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bartlebygrynn's review against another edition
2.0
As far as detective stories go, this was pretty bland. At no point did it feel like the protagonist wouldn't be able to snark or hit his way into a neat little solution. While the plot tried pretty hard to be convoluted, it was almost telegraphing that it would come together neatly. The dialogue at the denouement was pretty alright, but the author managed to hit just about every racist trope in the book when it came to writing Hawk.
This is apparently one of the weaker books in the Spenser series, and that shows. There are better quick and easy reads out there.
This is apparently one of the weaker books in the Spenser series, and that shows. There are better quick and easy reads out there.
cheriekg's review against another edition
2.0
I happened to be listening to the audiobook of this 2004 Spenser novel at the same time I was reading a 1982 Spenser novel and, well, I became utterly depressed at the clear decline of the series. I guess I shouldn't abuse an author as prolific as Parker over slacking--who wouldn't get lazy?--but this cliched, repetitive, and downright dull entry into the series was a bit of a wake up call. Maybe I should just stop in the 80s.
UPDATE: Reader, she did not stop in the 80s. She read the entire series all the way through to this one. It's more forgivable in print--or maybe the slow decline of my standards throughout made it more palatable. But it's still a solid "meh." Only a few more to get through before I can put a stake in Spenser.
UPDATE: Reader, she did not stop in the 80s. She read the entire series all the way through to this one. It's more forgivable in print--or maybe the slow decline of my standards throughout made it more palatable. But it's still a solid "meh." Only a few more to get through before I can put a stake in Spenser.
papi's review against another edition
3.0
I thought I had read all of Parker's novels, and with his passing, had lost interest. His family or estate seems to have sought out several authors to continue writing novels based on Parker's characters, but having read a couple of them, they are but a shadow of the man's own writing, IMHO.
While visiting my daughter and new grandchild, I was browsing the used book section at a local thrift shop when I ran across Bad Business, and to my surprise, it was a Parker original that I had not read. So, I picked it up for only $.20 and read it on the beach at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It wasn't among his best, but it was pretty good, and far better than the imitators. Full of neurotic and annoying clients, and loyal and manly hoodlums helping out their friend, the intrepid and literary detective, Spenser. Not to mention an Enron look-alike company, complete with criminally stupid C-level executives, insipidly amoral spouses, and venal "life consultants," all stirred together in a soupçon of greed and financial manipulation. Not remotely like the business people, consultants, and institutions with which I work regularly, but it would certainly appeal to the causal reader in search of a mystery about the scum of the business world.
While visiting my daughter and new grandchild, I was browsing the used book section at a local thrift shop when I ran across Bad Business, and to my surprise, it was a Parker original that I had not read. So, I picked it up for only $.20 and read it on the beach at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It wasn't among his best, but it was pretty good, and far better than the imitators. Full of neurotic and annoying clients, and loyal and manly hoodlums helping out their friend, the intrepid and literary detective, Spenser. Not to mention an Enron look-alike company, complete with criminally stupid C-level executives, insipidly amoral spouses, and venal "life consultants," all stirred together in a soupçon of greed and financial manipulation. Not remotely like the business people, consultants, and institutions with which I work regularly, but it would certainly appeal to the causal reader in search of a mystery about the scum of the business world.
jonjeffryes's review against another edition
2.0
The breezy Spenser style is present and the book is a quick, entertaining read. But if you give the plot even the most cursory of second thoughts actions and plot turns stop making sense as Spenser looks into a philandering husband, shady business dealings, and couples seminars.
bjerz's review against another edition
4.0
A good early book in the Spenser series with a truly puzzling mystery and some interesting (and timely) references to a financial meltdown.
depreydeprey's review against another edition
4.0
A solid Spenser novel and a fun take on the Enron meltdown. The Spenser books are a lot like Law & Order in that they tend to revolve around current issues and trends to push their plots along and this is an excellent example of that.
adubrow's review
3.0
Not a bad book, but I just found it sort of disappointing compared to the other books in some respects. The case also took a ridiculously long time to solve.