A Catskill Eagle is the 12th Spenser novel by Robert B. Parker, first published in 1985. The title comes from a quote from Herman Melville.
 First edition | |
| Author | Robert B. Parker |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Spenser |
| Genre | Detective fiction |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press/Dell |
Publication date | May 1, 1985 |
| Media type | Hardcover, paperback |
| Pages | 311, 384 |
| ISBN | 0-385-29385-2 |
| OCLC | 11574237 |
| 813/.54 19 | |
| LC Class | PS3566.A686 C3 1985 |
| Preceded by | Valediction |
| Followed by | Taming a Sea Horse |
Plot
editSpenser is a private investigator in Boston. He had previously served as an infantryman in the 1st Infantry Division during the Korean War[1] and was a State trooper, which have given him the physical skills, analytical mind and moral fortitude for his profession. At the start of the book, he is separated from his erstwhile lover Sarah Silverman, who has relocated to the West Coast in an effort to "find herself."
Spenser receives a letter from Susan, explaining that his friend and associate, the gun for hire and fellow military veteran[2] Hawk, is in jail and she needs help. It soon transpires that she has begun a relationship with wealthy heir, Russell Costigan, whose father is a powerful figure in their hometown. Hawk was jailed following an altercation with Russell. Spenser flies to San Francisco, California after making preparations to break Hawk out of jail using a gun hidden in the bottom of a fake leg cast. Spenser and Hawk then have to deal with a man rich enough to do anything he wants, legal or not. Spenser and Hawk follow Russell's trail across the country in an attempt to locate Susan and reunite her with Spenser. The book climaxes with a deadly encounter deep in an underground shelter between Spenser and the Costigans.
Characters
editSeveral characters from previous books in the series make an appearance in A Catskill Eagle.
- Spenser: Boston private investigator
- Hawk
- Susan Silverman
- Russell Costigan
- Jerry Costigan
- Grace Costigan
- Henry Cimoli
- Paul Giacomin (first seen in Early Autumn)
- Rachel Wallace (from Looking for Rachel Wallace)
- Lt. Martin Quirk, Boston PD
- Sgt. Frank Belson, Boston PD
- Hugh Dixon, a wealthy previous client (from The Judas Goat)
References
edit- ^ Robert B. Parker, A Catskill Eagle, Dell Books, 1986, page 129: "I had shipped to Korea out of Fort Lewis some time back and I remembered how often it rained in Washington".
- ^ Robert B. Parker, A Catskill Eagle, Dell Books, 1986, page 210: "Did a little Foreign Legion".
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