Robert B. Parker's Cheap Shot
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4.2 • 350 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
“Atkins gives Robert B. Parker’s long-running series one of its best installments to date” (Bookreporter.com) as Spenser investigates the kidnapping of a football player’s son.
Kinjo Heywood is one of the New England Patriots’ marquee players—a hard-nosed linebacker who’s earned his standing as one of the toughest guys in the league. He may be worth millions but his connection to a nightclub shooting two years before is still putting a dangerous spin on his life, and his career.
When Heywood’s nine-year-old son, Akira, is kidnapped, and a winding trail through Boston’s underworld begins, Spenser puts together his own all-star team of toughs. It will take both Hawk and Spenser’s protégé, Zebulon Sixkill, to watch Spenser’s back. Because Heywood’s next unpredictable move puts everyone in jeopardy as the clock winds down on Akira’s future.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In Atkins's assured third Spenser novel (after 2013's Robert B. Parker's Wonderland), New England Patriots linebacker Kinjo Heywood, who suspects he's being followed, hires PI Spenser to look into the perceived threats. Someone may be unhappy that Heywood, who was implicated in a shooting at a Manhattan nightclub, emerged from the investigation with only a weapons violation. The star's reputation as a dirty player also could be behind the harassment, with opposing teams potentially seeking to rattle him just as the season gets underway. When Heywood's seven-year-old son, Akira, is kidnapped, Spenser works frantically to bring Akira back safely, despite sometimes working at cross-purposes from the boy's father. Because the "old Italian and Irish crews" that Spenser used to know are no more, he has to turn to new underworld sources for information. Atkins's gift for mimicking the late Robert B. Parker could lead to a long run, to the delight of Spenser devotees.
Customer Reviews
Not Parker
Good story. Nice to see the usual actors but the dialog is just off. It's like hearing different voices come out of familiar faces.
CHEAP SHOT
A retirement gift to myself in 2018 was to reread the 39 Spenser books written by Robert B. Parker, in order, again. So, to say I’m a RBP fan is an understatement but I mourned his death because he brought me such joy through his characters, but also because I thought Spenser, Hawk, Susan and the others died with him. Ace Atkins has proven me wrong. He’s a gifted writer and taking over an iconic character has got to be a daunting task and it’s taken nearly 16 years to return to Spenser, I salute Ace and thank him for reminding me why I was so loved this world Spenser inhabits (and for indulging me on the one exception which will remain a private conversation between the writer and the readers). Cheers from SaMo, my friend. See you on the next LA visit
Cheap Shot
Not quite Parker, but very close. Good read.