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The Boxer and the Spy Review
When a shy high school student’s body is found washed up on the shore of a quiet New England beach town—an apparent suicide—fifteen-year-old Terry Novak doesn’t know what to think. Something just doesn’t add up, so he decides to do some investigating of his own with the help of his best friend, Abby. It doesn’t take long before they learn that asking questions puts them in grave danger, and surviving is going to be a fight. Fortunately, Terry has been learning a thing or two about fighting, thanks to a retired boxer named George, who teaches the boy to use his head and always keep his feet set beneath him—lessons Terry takes to heart in more ways than one. He will need to. Robert B. Parker, New York Times bestselling author of the Spenser novels, delivers a taut, empowering mystery for young readers. User Submitted The Boxer and the Spy ReviewsOctober 24, 2008 Exhilarating Reviewed by Dylan James (age 12) for Reader Views (10/08) Terry is a boxer, a spy, an admirer, and above all else, a teenager. A prominent boxer, Terry takes lessons every day at school. He never could have thought how much he might need those lessons until he snoops around. Something terrible has happened at Terry's school. Someone that Terry and several other people at school knew well has been found washed up on the beach, stone dead. The common thought is that he was on steroids and the drug had crazed him out, but Terry didn't think that was likely. Terry and his crush work together in an inspiring tale of courage and curiosity. But they'd better hurry; killers don't wait long before becoming restless. This is a fast-moving adventure filled with curiosity, learning, and fighting. This would be an almost ideal book for teenagers in high school. It broaches on how the main character acts around his crush, when to go learn about something (like steroids), and that there are dangerous people out there. Some parents might be worried about their kids reading this book though, because of the casual ways Terry's friend's smoke, or talk about sex. But I think most parents would be okay with this book, because Terry, the main character, doesn't do anything bad. Even if someone like the principle looks nice and easygoing, that may not be the case. The flow of this story could have been better; the movement from slow investigating to fast results shook me a little. This story could really draw me in, not the way where maybe I care about the characters but in the way that I just simply couldn't put this book down; I HAD to know what was going to happen. I was drawn in from the beginning; it instantly throws in suspense. What really happened to this kid? "The Boxer and the Spy" by Robert B. Parker is a great mystery/adventure, and I think even people that normally dislike mystery will be satisfied with this book. I know I was. October 24, 2008 The Boxer and the Spy As it turns out this was a book for Young Adults. When I bought it I did not realize this, but still I was not disappointed. It is an excellent story, a delight to read. I will give it to my Grandson to read and when he has finished it I think my Niece would also enjoy it. August 15, 2008 the boxer & the spy Good book for a teenager. I thought it was for an adult but enjoyed it thoroughly. August 11, 2008 Great for Reluctant Reader shelf Robert B. Parker repackages his knowledge of boxing for the young adult, giving us a fresh addition to our guy reluctant read shelf. The book has some of those ingredients Dav Pilkey, author of Captain Underpants, recommends for the reluctant reader: fast moving plot, villainous school principals, and wide margins. (Unfortunately, there are no cartoons.) Our victim is murdered by page five, so there can't be any complaints that nothing happens. The plot is a bit threadbare. One has the feeling the author found it in an old cardboard box labeled "Plots, OK - 1973" while cleaning out his attic. However, the characters themselves are fresh enough and pleasant enough to carry us easily through the book's 200 pages. Interestingly, both of Parker's sons are openly gay, as was the book's victim. Several times during the book, the hero is asked, "Did you think he was gay?" to which he always replies, "Yes." "Did you care?" "Not really." Teen sexual confusion gives the book's characters an added dimension of reality and depth. August 8, 2008 Teens Reveal the Truth behind a Puzzling Death What would Spenser and Susan Silverman have been like as a teenage couple? It's possible they might have sounded and acted a great deal like Terry Novak and his friend, Abby. That link in characterization gives this book extra fascination for adult fans of Robert B. Parker. I particularly enjoyed the innuendo in the dialog where Terry and Abby refer to their physical desire for one another in flirting, boy-girl terms. The mystery isn't all that mysterious; the main mystery is how two high school students will be able to bring out the truth: A high school student is found dead and most adults presume it was suicide related to using steroids. Terry doesn't believe it and starts asking around. His detection is interspaced with boxing lessons from his fifty-five year-old friend, George. There's a bullying jock at the high school who tries to stop Terry, but Terry jabs on. In the background are some greedy adults looking out for themselves at the expense of everyone else. I would have loved to read this book when I was a young teen. I also loved it as a 61-year-old man. I suspect the appeal wouldn't be as great for those in the 25-45 age range. I look forward to reading other books for younger readers by Mr. Parker. July 29, 2008 Teenage Slueths For an entertaining read that measures up well to the Spencer pithy to the point dialogue this is your book. Quick moving, humorous, charmingly irreverant, you won't regret spending an evening with Robert B. Parker! July 24, 2008 A well-crafted teen mystery Fifteen-year-old Terry Novak has two hobbies: learning to box with former fighter George and trying to talk his best friend Abby into kissing him --- and maybe more. A new pastime comes his way when local teen Jason Green washes up on the tide near their small town. Jason was quiet and unassuming, yet his death is blamed on suicide caused by steroid usage. Terry can't believe that is what happened; he thinks Jason had help dying and is determined to prove it. Terry's father lost his life at his job in an electrical plant a few years ago, and Jason's dad passed away some time earlier. Terry remembers that Jason is the only one who offered him words of comfort, and though they did not have much to do with each other since then, he can't let go of this mystery. Abby is smart and a great confidant, not to mention beautiful --- at least in Terry's eyes. Terry begins to ask around school and town about the side-effects of steroids. He doesn't think it can cause people to go crazy enough that they would want to kill themselves. Abby keeps track of all the research and comments they collect. Then Terry is told by the school principal to stop nosing around in things that aren't his business. He is also warned by Kip, a top athlete and bully. Abby steps up her game to become an official spy who runs a spy network. The teens in the town begin to watch the principal, as well as Kip. A new home built by high school design students and some local officials also seem to be involved. The kids know something is going on, and as the reports around town come in about the activities of the two people, pieces start coming together. Frequent workouts with George become frustrating. How will he know what to do in a real fight? When will he know he's ready? Terry even brings Abby in to a practice session, and she's surprised by this side of him she has not seen before. Who is he becoming? The warnings to stop asking about Jason and steroids don't let up. Terry is threatened with suspension, and Abby is cornered by Kip. He does not intend to let a threat to her go unanswered. Soon this fight pulls in everything Terry knows about boxing, fighting and control. He's aware that, when it's important, you have to fight for what is right. Robert B. Parker is the author of the Spenser series for adults, and this is his second teen mystery (following EDENVILLE OWLS). While it is easy to tell who some of the villains are in this story, the hows and whys will keep readers wondering until the end. What really makes the book such a page turner is the way that Terry grows and steps up to the ring to make this terrible situation right. His romantic tension with Abby is fun and quite realistic, as the two friends struggle with the line of when to become something more. Parker is sure to find new young adult fans with THE BOXER AND THE SPY. --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio July 7, 2008 Mostly Boring I've read just about every Robert B. Parker book and must say that this was one of the worst. I know it is meant for a different audience and is a totally different plot type, but even so, the best thing I could say about it is that it was short. July 6, 2008 Parker is always guaranteed quality reading Thank you Parker for entering the young Adult "ring" again! The quality of Parker's writing shines again - while being timely for teen readers also venturing into areas of examining values; and actions and consequences. Thank you Parker and publishers for putting a book out there for Teens to see they can make a difference, as well as adults are not always role models. June 21, 2008 3 stars When a shy classmate's body is found, everyone assumes he killed himself; that is, everyone but Toby Novak, who does not believe it. With the help of his best friend, Abby, he begins to probe the death, sure he'll discover a murder. Another source of help and support proves to be his mentor, a retired boxer whose lessons in discipline and strength prove invaluable in the investigation. Delving deeply into the politics of his small town high school leads Toby into trouble and dangers better faced by men far older than he. Yet, despite his youth and inexperience, his quest for truth and justice proves Toby is not a boy, but a young man. *** Mr. Parker's fans, young and less young alike, should highly enjoy this new venture. In the tradition of Trixie Belden's imperfect, yet intrepid teen sleuth stories, Toby Novak makes a place for himself in his readers' hearts. Though somewhat milder than the author of Spenser's other works, nonetheless, there is a satisfying, emotionally intense quality to the work that makes it clear who wrote this. *** Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews For more The Boxer and the Spy reviews click here.
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