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jogin1's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.75
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
This one was very good, albeit subtle. Spenser, Hawk and Susan continue to work closer with each book. Thoroughly enjoyable.
jurassicreader's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bmlowry8's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
brianlokker's review
3.0
I always enjoy the Spenser novels. This one was no exception, although I wouldn't rank it as one of the best.
The Central Argus newspaper hires Spenser to investigate the murder of its reporter Eric Valdez in Wheaton, Massachusetts (a fictional town set about 40 miles west of Boston). Wheaton is reputed to be the capital of cocaine trafficking in the Northeast, and the newspaper had sent Valdez to look into it.
Spenser soon discovers that no one in Wheaton is willing to talk about Valdez or cocaine. The police make it clear that Spenser is persona non grata, and they try their best to thwart his investigation. This leads Spenser to suspect that the police chief and/or other members of the force may be linked to the cocaine trade.
Spenser's investigation is complicated by the uneasy relationship between the Colombian and Anglo communities in Wheaton. It's also complicated by Valdez's reputation as a womanizer, raising the possibility that he was killed for a reason unrelated to his investigation.
As usual, Spenser mostly operates on his own and plays things close to the vest, but he does welcome some help from a state trooper who shares his doubts about the local police. Ultimately, he also brings in Hawk for added muscle and Susan Silverman for support and advice. Hawk doesn't make his appearance until near the end, which is a bit of a minus in my book. Susan is there throughout, either in person or in Spenser's typical idealizing thoughts, but for some reason she's not quite as irritating in this one as she usually is. Or maybe I'm just building up an immunity.
All in all, it's a fine story told with Parker's trademark wit and philosophizing. Others in the series are better, in my opinion, but I wouldn't pass this one up.
The Central Argus newspaper hires Spenser to investigate the murder of its reporter Eric Valdez in Wheaton, Massachusetts (a fictional town set about 40 miles west of Boston). Wheaton is reputed to be the capital of cocaine trafficking in the Northeast, and the newspaper had sent Valdez to look into it.
Spenser soon discovers that no one in Wheaton is willing to talk about Valdez or cocaine. The police make it clear that Spenser is persona non grata, and they try their best to thwart his investigation. This leads Spenser to suspect that the police chief and/or other members of the force may be linked to the cocaine trade.
Spenser's investigation is complicated by the uneasy relationship between the Colombian and Anglo communities in Wheaton. It's also complicated by Valdez's reputation as a womanizer, raising the possibility that he was killed for a reason unrelated to his investigation.
As usual, Spenser mostly operates on his own and plays things close to the vest, but he does welcome some help from a state trooper who shares his doubts about the local police. Ultimately, he also brings in Hawk for added muscle and Susan Silverman for support and advice. Hawk doesn't make his appearance until near the end, which is a bit of a minus in my book. Susan is there throughout, either in person or in Spenser's typical idealizing thoughts, but for some reason she's not quite as irritating in this one as she usually is. Or maybe I'm just building up an immunity.
All in all, it's a fine story told with Parker's trademark wit and philosophizing. Others in the series are better, in my opinion, but I wouldn't pass this one up.
cwebb's review
3.0
Another Spenser novel, another early one. Quite straight-forward, good fun, although this one is a bit somber in mood.
slapshottechnology's review against another edition
3.0
Always with the small town yokels and Spenser goes and educates them. ALthough I enjoy and appreciate the quick, mindless reads. It does keep me entertained.
cheriekg's review against another edition
3.0
This is clearly where the Spenser series starts to feel formulaic. Still a good red, but the dialogue feels tired and the plot barely props itself up. This is also apparently the book where Susan Silverman crosses over from "meh" to "utterly tiresome."
psalmcat's review
5.0
This is an older Spenser novel. Not that any of them are dated in any sense of that word. Somehow, I had missed this one, or maybe I just haven't read through the "canon" completely...
In any case, this takes place primarily in Wheaton, Mass. Spenser has been asked to find out why a young reporter was murdered, and who did it. In the course of events, he finds the police chief remarkably unhelpful (oh, these uptight small-town police chiefs!) and a grocery-store owner with entirely too much money...and paid muscle. Hello, cocaine cartel.
After the police chief, his son, and very nearly Spenser himself are killed, he is pretty clear on the Who question, but not so clear on the specifics of Why. After bringing in reinforcements--Hawk AND Susan--they eventually uncover the whole situation, and then deal with it in the most abrupt, useful, and illegal way possible.
Good story. I do love the way Parker writes.
In any case, this takes place primarily in Wheaton, Mass. Spenser has been asked to find out why a young reporter was murdered, and who did it. In the course of events, he finds the police chief remarkably unhelpful (oh, these uptight small-town police chiefs!) and a grocery-store owner with entirely too much money...and paid muscle. Hello, cocaine cartel.
After the police chief, his son, and very nearly Spenser himself are killed, he is pretty clear on the Who question, but not so clear on the specifics of Why. After bringing in reinforcements--Hawk AND Susan--they eventually uncover the whole situation, and then deal with it in the most abrupt, useful, and illegal way possible.
Good story. I do love the way Parker writes.