Robert B. Parker's Buzz Kill

Sunny Randall #12

by Alison Gaylin, Robert B. Parker

Boston PI Sunny Randall is back to investigate the disappearance of a hard-partying energy drink mogul, in the latest thriller in Robert B. Parker’s bestselling series.

After a near-death experience, Sunny Randall is ready to lighten her load as a PI, that is until she is called upon by billionaire media magnate Bill Welch to investigate the disappearance of his son, Dylan, the cofounder of the Gonzo Energy Drink company. Lazy, unscrupulous and a notorious partier, Dylan isn’t exactly reliable. But Dylan’s mother, Lydia, insists this time is different. She knows him. He’s her son. And she believes he’s in serious danger.

Unable to turn down the Welches’ life-changing offer, Sunny takes on the case, starting off by befriending Dylan's smart young business partner, Sky, who seems like his polar opposite. Sky is bright, innovative, ambitious and empathetic -- yet surprisingly, she adores Dylan, and desperately wants Sunny to find him.

As Sunny traces the marks left behind by Dylan’s past, she must unearth all the skeletons in his closet. She discovers not only his bad behavior with women, but also his reckless moves within the business world, producing an energy drink that, despite its marketing, has proven dangerous and even deadly. Still, Sky insists he’s a good man. Who is Dylan, really? And why has he vanished? When bodies start to pile up, Sunny must find answers quick, before she—and those she cares about—get caught in the crossfire.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

USA Today and international bestselling author Alison Gaylin has won the Edgar and Shamus awards, and has been nominated for many more, including the L.A. Times Book Prize, the ITW Thriller, the Strand Book Award, the Anthony and the Macavity. She is currently at work on her 15th novel.

Series:
* Samantha Leiffer Mystery
* Simone Glass Mystery

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Little of Robert B. Parker in this.

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, the 11th entry in the Sunny Randall series, ushers in a new author, or so I've read. While it's a solid, well-written story, IMHO it doesn't quite have the "edginess" of its predecessors. The Boston private investigator - a sometimes very close friend of the late Robert B. Parker's Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone and a patient of Dr. Susan Silverman, the main squeeze of another of his well-known characters, Spenser - somehow seems a bit subdued and, well, overly nostalgic. Besides that, although Jesse often makes a personal appearance in the series, if only briefly, he's noticeably absent here and I missed him.

But only a little. And it certainly doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this book - I even stayed up a bit late for bed to finish it, in fact. Sunny is in the midst of recovering from a really nasty case that nearly did her in, so she's feeling a bit vulnerable and mulling her future in the business. She's also dealing with mixed emotions regarding her ex, Richie - the son of a powerful local mobster - who's making noises about getting back together (but with some strings attached). When the wife of a billionaire stops in to insist that she take on the case of finding her missing but no-good son Dylan, then, Sunny is less than receptive. That's especially true since she's had a run-in with the kid that left her, shall we say, knowing he's hardly her favorite person.

The ne'er-do-well Dylan just happens to be the head of a highly successful energy drink company called Gonzo, although he seems to have little interest in doing anything except get into trouble (while his long-suffering mother continues to stand by her young man in her best "boys will be boys" manner). The company is actually run in large part by Dylan's best friend, a beautiful and highly talented young woman named Sky Farley.

As Sunny's investigation progresses - with competent help from her office receptionist Blake James (a pretty cool guy, actually) and some other characters familiar to regular readers - she learns that Dylan has a few secrets that might explain why someone might be out to get him - though not whether he's alive or dead. Then, one of the technology gurus at Gonzo turns up dead, and the whole situation takes a turn for the worse.

But never fear - Sunny and her team are up to the challenge, even if it puts their own lives in jeopardy. All told, it's another satisfying romp that ends with fodder for the next installment. Bring it on! Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

[R L HERSKOWITZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written & fun “Sunny” novel.
Many “old” friends return or are mentioned.
Alison Gaylin is doing an excellent job carrying
on this series!

