Early Autumn (Parker novel)

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Early Autumn

Author	Robert B. Parker
Language	English
Series	Spenser
Genre	Detective novel
Publisher	Delacorte Press
Publication date	1980
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	224 pp
ISBN	978-0440122142
OCLC	9317082
Preceded by	Looking for Rachel Wallace
Followed by	A Savage Place

Early Autumn is a Spenser novel by Robert B. Parker. Spenser is hired to protect a boy, Paul Giacomin, from being kidnapped in a custody quarrel. He ends up taking care of the boy, who is socially immature, having been ignored by his parents, only used as a pawn in their quarrelling. Spenser takes him in and helps him mature through learning to box, exercising, weight-lifting and building a cottage. At the same time, with the help of Hawk, he collects enough information about the parents that they leave the boy alone and let Spenser unofficially adopt him. Kirkus Reviews called the book "disappointing for mystery lovers", but "nice enough ... for those tolerant of Parker's particular brand of tough-guy treacle".^[1]