното ми мнение, родно издателско решение да преведеш Perish Twice (оригиналното заглавие) като Огън и лед.
August 28, 2022
I've never been a fan of Parker, even though so many other people seem to think he's the bee's knees. Every so often, somebody gives me one of his books and I try it, only to be mystified once again.
In this one, Sunny is hired by a professional lesbian as a bodyguard. There's a man stalking her, or maybe not. Plus her sister is divorcing her husband for cheating.
There's a lot of smug and glib talk. Seems like it took place in maybe 1983 at the latest, but is actually set in the year 2000.
I guess people in Boston dig it.
In this one, Sunny is hired by a professional lesbian as a bodyguard. There's a man stalking her, or maybe not. Plus her sister is divorcing her husband for cheating.
There's a lot of smug and glib talk. Seems like it took place in maybe 1983 at the latest, but is actually set in the year 2000.
I guess people in Boston dig it.
April 3, 2017
3.5 stars
Same easy writing style as Parker has used for his Spenser novels. My first one about P.I. Sunny Randall. I like her spunk and the feminine way she thinks. Her tenacity and problem solving skills are impressive, not to mention her wit and sense of humor.... yeah, kinda like a feminine version of Spenser. Blond, fit and gorgeous. She works at it too.
Sunny is a smart gal and has been around the block a time or two. The daughter of a cop, and a former cop herself (admittedly for a little while anyway) before becoming a P.I. in the Boston area. Her sidekick is Rosie, her pet bull-terrier, who goes almost everywhere with her. She is divorced from her husband Richie, but they still see each other occasionally and get along better divorced than when they were married. They both love and share Rosie. No children.
In this novel she gets fired from a case she is working on, but pursues it for her own knowledge and satisfaction. Her sister and her best friend's marriages are in trouble and she gets drawn into those. All in all I enjoyed getting acquainted with Sunny and will now seek out Book 1 (Family Honor) to get the background of her family in the police force and what transpired before this writing. Nothing earth-shattering, but this was a fast, easy and entertaining read.
Same easy writing style as Parker has used for his Spenser novels. My first one about P.I. Sunny Randall. I like her spunk and the feminine way she thinks. Her tenacity and problem solving skills are impressive, not to mention her wit and sense of humor.... yeah, kinda like a feminine version of Spenser. Blond, fit and gorgeous. She works at it too.
Sunny is a smart gal and has been around the block a time or two. The daughter of a cop, and a former cop herself (admittedly for a little while anyway) before becoming a P.I. in the Boston area. Her sidekick is Rosie, her pet bull-terrier, who goes almost everywhere with her. She is divorced from her husband Richie, but they still see each other occasionally and get along better divorced than when they were married. They both love and share Rosie. No children.
In this novel she gets fired from a case she is working on, but pursues it for her own knowledge and satisfaction. Her sister and her best friend's marriages are in trouble and she gets drawn into those. All in all I enjoyed getting acquainted with Sunny and will now seek out Book 1 (Family Honor) to get the background of her family in the police force and what transpired before this writing. Nothing earth-shattering, but this was a fast, easy and entertaining read.
October 21, 2018
Okay, this is the second one in Parker's Sunny Randall series. I recommend reading them in order. This one's a mystery. Once Sunny is on the job that's it. She ain't leaving until she's got it all figured out. She's persistent.
At this point you gotta like Sunny and her funny little dog. Maybe I want one. I dunno. Max is enough dog for now. So I like to publish an appropriate quote from every book I read. This one is so good, it's going into my Quote Box.
"Lot of people lie about a lot of things. World's dishonest."
Yeah. Whaddaya gonna do, eh?
Cheers and Happy Reading!
JIM in MT
http://adamjames.blackdogebooks.com/
At this point you gotta like Sunny and her funny little dog. Maybe I want one. I dunno. Max is enough dog for now. So I like to publish an appropriate quote from every book I read. This one is so good, it's going into my Quote Box.
"Lot of people lie about a lot of things. World's dishonest."
Yeah. Whaddaya gonna do, eh?
Cheers and Happy Reading!
JIM in MT
http://adamjames.blackdogebooks.com/
December 1, 2018
Sunny Randall is such a great character.
This book may not be as exciting as the first book, but it's such a fun read and all the characters are great.
I wouldn't call this a "crime thriller". More like a "mellow who-done-it". But it's fantastic either way.
This book may not be as exciting as the first book, but it's such a fun read and all the characters are great.
I wouldn't call this a "crime thriller". More like a "mellow who-done-it". But it's fantastic either way.
