Shrink Rap: A Sunny Randall Mystery (Paperback)

Of course the only way you can read only of Robert B. Parker's Sunny Randall novels and not see it as a juggling around of the elements of his Spenser for Hire series is that you never read any of the Spenser for Hire novels. Yes, the main character is a female rather than a male, was actually married to their obvious sole mate, and the two of them share a good looking bull terrier that is in much better shape that Pearl the beloved wonder dog. But given how long it took Spencer and Susan to figure out their relationship things do not portend well for Sunny and Richie. However, that remains the secondary consideration in this novel to the case Sunny is working and by now it is clear that whatever the case she is working the climax has to be so her willingness (or rather her unwillingness) to have anybody provide help in the big showdown. In that regard, "Shrink Rap" turns out to be rather different from the previous novels in the series, "Perish Twice" and "Family Honor."

Ultimately, the secondary considerations outweigh the case at hand in this novel. The showdown actually ends up being less than fulfilling given everything that sets it up and what becomes more interesting are Sunny's ruminations on her life in the book's several therapy sessions (not that Sunny is in therapy, mind you, just pretending to be in therapy and talking about the pretend therapy). Consequently, her character actually seems to be making some progress with her troubled life.

As always, Parker provides a quick read; these are novels where
the only real way to avoid reading it in one day is to start it late at night. However, such books are perfect for the commuter lifestyle. The dialogue is typical Parker, where the one-liners are always driven by character and context. At least now we know if there is any chance for Sunny and Richie to end up happily ever after, it is going to happen this century...

The really good thing I have to say for SHRINK RAP is you can read it in one sitting without eyestrain, since the pages are filled with so much of Parker's characteristic dialogue that one doesn't need to worry about stumbling into any description along the way. The really bad thing I have to say is that Parker seems to have discovered a wonderful new technique whereby all his characters are interchangeable. Simply alter the name and slap them into different books. Sunny talked so much like Spenser (the PI Parker usually writes about, featured in books such as WIDOW'S WALK) that at times I forgot she wasn't Spenser. And as for the dog ... when the dog starts getting whole chapters of her own in which to fetch balls and take walks, you know the plot has foundered. Sunny did have a couple of good scenes with the shrink, but after she has explained to her friends and cohorts six or seven times why it is she doesn't need their help, my eyes start rolling.

If you love Parker no matter what, SHRINK RAP will give you a good dose of more of the same. But otherwise, I suggest you reread the early Spenser novels and leave Sunny on the shelf.

SHRINK RAP does differ somewhat from your basic Parker story. It's one of the few that doesn't bring in organized crime figures. The principle bad guy is believingly creepy enough that he doesn't need gangster help. He does have a couple of confederates, and again, they are sleazy enough, and somehow more menacing than any of Joe Broz' or Tony Morris' hoods.

As others point out, the disguise element doesn't convince. This evil character sure isn't going to be convinced by Sunny's disguise, and I'm afraid I'm not either.

However, this book delivers what one expects from Parker...a quick entertaining straight-line read which while mainly diversion still has enough thought provoking elements to satisfy the intelligent reader.