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Spenser #29
Widow's Walk
One of Boston’s elite has been murdered. The accused is his new wife. She’s blonde, beautiful, and young. The jury’s going to hate her. With next-to-no alibi, and multi-million reasons to kill her husband, she needs the best defense money can buy. His name is Spenser, and he’d give anything to believe her.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
631 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
About the author
Robert B. Parker
490 books2,300 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Robert B. Parker.
Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, primarily of fiction within the mystery/detective genre. His most famous works were the 40 novels written about the fictional private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the mid-1980s; a series of TV movies was also produced based on the character. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area. The Spenser novels have been cited as reviving and changing the detective genre by critics and bestselling authors including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.
Parker also wrote nine novels featuring the fictional character Jesse Stone, a Los Angeles police officer who moves to a small New England town; six novels with the fictional character Sunny Randall, a female private investigator; and four Westerns starring the duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The first was Appaloosa, made into a film starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, primarily of fiction within the mystery/detective genre. His most famous works were the 40 novels written about the fictional private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the mid-1980s; a series of TV movies was also produced based on the character. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area. The Spenser novels have been cited as reviving and changing the detective genre by critics and bestselling authors including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.
Parker also wrote nine novels featuring the fictional character Jesse Stone, a Los Angeles police officer who moves to a small New England town; six novels with the fictional character Sunny Randall, a female private investigator; and four Westerns starring the duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The first was Appaloosa, made into a film starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
December 12, 2017
“You like these turnovers?” — Hawk
“Yes.” — Spenser
“Place in Mattapan, makes the crust with lard, way it’s supposed to be made.” — Hawk
“That would make them illegal in Cambridge.” — Spenser
On the heels of Parker’s fun homage to The Magnificent Seven with Potshot, he returned to plotting and mystery with Widow’s Walk, a pretty good story which has a lot of Rita Fiore — always a plus — and some sparkling exchanges between Hawk and Spenser, such as the above. There is also this one, as Spenser walks into his office to discover Hawk has his feet propped up on Spenser’s desk while he reads Simon Schama’s History of Britain:
“You interested in British History?” — Spenser
“Naw. Read this dude’s book on Rembrandt. I like him.” — Hawk
“Lot of big words.” — Spenser
“Thought you could help me.” — Hawk
“White man’s burden. Gimme my chair.” — Spenser
Widow’s Walk begins when Rita hires Spenser to help her with the defense of Mary Torricelli Smith. She’s accused of murdering her sugar daddy, Nathan Smith, a much older — thirty years older — and extremely wealthy man. Every piece of evidence points to her guilt so completely that the DA has what appears to be an open-and-shut case. But of course there is Rita, the best and sexiest attorney in the business, and Spenser. To give you an idea of why she is such a breath of fresh air when she’s around in this series, consider one of her first comments to Spenser: “You still with that prissy Jewess?”
Before Spenser speaks with Mary, however, he is warned about her, when Lieutenant Quirk suggests that Spenser not allow her to attempt brain surgery. It’s a well-earned swipe because once Spenser meets the blonde, he realizes she might well be the dumbest woman on the planet. She has a PR consultant constantly by her side named Larson Graff who seems to do very little but pick up a check. Then there’s a low-life named Jack DeRosa who swears Mary hired him to bump off the old guy. And there’s a banker/stock broker named Brinkman involved in the case. And an insurance guy named Bannister who claims Mary won’t allow him to give Spenser information, which Spenser later learns may not be true. And someone is following Spenser around as he questions people. And then it gets really tangled.
This one is a rather complicated little mystery for a Spenser from this period. When Spenser gets a girl at the bank named Amy Peterson fired because she spoke to him, she ends up dead when he misjudges a situation. Soon everyone Spenser talks with ends up in the morgue. The people following him make a run at him and more people end up dead. But Spenser still doesn’t have a clue why. Something called Soldier’s Field Development seems to be at the heart of the case, but Spenser appears to have a lot of pieces which don’t form a cohesive picture of anything, much less point to anyone other than Rita’s empty-headed client as the killer.
Okay, this is where there are some minor ticks to this one. Early on, Spenser learns than Mary’s sugar daddy was a confirmed bachelor who liked “mentoring” young boys. He also learns that Jack DeRosa’s attorney is the very uptown and very pretty Ann Kiley, daughter of Bob Kiley, which makes no sense. And Nathan’s bank partner, Marvin Conroy, fires Amy Peterson simply for speaking with Spenser. All of those separately should set Spenser sniffing around them like a dog in the park, but he seems to take forever to do so, as he lets a lot of other things take precedence. The case is fairly complex, and Spenser does eventually look into each, but it was kind of glaring that it didn’t happen sooner.
Meanwhile, there is a side story about Susan being in a funk because some politically incorrect therapy she has had some success with didn’t work with one of her patients, and he took his own life. It’s a subject Parker has tackled briefly before within the series — the controversial therapy — but it seems more an excuse this time out to give Susan some space in a story which didn’t need her. It does, however, limit her involvement for the most part, allowing this one to delve into the mystery and plot more so than usual, especially at this point in the series.
This one has a couple of well-written action sequences, especially the one near the end, as Spenser uses a ruse to confront a killer in the rain. A much more satisfying mystery than readers usually got at this point in the series. Most fans were continuing to gobble them up because of the swift pacing and snappy dialog which Parker did as well — and perhaps better — than just about anyone before or since. Probably a 3.75 for me, so I’ll round up to four as enjoyable entertainment.
