The Pallbearers

Shane Scully #9

by Stephen J. Cannell, Scott Brick (Read by)

Abandoned by his parents as an infant and shunted from one foster family to another, Shane was ultimately raised in an orphanage called Huntington House. The only positive thing in his young life was the attention of the home’s director, Walter “Pop” Dix. Pop, an avid surfer, would take a small group of kids for early morning surfing. He was big-hearted, patient, and the father none of them had ever had.

That was thirty years ago, and Scully long ago put that difficult chapter of his life behind him. He is now an accomplished detective, married to Alexa, the gorgeous lieutenant and acting commander of the LAPD detective division. But Shane is forced to revisit the memories of his childhood when he learns that Pop has been found dead, the victim of an apparently self-inflicted shotgun blast. He has left a note asking six specific people, all of whom attended Huntington House, to be his pallbearers, and Shane is one of the chosen. He and his fellow pallbearers are convinced Pop would never have killed himself. That leaves murder. But why would anyone kill Pop? And who?

Together, the pallbearers embark on a dangerous mission in pursuit of justice, and for retribution against the men responsible for Pop’s death. It takes them up against an unexpected adversary whose power and influence far exceed anything they could have imagined—violent, dangerous men who are determined to keep a lid on the secret behind Pop’s death, no matter who gets in their way.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Audiobook

8 pages, Audio CD

First published March 16, 2010

About the author

Stephen J. Cannell was an American television producer, writer, novelist, and occasional actor, and the founder of Cannell Entertainment (formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions) and the Cannell Studios.

Cannell created or co-created several successful TV series from the 1970s to the 1990s. Creations included The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish. He was an Emmy winner and was awarded The Eye - Lifetime Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hm, well. I've been a Stephen J. Cannell fan for years - at least, a fan of his screenplays. This is the first book of his that I've read and I was mildly disappointed. I should point out that I had no idea there was a Shane Scully series - so I started in with #9!

The plot is good. The action is good. So what didn't I love? The characters. I was actually quite surprised to learn there were eight books prior to this, because I found even the main characters to be a bit ... under-developed.

I'm no expert, but it felt to me like a screenplay that was inflated to book form.

[William Bentrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pallbearers by Stephen J. Cannell

Shane Scully doesn’t believe that Pop Dixon committed suicide neither do the other pallbearers at his funeral. They form a “murder club” and seek answers to this mystery.

Cannell’s Scully is explained in this book. Shane is a reoccurring character that frequently flies off the grid and exhibits a lot of anger. I haven’t read too many of the books featuring him but in this one you find out the source of his anger. The colorful characters literally illuminate the book. Each one is a bright source of enlightenment. Jack is the loveable rogue and of course Alexa is the steadfast love and partner. Chooch, the son, is barely seen but offers some very thoughtful advice as to Scully’s pain.

I really liked the book. I identified with the tenacity shown by Scully especially since it was maintained in the face of so much pain. Alexa’s support epitomizes the strength a good relationship can offer to the participants in the relationship. This is a good mystery but it is also a journey of redemption.

I highly recommend the book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

my series favorite

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wouldn't bother reading anything further in this series. Predictable. Lack of character development. Generally unsatisfying. And, I like detective novels...nothing in comparison to Connelly's Bosch, for instance.

[Micheal Jimerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a review wherein the reviewer believed the characters were not well developed. I respectfully disagree. We are viewing the world through a strong first person narrator and so our view of other characters is filtered by the character of our protagonist. I thought it was well done.

[Ruth Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and fun read - Could hardly put it down.

[Wayne Zurl · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE PALLBEARERS by Stephen J. Cannell…..

Stephen Cannell has a good writing voice. He knows all the rules of good structure and storyline construction. His success shows that he’s an entertaining guy. Unfortunately, his grasp of reality in a police procedural borders on fantasy. Or does he have a terrific grasp of reality? THE PALLBEARERS is about as real as reality TV, and those shows are very popular with some people.

I liked his TV shows. Jim Rockford was tops. The A Team was immensely entertaining. BUT they had nothing to do with the real world. Cannell’s Shane Scully novels are police procedurals. There should be a pretty strict adherence to how real police incidents should be depicted. Wisely, he USUALLY steers clear of very technical issues and doesn’t have to do much research into them, and in doing so, he doesn’t get the details wrong. Not so in THE PALLBEARERS.

You can read the publisher’s summary to get the gist of the story. It’s simple and straight forward and could have been a pretty good book had he not introduced a cast of “vigilantes,” people who like Shane, were brought up in a group home for orphans and now want to get involved in proving their mentor did not commit suicide. And hotshot homicide dick, Scully and his wife, the overall commander of all detectives in this particular area of Los Angeles (her being only a lieutenant with that assignment stretches reality to the breaking point) completely go along with.

