Robert B. Parker's Booked

Sunny Randall #13

by Alison Gaylin

Boston PI Sunny Randall investigates a popular book critic on a mean streak . . . only for her to wind up dead, in the latest thriller in Robert B. Parker’s bestselling series.

World famous author Melanie Joan Hall asks for Sunny's help in tracking down Book Babe, the screen-name of an enormously popular book reviewer, who has trolled her with a deeply insulting one-star review. This usually wouldn’t matter except that Book Babe has thousands of followers, and her unwarranted blast has Melanie's publisher threatening to pull all her books.

But Sunny's investigation reveals that the reviewer and Melanie have a rich history—in fact, she may even have good reason to hate the torn-up author. And when Book Babe suddenly turns up dead, casting Melanie as a possible suspect, Sunny finds herself in a complicated web, which, if she can't untangle fast enough, might just put a target on her back.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

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

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunny Randall has been around the block more than a few times – this is the 13th in the series (the third, I believe, by this author) – and I’ve read most of them. For sure this one is on my list of favorites. The plot involves books and murder, so for an avid reader of murder mysteries like me, what’s not to like?

Sunny, a private detective based in Boston, has a lot on her plate right now. For openers, she’s re-engaged to be re-married to her ex, Richie Burke, the son of long-time and mostly likable mobster Dominick Burke. Richie lives and works in New Jersey, though, not that far from Boston but far from Sunny’s favorite place to be. So, she’s dragging her feet a bit on planning wedding details. She’s also a long-time friend of wildly popular author Melanie Joan Hall, who has a new book coming out in a few months (her memoir, a bit off her usual genre).

Problem is, a top online book reviewer/influencer who’s identity remains secret just gave Melanie’s book one star (out of a high of 5), and Melanie is devastated. In a drunken state after she saw it, she fired off a truly nasty response – which, along with the lousy review, went viral. Distraught over her fans turning on her and worried that her publisher will dump her, Melanie wants to set things straight. So, she contacts her friend Sunny with a plea for help; find out who the reviewer, code name Book Babe, really is so she can deliver an in-person apology.

With help from her competent assistant Blake James and best friend Spike, Sunny manages to uncover Book Babe’s identity – and in the process learns there’s more to her relationship with Melanie than Melanie revealed. No surprise, then, when Book Babe turns up dead, Melanie turns into a prime suspect.

Now, Sunny has an even bigger task at hand: finding evidence that proves Melanie didn’t do more than just kindle a grudge against the reviewer. The situation becomes so tense that Sunny is forced to hire hot-shot attorney Rita Fiore, who coincidentally is currently dating former Sunny love interest Jesse Stone, the Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief who happens to have a book series all his own.

For the rest of the details, how the investigation works its way to the truth and how it all ends, you’ll have to read it for yourself – I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else. It’s well worth the effort, IMHO, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the Putnam for this eARC.

Robert B. Parker’s Booked, continued by Alison Gaylin, is a sharp, character-driven mystery that blends literary satire with classic detective grit. Sunny Randall returns in top form, navigating the cutthroat world of publishing and the darker corners of personal vendetta.

In this thirteenth installment of the Sunny Randall series, Boston’s favorite PI is hired by bestselling author Melanie Joan Hart to investigate a mysterious online reviewer known only as “Book Babe.” What begins as a seemingly petty case—tracking down a troll who left a scathing one-star review—quickly escalates when the reviewer ends up dead. Sunny finds herself tangled in a web of literary feuds, buried secrets, and professional jealousy, where the line between criticism and cruelty blurs.

Sunny Randall remains a compelling lead—witty, emotionally complex, and refreshingly self-aware. Gaylin captures her voice with precision, honoring Parker’s legacy while deepening Sunny’s psychological texture. Her relationships, especially with her therapist Julie and her ex Richie, continue to evolve, adding emotional resonance to the procedural beats.

The novel’s setting in Boston’s literary scene offers a fresh backdrop for the series. Gaylin skewers the publishing industry with sly humor and insider detail, from egotistical authors to fragile reputations built on social media clout. The murder mystery is tightly plotted, with red herrings and character reveals that keep the tension simmering. Yet it’s the emotional stakes—Sunny’s empathy for the victim, her growing disillusionment with fame, and her own struggles with identity—that give the story its depth.

Thematically, Booked explores reputation, revenge, and the power of words. It asks what happens when criticism becomes weaponized, and whether justice can be found in a world where perception often outweighs truth. Sunny’s investigation is as much about understanding the motive as it is about solving the crime, and Gaylin handles this balance with finesse.

For longtime fans of the series, Booked is a satisfying continuation that respects Parker’s style while allowing Sunny to grow.

For newcomers, it’s an accessible entry point—smart, fast-paced, and emotionally grounded. It’s a mystery that entertains, provokes, and lingers.

