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scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
Back to the good Parker/Spenser. I started with the Jesse Stone series and one thing bothered me. The blind devotion to a woman that controlled him. Now I’m seeing that this is just the author’s idea of his lead characters blind devotion/love. Guess I’m stuck with it even though it annoys me.
brianlokker's review
4.0
A solid entry in the Spenser series.
The case that Spenser's working on — trying to locate the missing girlfriend of Paul Giacomin's dance teacher — seems straightforward at first, and Spenser succeeds without much difficulty. But finding the young woman is just the beginning, as all is not as it seems, and there are enough plot twists and turns to keep the case interesting all the way through.
Looming over everything is Spenser's heartbreak over Susan Silverman having moved to San Francisco after getting her Harvard doctorate in clinical psychology. Both Spenser and Susan profess that they're unable to live without one another, but Spenser seems to be taking the separation harder than Susan. As he works on the case, he puts himself in harm's way more recklessly than usual, and repeatedly tells himself that he doesn't care if he lives or dies. It's difficult not to feel his pain, even if, like me, you're not a Susan Silverman fan.
In Susan's absence, Spenser finds a new lover, Linda Thomas, and I enjoyed their scenes together. (Any chance she can replace Susan permanently? No, of course not.) Recurring cast members Hawk, Martin Quirk, Frank Belson, and Paul Giacomin are all concerned for Spenser and try to help him out, each in his own way. Spenser's interactions with them, small or large, are always highlights for me.
As numerous reviewers have pointed out, this is a critical book in the series insofar as it covers a key phase in Spenser's relationship with Susan. This apparently also reflects difficulties that author Parker was having in his marriage at the time. Although I certainly applaud Parker for his loyalty to his marriage, I wish candidly that he didn't identify so closely with Spenser and would allow him to jettison Susan at some point.
I highly recommend Valediction. It can stand on its own and be an enjoyable read for any mystery/crime genre fan. But for fans of the Spenser series, it's best to read this, like the other books, in sequence so as to appreciate the evolution of Spenser's relationships with Susan, Paul, and some of the other characters, and indeed, the evolution of his understanding of himself.
The case that Spenser's working on — trying to locate the missing girlfriend of Paul Giacomin's dance teacher — seems straightforward at first, and Spenser succeeds without much difficulty. But finding the young woman is just the beginning, as all is not as it seems, and there are enough plot twists and turns to keep the case interesting all the way through.
Looming over everything is Spenser's heartbreak over Susan Silverman having moved to San Francisco after getting her Harvard doctorate in clinical psychology. Both Spenser and Susan profess that they're unable to live without one another, but Spenser seems to be taking the separation harder than Susan. As he works on the case, he puts himself in harm's way more recklessly than usual, and repeatedly tells himself that he doesn't care if he lives or dies. It's difficult not to feel his pain, even if, like me, you're not a Susan Silverman fan.
In Susan's absence, Spenser finds a new lover, Linda Thomas, and I enjoyed their scenes together. (Any chance she can replace Susan permanently? No, of course not.) Recurring cast members Hawk, Martin Quirk, Frank Belson, and Paul Giacomin are all concerned for Spenser and try to help him out, each in his own way. Spenser's interactions with them, small or large, are always highlights for me.
As numerous reviewers have pointed out, this is a critical book in the series insofar as it covers a key phase in Spenser's relationship with Susan. This apparently also reflects difficulties that author Parker was having in his marriage at the time. Although I certainly applaud Parker for his loyalty to his marriage, I wish candidly that he didn't identify so closely with Spenser and would allow him to jettison Susan at some point.
I highly recommend Valediction. It can stand on its own and be an enjoyable read for any mystery/crime genre fan. But for fans of the Spenser series, it's best to read this, like the other books, in sequence so as to appreciate the evolution of Spenser's relationships with Susan, Paul, and some of the other characters, and indeed, the evolution of his understanding of himself.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jurassicreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.25
slapshottechnology's review against another edition
3.0
Another Spenser book. Always with the dumb criminals, this time a religious cult, although the cult breaks away from the criminals with help from Spenser and gets hush money to continue living their way.
colonel2sheds's review against another edition
3.0
Similar to the last book in that the case is interesting but depressed Spenser moping around and pining for Susan is not the best.
cheriekg's review against another edition
3.0
As Spenser novels go, this was strictly middling. Serviceable, yes. Compelling at times, yes. Overall? Meh.
This does contain some significant movement in the Spenser/Susan relationship, however, so if you are trying to read your way through the series, you won't want to skip it.
This does contain some significant movement in the Spenser/Susan relationship, however, so if you are trying to read your way through the series, you won't want to skip it.
bjerz's review against another edition
4.0
As always, the late Robert B. Parker spins an engaging tale about his main man, Spenser, and his exploits. Valediction is particularly sad, because Spenser's long time love has moved 3000 miles away to "find herself," and Spenser is devastated. My favorite quote of the book: "Then she went out and closed the door and I was alone with my soul dwindled to icy stillness at the densely compacted center of myself."
twingert's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jessepizarro's review against another edition
Filled in a gap in the Spenser/Susan relationship that I've wondered about since adolescence. Otherwise standard RBP Spenser fare.