Like so many Spenser reads, this one starts out in his office in Boston—classic. It also brings us to Smithfield, where Wilderness was set, and which, according to local legend, is Parker’s fictional name for Lynnfield, MA.

This one involved a missing kid, dead bodies, danger, etc. so it was more suspense-y than its predecessor. It even made me laugh out loud a couple times.

In typical Parker fashion, there’s more here going on than meets the eye and Spenser is determined to get to the bottom of ALL of it.


Regulars introduced in this one:
Healy
Susan Siverman (on her first date with Spenser)!
Henry Cimoli



A fun read, 5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


Audio:
This narrator … is okay. While he does NOT bother with a Boston accent, there is a vibe to his vintage-y sound.


image:

I loved the Lynn Shore Drive bit. :)




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