[PamG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alison Gaylin returns with Robert B. Parker’s Booked, the thirteenth book in the Sunny Randall series. Sunny is a private investigator and lives in Boston, Massachusetts. While most of this book takes place there, part of it takes place in Union, Connecticut and in New York City.

Author Melanie Joan Hall askes for Sunny’s help in tracking down a popular book review, who has written a one-star review of Melanie’s soon-to-be released memoir. This reviewer has thousands of followers, and her review has Melanie’s publisher threatening to pull all of her books. (She has a contract for two more romance novels).

Sunny’s investigation shows that the reviewer and Melanie have a history. When the reviewer suddenly turns up dead, and Melanie is a major suspect, Sunny must determine what has really happened.

Sunny is good at her job, but she has two major fears: change and commitment. She knows how to manipulate people, but also tends to tell jokes that don’t land well with others very often.
It was great to reconnect with characters from previous books in this series as well as a cameo appearance by one of the characters in another Parker series. I’ve only read four of the early books in this series and that was before 2017 so I won’t do a comparison of styles. The first half of the book is mainly related to the set-up and investigation. It felt very slow-paced. After that, it picked up in pacing and added some action. Unfortunately, I felt the antagonist was too obvious, although there was a small surprise near the end. One thing that struck me was that almost everyone in the story had their own agenda. Relationships with friends and family was one of the most compelling aspects of the story.

Overall, this is an engaging private detective story with a solid mystery.

Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Alison Gaylin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 12, 2026.
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My 3.47 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert B. Parker is one of my all-time favorite fiction writers. Literally, he was a master in dialogue. The only ones that can hold a candle to him (which would have been a weird thing to do) are Lawrence Block and James Scott Bell.

After his death, his estate decided to hire writers to carry on his legacy. One of the biggest complaints I see is “They don’t write the characters as well as Parker.” Nope. They don’t. And no one can. He created these characters. And to be honest, there is no one that will ever replace him as a writer. It’s time to move on and enjoy having further books telling tales of characters that we love.

That being said, I was done with Sunny Randall. Mike Lupica just didn’t have the character down at all. I think he is doing a great job with the Spenser series, but it just felt off when he wrote Sunny or Jesse Stone. I think he has found his character and needs to stay with it.

When I was approved by NetGalley to read the ARC of “Robert B. Parker’s Booked”, I caved and listened to the audiobooks of Alison Gaylin’s previous two Sunny Randall books to prepare for this novel. Alison has found the character we lost after Parker’s passing. This had the feel of a Sunny Randall novel.

The mystery is really good. The Parker Universe characters are there (not all, but still fun seeing them interact). And as always, Sunny is still whole-heartedly in love with her ex, but it’s complicated.

I hope Ms. Gaylin is in charge of writing Sunny Randall for the rest of her career. It’s good to have Sunny back.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Laura Flavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Robert B. Parker’s Booked is a sharp, entertaining, and wonderfully layered mystery that blends literary intrigue with classic detective storytelling. Alison Gaylin delivers a fast-paced and compelling addition to the Sunny Randall series, balancing suspense, humor, and psychological tension with impressive confidence. The premise itself a powerful online reviewer whose influence spirals into deadly consequences feels strikingly modern while still capturing the timeless appeal of a smart investigative thriller.”

“What stood out most was the way the novel explored the darker side of publishing, public opinion, and online influence while maintaining the engaging character dynamics and investigative momentum readers expect from the series. Sunny Randall remains a charismatic and intelligent protagonist, and the web of personal grudges, literary rivalries, and hidden motives keeps the mystery unfolding at a satisfying pace. The combination of sharp dialogue, layered suspense, and contemporary relevance makes this installment especially compelling for both longtime Parker fans and new mystery readers alike.”

[Peter Ackerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert B. Parker’s Booked, a Sunny Randall mystery by Alison Gaylin, continues the adventures of Robert B. Parker’s iconic private investigator. The familiar cast is all here: Sunny’s loyal dog Rosie, her best friend Spike, her ex—and once again fiancé—Richie, and Richie’s father, the Irish mobster Desmond.

Despite the presence of these well-known characters, the plot doesn’t quite measure up to earlier entries by Parker or even some of the continuation novels. At times, it feels comparatively bland. In fact, more than halfway through the book, a character describes an author’s latest work as “paint by numbers”—a phrase that, unfortunately, seems to apply here as well.

That said, the story does gain traction. By the final quarter, the various threads begin to come together, ultimately delivering something that feels true to the spirit of the series.

