This one takes an approach that Parker rarely takes:
It has a dark opening, and shows the POV of a killer & their vic.

Belson’s wife, Lisa is missing!

In this one we get to see a bit more of Belson, and it manages to be heart-wrenching at times. Spenser has to call in a lot of favors, and travel across the country, which I think is a testament to his friendship with/ loyalty to Benson. He also has to work with several crime bosses and top enforcers, so it packs lots of fun and extra wit for the readers.

Hawk’s not in this one, it’s mentioned that he’s in Burma and probably best if ‘we’ don’t know what for.

This is set in the town of Proctor, MA which … I’m not sure which actual MA city that’s Parker-code for. Maybe Lawrence or Lowell is my best guess. Ay any rate, excellent as always.

5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


*Recurring (semi-major / major) characters:



*LOL quote:



Audio:
This narrator is awful … what is he even doing with poor Belson? Awful.
Also: Vinnie Morris has been such for ~40 years. All of a sudden he’s “Vinnie Maurice” with this narrator. And he pronounces DeLeon as “deli-on”. Come on. He also butchers some of the MA cities. Annoying.



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