Review of "Small Vices," by Robert B. Parker

Review of

Small Vices, by Robert B. Parker ISBN 0399142444

Five out of five stars

 The crusading knight in the form of the private detective Spenser takes a most unusual case from the hottest lady lawyer in town, Rita Fiore. One-and-a-half years earlier, a black man with a long record named Ellis Alves was convicted of the murder of a white female college student named Melissa Henderson. Her father is the owner of eight banks and the case was a simple one where Rita simply overpowered the young public defender opposing her.

 However, over time the case against Alves has begun to take on an odor to Rita, so her firm is hiring Spenser to investigate the case to affirm/refute his guilt. While it is hard for anyone to work up any sympathy for Alves, the point is to do what they can to make sure that justice is done.

 As he generally does, Spenser starts asking around, annoying people, but not really learning anything. Hawk is involved from the beginning, providing opportunity for amusing dialog. When four toughs come to Spenser’s office in an attempt to dissuade him from the case, it is fortunate that Hawk happened to be there. Even though the opposition had four to their two, the opposing thugs understood that it would not be a fair fight.

 The situation grows dire when a man called the “Gray Man” informs Spenser and Susan that he has been hired to make sure the case ends. He is a man that is more than Spenser’s equal in a fight, when asked, Gino Fish tells Spenser that he would not send even Vinnie Morris to take him on because he thought that Vinnie could not handle him alone.

 The Gray Man also makes a threat against Susan and it is here where Spenser’s friends come forward. Vinnie, Hawk, Belson, Quirk and others all take turns guarding Susan while Spenser continues his hunt for the solution.

 This story, like so many involving an action hero, is made by the strength and power of the villain. For the first time, Spenser’s opponent is better than him in taking down his adversary, forcing Spenser to use guile. Yet, the victory is not easy, it is literally one won by mere inches.