Edited to add today's review since I read (really, listened) again today.
As the title might imply, this is the one in which we meet Zebulon Sixkill. It’s also the last one that Bob himself wrote in completion, and while I’ll NEVER not be sad about this in itself, I’m also sad we didn’t really get to see his plans for Z. I fully expect he had some.

However, I’ll also always be grateful for every word we did get out of him. Onto the story…

It’s your typical Spenser novel with a couple of perks a particularly arrogant player (Jumbo) and of course him having taken Z under his wing.

It alternates between present-day and Spenser’s case and Z’s past—this is well done. Exciting and satisfying, as always.

5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


Audio:
Narrated by Joe Mantenga



Spenser Reading Order:

1. The Godwulf Manuscript (1973)
2. God Save the Child (1974)
3. Mortal Stakes (1975)
4. Promised Land (1976)
5. The Judas Goat (1978)
6. Looking for Rachel Wallace (1980)
7. Early Autumn (1980)
8. A Savage Place (1981)
9. Ceremony (1982)
10. The Widening Gyre (1983)
11. Valediction (1984)
12. A Catskill Eagle (1985)
13. Taming a Seahorse (1986)
14. Pale Kings and Princes (1987)
15. Crimson Joy (1988)
16. Playmates (1989)
17. Stardust (1990)
18. Pastime (1991)
19. Double Deuce (1991)
20. Paper Doll (1993)
21. Walking Shadow (1994)
22. Thin Air (1995)
23. Chance (1996)
24. Small Vices (1997)
25. Sudden Mischief (1998)
26. Hush Money (1999)
27. Hugger Mugger (2000)
28. Potshot (2001)
29. Widow's Walk (2002)
30. Back Story (2003)
31. Bad Business (2004)
32. Cold Service (2005)
33. School Days (2005)
34.Hundred-Dollar Baby(2006)
35. Now and Then (2007)
36. Rough Weather (2008)
36.5 Chasing the Bear (2009)
37. The Professional (2009)
38. Painted Ladies (2010)
39. Sixkill (2011)
39.5 Silent Night (2013)
Spenser: A Mysterious Profile (2022)

continued in the series by Ace Atkins


***

What I believe was the last Spenser novel written in full by Bob himself - a great book. It did seem like Bob had plans for Z to reappear in future Spenser novels so without spoilers I will say it ended in a way that left open possibilities.

Spenser does it again - this time keeping an innocent (assuming we're in agreement that being an a-hole womanizer isn't really a crime) man from being wrongfully imprisoned while taking a wayward substance-abuser under his wing and fixing him up.

Susan's presence is constant in this novel and with that comes the psych banter. Spenser is witty as ever and still in top shape. A solid novel from the great, late RBP.