by Jim Bessey

Created on: October 28, 2010

One of the very best of the more recent Spenser novels, Robert B. Parker's "Stardust" (1990) is poignant, sharp, and lovingly plotted with very little of the "filler" scenes that mark some of his later installments. This series began back in 1973 with the critically acclaimed "The Godwulf Manuscript," and continues today with posthumously-published episodes. The television series, "Spenser for Hire" was based on these books.

In "Stardust," top TV actress Jill Joyce is in Boston filming her latest hit show, and someone is 'harassing' her. Spenser to the rescue; but it's not that simple. Jill's a spoiled superstar encumbered by a trio of bad habits, and she's less than helpful to Spenser's efforts to help her.

Of course there are a number of bad guys, some of them suspects and some not. Spenser's best friend Hawk plays an important role without being intrusive; ditto for Spenser's love, Dr. Susan Silverman, who's included as a technical consultant on Joyce's show. Notably absent is Pearl the Wonder Dog. Also notably missing are repetitive scenes involving complex meals and tiresome musings about the incomparable beauty of Ms. Silverman. In fact, this is one of Parker's weightiest Spenser novels, with little room for filler of any sort.

In typical Spenser fashion, our beloved private eye sleuths his way across the country, ending up in Los Angeles trying to illuminate Jill Joyce's elusive background. A disturbing scene in which Spenser tracks down Joyce's mother is perfectly described. Shortly after, we meet a key Spenser bad-guy-ally, the lovable but deadly West Coast kingpin Vic Del Rio. He's a vital friend in several later books, along with his equally deadly and somewhat less lovable assistants, Bobby Horse and the mysterious Chollo ("nobody faster - well, maybe Vinny Morris").

An earlier scene, closer to Boston, finds Spenser in a vividly detailed small town protected by one of the best hick Sheriffs we've seen since "Smoky and the Bandit." Living in a tar-paper shack with one of Joyce's long-lost husbands (and serving in Pearl's stead) are three wonderful mongrel dogs. Parker carefully and cleverly weaves these mutts into a series of plot-nudging scenes, right to the final bittersweet pages. In the end, there are a couple of bodies left behind, quite a few unanswered questions, and an uncertain future for mega-star Jill Joyce. "Stardust" shows a charming subtlety that harks back to Parker's earliest (and best) efforts.

If you somehow missed this one, or had grown weary of the dialog-heavy novelettes served up in the past decade by this extremely talented author (who died unexpectedly in early 2010), pick this one up and be delighted that you did.    * Highly recommended

"Stardust" ©1990 by Robert B. Parker * Berkley premium edition 2008, paperback, 306 pp. $9.99 US

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