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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
It’s always risky to jump into a long-running series for the first time. But with a little checking on the characters’ backstories, I was able to enjoy Someone to Watch Over Me by Ace Atkins, the legacy author for Robert B. Parker and his Spenser series. I don't have the issue of comparing the "new" author from the series creator.
Most people checking into this book know the characters far better than I do so I’ll simply say I found Spenser, Hawk, Susan and the others enjoyable characters. Lots of humor mixed in with some serious matters. This installment centers around a Jeffrey Epstein-like character. Peter Steiner and Poppy, the woman who assists him, are thoroughly despicable people. Spenser’s pursuit of the young girls being abused take him from Boston to South Florida to an island in the Bahamas. Lots of good action in this fast-paced book. Will look out for the next one in the series.
Rated 3.5 stars.
Most people checking into this book know the characters far better than I do so I’ll simply say I found Spenser, Hawk, Susan and the others enjoyable characters. Lots of humor mixed in with some serious matters. This installment centers around a Jeffrey Epstein-like character. Peter Steiner and Poppy, the woman who assists him, are thoroughly despicable people. Spenser’s pursuit of the young girls being abused take him from Boston to South Florida to an island in the Bahamas. Lots of good action in this fast-paced book. Will look out for the next one in the series.
Rated 3.5 stars.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am a bit torn about this book. One thing that did change my perception of it was the man that was reading the audiobook. I didn't enjoy him so that took a toll on the entire experience.
Also, this is the first book i read in this series and I understand that I am missing a lot of the background stories.
The book has an interesting premise, but the jokes get old very fast and the feisty young lady seems at times that she's been living under a rock, lacking common knowledge of simple things. The whole plot is a bit redundant and these guys are acting as if they are saving the world from the worse criminals (especially at the beginning when all we knew is that the guy was getting a foot massage...). I doubt I'll read another book from this series, it was't really that good, in my opinion.
Also, this is the first book i read in this series and I understand that I am missing a lot of the background stories.
The book has an interesting premise, but the jokes get old very fast and the feisty young lady seems at times that she's been living under a rock, lacking common knowledge of simple things. The whole plot is a bit redundant and these guys are acting as if they are saving the world from the worse criminals (especially at the beginning when all we knew is that the guy was getting a foot massage...). I doubt I'll read another book from this series, it was't really that good, in my opinion.
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4 stars for book 48 in the Spenser series, started by Robert B. Parker and now written by Ace Atkins, authorized by the Parker estate. Atkins has the wisecracking style of Spenser down pat. Spenser's friend Mattie Sullivan, a college student who works for Spenser part time, comes to him for help. Mattie's 15 year old friend was assaulted by an older man at a private club. She was hired to give a massage when the man exposed himself and began masturbating. She left w/o picking up her backpack and laptop. Now the club won't give it back.
Mattie tells Spenser that that both she and her friend tried to get it back, only to be escorted out of the club. Spenser does get the backpack and laptop back, but discovers that other girls are being abused by this rich and powerful man. This book is almost ripped from the headlines, with a Jeffrey Epstein type called Peter Steiner and his female recruiter, Poppy Palmer.
Spenser decides to take on the case pro bono and uses his network of contacts to take down Steiner.
Spenser's contacts:
Quirk, now Asst Supt. of Boston PD
Rita Fiore, a high powered attorney, who is interested in filing a class action suit on behalf of the abused under aged girls.
Hawk, Spenser's partner for many years
Mattie, who aspires to be a detective
FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Miami office, Epstein
The book is more of a thriller than a mystery, since the villains are identified early on.
Spenser does resolve the case with a satisfactory ending. I read this library book in 3 days.
Mattie tells Spenser that that both she and her friend tried to get it back, only to be escorted out of the club. Spenser does get the backpack and laptop back, but discovers that other girls are being abused by this rich and powerful man. This book is almost ripped from the headlines, with a Jeffrey Epstein type called Peter Steiner and his female recruiter, Poppy Palmer.
Spenser decides to take on the case pro bono and uses his network of contacts to take down Steiner.
Spenser's contacts:
Quirk, now Asst Supt. of Boston PD
Rita Fiore, a high powered attorney, who is interested in filing a class action suit on behalf of the abused under aged girls.
Hawk, Spenser's partner for many years
Mattie, who aspires to be a detective
FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Miami office, Epstein
The book is more of a thriller than a mystery, since the villains are identified early on.
Spenser does resolve the case with a satisfactory ending. I read this library book in 3 days.
I'm not sure why it has the title it does, but I read it fast. Maybe I missed something. Things move a little farther from Parker every book, but it's still enjoyable. For me, anyway. Looking forward to the next one.
Certainly one of the better entries in the series, both from Atkins and from Parker. I always felt that the surrogate son Paul was a character we needed to learn more about. Hasn't happened, too much, but here we get the return and some depth of another surrogate. There are similarities to other surrogates from the past, but here the differences stand out and feel realistic.