“Yes.” — Spenser
“Place in Mattapan, makes the crust with lard, way it’s supposed to be made.” — Hawk
“That would make them illegal in Cambridge.” — Spenser
On the heels of Parker’s fun homage to The Magnificent Seven with Potshot, he returned to plotting and mystery with Widow’s Walk, a pretty good story which has a lot of Rita Fiore — always a plus — and some sparkling exchanges between Hawk and Spenser, such as the above. There is also this one, as Spenser walks into his office to discover Hawk has his feet propped up on Spenser’s desk while he reads Simon Schama’s History of Britain:
“You interested in British History?” — Spenser
“Naw. Read this dude’s book on Rembrandt. I like him.” — Hawk
“Lot of big words.” — Spenser
“Thought you could help me.” — Hawk
“White man’s burden. Gimme my chair.” — Spenser
Widow’s Walk begins when Rita hires Spenser to help her with the defense of Mary Torricelli Smith. She’s accused of murdering her sugar daddy, Nathan Smith, a much older — thirty years older — and extremely wealthy man. Every piece of evidence points to her guilt so completely that the DA has what appears to be an open-and-shut case. But of course there is Rita, the best and sexiest attorney in the business, and Spenser. To give you an idea of why she is such a breath of fresh air when she’s around in this series, consider one of her first comments to Spenser: “You still with that prissy Jewess?”
Before Spenser speaks with Mary, however, he is warned about her, when Lieutenant Quirk suggests that Spenser not allow her to attempt brain surgery. It’s a well-earned swipe because once Spenser meets the blonde, he realizes she might well be the dumbest woman on the planet. She has a PR consultant constantly by her side named Larson Graff who seems to do very little but pick up a check. Then there’s a low-life named Jack DeRosa who swears Mary hired him to bump off the old guy. And there’s a banker/stock broker named Brinkman involved in the case. And an insurance guy named Bannister who claims Mary won’t allow him to give Spenser information, which Spenser later learns may not be true. And someone is following Spenser around as he questions people. And then it gets really tangled.
This one is a rather complicated little mystery for a Spenser from this period. When Spenser gets a girl at the bank named Amy Peterson fired because she spoke to him, she ends up dead when he misjudges a situation. Soon everyone Spenser talks with ends up in the morgue. The people following him make a run at him and more people end up dead. But Spenser still doesn’t have a clue why. Something called Soldier’s Field Development seems to be at the heart of the case, but Spenser appears to have a lot of pieces which don’t form a cohesive picture of anything, much less point to anyone other than Rita’s empty-headed client as the killer.
Okay, this is where there are some minor ticks to this one. Early on, Spenser learns than Mary’s sugar daddy was a confirmed bachelor who liked “mentoring” young boys. He also learns that Jack DeRosa’s attorney is the very uptown and very pretty Ann Kiley, daughter of Bob Kiley, which makes no sense. And Nathan’s bank partner, Marvin Conroy, fires Amy Peterson simply for speaking with Spenser. All of those separately should set Spenser sniffing around them like a dog in the park, but he seems to take forever to do so, as he lets a lot of other things take precedence. The case is fairly complex, and Spenser does eventually look into each, but it was kind of glaring that it didn’t happen sooner.
Meanwhile, there is a side story about Susan being in a funk because some politically incorrect therapy she has had some success with didn’t work with one of her patients, and he took his own life. It’s a subject Parker has tackled briefly before within the series — the controversial therapy — but it seems more an excuse this time out to give Susan some space in a story which didn’t need her. It does, however, limit her involvement for the most part, allowing this one to delve into the mystery and plot more so than usual, especially at this point in the series.
This one has a couple of well-written action sequences, especially the one near the end, as Spenser uses a ruse to confront a killer in the rain. A much more satisfying mystery than readers usually got at this point in the series. Most fans were continuing to gobble them up because of the swift pacing and snappy dialog which Parker did as well — and perhaps better — than just about anyone before or since. Probably a 3.75 for me, so I’ll round up to four as enjoyable entertainment.
March 19, 2020
In this adventure, Rita Fiore—the sexy former DA (now high-priced lawyer) who has had her eye on Spenser for years—hires our hero to find out whether her client Mary Smith is guilty of murdering her rich husband. Usually Rita could get some idea from her client through interviews, but from Mary? Well, Mary is just too dumb—or too good at playing dumb—to tell.
I kept hoping that Widow’s Walk was just playing dumb, but in the end it turned out to be just as dumb as I feared. (At one point, I thought I’d guessed who the mastermind behind all those murders would be out to be, but in the end my guess turned out to be better than Parker’s)
There’s not anything about the book that irritated me so much I hated it. Not too much Pearl, or Susan, or faux racist banter, or super cutesy literary allusions. No, the mix here was just about right. And even though the plot was typical cliché Spenser--Spenser pokes his nose around, Spenser gets threatens by serious bad guys, bodies pile up, Spenser brings in Hawk and Vinnie, bodies continue to pile—it kept on moving quickly, to the end.
The worst thing about the book was that, unlike most Spenser’s, there wasn’t even one scene good enough to remember.
September 26, 2012
Spenser gets hired by attorney and mini-skirt aficionado Rita Fiore to help her defend her latest client. Since the client is a young pretty woman with a much older and very rich husband who was murdered while she was alone in the house with him, Spenser has his work cut out for him. It doesn’t help his investigation that this woman is as dumb as a box of hair.
As Spenser pokes around, he finds shady connections to the wealthy victim and soon a whole lot of people he’s talked with turn up dead while he doesn’t seem to be getting any closer to figuring out what’s happening.
This is another pretty decent Spenser novel. The whodunit piece is a cut above most of the later entries in the series. There’s some good action plus some funny stuff with Hawk, and Rita Fiore is always a welcome character in a Spenser novel. We even have Spenser seeming engaged and angry after he makes a mistake that proves fatal to someone.
The Susan factor is only moderately bad this time because she’s got her own shit to deal with since one of her patients killed himself. It’s completely understandable why someone would end their own life after having to talk to Susan, and this poor bastard’s sacrifice keeps her from annoying the reader too much.
Next up: Spenser looks into a thirty year old bank robbery and gets paid in donuts in Back Story.
