Robert B. Parker's Grudge Match

By: Mike Lupica

Narrated by: Kate Burton

Robert B. Parker's beloved PI Sunny Randall returns on a case that blurs the line between friend and foe...and if Sunny can't tell the difference, the consequences may be deadly.

When Sunny's long-time gangster associate Tony Marcus comes to her for help, Sunny is surprised--after all, she double crossed him on a recent deal, and their relationship is on shakier ground than ever. But the way Tony figures it, Sunny owes him, and Sunny's willing to consider his case if it will clear the slate.

Tony's trusted girlfriend and business partner has vanished, appears to have left in a hurry, and he has no idea why. He just wants to talk to her, he says, but first he needs Sunny to track her down. While Sunny isn't willing to trust his good intentions, the missing woman intrigues her--against all odds, she's risen to a position of power in Tony's criminal enterprise. Sunny can't help but admire her, and if this woman's in a jam, Sunny would like to help.

But when a witness is murdered hours after speaking to Sunny, it's clear there's more at stake than just Tony's love life. Someone--maybe even Tony himself--doesn't want this woman on the loose...and will go to any lengths to make sure she stays silent.

Critic reviews

"The superb plotting is enhanced by Lupica’s well-written scenes set during Sunny’s therapy sessions with Spenser’s love, Susan Silverman, which deepen the reader’s understanding of Sunny. Fans of tough, competent female PIs such as V.I. Warshawski will approve Lupica’s continuation of the series."—Publishers Weekly

a nice light funny read

I really enjoyed it..light and funny..only objection was too much he said she said etc

Nailed it

the truest impression of Robert's voice I have heard yet. outstanding story and plot and all characters ring true.

GOOD READ

I have bookshelves filled with Robert B Parker books. I have read all of the Spencer series and now all the Sunny Randall and im working on Jesse Stone though i dont like that he is such a good guy if you just look past the women and the booze. I like these books because it always feels like youre sitting down with old friends. This one was no exception. The story was good. It had enough twists and turns to keep you turning the page while scratching your head. All in all this was a good book I will recommend it to others. The one negative I found was that someone might let the narrator know that it is not necessary to read every single "he said, she said" in the whole book. In some spots it becomes very annoying.

I Said, He Said etc, etc.

Why did Mike Lupica continue Parker's ridiculous style of dialog exchanges. Who is that for? And who enjoys it? Is it supposed to be cute? It's maddening and so unnecessary. Books are to be enjoyed, not endured. Oh yeah, in addition, Lupica's writing is terribly flabby as he describes darn near everything. Vonnegut said he didn't provide food or transportation for his characters because any reader is perfectly willing to believe a character ate, slept, drove to work etc. But Lupica describes the unnecessary and mundane. We don't need to know that Sunny checked her rearview mirror, hit her left-turn blinker and changed lanes. Really? The guy must love to hear himself type. Waste of a credit.

Mediocre at best

Not up to Robert Parker standards. Dull, slow moving, uneventful story. Great characters, just a boring story.