"SCHOOL DAYS" by Robert B. Parker (B+)

In this 2005 novel, Robert B. Parker has Spencer, his long time literary protégé, star in a case reminiscent of Columbine and other recent high school and collegiate shooting tragedies. One might think that he would have run out of fresh ideas after more than fifty novels, but, then again, all one has to do is to pick up the daily newspaper to realize how easy it must be for him to be inspired by new subject matter.

Parker has crafted a very interesting tale with Spencer trying to find a possible loophole of innocence for Jared Clark, one of two students accused of a high school massacre. Even though Clark has already confessed, his grandmother, Lily Ellsworth, a grande dame of Boston suburban society, hires Spencer to prove that her grandson is innocent of the mass murder that took place at the Dowling High School. It will be up to Spencer to find out the truth of the matter, but his investigation will be made very difficult because everyone else involved in the affair wants to put this horrific episode behind them.

The case appears to be open and shut since Wendell Grant, the only murderer who was caught at the scene of the crime, has already fingered Jared Clark for being his accomplice. Clark then confessed to the crime, but Spenser finds nagging inconsistencies in the crime reports, all of which raise further questions and offer avenues for investigation into discovering possible extenuating circumstances.

Spencer quickly confronts the fact that no one involved in the affair wants to revisit this painful episode. Not his parents, who have been ostracized by their country club peers and have hired a former fraternity brother who is clearly unqualified to defend their son. Not Dr. Royce Garner, the President of the elite Dowling High School, who wants to move beyond this PR nightmare. Not Cromwell, the Dowling Chief of Police, who has two convictions in the bag and doesn't want anyone to open up the investigation, perhaps to find out that he had committed procedural errors. Not Francis Cleary, the Bethel County Prosecutor, who is ready to add the conviction of these two students to his resumé. And certainly not high school psychologist, Beth Ann Blair, whose analysis of the troubled Clark seems to obfuscate more than it enlightens.

It seems that Jared Clark has only one friend in the world, and that is his grandmother. At every step of the way in his investigation, Spenser will find himself stepping on the toes of people who make it more than clear that they don't want him there.

Other than Parker's Jesse Stone novels, which are highlighted by greater character interaction, this is one of the better Spencer novels as it features humorous dialogue that is both fresh and snappy. It reads like a breeze and is recommended even though Parker's writing is not as complex as the surprisingly convoluted plot. However, this novel certainly never suffers from the literary sin of being boring. Parker is at the top of his game and he has been there for a very long time with a writing talent that is astonishingly prolific. His literary output of more than a novel a year for the past 30 years can only be envied.

This story begins with Spencer left in the lurch by Susan Silverman, his long time inamorata. She has traveled to a lengthy seminar being conducted at a southern university. His lack of connubial bliss is only accentuated by the several attractive women he meets, many of whom come on to him.

Chief among these is attorney Rita Fiore, a partner at the Cone, Oakes law firm and a woman who is as comely as she is brilliant. She has been carrying a torch for Spencer for a long time and remains hopeful that Susan's absence will lead to a romantic rendezvous for the two of them. Fortunately, Spencer has the protection of Susan's dog, Pearl, who silently views his lady's partner with an all-knowing eye.

With Susan gone and no other close friends associated with this case other than Rita, Spencer spends much of the story wising off to anyone who tries to put him in his place, including the powers that be in leafy, suburban Dowling. This always makes for entertaining reading with the banter from this ex-pugilist as good with his words as he used to be with his fists in the ring. Reading this novel is the perfect antidote for a gloomy day. 2005, G. Putnam's Sons, 295 pages.