After a few weeks of this behavior, several women report someone walking into their unlocked houses, ordering them to strip at gunpoint, taking a digital photo of them and having them lie down on the couch and then count to one hundred while he leaves.  He then sends notes to Jesse, taunting him, daring Jesse to catch him. 

Jesse puts two of his detectives, Suit and Molly on the case because at the same time, Jesse is keeping his eye on the local high school principal who had a panty-check before the last eight grade dance.  Middle-aged Betsy Ingersoll had the girls pull up their skirts and sent them home if they were wearing what she considered inappropriate undies.  While Jesse’s not sure what he can charge her with, he really wants to find something, even though Betsy's husband is a partner in one of the largest area law firms. 

Jesse has created a good rapport with one of the girls, Molly, who comes to Jesse and tells him that her parents often host a swingers group while she and her brother are home.  All at once, pieces begin to fall into place for Jesse and as he becomes suspicious of one of the swingers he is able to catch Night Hawk, help Betsy Ingersoll save face and get Molly and her brother out of a bad situation. 

 Robert Parker’s books are always a terrific respite from a busy life and can often be read in one setting.  The chapters are very succinct, the characters likable from the get go, and the plot well-contained, with all threads tying up at the end.  There is enough going on in each thread to keep interest high, but not so much as to muddle the brain.

Jesse and ex-wife Jenn have continued their cat-and-mouse game over the entire series, each leading their own life, but coming back together when one of them (usually Jenn) is feeling needy.  Readers of the series will remember Jesse hooking up with one of Parker’s other characters, Sunny Randall, a few books back, and will be pleased to see Sunny back and may be surprised at the developments in this triangle. 

Parker is a dependable author and often just what readers are looking for.  Jesse is different than Parker’s original detective, Spenser, not as polished and laid back, but is equally as likable, as are the members of his department and the residents of Paradise.   

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry