Robert B. Parker's Bad Influence: Sunny Randall, Book 11 by Alison GaylinMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lupica's Sunny was always a good enough imitation of Parker. It was enjoyable to read and revisit that world. But it was incomplete; only as good as an impression. Alison Gaylin is not doing an impression of Parker. There are noticeable differences in style. The dialogue is not that pithy and punchy dialogue that Parker excelled at; I think there was only one "oh-ho!" The pacing and scene descriptions were also different (though not radically so). But Gaylin captures Sunny in a way Lupica just never did. She doesn't, as Lupica too often did, rely on stock characters from the Spenser-verse. This as original a 'Parker' story I've read in a long time: it takes the character of Sunny and the world Parker created and tells a Sunny story in Gaylin's way. The Sunny Themes are there: the never-ending struggle with the challenges of independence and autonomy; the finding one's own authentic footing in a world often dominated by men; the toughness and willingness to do what needs to be done. But Gaylin uses her own style and approach to bring Sunny to life. It is welcome and exciting.
Kate Burton's performance is top notch. She doesn't over do it on the accents, but just enough to give you the shape of the characters.
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