Review of "Robert B. Parker’s Blood Feud," by Mike Lupica

 Review of

Robert B. Parker’s Blood Feud, by Mike Lupica ISBN 9780525535362

Five out of five stars

Lupica captures Sunny as she was done by Parker

 Robert B. Parker created some of the greatest characters in fiction and some very good writers have been employed to continue their adventures. In this case, Lupica has created a continuation of P. I. Sunny Randall, a tough, gunslinging detective that backs off from no one. Yet, she has a softer side that leads her to an analysist, none other than the great Susan Silverman, Spenser’s great love. This is an opportunity to have Susan a minor character in this story, where Spenser is only indirectly mentioned. Other characters well known from the Spenser novels are Benson, Quark, Tony Marcus, Vinnie Morris and their entourages. Sunny’s previous involvement with Jesse Stone is also mentioned, and in this case, by name.

 Sunny is now back with her ex-husband Richie Burke, although neither of them is sure where the relationship is going. When Richie is shot in a way where it is clear that the assailant was an expert and only wanted to wound him, Sunny takes on the case. Even though Richie, his father Desmond and Desmond’s brother Felix strongly push her away, she ignores them and bloodhounds her way in pursuit of the truth. Sunny also interacts strongly with local law enforcement officials where she asks them to seek out information when she cannot.

 The story moves quickly and has snappy dialog that is very reminiscent of that of Parker. It is based on a long-standing feud between the Burke criminal clan, and another led by Albert Antonioni. The clues to what is really going on are doled out in small parcels, there is a dramatic conclusion that is a bit surprising, but only in terms of who actually did what.

While no one can truly mimic the style of Parker, Lupica comes as close as possible in the literary sense.