Scan barcode
A review by koshpeli
Blue-Eyed Devil by Robert B. Parker
3.0
I do love Robert Parker. I love his Spenser series and I love the Appaloosa series. But later in life his books got more and more formulaic. And somewhere along the way, he added a new part to the formula where all the old "manly" characters from past adventures come together despite their various and sundry pasts and histories together.
It's a great formula and this book does a good job seeing it out. But I get a bit bored of it to be honest, reading the same plot and the same dialogues over and over in the Applaoosa books and the later Spenser books.
Bad guy that they also respect to some extent. Check.
New shooter who may be as good or better than Virgil and who may be on Virgil's side or not. Check.
Discussion about the rules. Check.
Constant references to the fact that Virgil is the best in so many respects. Check.
Reference to the past and how Allie is a pain in the ass but he still loves her. Check.
Riding into the sunset. Check.
Substitute Spencer for Virgil and Susan for Allie where necessary.
So if you want to be a completist, read this book. It won't disappoint you. But it won't wow you either. I'd prefer to reread [b:Appaloosa|297478|Appaloosa (Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch, #1)|Robert B. Parker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309286254s/297478.jpg|22710] or watch the movie. Or read an old Spenser. But I am glad I saw the series out because I love Mr. Parker's work that much!
It's a great formula and this book does a good job seeing it out. But I get a bit bored of it to be honest, reading the same plot and the same dialogues over and over in the Applaoosa books and the later Spenser books.
Spoiler
Bad guy that they also respect to some extent. Check.
New shooter who may be as good or better than Virgil and who may be on Virgil's side or not. Check.
Discussion about the rules. Check.
Constant references to the fact that Virgil is the best in so many respects. Check.
Reference to the past and how Allie is a pain in the ass but he still loves her. Check.
Riding into the sunset. Check.
Substitute Spencer for Virgil and Susan for Allie where necessary.
So if you want to be a completist, read this book. It won't disappoint you. But it won't wow you either. I'd prefer to reread [b:Appaloosa|297478|Appaloosa (Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch, #1)|Robert B. Parker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309286254s/297478.jpg|22710] or watch the movie. Or read an old Spenser. But I am glad I saw the series out because I love Mr. Parker's work that much!