God Save the Child
God Save the Child
Book Brief
207
Novel • Fiction
Massachusetts • 1970s
1974
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Robert B. Parker's God Save the Child, private investigator Spenser is hired by a wealthy couple to find their missing teenage son, Kevin. As he digs into their suburban life in Smithfield, Spenser encounters marital strife, a mysterious commune, and a criminal ring led by bodybuilder Vic Harroway. Despite dangerous twists, including a murder and a ransom note, Spenser relentlessly pursues the truth to bring Kevin home. This book includes references to sexual exploitation of minors and substance abuse.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Gritty
Challenging
Dark
Reviews & Readership
15,169 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Robert B. Parker's God Save the Child is praised for its sharp prose, engaging plot, and the development of Spenser, its iconic detective protagonist. Critics commend the book's blend of humor and suspense. However, some note a lack of depth in secondary characters and predictable elements in the storyline. Overall, it's a solid entry in the mystery genre.
Who Should Read God Save the Child?
Fans of crime fiction and private detective stories will enjoy Robert B. Parker's God Save the Child. Ideal for readers who appreciate the hard-boiled style of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep and the witty, resilient protagonists in Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series.
15,169 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
God Save the Child is the second book in Robert B. Parker's Spenser series, which eventually grew to include nearly 40 novels centered on the iconic private detective.
In God Save the Child, readers are introduced to Spenser's close friendship with the character Susan Silverman, a prominent figure who appears in many of the subsequent books in the series.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
207
Novel • Fiction
Massachusetts • 1970s
1974
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!