Pastime

I just finished the 18th book in Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Written in 1991, Pastime is a bit different paced than the other books so far. Here, Spenser isn't hired for a case per se. Paul Giacomin, the young man whom Spenser saved from his parents back in Early Autumn enlists Spenser's aid to help him locate his mother who seems to have disappeared. Together they find her and learn about the trouble she is in with her new boyfriend.

This book focuses a bit on relationships between parents and children, both that of Patty and Paul Giacomin as well as local mob figures. We also learn a lot more about Spenser's past through his discussions with Susan. The book just has a different sort of pace to it.

For me, it was just an okay book. Not one of the best in the series by any stretch of the imagination. It just seemed to be one of those middle of the series books an author does - to try to tie up some loose plot threads and such. It just seemed like passing time to me.