As Spenser pokes around, he finds shady connections to the wealthy victim and soon a whole lot of people he’s talked with turn up dead while he doesn’t seem to be getting any closer to figuring out what’s happening.
This is another pretty decent Spenser novel. The whodunit piece is a cut above most of the later entries in the series. There’s some good action plus some funny stuff with Hawk, and Rita Fiore is always a welcome character in a Spenser novel. We even have Spenser seeming engaged and angry after he makes a mistake that proves fatal to someone.
The Susan factor is only moderately bad this time because she’s got her own shit to deal with since one of her patients killed himself. It’s completely understandable why someone would end their own life after having to talk to Susan, and this poor bastard’s sacrifice keeps her from annoying the reader too much.
Next up: Spenser looks into a thirty year old bank robbery and gets paid in donuts in Back Story.
August 29, 2025
Another well written Spenser mystery from the great Robert B. Parker. As always the characterization and dialogue are top notch and the storyline is intriguing.
November 20, 2008
It goes without saying that Robert Parker writes the best dialogue ever, but I'll say it again. Robert Parker writes the best dialogue ever. After you've read a bunch of his books, you pretty much know what to expect, but it doesn't matter; they're still fun to read. This one has a fair amount of Hawk, which is good. It also has a well-crafted plot, as expected. There are a couple of colorful supporting characters besides the usual cast that I enjoyed.
May 24, 2017
(The word "maroon" appears only once in this novel)
4.5 stars
The best Spenser in a while. Very complex plot, interesting characters, clever and funny dialogue, especially the scene between Quirk, Hawk and Spenser.
Would have been 5 stars, except that too many criminals are let off the hook, partly or mostly. This has been true in the last few books... Not sure what's going on in Parker's mind to cause this....
Susan's role in the story is balanced just about right. Just enough input and ideas from her to boost the overall story a bit. One or two very good conversations about Candy Sloan and how that has affected their lives. I am not sure exactly who "Candy Sloan" was or might have been in real life between Parker and his wife, Joan. The inclusion of their real lives into the Spenser stories is a wonderful mystery in itself.
Be sure to see the quotes below the review here.
Notes -
62.0% "... great fun dialogue throughout, especially this between Quirk, Hawk and Spenser"
19.0% "..... usually Parker likes MAROON Hahahahaaaaha.... "They were driving another black car, an Explorer. Everybody uses black cars for surveillance.""
13.0% ".... awwwwww... "“I thought you were fearless,” Susan said. “I am, but it’s embarrassing for a guy as fearless as I am to cry in the vet’s office.”"
To understand Spenser and Susan, you must understand Robert and Joan...
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/23/gar...
4.5 stars
The best Spenser in a while. Very complex plot, interesting characters, clever and funny dialogue, especially the scene between Quirk, Hawk and Spenser.
Would have been 5 stars, except that too many criminals are let off the hook, partly or mostly. This has been true in the last few books... Not sure what's going on in Parker's mind to cause this....
Susan's role in the story is balanced just about right. Just enough input and ideas from her to boost the overall story a bit. One or two very good conversations about Candy Sloan and how that has affected their lives. I am not sure exactly who "Candy Sloan" was or might have been in real life between Parker and his wife, Joan. The inclusion of their real lives into the Spenser stories is a wonderful mystery in itself.
Be sure to see the quotes below the review here.
Notes -
62.0% "... great fun dialogue throughout, especially this between Quirk, Hawk and Spenser"
19.0% "..... usually Parker likes MAROON Hahahahaaaaha.... "They were driving another black car, an Explorer. Everybody uses black cars for surveillance.""
13.0% ".... awwwwww... "“I thought you were fearless,” Susan said. “I am, but it’s embarrassing for a guy as fearless as I am to cry in the vet’s office.”"
To understand Spenser and Susan, you must understand Robert and Joan...
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/23/gar...
June 17, 2016
I'm getting up to some of the Spenser novels that I haven't read before and this was one of them. Good story that kept the mystery going until the end. Hawk and Vinny are in this one also which makes it even better.
July 10, 2017
I don't ask much of a book like this. I know it's not meant to be deep, and I'll forgive a LOT in a book that's set in Boston and sprinkled with references to familiar landmarks, with a decent plot and pacing. All Parker had to do to get 4 stars from me was not go out of his way to be godawful.
But of course the dark-skinned Mary Toricelli is "stupid and avaricious," of course she wears too much eye shadow and her skirt is too tight. Of course the only character with curly hair is a violent goon, and of course he too is "dark." Of course the black BFF speaks in dialect that doesn't sound quite right. Of course all the beautiful young women find this guy's overweening self-satisfaction attractive and just love being ogled and winked at by him. Barf.
I'm not a literary snob, but you'd have to be lobotomized to enjoy this.
But of course the dark-skinned Mary Toricelli is "stupid and avaricious," of course she wears too much eye shadow and her skirt is too tight. Of course the only character with curly hair is a violent goon, and of course he too is "dark." Of course the black BFF speaks in dialect that doesn't sound quite right. Of course all the beautiful young women find this guy's overweening self-satisfaction attractive and just love being ogled and winked at by him. Barf.
I'm not a literary snob, but you'd have to be lobotomized to enjoy this.
August 12, 2018
1st half = 4 stars ; 2nd half = 3 stars
The premise: Spenser is hired by his old friend Rita to look into her wealthy client, under suspicion for murdering her hubby. The beginning is nice, setting up the characters, then the rest of the book resembles falling into quicksand, with only a shovel to get you out.
The premise: Spenser is hired by his old friend Rita to look into her wealthy client, under suspicion for murdering her hubby. The beginning is nice, setting up the characters, then the rest of the book resembles falling into quicksand, with only a shovel to get you out.
