Finally, more of Susan’s background is revealed … incidental to giving her ex-husband’s, of course.
(And the first continuity issue I have noticed—this one is series-level. It’s said multiple times that Susan hasn’t seen Brad in 20 years … she saw him a few books ago when he had to leave the country and so, she took in Pearl the Wonderdog.)

“You have no ego … or it is so big, it’s impenetrable.” < Possibly the most accurate quote of this entire series, uttered by Rachel Wallace to Spenser.

Another read full of conspiracies, fraud, and murder, The ‘bad guys’ go a little too far when they attack Spenser while he’s with Susan so there’s the added fun of Spenser being sort of out for blood on that front too.

5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recurring characters introduced:
Ty Bob
Junior
*Tony Marcus’s bodyguards (he’s out of prison).


On a personal front:
Susan works out her very own daddy issues.


Audio:
AWFUL. This narrator PANTS throughout the entire reading. Absolutely disgusting. I recommend grabbing any other format and sparing yourself from this.




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