Ceremony (1982)

1982. My first Spenser mystery and I wasn't impressed. It has some great old Boston Combat Zone scenes, but the writing is strictly hack stuff. Adequate. The fighting that Spenser and his black army buddy, Hawk, do in this book is simply not credible. And it went on so long it was as boring as those ridiculously long fight scenes in some movies. Seriously, I put the book down in the middle of a fight and didn't pick it up til the next day. His perfect-seeming relationship was also suspect in my eyes. They've been together how long and they're still having great sex? On the regular? I don't know. It wasn't plausible and it wasn't very entertaining. Not planning to get another one real soon. Read Russell H. greenan instead. ( )

This early Parker novel finds Spencer trying to rescue a young girl from prostitution. In the end he contacts a madam friend of his and refers this girl to her. She continues to be a prostitute, but only in a better setting. This was not one of the better Spencer novels. ( )

A book which is sure to spark conversation, March 8, 2009

I have just completed another Robert B. Parker book: 'Ceremony.' While I enjoy Mr. Parker's storytelling, the ending, which I do not wish to give away, disturbed me.

Despite my opinion on the ending, I still give it 4 stars. Mr. Parker, as the author, is an excellent storyteller, and the one who creates the ending for his book: here, Spenser must come up with a quick solution to save a young girl from the jaws of a low-line prostitution ring - a girl who does not want to go back to the safety of her childhood home. I have thought about Spenser's solution in this story for some time now, and I honestly cannot say that I have an alternative, based on the character Mr. Parker created.

I would recommend this book, but I am not sure everyone would agree with the ending. If you are looking for an ending which may spark conversation, this book has done so for me.

J.R. Reardon
author, 'Confidential Communications' ( )

Same premise as SINS OF OUR FATHERS--return high school girl/whore, but wiseass, epicure Spenser is miles better than guilt-ridden Scudder. ( )