When I first picked up this book I was disappointed that this was not a Spencer novel, as I read it my disappointment soon ended, a great read and probably one of his finest written books spencer or no spencer.It will not dissapoint.

I've read many of parker's books like most of the people who have given review but I can't believe the high rating that they all have given this poor book. "The best of his non-Spencer books?" Are you people insane? If you think this poorly written, flat charactered, meandering novel is better than the Sunny Randall stuff or the masterpiece "All our Yesterdays," you're crazy. The first half of the book has an interesting moral dilemma as well as fairly believable interaction between the characters and the second half is a decent romp through the forest after the killers, but most of the book fell very short of the mark. I agree with the other reviewer that Janet is at first detestable and then turns unbelievable. The other two don't do much for me either. Also, much of the dialogue sounds forced and scene explaining the bolt of a gun is just maddening. If you want a good non-Spencer book, pick up "All Our Yesterdays," and if you want Parker doing the "survival in the forest thing," pick up the Spencer book "Pastime" and enjoy. This book is mostly junk

Easily Parker's best non-Spenser work, and possibly his best overall. More suspense than you might think Parker capable of delivering. Written at the peak of his talents. A shame he hasn't come back to this genre.