February 7, 2020
So much better than the first Randall story. This one was vintage Parker. The formula is similar and some of the characters are living in all three of his Boston worlds but it was a great book. Sunny has to deal with her family more than Stone or Spenser. Her sister is a piece of work. I really hope the next four Sunny books are this good.
April 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Normally I like Robert B. Parker books with Jesse Stone but this particular book was well written and something I didn’t expect, a really good stories and some very exciting characters. I read this book in two days and frankly, there are very few books that capture my interest the way this book did. I think all of you will enjoy this book. Read in Friends!!
April 5, 2025
Sunny Randall is a great character: tough, intelligent, thoughtful, and s smart ass… this is a gritty mystery with a lot of moving parts, but it never feels clunky…
October 27, 2022
Sunny is hired by her sister Elizabeth to stalk her husband. Sunny confirms he has someone on the side.
Sunny is also introduced to a woman who claims she is being stalked by someone. The woman, Mary Lou Goddard, is looking for protection. Sunny agrees to be her bodyguard and to do some investigation. She identifies Mary Lou’s stalker. There is a little confrontation.
The next day, Sunny drives Mary Lou to her office and departs. She has to go back almost immediately because Mary Lou has found a body of one of her employees, Gretchen Crane. In the meantime, her lifelong friend Julia is having trouble with her marriage to Michael and has gone on a date with a man named Robert. Later, she gets an abortion when she discovers she’s pregnant by Robert.
And her sister Elizabeth has gone on a date with a boorish guy named Mort. After a while, Mort wants Elizabeth to have a threesome. Elizabeth refuses. Mort threatens to post the pictures on the Internet. Sunny and Spike go to his office and forcibly get the pictures.
Sunny learns that Gretchen was investigating local prostitution. She went to see Tony Marcus who referred her to Jermaine. Sunny follows the same path and learns from one of Jermaine’s girls that Gretchen had come with a tall black woman.
Sunny goes to see Mary Lou’s girlfriend, Nancy Goddard, who turns out to be that tall, black woman. She learns one Nancy’s maiden name.
She goes out for a walk that night and Jermaine tries to kill her. He fails. And is arrested.
Sunny does a little more investigating, discovering there are several intertwined love triangles and has two meetings with Tony Marcus. And then the book ends.
This is the third Sunny Randall novel I have read. The writing is good, very much like the Spenser novels. Junior and Ty-bop, who appear in a Spenser novel are here. There is little banter with Spike this time. And the conversations she has with Julia and her sister are not banter.
Sunny is also introduced to a woman who claims she is being stalked by someone. The woman, Mary Lou Goddard, is looking for protection. Sunny agrees to be her bodyguard and to do some investigation. She identifies Mary Lou’s stalker. There is a little confrontation.
The next day, Sunny drives Mary Lou to her office and departs. She has to go back almost immediately because Mary Lou has found a body of one of her employees, Gretchen Crane. In the meantime, her lifelong friend Julia is having trouble with her marriage to Michael and has gone on a date with a man named Robert. Later, she gets an abortion when she discovers she’s pregnant by Robert.
And her sister Elizabeth has gone on a date with a boorish guy named Mort. After a while, Mort wants Elizabeth to have a threesome. Elizabeth refuses. Mort threatens to post the pictures on the Internet. Sunny and Spike go to his office and forcibly get the pictures.
Sunny learns that Gretchen was investigating local prostitution. She went to see Tony Marcus who referred her to Jermaine. Sunny follows the same path and learns from one of Jermaine’s girls that Gretchen had come with a tall black woman.
Sunny goes to see Mary Lou’s girlfriend, Nancy Goddard, who turns out to be that tall, black woman. She learns one Nancy’s maiden name.
She goes out for a walk that night and Jermaine tries to kill her. He fails. And is arrested.
Sunny does a little more investigating, discovering there are several intertwined love triangles and has two meetings with Tony Marcus. And then the book ends.
This is the third Sunny Randall novel I have read. The writing is good, very much like the Spenser novels. Junior and Ty-bop, who appear in a Spenser novel are here. There is little banter with Spike this time. And the conversations she has with Julia and her sister are not banter.
May 27, 2023
The main storyline isn't half bad. But when it comes to relationships, Sunny's own and now her friend Julie and sister Elizabeth add to the annoying way Robert B Parker looks at the way couples behave. And to add to that, Sunny, who wants to things herself, for the 2nd consecutive book needs Richie and Spike to keep going on. I'm sure it will be same in the next book too.