Leaving the police work aside for a moment, at times I felt like I should jump up (as in a courtroom) and object to a portion of the writing shouting, “Facts already in evidence, your honor. Restating them again will only prejudice the jury.” I can’t count how many times Scully and his vigilante friends ruminate about how they feel guilty that they didn’t spend more time with “Pop” after they left the group home and how some of them think they could have prevented his death and black mark on his good character. I began to feel that I had lost my place, inadvertently turned the pages back and was rereading something from a couple chapters ago.

I got about halfway through the book and was about to applaud Stephen for not going too far over the top and then things got really hinky. This was The A Team with badges—a comedy for cops. And it went downhill from there.

The ending cited laws from perhaps another country. Bodies began to litter the landscape. Car and truck chases. Automatic weapons. Civilians shooting it out with the bad guys…And there are no repercussions. Then all is well. Everyone waxes his or her surf board and Walt “Pop” Dix, savior of soooo many ghetto urchins is laid to rest just offshore with a clean legacy and restored reputation.

If I were rating this based solely on technical ability and adherence to most of the acceptable rules of writing, I’d have to give it a 4. But based on the gross improbability of the plot and how it morphs from a potentially serious police story into a slapstick farce, I give it a 2. What disturbs me more is how many people awarded this 5 stars…But then again, I can’t understand how 50% of the country votes in general elections.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 9th book in the Shane Scully detective series. Scully is a homicide detective with the LAPD with, of course, a gorgeous wife who also happens to be the head of the detectives bureau. Thank goodness for her as she continually gets him out of all the trouble he causes by not playing by the rules. In this outing, Shane serves as a pallbearer to the man who raised him in the orphanage. Walter Dix committed suicide but Shane and the other pallbearers don't believe that he would ever kill himself. They decide to investigate and find themselves in a series of events that are deeper and darker than they imagined. Sounds like I wrote the book jacket myself, doesn't it? :)

[Andrea George · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Pallbearers" by Stephen J. Cannell was published 15 years ago. This novel is #9 in the Shane Scully series. I purchased the book at the semi-annual "Friends of the Library" book sale. As with all of Mr. Cannell's novels and television series, I found the characters, plot, and setting to be well thought out, original, and well-written. "The Pallbearers" delves into the Shane Scully's earlier life. Based on current circumstances, he finds himself reliving the past and dealing with the consequences of past choices. The plot is action packed, easy to follow and keeps its readers engaged. I would recommend adding to your tbr list.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number nine in the series, but my first introduction to Cannell. A fast read, it reads like it should be a television show. But since Cannell DOES write for television, that makes sense! There is a lot of dialogue. The characters are not all likable. The storyline keeps moving along at a quick pace.

[Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pallbearers are gathered by the man who saved them from themselves as children. His murder drives them to upend a corrupt business man and his minions. Shane Scully honchos this group of guilt ridden survivors to get Justice for their mentor. I wish I had started with the first book in this series so I am reading it now. Enjoy!

[Saundra Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read !

Love, love, love this book! Twists, turns, and surprises all the way through to the last page.
So far I have enjoyed every Shane Scully book, never disappointed,always pleasantly surprised ! On to the next one !!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictably engaging. I enjoyed the characters.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

2-3 book. I would say the least favorite of the Scully series......

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost 4☆'s
A fun read. Some back story I'll need to fill in by reading earlier books in this series.

[Donn Lorber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Group of orphans that all had the same strong hand guide them in their youth band together to clear his name and protect his legacy

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

(this was updated a year-plus later)
Enjoyed. Matched the book cover description.
Nmkt library.

[D. George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packs more emotional punch than the first eight, which more than makes up for a mystery that isn't overly compelling. Hate that there are only two more left for me to read.

[Roblee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining, and a fast read, but highly implausible, even for fiction.

[Terrie Ware · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable - no characters were likable.

[Sandy Heisey · Rating 5 out of 5]

it caught my attention and held it. First rate.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Kept my interest
DD@Phila

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story line but I could have done with less foul language.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoy a Stephen J. Cannell book. Lots of twist and turns. Great characters. Fast paced reading.

[Tom Stadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of these I've read. Really impressed, bit of a mix of Harry Bosch and Elvis Cole in the feel. Cannell really seems to understand the L.A. scene and the job of being a police officer.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2010. Scully must re-visit his painful childhood to find out who killed the kind and charismatic man who became a father to him.

[Deborah Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but I think I would've preferred a better-rounded ending. It sort of made me think Cannell became eager to wrap it up in a hurry.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so hate abridged versions.

[John Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, really well paced, and even though the ending was, I thought, a little too cute, I really enjoyed it.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mystery. Plenty of unique characters. An exciting ending.