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buzz Kill by Alison Gaylin is the newest adventure with boston private eye Sunny Randall. I didn't like this one as much as I did the first by this new author but it is still a well written book and it keeps the legacy going without hickups. I think it was the mystery that I didn't like so I took pleasure in the development with Sunny, Spike, Rosie and all the other great characters that makes Boston tick. Parker created some wonderful individuals and I am glad they get to live on. I must thank Edelweiss Penguin Random House and G.P. Putnam's Sons for letting me read this advance copy. Available in the early part of September.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story. It just doesn't sound like Sunny's voice anymore.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Sunny Randall entry. Fast-paced and fun to follow her around and watch her work.

[Jerry B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Notes: Much better than Gaylin's first attempt at this latest Sunny Randall extension to the previously 11-book set. While the last one was full of texting and tiring internet shenanigans, "Buzz" (aptly named as you soon discover) does a much better job of voicing Sunny and creating a suspenseful plot that gets thick and twisty near the end. Well done.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from Spenser himself, Sunny Randall has been my favorite Robert P. Parker character.
Ms. Gaylin has done a wonderful job of keeping Sunny alive..... or did she???

[Ileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert B. Parker’s Buzzkill by Alison Gaylin is the best Sunny Randall novel I’ve ever read. Ms. Gaylin really gets Sunny, and Spike and Richie and all the other regular characters.

And the mystery in this novel is a heck of a story for Sunny to solve. The client is difficult, asking her to do a job she doesn’t want to do, finding a missing son she doesn’t really want to find.

Meanwhile she and Richie are getting close again and she’s debating getting back together with him but he’s putting pressure on her about her dangerous career.

And on the other hand, the plot thickens when the missing son may have killed one, then maybe two people and shot another, a close friend.

And she’s also being chased by a Mafia goon.

The end is a double twist you won’t see coming. This is a Parker moment you definitely won’t want to miss.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second novel from the new author, Alison Gaylin, for the Sunny Randall series. A good read featuring all the favorite characters including Spike, Richie and Mr. Desmond, and her new office assistant, Blake. I’m glad to see some resolution between Sunny and Richie. While I guessed the bad guy early on, I didn’t see all the twist and turns. A page turner, a quick read.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in the Sunny Randall series was written by a different author. It didn’t seem like the same Sunny Randall. It didn’t seem like she really knew the character at all. The characters spike and Rosie were noticeably absent from most of the book. And the loss of those characters was evident. Putting that aside, it was a pretty good story, just not about the sunny Randall I admire.

[Rajesh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is going nowhere in a hurry and ends up reaching there. Sunny Randall is as clueless about the case as she is about what to do with her future. Not worth writing a verbose review even.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allison Gaylin has taken over the responsibility from Mike Lupica for writing the adventures of Sunny Randall, a private investigator living in Boston and one of Robert B. Parker’s characters from his classic “Spenser” universe.

Sunny is a former cop in her late thirties with definite authority issues, and at times a little less certain of herself. She has a very complicated relationship with her ex-husband Richie Burke, who is Mafia connected. She’s never stopped loving him nor really ever let him go emotionally. For now, she prefers her independent lifestyle taking care of Rosie, her English bull terrier, which aligns with her PI cases in the historical city of Boston that she loves.

Last year, I found Gaylin’s series debut - “Bad Influence” – provided more of a struggle than enjoyment. I thought the primary mystery was rather weak and not captivating. I never felt much tension nor fear for Sunny throughout and the round-about-way of getting to the end was a bit disjointing to me as a reader. I hoped that Gaylin could build on her lessons learned to make the next one better.

This year Gaylin returns with her second Sunny Randall novel – “Buzz Kill” – and demonstrates that some of those lessons were learned, but not all of them…

Following the positive media attention from her last case, Sunny Randall is trying to be more selective in her choice of clients going forward. However, she is being pushed relentlessly by Bill Welch, a billionaire media mogul, who wants her to find his son, Dylan, a cofounder of the Gonzo Energy Drink company. Sunny is not interested in having anything to do with Dylan, because she dealt with him during her last case, and found him to be corrupt, untrustworthy, and way-too-serious partier. However, Dylan’s mother refuses to take no for an answer and visits Sunny to personally persuade that Dylan is in danger. Serious, life threatening danger. Sunny’s not happy about it, but takes on the search for Dylan.

