God Save the Child

"God Save The Child" is the second book in Robert B. Parker's Spenser series, first published in 1974. In this tale, Spenser is hired to find Kevin Bartlett, a missing 15 year old boy, by the child's parents. This novel also introduces the detective's long time love interest, Susan Silverman.

At first, no one is sure whether Kevin was abducted or ran away. Eventually, however, a ransom note appears, demanding USD$50,000 for his return. His rich parents pay it, but never receive their son back.

While shopping with Kevin's mother, as a bodyguard, the Bartlett's lawyer is found murdered in their residence. He was struck with a blunt object, breaking his neck.

Spenser collects clues, which lead to a body-builder name Vic Harroway who Kevin apparently admires. Spenser eventually finds Harroway's country retreat and observes him with Kevin, who is apparently with him on his own free will, not a kidnap victim. Spenser eventually traces them to Boston, and a private apartment of Harroway, where he and Kevin have set up residence.

Spenser brings Kevin's parents to help retrieve him, no easy task since he is with Harroway by choice. Kevin believes Harroway is unbeatable, almost superhuman and still chooses to stay with him, even after he has beaten his parents in front of him. Spenser, drawing on his experience as a professional boxer fights Harroway, beats him and proves to Kevin that Harroway can be beaten after all. Kevin returns to his parents and Harroway goes to jail for murder. He killed the Bartlett's lawyer when he and Kevin returned to his home to collect some personal items. The lawyer surprised them and Harroway killed him.

External links

* [http://www.robertbparker.net/bookpage.asp?ISBN=0395199557 Parker's page on "God Save the Child"]