The one with Jill Joyce …
Opens on a movie set and Spenser’s wit actually gets a laugh from at least one of the crew. We so rarely find people with as good a sense of humor as Spenser in this series.

**First time we see Spenser asked for his first name. Jill asked him for it and he simply tells the reader that he told her and then it shows her disapproving of it and vowing to figure out something else to call him. He suggests Pebbles.**

Set around the holidays and does a good job of conveying a wintery / Christmassy vibe.

This one did manage to be a bit more mysterious than some, due to Spenser’s client being a total flake (it’s hard to tell if she’s just attention-seeking or genuinely in danger).

As usual, Spenser’s compassion shows strongly through his actions.
Overall, a fun read, especially the hateable, yet pathetic and really just broken protagonist.

5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


**Recurring characters introduced here:
-Chollo
-Bobby Horse

We also see Samuelson, who we know from Candy Sloan’s book.


Audio:
This narrator … is okay. While he does NOT bother with a Boston accent, there is a vibe to his vintage-y sound and being 5 books in now, I’m getting used to him. :)



First edition cover:





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