Book Review: Melancholy Baby

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Melancholy Baby     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Robert B. Parker
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator   Woman Main Character
Series: Sunny Randall # 4
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2004, 296 pps.

Sunny Randall, Boston P.I., is at a low point in her life. Richie, her ex-husband, has decided to remarry. Richie has always been available to Sunny and she shares custody with her ex-husband of their dog Rosie. The marriage failed because Sunny was unable to totally commit herself to the relationship. This segment of her life will be changed with Richie’s marriage and Sunny feels lost.

Sunny’s crying jag and interval of feeling sorry for herself is interrupted by a call from an attorney Sunny has done work for before and she is asked to see what she can do for a young college student Sarah Markham who has decided that she is adopted. Sarah has no proof that she is adopted other than the fact that at one point her mother told her she wasn’t her real mother. Both parents now deny that Sarah is adopted and are refusing to take DNA tests.

When Sunny begins to delve into the Markham’s past Sarah and her boyfriend are attacked and beaten up. Sarah seeks refuge by staying with Sunny. Sunny has begun to see a doctor to work out her personal problems regarding lack of the ability to commit. Sunny finds parallels between her life and Sarah’s.

As the investigation progresses dead bodies start popping up. Although the reader can guess almost from the beginning who Sarah’s real mother is the path to making her admit the truth is littered with violence and a few interesting characters.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

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