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cemoses's review against another edition
3.0
I found it enjoyable but I did not think there was much to it.
stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite Spenser novels! Hawk, being a main character in this one, you get a lot of the great dialogue between the two of them. Hawk and Spenser straightening out a project gang war...who would be better at the task!!
teuliano's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoy the humor. Dated references are fine. Love the characters!
jaydeereading's review against another edition
dark
sad
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
3.0
bmlowry8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good one in that the characters evolved a little too much and realized that they needed to step back to the place they were comfortable and really belonged. Parker did a good job with that and the sad subject matter. What a great series.
jurassicreader's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
brianlokker's review against another edition
4.0
Since my favorite character in the Spenser books has always been Hawk, I knew right away that I'd enjoy Double Deuce when I saw that Spenser would be working with Hawk right from the outset. Instead of the typical pattern in which Spenser brings Hawk in to help him out halfway through a case, here it's Hawk who recruits Spenser. A minister in the notorious "Double Deuce" housing project has asked Hawk to clean out the gangs from the project after a drive-by murder of a 14-year old girl and her baby.
Hawk tells Spenser he might need some support, but he warns him that the pay is lousy: "How much?" I said. "I'm getting nothing." "I'll take half," I said. "You ain't worth half," Hawk said. "Besides I got the job and already put in a lot of time on it. Give you a third." "Cheap bastard," I said. "Take it or leave it," Hawk said. "Okay," I said, "you got me over a barrel. I'm in for a third."
Of course, the gang that controls the neighborhood isn't willing to give up its turf. But the gang hasn't previously encountered opponents like Hawk and Spenser. They're determined not only to identify the murderer but also to rid the project of the gang.
The story provides the occasion for a lot of musing about ghetto life and gang violence. Some of the observations and attitudes may be dated, but they're still thoughtful.
As usual for me, my enjoyment of the book depends in large part on the Hawk to Susan ratio. Here it's a pretty good ratio, thus my four-star rating
Because of Hawk's central role in the story, Double Deuce features a significant amount of the classic repartee between Hawk and Spenser that I enjoy so much. And we gain some insight into Hawk's mindset about how and why he lives the kind of life he does. So those aspects of the book are considerable plusses.
But again, unfortunately, there's too much Susan (and Pearl). There's always too much Susan (and now Pearl). This time around, Susan wants Spenser to move in with her. That, of course, leads to lots and lots of discussion about why they love each other so much and how wonderful their love is. It's tedious and almost always annoying. Please stop.
Hawk tells Spenser he might need some support, but he warns him that the pay is lousy: "How much?" I said. "I'm getting nothing." "I'll take half," I said. "You ain't worth half," Hawk said. "Besides I got the job and already put in a lot of time on it. Give you a third." "Cheap bastard," I said. "Take it or leave it," Hawk said. "Okay," I said, "you got me over a barrel. I'm in for a third."
Of course, the gang that controls the neighborhood isn't willing to give up its turf. But the gang hasn't previously encountered opponents like Hawk and Spenser. They're determined not only to identify the murderer but also to rid the project of the gang.
The story provides the occasion for a lot of musing about ghetto life and gang violence. Some of the observations and attitudes may be dated, but they're still thoughtful.
As usual for me, my enjoyment of the book depends in large part on the Hawk to Susan ratio. Here it's a pretty good ratio, thus my four-star rating
Because of Hawk's central role in the story, Double Deuce features a significant amount of the classic repartee between Hawk and Spenser that I enjoy so much. And we gain some insight into Hawk's mindset about how and why he lives the kind of life he does. So those aspects of the book are considerable plusses.
But again, unfortunately, there's too much Susan (and Pearl). There's always too much Susan (and now Pearl). This time around, Susan wants Spenser to move in with her. That, of course, leads to lots and lots of discussion about why they love each other so much and how wonderful their love is. It's tedious and almost always annoying. Please stop.
slapshottechnology's review against another edition
4.0
Probably one of the better Spenser reads. Funny as it is a story brought to Spenser from Hawk. Really enjoyed seeing into the community around Double Deuce, seeing the teenage gang and all the emphasis on keeping face. Would've liked to learn more about Hawk's backstory. As always, too much Susan drama. Yes, we get it, she can't cook, she takes forever to get ready, and she nibbles food.