The Mourner: A Parker Novel (Parker Novels)

If you’re familiar with Dashiell Hammett’s Maltese Falcon pulp classic, or the Film Noir adaptation, then The Mourner is akin to that elusive black bird statue in this novel. However, aside from the quest for a coveted statue, that is where the similarities end in Richard Stark’s 4th Parker installment in the series and this might be my favorite Parker book yet. This is not a detective novel and Parker (Charles Willis) is no Sam Spade, however he is, in the traditional pulp style, victim to double-crosses and even taking a bullet in “The Mourner.”The August Menlo character in this novel is a deceptive and artful enemy and Parker will have to track him down to recover the statue. Menlo has a deep history as a spy during the Second World War and has mastered the art of deception making him a formidable opponent of Parker.The pacing in the book is tight and offers the reader a non-linear 4 Part, or Act, structure which helps build the suspense. “The Killing” based on the crime novel “Clean Break” (adapted by Stanley Kubrick as the basis for his 1956 film, The Killing) comes to mind. This book was first published in 1963.As with all Parker novels it concludes with him setting up his next caper and evading police or the Mob.This Parker novel is worthy of 5 stars and a 2nd read in the future… it was that good.

Favourite book in the series so far. The writing is as clean and effective as you'd expect. Menlo is a terrific creation. It's probably also the funniest Parker novel yet. I want to read this whole series in one go, but I don't want it to be over too quickly!

Wie immer in der "Parker"-Reihe: starke Figuren bis in die kleinen Rollen, realistische und wendungsreiche Plots, unaufdringliche Sozialkritik, erfrischende Gewalt, hintergründiger Humor und ein letztlich rätselhafter Antiheld. Alles folgt zwar den hardboiled-noir-Genrekonventionen (zynische Figuren, Misogynie, Autos, Zigaretten, Drinks und Sex), aber eben auf literarisch gutem Niveau, mit stimmiger Psychologie,großem Einfallsreichtum und Originalität.

This was a disappointment of a novel from Richard Stark who turns in a story that just feels so sketchy.Parker is tasked with stealing a statue from a foreign diplomat who it turns out has been targeted by the KGB. The KGB have sent a top operative to the USA to kill the diplomat and take back the money that he is holding. The operative decides to steal the money for himself and involves the mob to help him do it.The story was so far fetched at times and felt just off. Just as an example of this is when the supposed top KGB man shoots Parker and his partner but doesn't check to see if they are dead. Give me a break.Ordinary.

Good action adventure with some reoccurring characters and lots of surprises. Once I started it, it was hard to put down.