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stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
One of the better books in the series. In this episode, Spenser is hired to look out for Jill Joyce who is quite a nut case. Later you find out why.
stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
Good book with a twist at the end that I can't say anything about without giving away the mystery. This is one of the better in the series I think and it introduces you to some west coast characters that show up every now and again in later books.
gsatori's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't the best Spencer novel, but it's still Spencer. The problem here is that the writing feels like filler. Perhaps Parker sought a new direction ; but he didn't pull it off. While the novel still has all the elements that make the series great, it still struggles and limps along.
silentcat7135's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. Picked this one up because it was a Robert B. Parker, specifically a Spenser Parker, that went on sale for a couple dollars on Kobo. I've enjoyed Parker a lot in the past, but this one just didn't do it for me. Spenser was okay, but too much Susan (I've never been as enamoured of Susan as the series so obviously is), not enough Hawk, and the client in this one was obnoxious. Sure, she's damaged and has her reasons, but I don't read a Spenser mystery for psychological depth but for the pithy dialogue and tough guys solving problems. It's not even as if the client's psychological damage is explored in any meaningful way but is quite superficially and stereotypically portrayed.
Oh well. Hopefully if another Spenser goes on sale on Kobo, it will be a better one next time.
Oh well. Hopefully if another Spenser goes on sale on Kobo, it will be a better one next time.
bookhawk's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This 17th book in the excellent Spenser series is an outstanding contribution. Parker created fantastic characters in Spenser, Hawk, Susan and Quirk. Spenser is a tough guy who does right even if it includes violence. Stardust has a good plot and includes excellent dialogue. I especially appreciated Spenser’s dog related actions. 4+ stars and recommended for readers who enjoy Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Robert Crais, Craig Johnson and Mark Dawson.
lwalker77's review against another edition
3.0
Solid Spenser novel. Not breaking new ground but worth the read!
bmlowry8's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
One of the least violent Spenser books so far and that’s okay. The client in this one wasn’t very likable at first but turned out to have more than enough reasons to be that way. This one was more Spenser and less of Susan and Hawk. Quirk and Belson were almost non existent. Missing those four kept it from being five stars. That’s how good they have become as characters.
jurassicreader's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
brianlokker's review against another edition
4.0
Stardust, the seventeenth book in the Spenser series, is one of the strongest entries among the first seventeen.
Spenser is hired by a TV production company to protect its most valuable star, the beautiful and sexy Jill Joyce, who is filming her series in Boston. Jill claims she is being harassed by a man, but she can't or won't provide any details. Jill drinks too much and apparently comes on to any man she meets, with Spenser being no exception. Although Spenser finds her difficult to deal with, he recognizes that her fear is real, and he is determined to help her. Ultimately he enlists Hawk's help to guard Jill while he tries to find out who is harassing her. His investigation leads him to uncover secrets from Jill's past that she has long tried to bury.
Stardust features lots of philosophizing and sardonic self-reflection by Spenser, along with the requisite tough-guy banter between Spenser and the cops, the clients, and some other tough guys. Spenser also reveals his sensitive side when dealing with a man to whom life hasn't been kind. There's some of the usual romance with Susan, but thankfully it's not quite as cloying as it often is. Hawk isn't involved quite as much as I'd like, but his scenes are stellar, as they always are.
Spenser excels when his task is to rescue or protect someone who's a lost soul. Jill Joyce doesn't initially seem to fit the bill, but as Spenser learns more about her, his—and the reader's—sympathy for her is fully engaged. In the end, Spenser's plan to save Jill connects this book with Early Autumn, the seventh book in the series. It's probably no coincidence that that is one of my favorites too.
Spenser is hired by a TV production company to protect its most valuable star, the beautiful and sexy Jill Joyce, who is filming her series in Boston. Jill claims she is being harassed by a man, but she can't or won't provide any details. Jill drinks too much and apparently comes on to any man she meets, with Spenser being no exception. Although Spenser finds her difficult to deal with, he recognizes that her fear is real, and he is determined to help her. Ultimately he enlists Hawk's help to guard Jill while he tries to find out who is harassing her. His investigation leads him to uncover secrets from Jill's past that she has long tried to bury.
Stardust features lots of philosophizing and sardonic self-reflection by Spenser, along with the requisite tough-guy banter between Spenser and the cops, the clients, and some other tough guys. Spenser also reveals his sensitive side when dealing with a man to whom life hasn't been kind. There's some of the usual romance with Susan, but thankfully it's not quite as cloying as it often is. Hawk isn't involved quite as much as I'd like, but his scenes are stellar, as they always are.
Spenser excels when his task is to rescue or protect someone who's a lost soul. Jill Joyce doesn't initially seem to fit the bill, but as Spenser learns more about her, his—and the reader's—sympathy for her is fully engaged. In the end, Spenser's plan to save Jill connects this book with Early Autumn, the seventh book in the series. It's probably no coincidence that that is one of my favorites too.