January 2, 2008
Spenser is hired by Rita Fiore to find proof that Mary Smith did not kill her rich banker husband, Nathan. When Spenser begins investigating and more people end up dead, the plot thickens and the trail seems to be leading back to one of Boston's elite criminal lawyers.
This is the first book I finished in 2008. I actually began it on audio book in 2007, but it's still my first read of '08. I laughed hysterically through the entire novel. I did not realize this installment was so far into the series. It is the first Spenser novel I have read, so I'm going back to start at the beginning of the series. I loved it. There were a couple things that bothered me. The first was the conversation throughout the novel. The constant use of "he said", "she said", "I said", "Quirk said", "Hawk said". Even if a character was asking a question, it was "he said." I think listening to the book on audio brought that overuse more acutely. When physically reading you can simply read past those parts. The other part that bothered me was Spenser "significant other" Susan - who is a psychologist - wanting to help a gay patient become straight. I'm sure this is just a personal issue for me, but the idea of a trained professional trying to help the boy change instead of be comfortable with who is is bothersome to me. It's not like this book was published back in the 60s or 70s. It was published in 2002. The knowledge we have in this day and age; I can't imagine a psychologist thinking that way, but I could be entirely wrong. That's just a very minimal part of the book, so it didn't change my overall enjoyment.
This is the first book I finished in 2008. I actually began it on audio book in 2007, but it's still my first read of '08. I laughed hysterically through the entire novel. I did not realize this installment was so far into the series. It is the first Spenser novel I have read, so I'm going back to start at the beginning of the series. I loved it. There were a couple things that bothered me. The first was the conversation throughout the novel. The constant use of "he said", "she said", "I said", "Quirk said", "Hawk said". Even if a character was asking a question, it was "he said." I think listening to the book on audio brought that overuse more acutely. When physically reading you can simply read past those parts. The other part that bothered me was Spenser "significant other" Susan - who is a psychologist - wanting to help a gay patient become straight. I'm sure this is just a personal issue for me, but the idea of a trained professional trying to help the boy change instead of be comfortable with who is is bothersome to me. It's not like this book was published back in the 60s or 70s. It was published in 2002. The knowledge we have in this day and age; I can't imagine a psychologist thinking that way, but I could be entirely wrong. That's just a very minimal part of the book, so it didn't change my overall enjoyment.
September 3, 2020
"Mr. Spenser, you are a little man in a big arena. You simply don't matter."
Read by Joe Mantegna
5 hours, 41 minutes.
With that comment fans of Spenser know that in Widow's Walk he's going to be digging in his heels and pull even harder at all of the loose ends until he finds something he can use. That is both the beauty and the weakness of the Spenser novels - they are formulaic. Spenser has a routine and this one touches all points:
Help from Hawk with a tail? Check.
Vinny Morris brought in to back up Hawk? Check.
Bounce his case off of Susan for a new perspective? Check.
Witty commentary? Check.
Both the cops and the bad guys irritated with Spenser? Check.
It's predictable but quite enjoyable.
The case is interesting and goes all over the place. The only real problem I had with this audiobook presentation is Joe Mantegna as the reader. Mantegna does a solid job of reading - his diction is impeccable, he can deliver a smart-alack comment pretty well but his range of different voices is limited and his Susan Silverman voice sounded like Carey Grant to me. A four-star book is reduced to a total of three stars by the narration.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
Read by Joe Mantegna
5 hours, 41 minutes.
With that comment fans of Spenser know that in Widow's Walk he's going to be digging in his heels and pull even harder at all of the loose ends until he finds something he can use. That is both the beauty and the weakness of the Spenser novels - they are formulaic. Spenser has a routine and this one touches all points:
Help from Hawk with a tail? Check.
Vinny Morris brought in to back up Hawk? Check.
Bounce his case off of Susan for a new perspective? Check.
Witty commentary? Check.
Both the cops and the bad guys irritated with Spenser? Check.
It's predictable but quite enjoyable.
The case is interesting and goes all over the place. The only real problem I had with this audiobook presentation is Joe Mantegna as the reader. Mantegna does a solid job of reading - his diction is impeccable, he can deliver a smart-alack comment pretty well but his range of different voices is limited and his Susan Silverman voice sounded like Carey Grant to me. A four-star book is reduced to a total of three stars by the narration.
http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/...
November 6, 2010
I enjoyed the Spenser for Hire TV series, and was excited to recently learn that it had been based on a book series. This book was my first foray into the Robert B. Parker version of the "real" Spenser. It turns out that the TV series was pretty faithful to the spirit of the characters, and Parker's writing is quite engaging. I plan to read the rest of the books in the series as well!
As for the story, I have to say that the client is a hoot. I normally have a low tolerance for stupidity, but Parker was able to keep you guessing as to whether she was genuinely stupid or just acting that way. The interactions between the client and the other characters provided many moments of comic relief.
As for the story, I have to say that the client is a hoot. I normally have a low tolerance for stupidity, but Parker was able to keep you guessing as to whether she was genuinely stupid or just acting that way. The interactions between the client and the other characters provided many moments of comic relief.
January 16, 2017
For those familiar with Author Parker, and the Detective Spenser character, this book is ideal for
an short or lengthy airplane flight. The reader jumps right in, the dumb blond accused of murder,
the fast pace of the action, and the many interruptions by the flight attendants. Pick up the interesting story right where you left off without blinking an eye. Caution that if the flight is too long or there are multiple short flights, the reader will finish this one quickly and need another !
I had been saving this book for just such an occasion and it worked well.
an short or lengthy airplane flight. The reader jumps right in, the dumb blond accused of murder,
the fast pace of the action, and the many interruptions by the flight attendants. Pick up the interesting story right where you left off without blinking an eye. Caution that if the flight is too long or there are multiple short flights, the reader will finish this one quickly and need another !
I had been saving this book for just such an occasion and it worked well.
