This is the last of the original run of Stark’s Parker books, and it would have made a fitting end to the series if it had never been revived a couple decades later. “Butcher’s Moon” is almost twice the length of a normal Parker story, and it’s clear that Donald Westlake (Stark) meant for this to be the last hurrah for Parker.

Returning to the town where he was trapped in the amusement park in “Slayground”, Parker (along with Grofield) embarks on a classic vendetta to recover their $73,000. A fitting book-end to the series started with a similar plot in “The Hunter,” Parker is at his best as a character when he is ruthlessly collecting what he’s owed by the mob. This book contains many of the series’ best elements: the Parker-Grofield partnership, the mob debt, the double-crosses, and the intricately described heists.

To fully enjoy this book, you should read the preceding books in the series because so many supporting characters are brought back. I would highly recommend this to fans of the series, but really, if you’ve read this far in the Parker book, you know what to expect, and you’re in for a great read with this one.