The Pallbearers

by: Stephen J. Cannell

Published by: Saint Martin's Press

Reviewed by Caryn St. Clair

Shane Scully grew up in Huntington House, a foster home run by Walter Dix. It’s a period of Shanes’s life that he is not eager to talk about and, although Dix basically saved Shane’s life, Shane has avoided visiting the old man because of the memories associated with him. And then, just two days before Shane and his wife Alexa are to leave for a two week Hawaiian vacation, Shane is called. Walter Dix has committed suicide and has asked that Shane be one of his pallbearers. Obviously he can’t refuse and so the vacation is put on hold and Shane returns to Huntington House to meet with his fellow pallbearers. Almost immediately the group decides that there is absolutely no way that Dix would have killed himself and they band together to find out what really happened.

At this point, the book is either terrific or falls apart, depending on what the reader expects. If the reader is looking for an action packed thriller, this is going to be a pretty good read, but probably mildly disappointing. Looking at it as a police procedural, the reader is going to be throwing the book across the room. If the reader wants a book driven by the characters’ emotions, then The Pallbearers is a winner.

The book is action driven with the story moving quickly, with plenty of chases and fights. But Shane is a homicide cop and his wife is the Acting Commander of the LAPD Detective’s Division, so many of their actions are totally unbelievable on any level. Still, it’s an interesting plot involving a conspiracy filled with greed, lots of colorful characters and a fair amount of action. One of the best parts of this book though is the action of the former foster kids who band together to clear Walter’s name. Are they WAY out of bounds in their approach? Absolutely, but as readers will find their devotion to the man that gave them a life touching-if somewhat misguided.

Although many actions of the group stretch believability, The Pallbearers is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Certainly fans of the Shane Scully books will be pleased enough with it. For readers new to the series, the book may seem a little lacking, especially of they are expecting a police procedural or true thriller, but The Pallbearers should be compelling enough to get them to look for the first eight Scully novels.