October 1, 2016
A library book. This is my first Robert Parker book, first Spencer novel I've read. Chapters are very short and are mostly dialogue, so it's a quick read, but an entertaining story. There were several minor characters that were hard to keep separated.
May 25, 2015
Another really enjoyable outing for Spenser. This one is more traditional Spenser - set in Boston, bodies showing up, lots of questions.
March 26, 2019
You’d think I’d know Parker we’ll by now, and I do, but the enjoyment, something like with Nero Wolfe, grows with time.
July 11, 2021
Began reading the Spenser series about 2 years ago and I just finished book 29 in the series. I must say this was quite a bit better than the last few I've read. Lots of people killed or murdered with a lot of suspects involving a very complex plot but still easy enough to sort out. This book was also blessed with very little psych-babble crap from Susan. I loved Rita's skirts too.
August 4, 2019
It’s hard to believe this series continues to have legs but it seems to retain loyal committed readers as well as gain new followers. This is number 28 in the series and when you think about the number of years since the first Spenser book was published it says something for the author. Agreed his books follow a certain formula, but Parker has tried a few moves to keep things interesting, centering some of Spenser’s cases outside his comfortable and familiar stomping ground in Boston. On the whole, Parker has stuck to the formula that works for him, sharp witty dialogue that pushes the plot forward, little descriptive prose and short chapters that push a quick pace and keeps readers engaged. Spenser’s continuing romance with Susan Silverman, which has weathered some tough spots and his reliance on Hawk, Spenser’s tough guy to add color, a little mystery and some dark moments, all work to produce short, enjoyable reads and keeps his followers buying his books. It seems foolish to depart from a formula that works for him, so he simply adds a few tweaks here and there.
This time Spenser is hired by his friend Rita Fiore who wants him to find out what he can about her client Mary Smith. Mary married Nathan when she was twenty-three and he was fifty-one. They had been married for seven years when Mary found her husband naked and dead in his bed with a bullet hole in his head. Nathan was the owner of a Boston bank and was a wealthy man and Mary is the only beneficiary of his estate. She is also the chief suspect in the case.
Mary says she was home alone watching television at the time the murder is said to have occurred. The doors were locked, the alarm was on and only Mary and Nathan have a key. The door to Nathan’s bedroom was closed because Mary had the volume on the TV up loud and she did not want to wake him. She never heard any gunshots. And she insists, she did not kill him.
Rita points out all the things not in her client’s favor. There is the incident at the cocktail party earlier in the evening when Nathan and Mary had an argument and Nathan slapped her, a scene witnesses by two dozen guests. And the prosecutors have told Rita they have a witness who claims Mary hired him to shoot her husband. It all sounds like an open and shut case and even Rita believes Mary is guilty. She had both a motive and a ready opportunity to commit the crime. But what will cement the case is that Mary will gain no sympathy from a jury. Simply put, she looks cheap, is too blonde, too made up, drinks too much, probably sleeps around and her diction is poor so she sounds uneducated. Added to that problem is trying to interview her. She refuses to meet with anyone without her constant companion Larson Graf who she calls her public relations consultant, beside her. She appears to be a woman absolutely confused by the world she finds herself in, without the pedigree or social skills she needed to move in her husband’s world, the one populated by wealthy Bostonians.
Despite these obstacles, Rita Fiore is bound and determined to give her client the best defense she can pull together. She asks Spenser to find out what he can about her client and identify any potential suspects. She has already warned him about what Mary is like and when Spenser finally does meet Mary, he understands exactly what Rita was saying. It’s like talking with a dumb seventh grader.
Spenser approaches the case in his usual way, poking around, annoying some, bothering others and kicking at things until something falls loose and gives him a starting point for his investigation. Soon after he taking the case, he discovers he is being followed by a series of different cars-- Volvos, Chryslers, Chevys, a Lincoln and even a Ford. But it is a tail that signals “keep an eye on him and see what he’s up to” rather than a “try to kill him tail”. As if whoever is watching him wants to know when he is getting too close at which time they will decide on their next move. So he continues to interview people, keeping an eye on his followers and waiting for a reaction that will let him know when’s he’s about to find out something they don’t want him to know.
Spenser quickly learns Mary is lying to him and that her husband’s business affairs are more complex than most imagine. But he leaves a string of bodies in his wake as those he talks to die either before or just after he meets them. He knows he must be getting closer to some truth. But it all takes Spenser to his usual spot, with a lot of information but unable to figure out just what is going on.
This case is a little more convoluted than some in Spenser’s past. And although Pearl The Wonder Dog is aging, her fur gradually becoming grey, her sight and hearing fading and arthritis causing her to limp, Spenser for the most part remains his vital middle aged self, quick with his fists, fast on the draw, great between the sheets and still the object of fantasies by the many women he meets.
This is another good addition to the series, a quick, entertaining read Spenser fans will enjoy between some of their more of their more substantial reading. Everyone needs a diversion now and then and this series does it for me.
This time Spenser is hired by his friend Rita Fiore who wants him to find out what he can about her client Mary Smith. Mary married Nathan when she was twenty-three and he was fifty-one. They had been married for seven years when Mary found her husband naked and dead in his bed with a bullet hole in his head. Nathan was the owner of a Boston bank and was a wealthy man and Mary is the only beneficiary of his estate. She is also the chief suspect in the case.
Mary says she was home alone watching television at the time the murder is said to have occurred. The doors were locked, the alarm was on and only Mary and Nathan have a key. The door to Nathan’s bedroom was closed because Mary had the volume on the TV up loud and she did not want to wake him. She never heard any gunshots. And she insists, she did not kill him.
