Hot Property is the latest novel by Mike Lupica, which continues the Spenser series originally created by the late Robert B. Parker.
Spenser is hunkered down during a Boston snowstorm when he receives news that his friend, Rita Fiore, has been shot. Rita is a relentless flirt and one of Boston’s toughest attorneys. Her wound is not fatal, but Spenser is determined to find the assailant and bring him out of the shadows. Spenser learns of a pretty intense relationship with a politician that was ended abruptly when he inexplicably drowned. Rita believed her beau to be unimpeachable, but Spenser has some reason to be skeptical when a dodgy land deal seems to be at the heart of the matter. Unfortunately, another shooting happens, and this one is fatal. Someone is tying up some loose ends, and Spenser is very aware that Rita is likely still in danger.
It seems like almost everyone in Spenser’s circle has been shot throughout the series, including the private himself. The plot is actually pretty imaginative. Lupica does throw in some surprising twists. Some of the wisecracks seem a little recycled, but I often felt like that when reading Parker’s novels.
Lupica manages to emulate Parker’s style well enough to keep me engaged. It’s a standard caper for this series, but I wonder if Rita will make some changes in her rather reckless lifestyle in subsequent novels.
This is a pretty good contribution to the series, and Parker would likely approve this one. Lupica was a solid choice to continue the series, and I look forward to getting my hands on the next one.
Until then, my own literary indulgence continues with kind of a modern classic. I decided to read the beginning of what would become a major cinematic franchise by a highly regarded writer who is no longer with us. I am going to explore the wonder of Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park.