At the same time. Sunny is dealing with issues in her personal life. Following her near fatal stabling from her last case, Richie’s presence in her life has been renewed, even though he has moved to New Jersey to be more involved in his son’s life. Even though the distance is an issue, the two of them are trying to figure out a way to make their relationship work again.

Sunny starts off her investigation by visiting Dylan’s company, meeting his co-founding partner, Sky Farley, who is quite the polar opposite from Dylan. She is sharp, brilliant, creative, and surprisingly, empathetic. She also seems to be the real brains behind Gonzo’s success, as well as Dylan’s best friend and the best shot that Sunny has to find the missing entrepreneur.

Sunny finds herself conducting a search that involves deadly secrets of the past, broken relationships with the mob, and murders in the present. Before she knows it, Sunny is being followed and threatened to back off and provide Dylan’s whereabouts. But Sunny isn’t one to back down to anyone. This includes her own inner struggle in trying to figure out what a future with her ex-husband looks like if she had to leave Boston. Or even worse, give up the very career that she loves dearly…

The good news is that this was a better and more cohesive read. The overall mystery storyline wasn’t fragmented and all over the place trying to fill in page count. It was layered with clues, surprises, and the dots connected together in a nice climax that was improved over the prior freshman outing. In fairness, stepping into his Robert B. Parker’s world and unique writing style is not an easy exercise for any writer to attempt to pull off. It’s got to be downright demanding and near impossible to pull off. Because of the improvements in this book, let’s just say that my previous concerns have been abated enough to increase my interest in reading her next Sunny Randall novel.

Let me share what I feel were some examples of those improvements. Gaylin really got into Sunny Randall’s head. She showed (not told) what makes Sunny unique, her strengths and weaknesses, and even more importantly, her relationships. For example, Gaylin did a good job of exploring Sunny and Richie’s complex relationship and their struggles. By introducing conflict around balancing the dangers of Sunny’s job with Richie’s desire for her safety, new complications and conflict arose. I personally loved how Gaylin used Susan Silverman’s character to provide Sunny with a very personal bit of feedback that most readers will appreciate the source from which it came from. That was an excellent moment for me.

Gaylin also strengthened her use of other primary and secondary characters that she inherited, including Sunny’s sidekick, Spike; her retired and memory struggling father; Detective Lee Farrell; and even Richie’s gangster father, Desmond Burke. They all felt real and authentic without any painful road bumps. Spike serves Sunny well as her own version of Hawk (thank you, Spenser).

In my mind, Gaylin’s found her rhythm in adopting Robert B. Parker’s style of short rhythmic chapters, plot movement, and strong conversations that her mentor previously established for his literary world. This may appear to be an easy approach to learn and mimic, but it is most certainly not. For the most part, she’s melding her style into Parker’s.

As for the things that I didn’t like, there were fewer of them than last time.

First, the beginning of the book was slow, introducing the mystery elements and setting up the characters that Sunny was working for. It didn’t take as long as the last book for things to get going, but it was still a slow start, somewhere around fifty to seventy pages for the conflict/tension to start heating up. And like last time, there was not a real sense of real danger or intrigue for Sunny most of the way through the novel. She was more focused on the investigation aspects, but other than one scene near the middle and the climactic scene at the end, I never felt any fear of her being in danger. I would like to see more moments of danger or life-threatening situations to elevate suspense and drama for her. Maybe it's me, but it just feels like Gaylin is playing it a bit safe rather than putting Sunny in some more riskier circumstances. That’s just my two cents…

The other thing about the plotting that came across a bit contrived to me was how the subplot with Sunny and Richie was resolved. At least how it was resolved for now. I won’t give anything away, but it felt that after all of Sunny’s self-inflicted conflict and turmoil was explored throughout the book, the actual ending was wrapped up way too nicely. We went from first gear straight into fourth gear without any actual conflict development and resolution to get there. It felt like there was at least one or more conversations (or even disagreements) that were needed to get from point A to B, and they were left out. I honestly think that if they had been included, it would have made this book stronger. Much stronger than the book-end approach of just using the opening and ending scenes to focus on their moments together. What an opportunity left on the table…