Rita points out all the things not in her client’s favor. There is the incident at the cocktail party earlier in the evening when Nathan and Mary had an argument and Nathan slapped her, a scene witnesses by two dozen guests. And the prosecutors have told Rita they have a witness who claims Mary hired him to shoot her husband. It all sounds like an open and shut case and even Rita believes Mary is guilty. She had both a motive and a ready opportunity to commit the crime. But what will cement the case is that Mary will gain no sympathy from a jury. Simply put, she looks cheap, is too blonde, too made up, drinks too much, probably sleeps around and her diction is poor so she sounds uneducated. Added to that problem is trying to interview her. She refuses to meet with anyone without her constant companion Larson Graf who she calls her public relations consultant, beside her. She appears to be a woman absolutely confused by the world she finds herself in, without the pedigree or social skills she needed to move in her husband’s world, the one populated by wealthy Bostonians.
Despite these obstacles, Rita Fiore is bound and determined to give her client the best defense she can pull together. She asks Spenser to find out what he can about her client and identify any potential suspects. She has already warned him about what Mary is like and when Spenser finally does meet Mary, he understands exactly what Rita was saying. It’s like talking with a dumb seventh grader.
Spenser approaches the case in his usual way, poking around, annoying some, bothering others and kicking at things until something falls loose and gives him a starting point for his investigation. Soon after he taking the case, he discovers he is being followed by a series of different cars-- Volvos, Chryslers, Chevys, a Lincoln and even a Ford. But it is a tail that signals “keep an eye on him and see what he’s up to” rather than a “try to kill him tail”. As if whoever is watching him wants to know when he is getting too close at which time they will decide on their next move. So he continues to interview people, keeping an eye on his followers and waiting for a reaction that will let him know when’s he’s about to find out something they don’t want him to know.
Spenser quickly learns Mary is lying to him and that her husband’s business affairs are more complex than most imagine. But he leaves a string of bodies in his wake as those he talks to die either before or just after he meets them. He knows he must be getting closer to some truth. But it all takes Spenser to his usual spot, with a lot of information but unable to figure out just what is going on.
This case is a little more convoluted than some in Spenser’s past. And although Pearl The Wonder Dog is aging, her fur gradually becoming grey, her sight and hearing fading and arthritis causing her to limp, Spenser for the most part remains his vital middle aged self, quick with his fists, fast on the draw, great between the sheets and still the object of fantasies by the many women he meets.
This is another good addition to the series, a quick, entertaining read Spenser fans will enjoy between some of their more of their more substantial reading. Everyone needs a diversion now and then and this series does it for me.
September 2, 2020
As usual, when it comes to Robert B. Parker’s Spenser books, I liked this one, the 29th in the series. For some reason that I can’t quite put my finger on, I didn’t get into it as much as I had expected to, but it was still an enjoyable read.
Boston defense attorney Rita Fiore is representing a woman named Mary Smith, who has been accused of murdering her husband, Nathan. Rita doesn’t think Mary is guilty, but there’s no evidence that someone else killed Nathan, and Mary doesn’t have a realistic alibi. Mary is also, to put it politely, as dumb as a rock. Rita hires Spenser to investigate and potentially clear Mary’s name.
Spenser’s investigation not only leads him to a number of unsavory characters with connections to Nathan and/or Mary, but it also leads to more deaths. Meanwhile, Mary is no help whatsoever in the investigation, and Spenser finds himself stuck with few answers.
As Susan Silverman knows, this is not unusual for Spenser. “‘But you have a plan,’ Susan said. ‘I always have a plan,’ I said. ‘Let me guess,’ she said. ‘I’ll bet you plan to keep blundering along annoying people, and see what happens.’ ‘Wow,’ I said. ‘You shrinks can really read a guy.’ ‘Magical, isn’t it,’ she said.”
Later, he tells Rita how frustrating the investigation is: “‘Every time I turn over a rock, there’s three more rocks.’” But as Spenser fans know, he will eventually turn over the right rock and find an answer—even if, as Spenser fans also know, the answer may put Spenser in a position that’s legally or morally ambiguous.
Actually, the complexity of the case—the number of rocks Spenser needs to turn over—was a little frustrating to me too, and it may be the primary reason why I downgraded the book from four stars to three. It was, in my opinion, just a little too complicated.
But I also loved some aspects of the book. It was fun to watch Spenser’s relationship with Rita. They have a history and have a lot of professional respect for each other. But Rita is beautiful (of course), and she never loses an opportunity to come on to Spenser sexually. It’s a game that appears to be fun for both of them, and it’s fun for the reader.
There are also some great scenes with Hawk. On the serious side, when Spenser is unsuccessfully trying to persuade a witness that she’s in danger, Hawk speaks up and says if she’s not careful (I’m paraphrasing), she’s going to get killed. “She was tough, but it rocked her. Hawk saying it made it somehow more forceful. I have often wondered how he got that effect, and I have finally concluded that it is because he doesn’t care. Doesn’t care if she believes him. Doesn’t care if they kill her, too.”
Of course, there are the requisite, but always fun, scenes in which Spenser and Hawk try to outdo each other with witty comments. One that stands out is Hawk’s sendup of Spenser’s insistence on using “whom” when most people in casual conversation would say “who.” Who’s schooling whom?
I have always been firmly in the “oh no not Susan again” camp, but in this one, Susan is both helpful and sympathetic. Not only does she help Spenser shape his thoughts about the case, but she shares with him her feelings about having lost a patient to suicide. For once, Susan is depicted not as little more than Spenser’s ideal love object but as is a real person with her own needs, giving their relationship a sharing, give-and-take quality that’s an asset to the story.
Boston defense attorney Rita Fiore is representing a woman named Mary Smith, who has been accused of murdering her husband, Nathan. Rita doesn’t think Mary is guilty, but there’s no evidence that someone else killed Nathan, and Mary doesn’t have a realistic alibi. Mary is also, to put it politely, as dumb as a rock. Rita hires Spenser to investigate and potentially clear Mary’s name.
