Product Description When a shy high school students body is found washed up on the shore of a quiet beach townan apparent suicideTerry Novak doesnt know what to think. He decides to do some investigating with the help of his best friend, Abby. Before long, they learn that asking questions puts them in grave danger. Fortunately, Terry has been learning about fighting, thanks to a retired boxer, who teaches him to use his head and keep his feet set beneath himlessons Terry takes to heart in more ways than one. Robert B. Parker delivers a taut, empowering mystery for teen readers.
ExhilaratingOctober 24, 2008 Reviewed by Dylan James (age 12) for Reader Views (10/08)
Terry is a boxer, a spy, an admirer, and above all else, a teenager. A prominent boxer, Terry takes lessons every day at school. He never could have thought how much he might need those lessons until he snoops around. Something terrible has happened at Terry's school. Someone that Terry and several other people at school knew well has been found washed up on the beach, stone dead. The common thought is that he was on steroids and the drug had crazed him out, but Terry didn't think that was likely. Terry and his crush work together in an inspiring tale of courage and curiosity. But they'd better hurry; killers don't wait long before becoming restless.
This is a fast-moving adventure filled with curiosity, learning, and fighting. This would be an almost ideal book for teenagers in high school. It broaches on how the main character acts around his crush, when to go learn about something (like steroids), and that there are dangerous people out there. Some parents might be worried about their kids reading this book though, because of the casual ways Terry's friend's smoke, or talk about sex. But I think most parents would be okay with this book, because Terry, the main character, doesn't do anything bad. Even if someone like the principle looks nice and easygoing, that may not be the case. The flow of this story could have been better; the movement from slow investigating to fast results shook me a little.
This story could really draw me in, not the way where maybe I care about the characters but in the way that I just simply couldn't put this book down; I HAD to know what was going to happen. I was drawn in from the beginning; it instantly throws in suspense. What really happened to this kid? "The Boxer and the Spy" by Robert B. Parker is a great mystery/adventure, and I think even people that normally dislike mystery will be satisfied with this book. I know I was.
The Boxer and the SpyOctober 24, 2008 As it turns out this was a book for Young Adults. When I bought it I did not realize this, but still I was not disappointed. It is an excellent story, a delight to read.
I will give it to my Grandson to read and when he has finished it I think my Niece would also enjoy it.
the boxer & the spyAugust 15, 2008 Good book for a teenager. I thought it was for an adult but enjoyed it thoroughly.
Great for Reluctant Reader shelfAugust 11, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Robert B. Parker repackages his knowledge of boxing for the young adult, giving us a fresh addition to our guy reluctant read shelf. The book has some of those ingredients Dav Pilkey, author of Captain Underpants, recommends for the reluctant reader: fast moving plot, villainous school principals, and wide margins. (Unfortunately, there are no cartoons.) Our victim is murdered by page five, so there can't be any complaints that nothing happens. The plot is a bit threadbare. One has the feeling the author found it in an old cardboard box labeled "Plots, OK - 1973" while cleaning out his attic. However, the characters themselves are fresh enough and pleasant enough to carry us easily through the book's 200 pages. Interestingly, both of Parker's sons are openly gay, as was the book's victim. Several times during the book, the hero is asked, "Did you think he was gay?" to which he always replies, "Yes." "Did you care?" "Not really." Teen sexual confusion gives the book's characters an added dimension of reality and depth.
Teens Reveal the Truth behind a Puzzling DeathAugust 8, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What would Spenser and Susan Silverman have been like as a teenage couple? It's possible they might have sounded and acted a great deal like Terry Novak and his friend, Abby. That link in characterization gives this book extra fascination for adult fans of Robert B. Parker. I particularly enjoyed the innuendo in the dialog where Terry and Abby refer to their physical desire for one another in flirting, boy-girl terms.
The mystery isn't all that mysterious; the main mystery is how two high school students will be able to bring out the truth: A high school student is found dead and most adults presume it was suicide related to using steroids. Terry doesn't believe it and starts asking around.
His detection is interspaced with boxing lessons from his fifty-five year-old friend, George. There's a bullying jock at the high school who tries to stop Terry, but Terry jabs on. In the background are some greedy adults looking out for themselves at the expense of everyone else.
I would have loved to read this book when I was a young teen. I also loved it as a 61-year-old man. I suspect the appeal wouldn't be as great for those in the 25-45 age range.
I look forward to reading other books for younger readers by Mr. Parker.
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