SCHOOL DAYS

Why? It takes a tough guy to get the answer to a tough question like that, especially when no one else wants to know. Spenser's the tough guy who's looking for answers in a school shooting case in this latest novel. Narrating as the Boston gumshoe, Joe Mantegna adds a light touch to Spenser's toughness, drawing laughs with his reading of wry, erudite lines. As the investigation gets more serious, Mantegna's narration turns more dramatic. Always, he highlights Parker's carefully drawn sense of place and eye for detail, sounding as naturally observant as a private eye. More than a puzzle, this novel shines light on the human factor in tragedy. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 06]