Spenser’s investigation not only leads him to a number of unsavory characters with connections to Nathan and/or Mary, but it also leads to more deaths. Meanwhile, Mary is no help whatsoever in the investigation, and Spenser finds himself stuck with few answers.
As Susan Silverman knows, this is not unusual for Spenser. “‘But you have a plan,’ Susan said. ‘I always have a plan,’ I said. ‘Let me guess,’ she said. ‘I’ll bet you plan to keep blundering along annoying people, and see what happens.’ ‘Wow,’ I said. ‘You shrinks can really read a guy.’ ‘Magical, isn’t it,’ she said.”
Later, he tells Rita how frustrating the investigation is: “‘Every time I turn over a rock, there’s three more rocks.’” But as Spenser fans know, he will eventually turn over the right rock and find an answer—even if, as Spenser fans also know, the answer may put Spenser in a position that’s legally or morally ambiguous.
Actually, the complexity of the case—the number of rocks Spenser needs to turn over—was a little frustrating to me too, and it may be the primary reason why I downgraded the book from four stars to three. It was, in my opinion, just a little too complicated.
But I also loved some aspects of the book. It was fun to watch Spenser’s relationship with Rita. They have a history and have a lot of professional respect for each other. But Rita is beautiful (of course), and she never loses an opportunity to come on to Spenser sexually. It’s a game that appears to be fun for both of them, and it’s fun for the reader.
There are also some great scenes with Hawk. On the serious side, when Spenser is unsuccessfully trying to persuade a witness that she’s in danger, Hawk speaks up and says if she’s not careful (I’m paraphrasing), she’s going to get killed. “She was tough, but it rocked her. Hawk saying it made it somehow more forceful. I have often wondered how he got that effect, and I have finally concluded that it is because he doesn’t care. Doesn’t care if she believes him. Doesn’t care if they kill her, too.”
Of course, there are the requisite, but always fun, scenes in which Spenser and Hawk try to outdo each other with witty comments. One that stands out is Hawk’s sendup of Spenser’s insistence on using “whom” when most people in casual conversation would say “who.” Who’s schooling whom?
I have always been firmly in the “oh no not Susan again” camp, but in this one, Susan is both helpful and sympathetic. Not only does she help Spenser shape his thoughts about the case, but she shares with him her feelings about having lost a patient to suicide. For once, Susan is depicted not as little more than Spenser’s ideal love object but as is a real person with her own needs, giving their relationship a sharing, give-and-take quality that’s an asset to the story.
August 9, 2022
Spenser’s on another case for Rita Fiore (really her law firm, biggest one in Boston!). She’s still trying to get with him.
Wowwww … the widow in this one is unbelievably dumb. (Sadly, it’s not really unbelievable, as I’ve met people in real life like this.)
Personal front:
-Pearl the Wonder dog is still declining … Susan & Spenser have had her about 12 years now and she wasn’t a puppy when they took her in … awful. :(
-Spenser’s still reeling from screwing up the Candy Sloan case over 20 years ago. It’s mentioned multiple times.
Overall:
A fun read and a fun listen. This one takes Spenser in more circles than usual so it manages to be curious as well.
5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
Joe Mantenga … he’s not exactly the best Spenser but … out of the narrators this series has seen, he is by far.
Spenser Reading Order:
1. The Godwulf Manuscript (1973)
2. God Save the Child (1974)
3. Mortal Stakes (1975)
4. Promised Land (1976)
5. The Judas Goat (1978)
6. Looking for Rachel Wallace (1980)
7. Early Autumn (1980)
8. A Savage Place (1981)
9. Ceremony (1982)
10. The Widening Gyre (1983)
11. Valediction (1984)
12. A Catskill Eagle (1985)
13. Taming a Seahorse (1986)
14. Pale Kings and Princes (1987)
15. Crimson Joy (1988)
16. Playmates (1989)
17. Stardust (1990)
18. Pastime (1991)
19. Double Deuce (1991)
20. Paper Doll (1993)
21. Walking Shadow (1994)
22. Thin Air (1995)
23. Chance (1996)
24. Small Vices (1997)
25. Sudden Mischief (1998)
26. Hush Money (1999)
27. Hugger Mugger (2000)
28. Potshot (2001)
29. Widow's Walk (2002)
30. Back Story (2003)
31. Bad Business (2004)
32. Cold Service (2005)
33. School Days (2005)
34. Dream Girl (2006)
35. Now and Then (2007)
36. Rough Weather (2008)
36.5 Chasing the Bear (2009)
37. The Professional (2009)
38. Painted Ladies (2010)
39. Sixkill (2011)
39.5 Silent Night (2013)
Spenser: A Mysterious Profile (2022)
continued in the series by Ace Atkins
Wowwww … the widow in this one is unbelievably dumb. (Sadly, it’s not really unbelievable, as I’ve met people in real life like this.)
Personal front:
-Pearl the Wonder dog is still declining … Susan & Spenser have had her about 12 years now and she wasn’t a puppy when they took her in … awful. :(
-Spenser’s still reeling from screwing up the Candy Sloan case over 20 years ago. It’s mentioned multiple times.
Overall:
A fun read and a fun listen. This one takes Spenser in more circles than usual so it manages to be curious as well.
5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
Joe Mantenga … he’s not exactly the best Spenser but … out of the narrators this series has seen, he is by far.
