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scott_a_miller's review against another edition
3.0
This one was average. Even though I still enjoy Parker’s average ones they are a disappointment. Still looking forward to the next one. Once again, the characters and their problems just didn’t catch me.
brianlokker's review against another edition
3.0
I had mixed feelings about this entry in the Spenser series. The plot involves the intersection between politics and the mob, but that interaction isn't really explored in much depth, and I didn't find the resolution to be particularly satisfying.
The crime plot seems almost secondary to Spenser's musings about himself and his relationship with Susan Silverman. I do like the fact that Spenser is thoughtful and introspective (similar to Michael Connelly's Bosch in this regard), but I wish that Spenser didn't always feel the need to go on and on ad nauseum about Susan and analyze his attraction to her at every opportunity. I guess I get it: Spenser is the ultimate masculine hero living by his own “code” and part of that code for him is idealizing his romantic partner. But it gets old.
As a resident of the Washington DC area, I enjoyed seeing Spenser pursue his investigation in DC. Parker is very good at setting and describing the scene, whether it be Boston, the Maine woods (Early Autumn), Los Angeles (A Savage Place), or in this case, Washington.
I also enjoyed the reappearance of Paul Giacomin, whom Spenser rescued and mentored in Early Autumn. It was nice to see how much Paul has matured and fun to read his “Spenserian” quips and his philosophical interactions with Spenser. I found the discussions between Spenser and Paul to be more interesting and illuminating than most of Spenser's talks with Susan, although I admit that that may be due to my bias when it comes to Susan, as I discussed above. (It's not that I dislike Susan per se, but more that I get tired of Spenser's idealization of Susan.)
Hawk, as always, is a breath of fresh air. A large part of my formula for a good Spenser novel is more Hawk, less Susan.
Despite my quibbles with certain aspects of the Spenser persona, he is a great character, and every Spenser novel is worth reading. So I'm glad I read this one, but there are others that I've enjoyed more.
The crime plot seems almost secondary to Spenser's musings about himself and his relationship with Susan Silverman. I do like the fact that Spenser is thoughtful and introspective (similar to Michael Connelly's Bosch in this regard), but I wish that Spenser didn't always feel the need to go on and on ad nauseum about Susan and analyze his attraction to her at every opportunity. I guess I get it: Spenser is the ultimate masculine hero living by his own “code” and part of that code for him is idealizing his romantic partner. But it gets old.
As a resident of the Washington DC area, I enjoyed seeing Spenser pursue his investigation in DC. Parker is very good at setting and describing the scene, whether it be Boston, the Maine woods (Early Autumn), Los Angeles (A Savage Place), or in this case, Washington.
I also enjoyed the reappearance of Paul Giacomin, whom Spenser rescued and mentored in Early Autumn. It was nice to see how much Paul has matured and fun to read his “Spenserian” quips and his philosophical interactions with Spenser. I found the discussions between Spenser and Paul to be more interesting and illuminating than most of Spenser's talks with Susan, although I admit that that may be due to my bias when it comes to Susan, as I discussed above. (It's not that I dislike Susan per se, but more that I get tired of Spenser's idealization of Susan.)
Hawk, as always, is a breath of fresh air. A large part of my formula for a good Spenser novel is more Hawk, less Susan.
Despite my quibbles with certain aspects of the Spenser persona, he is a great character, and every Spenser novel is worth reading. So I'm glad I read this one, but there are others that I've enjoyed more.
cmcahill's review against another edition
3.0
Spenser must help a politican being blackmailed. Susan is in D.C. working on her doctorate and Spenser feels abandoned. Paul visits for the holidays and offers Spenser his perspective-surprisingly mature.
jurassicreader's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
cwebb's review against another edition
3.0
Just what I needed, a quick thriller.
Not overly exciting, not one of the best in the series, the case goes almost too smooth, but we get a lot of insights into the private life of Spenser.
Not overly exciting, not one of the best in the series, the case goes almost too smooth, but we get a lot of insights into the private life of Spenser.
slapshottechnology's review against another edition
2.0
You can still tell these are early. Parker continues to find his stride. I thought this was a little choppy and the ending was abrupt. Not much even with Alexander at the end.
cheriekg's review against another edition
5.0
I've systematically been working my way through Robert Parker's Spenser novels, and this is likely to be one of my favorites. His best work (like Looking for Rachel Wallace) embed larger themes within a compelling mystery and this is one of those. The mystery surrounding a congressman's philandering wife triggers Spenser to think about love, devotion, and it's role in his own life. Good stuff.
Plus, I just really like Spenser.
Plus, I just really like Spenser.
davidpaige's review against another edition
3.0
I like Parker's sense of humor. There was one scene that wasn't intended to be humorous, but I imagined it as so. Spencer and Susan are in a restaurant, and Parker writes, "The waiter appeared to take our order." I'm thinking, what is the waiter really doing.
In a second scene, Washington is digging out of a three-inch snow armageddon. Parker writes, "In Boston, we would have said the storm missed us."
In a second scene, Washington is digging out of a three-inch snow armageddon. Parker writes, "In Boston, we would have said the storm missed us."
depreydeprey's review against another edition
3.0
A forgettable Spenser which is a bit of a shame as this is one of the few that really looks at the world of politics and feels like a missed opportunity for Parker. Also we get to see Spenser and Susan's relationship take another hit which is not all that much fun to read.
sansica's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
4.0
This was the first Spencer I read and so wasn't exactly sure what I was in for. It has a very particular quality and I appreciate Spencer's snark a great deal. He's also a product of his generation, no doubt. He has some hidden depths that I can appreciate