While I wouldn’t recommend Booked as an entry point for new readers, longtime fans of Sunny Randall will likely still find it a worthwhile read.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boston P. I. Sunny Randall is a gritty, no nonsense investigator who always gets her man, or woman depending on her case. Sunny has been asked by a writer friend to track down an online book reviewer who continues to sabotage her writing. The online reviews are so many and so bad that the author is in jeopardy of losing her book contracts with her publisher. But that’s not all she may lose.
With a cast of characters all with their own agenda and Sunny’s friend pulling some dumb stunts of her own, this case just might not work out to a happy conclusion for anyone. One of the fun parts of this book, if you have been a reader of Robert B. Parker’s books, you may well recognize some names from his other books, which brought back some good memories.
Thank you to Netgalley and J.G. Putnam for the eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book without remuneration and this

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ROBERT B. PARKER’S BOOKED, written by Alison Gaylin, Sunny Randall is a Boston private investigator. Sunny takes a case for a famous author, Melanie Joan Hall. In her personal life Sunny is engaged to be engaged to her ex-husband, Richie Burke, but is slow-walking marriage plans.

I am as interested in Sunny’s P.I. case as I am in her personal life. Alison Gaylin does a good job capturing Robert B. Parker’s writing style. I especially like the mention of the Boston Red Sox. The characters are well-developed, and Sunny has a good relationship with Spike. This is an interesting mystery, and I look forward to finding out more about Sunny’s relationship with Richie. Thank you, Putnam and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of ROBERT B. PARKER’S BOOKED.

[Christa Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read at least some of all of Robert B. Parker's series and the Sunny Randall series has been my favorite. Unfortunately this one fell flat for me. When Sunny is hired by an author friend whose career is being ruined by an online scandal, she quickly discovers the identity of the person writing terrible things about her client online. When that person is found murdered, Sunny's client becomes the prime suspect. This was a quick read but I never really got into it. None of the characters were very interesting and Sunny's client was an idiot who kept making bad situations worse. I think this series has run its course. #NetGalley. #Booked

[Howard Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I doubt that Robert Parker would have approved of this novel about characters he had created. I would describe the first half of this book as “women’s fiction “ and found it distinctly uninteresting. After more than 50% of the boring story, there is a murder and things become somewhat more like a Parker novel. However, this is not enough to save this tedious novel even with a somewhat surprising conclusion.
I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Booked" is a private investigator whodunnit that was twisty and fun to read! Some aspects of the plot are a little silly, but I thought it was pretty good overall. This is a book about books/authors and also talks about relevant issues today (but I can't spoil that!). Also, while it is a part of a series, the author does a thorough job of "catching you up" so it reads just fine even without the prior books. Imagine it as a criminal minds episode; you can skip around the episodes and you'll still enjoy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

[Amelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slow for me at first, but once the action picked up I found myself unable to put it down. I thought the ending had a unique twist that was pretty satisfying to read. There were a lot of characters to keep track of but it was also nice to have a lot of suspects to keep things interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I want to say a big thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Ward Whipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunny Randall is firmly in the capable hands of Alison Gaylin. The usual characters appear, but unfortunately for some of us, that includes the trying Melanie Joan Hall. The plot seems to take place over a matter of days, so there's not as much psychological introspection, and the barest of subplots. The narrative seems fairly standard, even routine, but more than one complete detours keep the pages turning. (preview copy provided by NetGalley)

[Anya Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sharp, modern mystery tracks detective Sunny as one brutal book review ignites chaos across the literary world. A superstar author, a ruthless online critic, and rising tensions spark a deadly chain of events. It kept me constantly wondering: what truth is hiding between the lines?

[Ralph Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this eARC from Netgalley and am providing an unbiased review.

This was a decent sequel in the Sunny Randall series. As this one goes on, I feel I am losing interest in this character, but still loving SPenser and Jesse.

[Likestotravel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alison Gaylin is continuing Robert B. Parker’s tradition in great style. This Sunny Randall book is fast-moving, action-packed, and a bit quirky - all traditional for this ongoing series. A quick, fun read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this DRC.

[Diane Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has done a good job keeping the character and the tone of the books. It is an enjoyable, if predictable book with plenty of suspense to keep you turning pages. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really loving Gavlin's version of Sunny Randall! A fun story in the romance novel publishing world. Fun characters (barely any Richie!) and a fast read.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, well-written, cozy work with some excellent vibes and a fantastic theme. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.

[Up All Night Book Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

More Sunny Randall? Yes, please!
I really enjoyed having the company of our favorite author who has had a couple other books written about her. Here we are again with Melanie Joan Hall again. Another mystery in her life. This one tackling some cancel culture.
While I read this one pretty quickly, it wasn't my favorite of Sunny's books. While the conservatory has been good with the authors writing in Sunny's world, Gaylin didn't live up to her predecessors with maintaining the characters' voices in this story. Don't get me wrong, it was good. It just didn't have the vibe all the others before it had.