In this one’s opening, he meets April Kyle and she’s so different, he doesn’t even recognize her. So of course he’s working pro-bono again, and he calls in some old friends Hawk, obviously, and Teddy Sapp and Chollo.

Finally—something Spenser can’t do! He admits to April that he doesn’t know how to play Chess.

This one was good, as always. I noticed Benson saying ‘I owe you’ to Spenser, again. How long / how many times can Spenser play this card?

Juusut as I was thinking this was much like many other Spenser novels … there was a surprise twist. I don’t want to spoil, but I’ll just say it was one which will mess him up. Wow, well played.

I MISS PARKER SO MUCH.


5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


Audio:
Joe Mantenga … he’s not exactly the best Spenser but … out of the narrators this series has seen, he is by far.



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