Still, with all that I said, I found “Buzz Kill” to be an improvement over the last one. Overall, improvements in the plotting and her ability to capture the relationships made the difference. My grade is a B-minus or 3.5 out of 5 stars and I can honestly say that I will be interested in reading her next Sunny Randall novel next year. Hopefully, they will continue to get better…

[Scott Schubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of the new Sundy Randall Book by Alison Gaylin, thanks to NetGalley for providing this book for review. Right from the start, the book captivated me. While I have enjoyed several of Robert B. Parker’s series, this was my first experience with Sunny as the protagonist. I was drawn to the theme of how love influences her decisions, balancing her relationship with needing to figure out this mystery. There were several points that also drew the reader in and furthered the mystery.

The side characters were well-crafted and contributed significantly to the story's progression. The narrative was straightforward, featuring just the right number of characters to keep track of without confusion. The plot wrapped up nicely, setting the stage for future developments and further explorations of the characters.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in just a few days—a sure sign of a gripping read. I appreciated that the book was concise, which held my attention without skimping on a satisfying storyline. I’m eager to dive more into Sunny’s character in future readings.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Alison Gaylin’s Robert B. Parker’s Buzz Kill is a thrilling addition to the Sunny Randall series, showcasing her talent for blending classic detective elements with contemporary issues.

This twelfth installment sees Boston PI Sunny Randall embroiled in a high-stakes investigation that tests her skills and resilience.

The novel begins with Sunny Randall recovering from a near-death experience, contemplating a quieter life. Her plans are interrupted when billionaire media magnate Bill Welch hires her to find his missing son, Dylan, the co-founder of the Gonzo Energy Drink company. Dylan, known for his reckless lifestyle, has vanished, and his mother, Lydia, is convinced something terrible has happened. As Sunny delves into Dylan’s life, she uncovers a web of deceit, dangerous business practices, and personal betrayals that put her own life at risk.

Sunny Randall remains a compelling protagonist, her resilience and sharp wit making her a standout in the detective genre. Gaylin does an excellent job of fleshing out the supporting characters, from the enigmatic Dylan to his ambitious business partner, Sky. Each character is multi-dimensional, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Buzz Kill explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and the dark side of ambition. Gaylin deftly examines the impact of corporate greed and personal vendettas, highlighting the moral ambiguities that Sunny must navigate. The novel also touches on the importance of family and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones.

Gaylin’s writing is crisp and engaging, with a perfect balance of dialogue and description. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers hooked from the first page to the last. Her ability to weave intricate plots with emotional depth makes this novel a standout in the series.

Robert B. Parker’s Buzz Kill is a must-read for fans of the Sunny Randall series and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted detective story.

Alison Gaylin has successfully continued Parker’s legacy, delivering a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Highly recommended for those who appreciate a blend of classic detective work and contemporary issues.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buzzkill by Robert B. Parker
I have read both the Spencer and Jesse Stone series in the past and I am a huge fan of both. I knew about this series of the Sunny Randell novels. I hadn’t read them and since Parker had passed away didn’t feel the need to read them.
This story is about Sunny getting involved in a case where a mother whose son is the owner of a successful energy drink business had disappeared. Sunny has met the missing person and really didn’t want to get involved. The mother offered her an unseemly amount of money to take the case.
While investigating, she discovered that there was a death and it looks like the missing person, Dylan Welch may be responsible.
While investigating, she is told that Dylan has a drug problem and connections with the wrong people. She begins to think that Dylan is alive and hiding.
When more bodies are discovered, she thinks there is a possibility that Dylan is the killer.
This story is set in the Boston area, and she does mention both Spencer and his girlfriend, Susan Silverman, who is also her therapist.
Sunny is working through issues with her ex-husband plus in the previous book, she had been shot.
The characters in this book include Dylan, his parents, his girlfriend/co-inventor who runs his business, and Sunny’s office assistant Blake James, who was my favorite character.
This had an interesting storyline. The characters seemed real enough and I liked the setting but I can’t say I was drawn into this series like I had been with both Spencer and Jesse Stone.
I didn’t think the writer’s voice felt like Parker. I felt it was missing something. It felt a little bland. I doubt I will continue reading this series, only because I have so many books to read and so little time.
I am giving this book a weak three stars. I would recommend it to Parker fans. But it wasn’t as enjoyable as the other series Parker wrote, at least not for me.
I do full book reviews on my blog at Blind Date with a Book – Virginia-Gruver. I write book reviews as if I had a blind date with the book. Feel free to check that out.
Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam & Sons for giving me an arc to review this book. I truly do appreciate having had a chance to read it before publication.

[Larraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Parker was alive he only wrote a few Sunny Randall books. I always enjoyed them and liked the ones that were written by other authors. However I think Alison Gaylin has done the best job capturing what Sunny Randall is all about and bringing her up to date so to speak.

This book is a followup to the first one Gaylin wrote with the some of the same characters. Blake, the former influencer, is now a receptionist at her office. He's an interesting addition to the cast of characters.

This book finds Sunny spending time in Asbury Park with her former husband, Ritchie, and finding herself contemplating a future together - even if it's only part of the year. Ritchie wants her to come to the Jersey shore permanently. The book takes place as Christmas approaches and Sunny is enjoying shore life during the winter.

Dylan Welch, featured in the last book, has disappeared. His father has asked her to find him but she has refused him. Then his mother steps in. Lydia is a force of nature and Sunny agrees to take the job when she is offered an incredible amount of money - enough to buy her own place in Asbury Park. Dylan is the cofounder of Gonzo, an energy drink, which has become very popular. However he is lazy and unreliable and prefers to "party" and take a lot of time off - leaving the company to be run by his close friend and business partner, Sky, whom he has known since his days at Harvard.

When Sunny goes into his office she discovers his phone - his titanium pride and joy - buried under a drawer full of candy wrappers and other trash. As she investigates further she discovers that one of the employees, Elspeth, has been receiving threatening texts from Dylan who is apparently using a burner phone.

Things get complicated and I won't spoil the ending but it is, as always, a twist. I started guessing about 2/3 of the way through the book and I was right, but I'll let YOU read it and decide. I really enjoyed this book. It's a fast read and, as always, the cast of characters is terrific.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second Sunny Randall effort by Alison Gaylin, and it's definitely a follow-on from "Bad Influence," her first - the same supporting characters appear. "Buzz Kill" is sort of a way to tie up the loose ends from "Influence." I wound up getting a little annoyed with Gaylin's Sunny in this second book, as she seems to be Spenser-lite and a mish-mash of Parker's old-school machismo (that has gotten really stale well into the third decade of the 21st C), rather outdated girly insecurity, and then some more bracing female independence. Since Sunny seems to be in her early 40s, I'd have thought she'd have resolved some of these existential issues, but then, of course, she'd not have a reason to see Susan Silverman, psychologist, who should be in her 80s if the Parker timeline were being respected.

Anyhoo, "Buzz Kill" involves the disappearance of the party-boy head of a company that makes an energy drink that has recently become practically addictively popular. His mother hires Sunny to find him, and she's off to the races with red herrings, controlling persons, stalking, missing persons, a body count, cold Boston weather, buddy and bar owner Spike, brief interludes with former husband and resurgent main squeeze Richie, and Sunny's now quite fragile dad.

The story actually held together pretty well, but the villain and evil meddling was pretty obvious rather early on.

The continuation of the Parker legacy by various other writers is now publisher-driven, as Robert and Joan Parker are both dead, so the impetus to adhere to the Parker oeuvre strictly is almost certainly diminished. Indeed, Parker himself wasn't as good at the end as he was in his earlier decades. Times and tastes change. I'll continue to read books in the Sunny series, and some of those in the others, but I'll continue also to be critical of these reincarnations of a block of work that may, in fact, need to be put to rest.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book 4 stars. It is a fast easy read--2 days for me. It is book 12 in the Sunny Randall series, started by the late Robert B. Parker and now written by a series of successor authors, authorized by the Parker estate. The blurb: "After a near-death experience, Sunny Randall is ready to lighten her load as a PI, that is until she is called upon by billionaire media magnate Bill Welch to investigate the disappearance of his son, Dylan, the cofounder of the Gonzo Energy Drink company. Lazy, unscrupulous and a notorious partier, Dylan isn’t exactly reliable. "
Dylan's Mother, Lydia, offers Sunny an eye popping amount of money to take the case, after Sunny's initial rejection. Sunny does take the case, and the villain was a surprise to me. While this book can be read as a stand alone, it works better if you have read the previous books in the series. Sunny's relationship with her ex husband is explained in previous books, i.e., how they have reconnected, but not remarried.
The newest successor author still has the short sentences typical of Parker, but there is more narrative than dialogue and not all chapters are short. There is zero graphic violence or sex. Some characters use bad language.

