Review of "Perish Twice," by Robert B. Parker

 Review of

Perish Twice, by Robert B. Parker ISBN 0399146687

Five out of five stars

Sunny pursues the case when told not to

 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.