September 29, 2020
Not as enjoyable as the Spenser series. Some common elements, e.g., doted on dog. Sunny detects thoughout the book with a single paying client for only the miniscule first portion. How does she pay rent? buy all the drinks? The common theme of middle aged woman searching for self was explored in all three characters. Sunny's sister seemed a caricature with no redeeming qualities. Meh.
January 12, 2016
I enjoy the Sunny Randall series. They are quick, yet entertaining reads. Rosie is really the star of the show!
November 24, 2025
Another Fun Read from Parker
I’ve read a good number of books by Robert Parker and have enjoyed each, including this one. PERISH TWICE features private detective ,Sunny Randall investigating a double murder. The plot gets complicated. It begins with a protection detail for an avowed feminist who has a stalker. But the further Sunny steps into her responsibility, the more complex things become. Her employer, Mary Lou Goddard, head of an organization campaigning for women’s rights, claims she doesn’t know the stalker but Sunny learns he is a former lover of Mary Lou. When Sunny prods too much, Mary Lou fires her but that only makes our heroine more determined. Then, the stalker is found dead, of an apparent suicide with a note in his own handwriting and the case goes cold. But Sunny suspects something is off and keeping digging. Her investigation reveals a tangled web of suspects from the polished feminist to the local crime boss with a stable of whores and she ends up needing help from her gay friend Spike and her ex Richie to get it all untangled.
This novel has the characteristics I’ve come to love from Parker—great wit, a fair share of humor, enough twists and turns to keep me turning pages, a bit of romance and a setting so real I could walk around in it. And I can’t help but enjoy Sunny Randall, all the while wondering how much of Robert Parker is inside her character., especially since I learned a good deal about the author’s life when I featured him on a recent episode of Great Stories about Great Storytellers. Like all of his books, I recommend PERISH TWICE and this entry is free standing and readers will have no trouble jumping right into the narrative and swimming around. Oh, they may want to enjoy of tumbler of amber liquid while they read in true Parker style.
I’ve read a good number of books by Robert Parker and have enjoyed each, including this one. PERISH TWICE features private detective ,Sunny Randall investigating a double murder. The plot gets complicated. It begins with a protection detail for an avowed feminist who has a stalker. But the further Sunny steps into her responsibility, the more complex things become. Her employer, Mary Lou Goddard, head of an organization campaigning for women’s rights, claims she doesn’t know the stalker but Sunny learns he is a former lover of Mary Lou. When Sunny prods too much, Mary Lou fires her but that only makes our heroine more determined. Then, the stalker is found dead, of an apparent suicide with a note in his own handwriting and the case goes cold. But Sunny suspects something is off and keeping digging. Her investigation reveals a tangled web of suspects from the polished feminist to the local crime boss with a stable of whores and she ends up needing help from her gay friend Spike and her ex Richie to get it all untangled.
This novel has the characteristics I’ve come to love from Parker—great wit, a fair share of humor, enough twists and turns to keep me turning pages, a bit of romance and a setting so real I could walk around in it. And I can’t help but enjoy Sunny Randall, all the while wondering how much of Robert Parker is inside her character., especially since I learned a good deal about the author’s life when I featured him on a recent episode of Great Stories about Great Storytellers. Like all of his books, I recommend PERISH TWICE and this entry is free standing and readers will have no trouble jumping right into the narrative and swimming around. Oh, they may want to enjoy of tumbler of amber liquid while they read in true Parker style.
September 27, 2022
When prominent feminist Mary Lou Goddard hires Sunny to protect her from threats and stalking, she takes on more than what first appeared. It is quickly clear that Goddard is not being truthful when Sunny poses questions to Goddard about what she knows about potential perpetrators. The case quickly goes more sinister when one of Goddard’s co-workers is gunned down at the place where they work. Since the co-worker resembles Goddard, it appears to be a case of mistaken identity.
Sunny quickly identifies the most likely stalker, but that lead seems to dead end very quickly in a manner that could resolve all issues. However, Sunny believes that the loose ends were tied up too quickly and even though she was fired by Goddard, she refuses to quit the case.
The story is compounded by two simultaneous plot threads. Sunny’s older sister discovers that her husband is playing around with other women and Sunny’s best friend Julie, supposedly happily married with children, is engaging in an affair with a man that is simply not right for her. Therefore, in the midst of investigating multiple murders, Sunny is forces to play counselor and emotional support person to two people that she cannot decline.
The story moves along fairly well, Sunny uncovers facts that take her into unexpected and very dangerous territory. The climax is an interesting and somewhat unique one. In a few pages, Sunny goes from bravely facing death to engaging in an action right out of the hapless female playbook. This is arguably the best Sunny Randall novel penned by Parker.
