Phil's Reviews > The Mourner

While this starts off as a classic caper novel, not surprisingly things quickly go to shit. Parker starts the novel awaking to find some men in his hotel room up to no good; he takes them out (gently) and after some questions, finds out someone sent them. Who would have an interest in Parker in the D.C. area? He and 'Handy', a thieving pal Parker has worked with before, took a commission if you will to steal 'the mourner, a 500 y.o. carved statue for 50,000. They cased the joint and Handy got friendly with the maid at the estate, and that is when the smelly stuff hit the spinning blades.

The current owner of the statue, an East European diplomat from one of the Russian client states, has his own little scam going on, saving up purloined monies from overbilled transactions to his nation to make a break for a freer life in the US. Another East European, working for the nation's intelligence agency, suspects the owner of the scam and is sent to sort it out. It just so happens that Menlo, the spy, wants the cash, while Parker wants the statue, but they planned on the target at the same time.

Parker can really pace a story well, but he has his quirks. The rotating POVs often get 'stuck' on one plot line for some time before returning, and here, for long periods, we follow Menlo rather than Parker. Parker receives less attention here than in other installments, but this does not take away from the tale. Toss in the 'outfit' once again, Soviet spy action, a saucy gal who still holds a gun Parker used as a threat and Stark builds a nice little meal. Shades of the Maltese Falcon for sure to boot. 3.5 cold stars, rounding up!!