[Don Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest Sunny Randall book is a decent read. Alison Gaylin does a better job (not surprisingly) of doing a first-person female PI than Robert B. Parker, who created the Sunny Randall character. The story has a more contemporary feel (as in 2024) than earlier works and has enough plot twists to keep you going and you get a good sense of Sunny’s personality.

I was getting annoyed at one point because Gaylin had Sunny saying things a born-and-bred Boston girl would never say. She also makes some street and direction mistakes that make the author sound like she’s not from the area. Example: “This town is too small.” No Bostonian would say that…but a New Yorker would. She also does a poor job of describing being stuck in turnpike traffic. She says Sunny is on I-90 West toward Watertown. No one would say that. They’d call it the Mass Pike or just the Pike. She describes traffic inching along and people rudely honking at her. In traffic on the Pike you might crawl, but you don’t inch. And nobody honks, because it’s the same every day. Also, she describes being “in Nantucket.” It’s an island. When you’re there you’re on it, not in it. Sunny is supposed to be local and these mistakes don’t make it sound like she is. But..I enjoyed it and have pre-ordered the next one:

[Ralph Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eARC was received from NEtgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the 12th book in the established Sunny Randall series started by Robert Parker. From the book description it is the typical PI story written in Parker's previous style by Gaylin, and reads fairly fast and factual. Having read the inter-related 'Spenser for Hire' and 'Jesse Stone' series, I also have come to really like this series, as I am a fan of Parker's writing and story-telling.

Overall this is a story about the regular length as the rest int he series, and has the MC solving a case whilst mentally struggling with the issues of loving her ex-husband, spending time with said ex, and past love interests, plus life choices in general. This is a good extension of the series, and could be read-alone, but as I always prefer to read from the start of a series just so some of the backstory will be more aware for the reader.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ROBERT B PARKER’S BUZZ KILL, the newest addition to the Sunny Randall series, Sunny Randall reluctantly agrees to investigate the disappearance of Dylan Welch, the son of multimillionaire Bill Welch and his wife, Lydia. I read on to find out why Dylan vanished and if he is still alive. I also want to see how Boston P.I. Sunny Randall solves the case.

Sunny Randall is a wonderful character. I like the way the author gets me to care about Sunny’s life in the first two chapters. Being so engaged in the backstory propels me on to read the rest of the book. Sunny has a fun and interesting relationship with Spike, similar to the one Spenser has with Hawk. What fun! The mystery surrounding Dylan Welch is interesting and concludes with a kick. Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley, for the advance reader copy of ROBERT B PARKER’S BUZZ KILL.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always great to spend time with Sunny (and Rosie) and if you're new to the series, Gaylin gives you enough information to enjoy this as much as long time readers like myself. This outing sees her agreeing to look for the loathsome Dylan, who she's tangled with (well, more than that) in the past because of his mother Lydia's plea. It's quickly apparent that something isn't right at Dylan's company and that his disappearance might not be that he's on a bender or checked into rehab.But what? No spoilers from me but Gaylin has created a terrific character in Sky. And, Blake, who she's hired as her assistant is a great addition. This gallops along with a few twists and best of all- I didn't guess the answers. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. Gaylin has picked up Parker's mantle and carried it forward. Great read.

[Mark Lieberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book in my Want To Read list on Goodreads since January of this year. I was really looking forward to this one, and when I finished it, it was MEH. Nothing excited happened to Sunny. It could just be I am so used to Spenser as a private investigator, and lots of things happen to him! I did like the parts of the book with Sunny and her complicated relationship with her ex-husband, Richie.

