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bookhawk's review against another edition
4.0
Great detective series that has aged well with good action, characters and social commentary reflective of the era. Looking forward to book 8.
boleary30's review against another edition
4.0
Same likable cast, with a new mystery and good humor.
mlangman's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because it is the summer reading for my rising juniors. It's a good story and will be engaging to my students. I don't have a lot to say about it because, quite frankly, it's a simple sort of book. The story and characters are simplistic, and it resolves in a fairly simplistic manner. In spite of this, it was quick, enjoyable, and I feel will lead to good discussions and writing in September...that is, if they crack open the cover...
capernex's review against another edition
4.5
How sweet and touching for a mystery novel! I absolutely loved the interactions between Spenser and Paul and how he came to be a father figure for him. But I enjoyed the slight detective aspects too, and the action scenes were were excellent with the addition of Hawk. (and of course, great audiobook.)
scott_a_miller's review
5.0
This was truly original. Spencer, Susan and Hawk get better with each book. The bad guys were as bad as possible. They were bad parents. While only 7 books in, I didn’t see this side of Spenser existing. The interesting “twist” made somewhat more interesting given the time of the books writing. I could just keep reading the Spenser books in order, non-stop at this point but I better make them last a little while.
brianlokker's review against another edition
4.0
Early Autumn is among my favorite novels in the Spenser series. Its premise — Spenser's decision to mentor a fifteen-year-old boy whose parents have neglected him and are now using him as a pawn in a custody dispute — provides Spenser with the opportunity to expound on his philosophy of life and his code of behavior as a man.
When Spenser meets Paul Giacomin, the boy is a lost soul with no strengths, no opinions, and no interests. Spenser decides to help him develop self-respect and autonomy, to free him from the destructive influence of his disinterested parents. The book's title refers to Spenser's assessment of the difficulty that Paul faces.
Much of the pleasure in reading this book comes from watching Paul's relationship with Spenser develop from wary nonchalance into openness and trust. But the book also doesn't lack the characteristic tough-guy action that readers expect from Spenser. It's especially satisfying to see Spenser team up with Hawk in some pivotal scenes, and to see how the two of them respect and trust each other despite their different “codes” (as Spenser tells Paul, Hawk isn't good, but he's a good man).
Some of the Susan Silverman passages are cloying as usual, but overall that's a small price to pay for this excellent story. I prefer reading series books in order, but if you're new to Spenser and just want to read one as an introduction to the character, you can't go wrong with Early Autumn.
When Spenser meets Paul Giacomin, the boy is a lost soul with no strengths, no opinions, and no interests. Spenser decides to help him develop self-respect and autonomy, to free him from the destructive influence of his disinterested parents. The book's title refers to Spenser's assessment of the difficulty that Paul faces.
Susan was quiet, looking down at me. “Spring will be a little late this year,” she said. “For Paul? Yeah.” I laughed with no pleasure. “Spring is gone. It’s early autumn for Paul. If I can do it.” “And if he can,” Susan said.
Much of the pleasure in reading this book comes from watching Paul's relationship with Spenser develop from wary nonchalance into openness and trust. But the book also doesn't lack the characteristic tough-guy action that readers expect from Spenser. It's especially satisfying to see Spenser team up with Hawk in some pivotal scenes, and to see how the two of them respect and trust each other despite their different “codes” (as Spenser tells Paul, Hawk isn't good, but he's a good man).
Some of the Susan Silverman passages are cloying as usual, but overall that's a small price to pay for this excellent story. I prefer reading series books in order, but if you're new to Spenser and just want to read one as an introduction to the character, you can't go wrong with Early Autumn.
cmcahill's review against another edition
3.0
Against Susan's advice, Spenser takes on Paul Giacomin who is nothing but a pawn in his parents' bitter divorce.