This short story is notable as one of only two that Robert B Parker published in his long writing career. It was published in the 2002 edition of The Best American Mystery Stories (edited by James Ellroy), as well as in the collection "Murderer's Row". Like a few other "completists" here at LT, I've listed it as a separate "work" so as to include everything the author ever wrote.

To readers familiar with Parker's books, the story will be familiar; it was eventually developed into his book on baseball and Jackie Robinson, "Double Play". Jackie Robinson was of course the first African - American baseball player in the major leagues, and was subjected to widespread abuse and threats to his life, by baseball fans who wanted the leagues to remain racially segregated.

In "Harlem Nocturne", a detective (a Spenser-like figure) is hired as a body guard for Robinson. The story documents a tense episode in a restaurant when members of the local Italian mob threaten Robinson's life. He is rescued, in effect, when the entire clientele of the restaurant stands with him and faces down the mobsters. It's a well- done story, with elements familiar to fans of Parker's writing. ( )