Sunny quickly identifies the most likely stalker, but that lead seems to dead end very quickly in a manner that could resolve all issues. However, Sunny believes that the loose ends were tied up too quickly and even though she was fired by Goddard, she refuses to quit the case.
The story is compounded by two simultaneous plot threads. Sunny’s older sister discovers that her husband is playing around with other women and Sunny’s best friend Julie, supposedly happily married with children, is engaging in an affair with a man that is simply not right for her. Therefore, in the midst of investigating multiple murders, Sunny is forces to play counselor and emotional support person to two people that she cannot decline.
The story moves along fairly well, Sunny uncovers facts that take her into unexpected and very dangerous territory. The climax is an interesting and somewhat unique one. In a few pages, Sunny goes from bravely facing death to engaging in an action right out of the hapless female playbook. This is arguably the best Sunny Randall novel penned by Parker.
July 6, 2018
I believe I finally have it. After reading 45 SPENSER books, 16 Jesse Stone books and 2 Sunny Randall books, ROBERT B. PARKER IS MY SHRINK YAY !!!!!
Page 79 . . . miniature bull terrier . . . (SPUD'S MACKENSIE DOG)
Page 156 . . . "Absolutely," I said. "Nor do I know him well enough to decide that he would own a gun and know a hit man and kill himself. But they are judgments that have to be made; either he did it, or he didn't, and there's enough that's bothersome about the hypothesis that he did, to make me at least consider that he didn't." . . .
Page 236 . . . "Doesn't it bother you at all that sometimes you have to ask a man for help?" Julie said.
"No."
"But it makes you dependent."
"I think probably independence is a state of mind as much as a physical condition," I said. "I could shoot Mort, but I can't physically overpower him. Spike can. It's kinder to Mort to, ah, manhandle him, then shoot him." . . .
Page 79 . . . miniature bull terrier . . . (SPUD'S MACKENSIE DOG)
Page 156 . . . "Absolutely," I said. "Nor do I know him well enough to decide that he would own a gun and know a hit man and kill himself. But they are judgments that have to be made; either he did it, or he didn't, and there's enough that's bothersome about the hypothesis that he did, to make me at least consider that he didn't." . . .
Page 236 . . . "Doesn't it bother you at all that sometimes you have to ask a man for help?" Julie said.
"No."
"But it makes you dependent."
"I think probably independence is a state of mind as much as a physical condition," I said. "I could shoot Mort, but I can't physically overpower him. Spike can. It's kinder to Mort to, ah, manhandle him, then shoot him." . . .
July 25, 2023
finished 25th july 2023 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loaner sunny randall #2. i've read some of the other series don't know how many there are don't know how close i am to reading all of them although i will given time. this one has all the bells and whistles, female private detective, her gay friend spike of course, more than one gay ladies, one of them vocal more so than cotton mather, various mob figures, various cop/detective figures. sunny's dog....a terrier that looks like spuds from yay ago various commercials. wanna say "pearl" though i believe that is the short-haired...hound...of susan and spenser. the ending of this one tells us what happened all tied up with an untidy bow so ho hum. other than that entertaining read. up over thirty-five read from parker robert b more than halfway though the...canon...cue the clown face down the tube. ready the net. anticipation.
May 25, 2018
It's a shame Parker wasn't able to write more Sunny Randall stories, because she's a great character. This story concerns so many imploding marriages and so much illicit sex that it's hard to give a summary; suffice it to say that Sunny's sister, Elizabeth, is both believable and thoroughly detestable, that we see several of Spenser's friends and nemeses, and that many, many twists of plot swirl together in the last chapter so we can finally see what the heck has been going on. This is a fun read.
Then why only three stars? I had to dock one because Parker insists on having Sunny carry her gun in her purse. I've checked with female cops on this. Trust me, it's not a thing. You do not want to dig around under CVS receipts, car keys, and shopping lists to get at your firearm while Frankie Knuckes is lining up his sights on you. Just too dumb.
Then why only three stars? I had to dock one because Parker insists on having Sunny carry her gun in her purse. I've checked with female cops on this. Trust me, it's not a thing. You do not want to dig around under CVS receipts, car keys, and shopping lists to get at your firearm while Frankie Knuckes is lining up his sights on you. Just too dumb.
October 16, 2021
I love Robert Parker's style. The dry wit is as enjoyable as the convoluted mysteries. I discovered Sunny Randall as a character in the Jessie Stone books and had to back track to her series. She is smart, strong, and resourceful. The sleuthing story in this book is great but the personal melodrama was a bit much. Parker tries to explore the theme of women's self realization but paints both best friend Julie and sister Elizabeth as absolute wrecks. Elizabeth was painted as a shallow socialite in the first book. But Julie was smart and aware. The self destructive rural for both characters bothered me and detracted from the mystery.
