Gets off to a more hilarious start than usual, due to Spenser’s wit.
I must say … and I don’t say things like this often when it comes to Parker but … there were 2 characters shown in moments of intimacy and they honestly sounded exactly like Spenser and Susan have sounded in the last 30ish books … it’s as if Parker didn’t bother developing these people as their own characters, at least not when it came to the bedroom. Could this be the moment he started to phone it in a bit? Or perhaps, writing this sort of scene is just not his strength … time will tell as I read on (into this book and the series).

That aside, this went on to be a really fun, somewhat complex case, which meant we got to see lots of old faves: Epstein, Chollo, Vinne, of course Hawk … Pearl (#2) is 5 years old now.

Overall, a great read.

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