Finished Spare Change by Robert B. Parker. It’s the latest in his Sunny Randall series about a Boston private investigator.

This time, Sunny is helping her father, Phil, investigate the reappearance of the Spare Change killer, a serial killer who leaves three coins beside all his victims. Phil, a former police officer, was in charge of the investigation the first time around. Now, Spare Change is back, and Phil needs Sunny’s help to catch him. Sunny and the rest of the task force identify a likely suspect, and Sunny starts playing a game of cat and mouse with him … by offering herself up as bait.

I always enjoy Parker’s books, especially his dialogue-heavy style. But I have to admit I’m tired of characters going over the same ground from book to book. Two of Parker’s characters, Sunny and Jesse Stone, just can’t let go of their exes. A big part of every book featuring either one of them has them trying to come to terms with their feelings.

In Spare Change, Sunny’s ex-hubbie decides to leave his current wife and try to make things work with Sunny. (Conveniently, the exes can’t let go of the main characters either). I really don’t care if they get back together or not. I just want somebody to make a lasting decision about it one way or another … and never talk about it again! (This also bothers me when it comes to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. Seriously, Steph, just pick one of the guys already.) 

As much as it pains me, I have to give this one a thumbs down.

Up next: Revenge of the Homecoming Queen by Stephanie Hale.

What about you? What have you read lately? Inquiring minds want to know …