The dialog is classic Spencer, the inclusion of Hawk is judiciously used, and the atmospheric vibes are on point. Only the inclusion of puppy training felt meh. Pretty minor and more one off than not, so not a big deal. Rekindles my desire to read this series.
The dialog is classic Spencer, the inclusion of Hawk is judiciously used, and the atmospheric vibes are on point. Only the inclusion of puppy training felt meh. Pretty minor and more one off than not, so not a big deal. Rekindles my desire to read this series.
I’ve always been a big Robert B Parker fan — my dog is named Spenser. I’ve shied away from the Ace Atkins books because I wasn’t sure if anyone could pick up the mantle. Horrible things have been done to Spenser (Marky Mark? Really?). I heard Ace on a podcast and he won me over. I gotta say I was pleasantly surprised.
I have read Someone to watch over me, the latest Spenser adventure from Ace Atkins. I must start with a thank you to #GPPutnamsSons #PenguinPublishingGroup and #Edelweiss for giving me this entertaining book. The subject matter in this book is a good one for this kind of hero and his friends. Although Spenser is getting older he still has it and it's a great addition with Mattie, oh I almost forgot Hawk, he is ... well he is Hawk as usual. I am really glad that the character created by the late Robert B. Parker has found a way to live on. Much recommended.
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Someone to Watch Over Me is the 48th (!!) Spenser novel, and the 9th (by my count) written by Ace Atkins after Mr. Parker's death. Due out 12th Jan 2021 from Penguin Random House on their G.P. Putnam's Sons imprint, it's 400 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
I've been in love with this series since book 1 (The Godwulf Manuscript) and I was really sad when the author passed, thinking that I would have to confine myself to re-reads to get my Spenser/Hawk fix. I was nervous about someone else taking over the writing, but have been really impressed and happy with the newest books in the series.
Other reviewers (and the book's blurb) have set up the plot quite well. I'll just add that all of the elements which made us fall in love with Spenser & co. from the start are here also. The characters (trigger warning, exploitation of minors, and sexual exploitation are themes) are ripped from recent news headlines (including a "fantasy island" which hearkens to the relatively recently departed unlamented Jeffry Epstein and his henchpeople). Because the theme is so triggering and horrific, I will say there's no direct graphic sexual content, but there are descriptions of abuse (not graphic) during interviews with victims which were somewhat difficult for me to read. I mostly skimmed over those. They certainly weren't used egregiously, they were integral to the plot, but they were rather difficult to see.
It's a solidly written PI murder mystery with an indelible American flavor. Boston's local atmosphere and settings are a vital part of the book. I love Spenser's relationship with Susan (smart, funny, capable, and real) and the interplay between Spenser and his compatriots. I loved the sarcastic wit and real humor and repartee in the dialogue. I'm obviously a solid fan of this series, and my opinion wasn't dented one tiny bit by this latest adventure. Ace Atkins isn't Robert B. Parker, but he's pretty darned close.
Five stars for fans of the series. Probably four to five for new readers who enjoy gritty American PI adventures.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Someone to Watch Over Me is the 48th (!!) Spenser novel, and the 9th (by my count) written by Ace Atkins after Mr. Parker's death. Due out 12th Jan 2021 from Penguin Random House on their G.P. Putnam's Sons imprint, it's 400 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
I've been in love with this series since book 1 (The Godwulf Manuscript) and I was really sad when the author passed, thinking that I would have to confine myself to re-reads to get my Spenser/Hawk fix. I was nervous about someone else taking over the writing, but have been really impressed and happy with the newest books in the series.
Other reviewers (and the book's blurb) have set up the plot quite well. I'll just add that all of the elements which made us fall in love with Spenser & co. from the start are here also. The characters (trigger warning, exploitation of minors, and sexual exploitation are themes) are ripped from recent news headlines (including a "fantasy island" which hearkens to the relatively recently departed unlamented Jeffry Epstein and his henchpeople). Because the theme is so triggering and horrific, I will say there's no direct graphic sexual content, but there are descriptions of abuse (not graphic) during interviews with victims which were somewhat difficult for me to read. I mostly skimmed over those. They certainly weren't used egregiously, they were integral to the plot, but they were rather difficult to see.
It's a solidly written PI murder mystery with an indelible American flavor. Boston's local atmosphere and settings are a vital part of the book. I love Spenser's relationship with Susan (smart, funny, capable, and real) and the interplay between Spenser and his compatriots. I loved the sarcastic wit and real humor and repartee in the dialogue. I'm obviously a solid fan of this series, and my opinion wasn't dented one tiny bit by this latest adventure. Ace Atkins isn't Robert B. Parker, but he's pretty darned close.
Five stars for fans of the series. Probably four to five for new readers who enjoy gritty American PI adventures.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