Even though I didn’t like it as much as all the prior Sunny books, I will continue to read future books.

Three funny things from the book: Sunny’s therapist is Susan Silverman, who is the girlfriend of Spenser; Sunny mentions Jesse Stone as a former boyfriend, and he had issues with his ex-wife; and when Sunny is questioned by somebody who asks what it’s like to be a PI, she says have you heard of Spenser.

[Leane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gaylin, once again, begins soon after Lupica’s Sunny Randall leaves off in the previous book in the series, Bad Influence (2023). See my previous review for more. Sunny interacts with CHs from the previous book and begins as she is visiting her ex-husband Ritchie in Asbury Park, NJ, which comes alive nearly as well as Boston does. The PI procedural aspect is still nicely detailed and paced. The conversational and inner dialogue are quite sprightly, full of wit, and great rhythm. As usual threat and violence is always a part of Sunny's world and is integrated into the story well. I look forward to seeing what Gaylin has planned for the next in the Sunny Randall series, especially as the ending to this one leaves us with a happier Sunny. RED FLAG: Violence. Readalikes may be Matt Goldman, Ingrid Thoft, and Edwin Hill.

[Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon her return from a romantic getaway with ex-husband Richie, Sunny is persuaded to accept a missing person’s case from Dylan's mother for an unreasonably high fee. Sunny initially turned down Dylan’s father, billionaire Bill Welch, because Dylan is “lazy, unscrupulous and a notorious partier” and unreliable.

Dylan is the Gonzo Energy Drink company's founder, so Sunny begins by interviewing his young business partner Sky, who adores Dylan and is desperate for Sunny to find him. However, there is an undercurrent of mystery and murder at the energy drink company that relates to Dylan’s disappearance.

Sunny deals with the renewed attraction to her ex while investigating the complex problems at Gonzo Energy Company that have become quite formidable.

[Michael Baskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, 2nd book by Alison Gaylin in the revived Sunny Randall series - surprisingly consistent characters and atmosphere from the beloved Parker characters created so many years ago. Good mix of action, suspense and mystery throughout that keeps you engaged and guessing at the same time. Sunny's relationship with her ex Richie provides the backdrop as she navigates the disappearance of her most recent nemesis Dylan Welch. She even meets Elspeth, who sounds like a younger version of the TV character - without the underlying sharp mind :-) Well worth the read - another strong addition to the Parker legacy which hopefully will continue to live on (even a few references to Spenser and Jesse Stone).

[John Reis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydia Welch visits Sunny and pleads with her to find her son, Dylan. After turning down her husband many times, she reluctantly agrees. Dylan has been the face of a new energy drink, Gonzo. He is a drunk and drug user. He has disappeared.

Sunny starts working on a list of friends and coworkers. She looks into a woman who recently accused him of murder. She is followed by a thug who is connected to her former father-in-law, Desmond Burke. Dylan is in hock to the mob. A research scientist from Gonzo is killed, then the COO, Sky Farley is shot.

Sunny spends time with Richie Burke, in New Jersey. They are close again.

Late in the investigation Sunny learns of a college girlfriend, who he used to party with.

Galin does a good job with Sunny.

[Ann Kulbeckas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good addition to the Sunny Randall series. Sunny always seems to get involved with seemingly straight forward cases that morph into much more complex situations and this book is no exception to that pattern. It is a wonderfully evolving story of a missing person that we had met in an earlier book and that was not cast in a favorable light. Then he goes missing and his mother offers Sunny a sum of money to assist in finding him that she can't refuse, even though she only has negative thoughts about him and his personality. Facts come to light that cause Sunny to remember one of the cardinal rules of investigation and that is to never assume. The appearance by many of our favorite characters from previous books even if they are short and do not do much to move the story along. All together a very enjoyable read.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picks up a few months after Robert B. Parker's Bad Influence , Gaylin's first in the Sunny series. It has some of the same characters and uses some of the elements from that book, but the story is a more classic murder mystery. The plot got a bit convoluted at points, but the 'big twist' was fairly predictable. I enjoyed it but thought Robert B. Parker's Bad Influence was better.