July 28, 2023
Sunny Randall is almost as fun as Robert B. Parker’s other PI, Spenser. She’s sort of the female version of him, and thus is a lot of fun and so is her dog, Rosie. Sunny deals here with lesbians, hookers, cops, gangsters and other low lifes and also her best friend, Julie, and Elizabeth, Sunny’s very obnoxious sister. Those last two are almost as difficult as the criminals she meets, even the ones who shoot at her. If Elizabeth were my sister I’d disown her. Sunny also has an unusual relationship with her ex-husband, Richie, whose family has mob connections, and they are dating each other, post-divorce. All together very entertaining.
July 13, 2019
Love Robert Parker's writing! He had an easy style and his P.I.'s take their time solving their cases even if they get fired. They're persistent! Sunny Randall is not very different from Spencer. She's a tough lady who has tough friends who love her and will do what they can to help her as she investigates. This is the second in the series and its good to read all of the series, Spencer, Sunny, and Virgil Cole, in order so you can follow the progression in their stories as their lives unfold. Another interesting, quick read from a wonderful author who is sorely missed.
February 11, 2023
I know that this is an old series, but I just discovered it. I like the character and the books are easy to read and are fast reads. I’m not sure how Sunny actually makes any money though because this is the second book that she’s investigating for her own benefit. I would have given it four stars except that there was absolutely no mention of a secondary character from book one who had quite a prominent role and was supposed to be a major part of Sunny’s life. It’s like the character didn’t even exist. I hate when authors do that; they must think that readers are stupid.
August 1, 2017
If an Author makes you keep on reading beyond your bed time, leaves you with a good feeling and whets your appetite for more, what else must you say except that it's a five star. The feisty Sunny is back handling two emotional issues of those close to her as well as solving a complicated murder case. Only a writer with the sublime style of Parker can make it into an effortless read wanting you craving for more.
October 22, 2019
I couldn't put this one down. There is one person I could have killed and that was Elizabeth. She was so winey and couldn't make up her mind. All I can say is I was glad she wasn't related to me! I like her Dad Phil. He's a retired cop, while she grew up in a policeman's house and eventually became a Private Eye, she still gets a lot of help from dear old dad and his staff while he was working.
November 26, 2020
Mystery series - Sunny Randall has been asked to help out with a stalker problem. She quickly finds out the problem but then all heck breaks out. Her friend, Julie, and her sister, Elizabeth, are both having their lives unravel. Sunny and Richie are still in a complicated relationship dance. And, oh yeah, she solves the crime.
No Canadian references.
Pharmacy reference - Sunny buys coffee for a prostitute at a drug store. Doesn't anyone get prescriptions filled at a pharmacy any more?
No Canadian references.
Pharmacy reference - Sunny buys coffee for a prostitute at a drug store. Doesn't anyone get prescriptions filled at a pharmacy any more?
July 14, 2021
Sunny Randall is a great character, well portrayed, with some great one-liners throughout, and the plot was quite cleverly drawn with several twists along the way..
However, the ending was disappointing, too easily all wrapped up by one of the bad guys, and leaving a few ends still dangling. I could believe that the ending was written by someone else, who was pulled in at the last minute because Robert B just got tired of it all.
However, the ending was disappointing, too easily all wrapped up by one of the bad guys, and leaving a few ends still dangling. I could believe that the ending was written by someone else, who was pulled in at the last minute because Robert B just got tired of it all.
November 10, 2021
You know the old saying 'you can't unsee something once you've seen it?'
After I bought 'Perish Twice' I went online looking for a synopsis of the book. One reviewer called the Sunny Randall character 'Spencer in a skirt.' And I couldn't unsee it, mostly because they're right.
It's not Parker's best, it's still a good Boston story, but I have to join the chorus. There's something wooden about Sunny and it's hard to get past.
After I bought 'Perish Twice' I went online looking for a synopsis of the book. One reviewer called the Sunny Randall character 'Spencer in a skirt.' And I couldn't unsee it, mostly because they're right.
It's not Parker's best, it's still a good Boston story, but I have to join the chorus. There's something wooden about Sunny and it's hard to get past.
October 29, 2017
The second book in Parker's Sunny Randall series is short on action, but does a great job of subtly developing the still new (then) characters. Most of the main characters are female, and Parker still had work to do on speaking from that perspective, but Randall and company are very interesting characters.
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