Spare Parts [Hardcover]

Rick Hanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994

While investigating the disappearance of his sister's fourth husband, who had vanished from a Seattle orthodontists' convention, cop-turned-sculptor Adam McCleet encounters a serial killer called the Yuppie Ripper and a vicious, karate-kicking dentist. Reprint. PW. K.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This smart, snappy mystery debut introduces Portland, Oreg., sculptor Adam McCleet, a former cop whose creations generally feature women and large sea creatures. McCleet sells his work at a gallery whose gorgeous, savvy owner, Alison Brooks, wears skimpy underwear which McCleet often gets to see. Here, the artist's pushy, viper-tongued sister badgers him into searching for her missing husband, Phil, an orthodontist who has disappeared during a convention, leaving his bed unslept in and his dental floss unused. Things look grim. While tracking Phil, (who finally turns up alive, but minus a kidney), McCleet also flushes a serial killer who preys on well-heeled tourists. Despite some hackneyed characters and a few too many jokes (nearly all of them good) that sometimes slow the pace, Hanson generates a high-energy tale that will leave readers eager for a sequel.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Modestly successful sculptor and ex-policeman Adam McCleet goes sleuthing when his overbearing sister pressures him into looking for her husband, who is missing from a dentists' convention in Seattle. McCleet bluffs his way around town, chases fancy hookers in a toothmobile, and even views the grim remains of the "Seattle Ripper's" latest victim. But after someone dumps his brother-in-law in Portland, minus one kidney, Adam vows revenge. Free-flowing prose, offbeat humor, an enticing protagonist, and an engaging love affair combine well in this auspicious and entertaining debut.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 231 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; First Edition edition (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082174738X
• ISBN-13: 978-0821747384
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,697,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not very realistic, but very enjoyable!, December 4, 2003

By 

James N Simpson (Gold Coast, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Spare Parts (Paperback)

This is not the most realistic novel you will ever read but you will thoroughly enjoy it. Artist Adam McCleet has a sister from hell. One day she rings him and demands he goes to Seattle because her husband Phil was supposed to ring her two hours ago and did not. It soon becomes apparent that there is reason for concern and Phil did not disappear of his own free will. Fellow dentists have no idea where he is but are equally determined for Adam to find him. Meanwhile Homicide Detective Forest is not happy Phil is around and interfering in his Yuppie Ripper serial killer case.

Characters are extremely gullible in this novel such as the hotel security guard who immediately believes Adam is a secret agent but if you can overlook this sort of stuff you'll enjoy a pretty interesting novel.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Hiaasen, March 22, 2002

By 

Daniel McGuire (Epsom, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spare Parts (Paperback)

This is the first of five mysteries staring Portland, OR resident Adam McCleet, sculptor and ex-cop. They have widely varying plots, but many recurring characters. The books have a very friendly feel and a good dose of humor.

Spare Parts is the grittiest of the bunch. McCleet gets involved when his dentist brother-in-law goes missing at a convention and later turns up without one of his kidneys.

I recommend starting with this one to be introduced to the characters in the right order and to follow their plot lines.

For some reason, Hanson is compared to Hiaasen on every jacket. In my opinion, Hanson is the better of the two. His stuff is funnier and more inventive.