Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn

Fans of the original series might notice differences in tone or approach. I wonder what choices the author made to honor the legacy while making it fresh.

The story seemed to take a breather before ramping up again. Was that a deliberate choice to build tension or just natural flow for this plot?

The gritty city environment really sets the mood. I wonder if the author drew from personal experiences or crafted it entirely from imagination.