Kevin Bartlett has been kidnapped and it's up to Spenser to find him. But was he really kidnapped in the first place... ?The second Spenser book picks weeks after the first left off and does a good job fleshing out Spenser's character a bit more. Susan Silverman is added to the supporting cast and will provide Spenser with a steady girlfriend for a long time to come from what I hear. The case itself was a little on the predictable side, although the drugs and pimping made it a little more complex. Spenser rose a few notches in my esteem in this outing.
The Bartletts were well realized supporting characters, especially since they'll probably be one shots. I felt sorry for Roger and pitied his drunken slattern of a wife.
After reading the first two Spenser books, I've noticed that Parker spends a fair bit of time describing Spenser's meal preparation. Not a gripe, just an observation.
All things considered, I was quite pleased with God Save the Child and plan to nab the next one when I run across it.