Family Values (novel)

Family Values is a 1991 novel by American author Robert B. Parker. It is the seventeenth novel in the Spenser series, which features the Boston-based private investigator known only as Spenser.

The novel follows Spenser as he is hired to investigate the seemingly innocuous disappearance of a young woman named Laurie Baldwin. Laurie is the daughter of prominent and politically ambitious businessman, Edward Baldwin. As Spenser delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and criminal activity connected to the Baldwin family, revealing a stark contrast between their public image of traditional "family values" and their actual behavior. The investigation leads Spenser through Boston's criminal underworld and exposes the corrupting influence of power and money.

Key themes explored in Family Values include the hypocrisy of societal expectations, the destructive nature of secrets, and the conflict between personal integrity and familial loyalty. The novel also explores Spenser's relationship with his partner, Susan Silverman, and his friend, Hawk, as they navigate the complexities of the case.

The novel, typical of the Spenser series, is characterized by Parker's concise prose, sharp dialogue, and morally ambiguous characters.