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duparker's review against another edition
3.0
Good, but awkward
This and the last Spenser book had these interrelated third person sections telling the bad guy parallel story. I'm not liking them. They get in the way, and I wish they weren't present. They don't help me focus on the story and make me want to stick to the Spenser parts.
This and the last Spenser book had these interrelated third person sections telling the bad guy parallel story. I'm not liking them. They get in the way, and I wish they weren't present. They don't help me focus on the story and make me want to stick to the Spenser parts.
stevem0214's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the new Ace Atkins Spenser novels. I like them and Atkins stays pretty close to the original, but it seems to be that the bod guys are badder and there doesn't seem to be a "code" with these guy. Probably way more realistic, but I like Spenser's old ways better. I'll keep reading however!! Still great books...just a little different!
papidoc's review against another edition
2.0
Why do I put myself through this? In the forlorn hope that some one of the authors selected by Parker's estate may actually some day approach his writing style. Atkins isn't that author. Though formulaic, Parker has a unique and competent writing style, and though it is easy to see Atkins trying to be Parker, he just ins't successful in the details that matter. Too much foul language, jerky-jerky flow to the story line, convenient plot twists, shallow sidekicks (Hawk, Z, Vinnie, etc.), it all adds up to a very much less than satisfying Parker experience.
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
Robert B. Parker's Slow burn, a Spenser novel by Atkins_ Ace - Parker_ Robert B
Have read many of the authors other works and have enjoyed the reads and the movies on TV from the novels.
This one starts out with a church fire killing 3 firemen, 1 year anniversary. Jack McGree suspects arson and he takes the case tp Spencer to solve.
Loved hearing also fo the south part of town as I'm familiar with it, ball games, bars, etc
Like how he goes about investigating using others information about the fire and how it might have had two origin points.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Have read many of the authors other works and have enjoyed the reads and the movies on TV from the novels.
This one starts out with a church fire killing 3 firemen, 1 year anniversary. Jack McGree suspects arson and he takes the case tp Spencer to solve.
Loved hearing also fo the south part of town as I'm familiar with it, ball games, bars, etc
Like how he goes about investigating using others information about the fire and how it might have had two origin points.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
jrobles76's review against another edition
4.0
Like that Ace is changing up his writing style. No longer trying to imitate Parker's heavy use of dialogue interspersed with short 1-2 sentence paragraphs. I enjoyed this one the best and look forward to the future. I like how he is setting up things for later works. I was legitimately scared for Spenser when he met DeMarco. Can't wait to see how that resolves.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
I have been reading Parker books for 30 years, and now read books written by successor authors, who write under license from his estate. This is book 44 in the Spenser series. A friend of Spenser's, Boston Fire Department Captain Jack McGee, comes to Spenser and asks him to investigate the arson fire that caused the deaths of 3 firefighters. Spenser says :Why me and not the Arson unit in your fire dept? McGee says "I want you to shake the bushes for criminals and find out who set this and why."
Spenser is a private investigator who can do things that that the police and Arson unit cannot.
Spenser enlists the help of friends Hawk and "Z"(Zebulon Sixkill) and does solve the case. He tangles with some nasty people along the way.
Both my wife and I enjoy this series and recommend it. Ace Atkins has Parker's style down pat--short punchy sentences, short chapters and Spenser's wisecracks, even when dealing with people who want to hurt him. I read this library book in 2 days. This book can be read as a stand alone.
Spenser is a private investigator who can do things that that the police and Arson unit cannot.
Spenser enlists the help of friends Hawk and "Z"(Zebulon Sixkill) and does solve the case. He tangles with some nasty people along the way.
Both my wife and I enjoy this series and recommend it. Ace Atkins has Parker's style down pat--short punchy sentences, short chapters and Spenser's wisecracks, even when dealing with people who want to hurt him. I read this library book in 2 days. This book can be read as a stand alone.
dnemec's review against another edition
3.0
All the Spenser books I've read have been audiobooks. I don't know if I'd enjoy them as much if Joe Mantegna didn't narrate them. To me, he IS Spenser!
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
"I just finished an insurance-fraud case," I said. "But I'm always on standby for the big S projected into the clouds over Boston."
"Well, I got a big fucking S for you," he said. "As in the shit has hit the fan."
"I'm familiar with that S."
"Well, I got a big fucking S for you," he said. "As in the shit has hit the fan."
"I'm familiar with that S."
benfiretag's review against another edition
3.0
A Spenser story about fireman wannabes who think the Boston Fire Department needs help with budget for men and equipment to fight fires – and their brilliant solution is to start fires. But that puts fire fighters and sparks, the people who provide coffee and blankets for the firefighters at risk. Spenser is looking into what one of the Fire Chiefs thinks was the first incident where three of their own died. At first glance it looks like fire for profit, leading Spenser to think a local made guy or his organization is responsible. Instead that guy provides the video proof they need.
nonna7's review against another edition
4.0
After two very dark novels, I needed something lighter. The subject matter is dark: arsonists burning down buildings in fires that kill or injure firefighters is not a subject of which to make light. However, the old Parker wisecracking and his assorted friends and the love of his life, Susan, are there like old friends waiting for the reader to meet with for a vodka gimlet or a cold beer or maybe just donuts and coffee.
When a firefighter comes to Spenser seeking help for some unsolved fires, Spenser is surprised and unsure about the case at first. The consensus is that the man is a crackpot. He makes a few behind the scenes inquiries, but soon is given permission by the Fire Dept Commissioner to nose around, but carefully. It turns out that the case is being investigated, but the investigators are treading carefully for a number of reasons. Of course we know this because of the chapters in dark italic about the arsonists themselves, but we don't know the motivations or anything about them.
In the end, that's the interesting part: the character of the arsonists and their motivation. It's not what they say it is.
In the meantime, Spenser has made an enemy of a very dangerous thug named Jackie DeMarco. I'm sure the next book will feature him. Meanwhile, Hawk makes several appearances as does Henry Cimoli. Z the Cree Native American who Spenser has been mentoring is ready to go to LA to make his mark. Here's hoping we see more of him again.
When a firefighter comes to Spenser seeking help for some unsolved fires, Spenser is surprised and unsure about the case at first. The consensus is that the man is a crackpot. He makes a few behind the scenes inquiries, but soon is given permission by the Fire Dept Commissioner to nose around, but carefully. It turns out that the case is being investigated, but the investigators are treading carefully for a number of reasons. Of course we know this because of the chapters in dark italic about the arsonists themselves, but we don't know the motivations or anything about them.
In the end, that's the interesting part: the character of the arsonists and their motivation. It's not what they say it is.
In the meantime, Spenser has made an enemy of a very dangerous thug named Jackie DeMarco. I'm sure the next book will feature him. Meanwhile, Hawk makes several appearances as does Henry Cimoli. Z the Cree Native American who Spenser has been mentoring is ready to go to LA to make his mark. Here's hoping we see more of him again.