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From the bestselling author of Crimson Joy. Spenser's out to make war, not love, as he goes after Boston's entire X-rated industry. Pretty teenager April Kyle has disappeared into the city's darkest underworld, and to rescue her, Spencer pits muscle and wit against bullets and bullies. Part of Dell's ongoing Robert B. Parker reissue program.
Noted for their sharp dialogue and fine character development, the Spenser books carry on a tradition while updating it, particularly in giving its hero two strong alter egos in Hawk, a black friend and right-hand man; and Susan Silverman, Spenser's psychologist love interest. Parker's inclusion of other races and sexual persuasions (several of his novels feature gay characters, a sensibility strengthened in Parker through his sons, both of whom are gay) give a more modern feel to the cases coming into Spenser's office.
The Spenser series, which began with 1973's The Godwulf Manuscript, has an element of toughness that suits its Boston milieu; but it delves just as often into the complex relationship between Silverman and Spenser, and the interplay between the P.I. and Hawk.
By the late ‘80s, Parker had acquired such a reputation that the agent for Raymond Chandler's estate tapped him to finish the legend's last book, Poodle Springs. It was a thankless mission bound to earn criticism, but Parker carried off the task well, thanks to his gift for to-the-point writing and deft plotting. "Parker isn't, even here, the writer Chandler was, but he's not a sentimentalist, and he darkens and deepens Marlowe," the Atlantic concluded. In 1991, Parker took a second crack at Chandler with the Big Sleep sequel Perchance to Dream.
Parker took other detours from Spenser over the years. In 1999, Family Honor introduced Sunny Randall, a female Boston private eye Parker created with actress Helen Hunt in mind. Two years earlier, he introduced L.A.-to-New England cop transplant Jesse Stone in Night Passage. He also authored four bestselling Westerns featuring Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, a few young adult books, as well as several stand-alone novels that were well-received by his many fans.
Parker died suddenly in January 2010 while at home at his desk, working on a book. The cause was a heart attack. He was seventy-seven.
Parker's main hero is named for Edmund Spenser, the 16th-century author of The Faerie Queene.
Parker had a hand in writing the scripts for some television adaptations of Spenser books starring Robert Urich, who also played Spenser in the ABC series from 1985-88. Urich suffered a battle with cancer and passed away in 2002, but adaptations continue to be made for A&E, starring Joe Mantegna. Parker approved of the new actor, telling the New York Times: ''I looked at Joe and I saw Spenser."
According to a profile in the New York Times, Parker met his wife Joan when the two were toddlers at a birthday party. The two reconnected as freshmen at Colby College and eventually had two sons. They credit the survival of their marriage to a house split into separate living spaces, so that the two can enjoy more independent lives than your average husband and wife.
Parker told fans in a 1999 Barnes & Noble.com chat that he thought his non-series historical novel All Our Yesterdays was "the best thing I've ever written."
Parker had a small speaking part in the 1997 A&E adaptation of Small Vices. How does he have time to write his Spenser books, plus the other series and the adaptation stuff? "Keep in mind, it takes me four or five months to write a novel, which leaves me a lot of time the rest of the year," he told Book magazine. "I don't like to hang around."
Anonymous
Posted January 5, 2012
-This is one of the better Spencer novels. The plot is more gritty and less polished; it has that true Spencer PI feel to it, as apposed to the later books which, depressingly, sound more like a love story between Spencer and Suzan.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 8, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I have just completed another Robert B. Parker book: "Ceremony." While I enjoy Mr. Parker's storytelling, the ending, which I do not wish to give away, disturbed me.
Despite my opinion on the ending, I still give it 4 stars. Mr. Parker, as the author, is an excellent storyteller, and the one who creates the ending for his book: here, Spenser must come up with a quick solution to save a young girl from the jaws of a low-line prostitution ring - a girl who does not want to go back to the safety of her childhood home. I have thought about Spenser's solution in this story for some time now, and I honestly cannot say that I have an alternative, based on the character Mr. Parker created.
I would recommend this book, but I am not sure everyone would agree with the ending. If you are looking for an ending which may spark conversation, this book has done so for me.
J.R. Reardon
author, "Confidential Communications"
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2013
All kits will get Mentors. Shadekit's will be Junipermeds. Bluekit's will be Sandwave. Crowkit's will be Blueswift. Amberkit's will be Badgerfang. And Ashkit's will be Stargazer.
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Posted April 26, 2013
She dips her head then pads off with bluepaw.
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Posted April 5, 2013
Walks over to Greypaw. My instinks say that u will be a good worrior. I will teach u as soon as possible. Head back to camp while i talk to Glitterstar. She walkes back over to Glitterpaw. Im new at this so i guess im like a mentor? I am greatfull... but what about fernkit? She hasnt been active lately.
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Posted April 5, 2013
Let all cats old enough to hunt their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting! Milkkit and Graykit, step forward. Milkkit, from this moment until you recieve your warrior name, you will be called Milkpaw. Willowfall, pass down your knowledge and skills to this apprentice. Graykit, from this moment until you recieve your warrior name, you will be called Graypaw. Stormy, pass down your knowledge and skills to this apprentice. "Milkpaw! Graypaw! Milkpaw! Graypaw!" *jumps down from the Highrock*
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Posted May 2, 2012
Recommended. Mr. Parker keeps you guessing and entertains.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ArchieC
Posted February 14, 2011
When Spenser and Hawk get together, the reader is in for a treat. Parker's style is quick, easy, and humorous.
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Posted July 19, 2011
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Posted October 1, 2011
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Posted August 27, 2011
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Posted June 14, 2011
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Posted October 26, 2008
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Posted December 26, 2010
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Overview
From the bestselling author of Crimson Joy. Spenser's out to make war, not love, as he goes after Boston's entire X-rated industry. Pretty teenager April Kyle has disappeared into the city's darkest underworld, and to rescue her, Spencer pits muscle ...