You can't go wrong with ANY Spenser novels.

#27 Hugger Mugger

After a few pro-bono cases, Spenser takes a sort-of odd one on in order to pay some bills… someone’s shooting horses.

He ends up traveling to the South again (among other places) and as usual, something very strange is afoot. A couple of cooperative locals and a 25 year-old psychopath make for a fun read.

5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


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


#28 Potshot:
Detective Samuelson who you might remember from past Spenser novels (originally: Candy Sloan’s book) referred a newly widowed client to Spenser … so we’re going back toward the west

After the usual—he irritates the wrong bad guys and proves himself in a fight—some of the locals proposition him … this makes things very interesting. (They want him to take out the local crime gang, which he agrees to take on, in addition to his other case, which is solving a murder.) Spenser of course brings in Hawk, and Vinnie (with Gino Fish’s blessing), Teddy Sap (who we met in Hugger Mugger), Bernard (from Las Vegas), Chollo from L.A., Bobby Horse from L.A., (as well as cooperation from / with Del Rio).

They all rent a house together and it makes for a really entertaining read at times. Potshot may be one of my faves in this series just for this reason.


Henry’s gym seems to continue to get even trendier, if that’s possible.

Pearl is said to be aging, and described to have some physical issues and a gray muzzle.

Overall an extremely fun read, more so than others, because all the collaboration going on makes for even more wit than usual.

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. Dream Girl (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