Spenser Reading Order:
1. The Godwulf Manuscript (1973)
2. God Save the Child (1974)
3. Mortal Stakes (1975)
4. Promised Land (1976)
5. The Judas Goat (1978)
6. Looking for Rachel Wallace (1980)
7. Early Autumn (1980)
8. A Savage Place (1981)
9. Ceremony (1982)
10. The Widening Gyre (1983)
11. Valediction (1984)
12. A Catskill Eagle (1985)
13. Taming a Seahorse (1986)
14. Pale Kings and Princes (1987)
15. Crimson Joy (1988)
16. Playmates (1989)
17. Stardust (1990)
18. Pastime (1991)
19. Double Deuce (1991)
20. Paper Doll (1993)
21. Walking Shadow (1994)
22. Thin Air (1995)
23. Chance (1996)
24. Small Vices (1997)
25. Sudden Mischief (1998)
26. Hush Money (1999)
27. Hugger Mugger (2000)
28. Potshot (2001)
29. Widow's Walk (2002)
30. Back Story (2003)
31. Bad Business (2004)
32. Cold Service (2005)
33. School Days (2005)
34. Dream Girl (2006)
35. Now and Then (2007)
36. Rough Weather (2008)
36.5 Chasing the Bear (2009)
37. The Professional (2009)
38. Painted Ladies (2010)
39. Sixkill (2011)
39.5 Silent Night (2013)
Spenser: A Mysterious Profile (2022)
continued in the series by Ace Atkins
April 30, 2018
No body, NO BODY can be as stupid or act as stupid as Mary Smith. Poor Pearl the Wonder Dog.
Page 119 . . . "A wise therapist once told me that you can't really protect any, that sooner or later they have to protect themselves."
Page 133 . . . "I know," Susan said. "People, especially young people, often think the circles they are in are the only circles that matter. They don't realize that there is a world where nobody much gives a goddamn."
Page 157 . . ."How did she die?"
"Appears to be suicide," I said.
"But?"
"but she had just been to a lawyer about a gender discrimination lawsuit against the bank," I said.
"So why would she be making long-range plans just before killing herself?"
"Yes."
Page 159 . . . "Why? What's she like?"
. . .
"She's a living testament to the power of dumb."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning you ask her something and she seems too dumb to answer it. You can't catch her in contradictions because she doesn't seem aware of them even after they're posted out."
"Seems kind of smart to me," Susan said.
"I don't think so," I said. "I think she knows she's dumb and sort of uses it." . . .
Page 193 . . . Hawk nodded. "Or maybe he did call her," he said. "And she lying when she say he didn't."
"Which might mean the same thing," I said. "Except she's so goddamned dumb."
"Dumb enough to think you wouldn't check on her?"
"She gets by with dumb," I said. "She uses it. She may even rely on it."
"There got to be some money in here someplace," Hawk said.
"See, that's just the reason you're a hooligan and I'm a detective," I said. "you mump to conclusions. I search for clues."
"Here's a clue," Hawk said. "A banker, a financial guy, a real-estate developer, and a lawyer. All connected in some way to a homicide." . . .
Page 119 . . . "A wise therapist once told me that you can't really protect any, that sooner or later they have to protect themselves."
Page 133 . . . "I know," Susan said. "People, especially young people, often think the circles they are in are the only circles that matter. They don't realize that there is a world where nobody much gives a goddamn."
Page 157 . . ."How did she die?"
"Appears to be suicide," I said.
"But?"
"but she had just been to a lawyer about a gender discrimination lawsuit against the bank," I said.
"So why would she be making long-range plans just before killing herself?"
"Yes."
Page 159 . . . "Why? What's she like?"
. . .
"She's a living testament to the power of dumb."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning you ask her something and she seems too dumb to answer it. You can't catch her in contradictions because she doesn't seem aware of them even after they're posted out."
"Seems kind of smart to me," Susan said.
"I don't think so," I said. "I think she knows she's dumb and sort of uses it." . . .
Page 193 . . . Hawk nodded. "Or maybe he did call her," he said. "And she lying when she say he didn't."
"Which might mean the same thing," I said. "Except she's so goddamned dumb."
"Dumb enough to think you wouldn't check on her?"
"She gets by with dumb," I said. "She uses it. She may even rely on it."
"There got to be some money in here someplace," Hawk said.
"See, that's just the reason you're a hooligan and I'm a detective," I said. "you mump to conclusions. I search for clues."
"Here's a clue," Hawk said. "A banker, a financial guy, a real-estate developer, and a lawyer. All connected in some way to a homicide." . . .
May 25, 2017
Spenser is back in his 29th appearance of the 39 total Parker novels featuring his Boston-based PI. Regulars lover Susan the psychologist; cops Quirk and Benson; and enforcer Hawk add familiarity to a tale about a wealthy man with a young trophy wife (of sorts) who ends up dead. The wife's death is virtually an open-and-shut case, but Spenser is hired to look into any doubts. He doesn't get very far very fast, but violence rains down on those he’s seen talking to, even himself; which tends to thicken the plot significantly. All cleans up pretty nicely by book end.
We’ve read enough of these tales now to presume each will be similar: reasonably enjoyable, reasonably suspenseful, and reasonably entertaining. To do so often and predictably is plenty good enough for us!
We’ve read enough of these tales now to presume each will be similar: reasonably enjoyable, reasonably suspenseful, and reasonably entertaining. To do so often and predictably is plenty good enough for us!
September 20, 2024
A ton of death in this one. Wow! And the main character was not very compelling. The story was a bit odd as well. Hawk and many side characters made this st least readable. Susan was super sad in this one since she lost a patient. Plus, Pearl the wonder dog is in decline 🥺🥺 a bit of a depressing book. I hope the next installment is better 🫣😬
November 30, 2011
It’s ten degree above the average, no clouds and the wind is down, here in SoCal just past Thanksgiving and I’m stuck inside an apartment doing respite for my father’s girlfriend while she takes some time off for herself and also to have some fun with her girlfriends. My father is ninety-one, and just had a pace maker installed on turkey day (also my birthday) and so here I sit – inside without even a view of the ocean, much less all the beautiful sights and sounds and smells that accompany the beach on holidays especially; and his library consists of mostly poorly written, self-aggrandizing, political and war autobiographies, Nora Roberts’ novels (his favorite) and the only other author’s books he reads every page of—Robert B. Parker’s. Thank goodness! We have that one thing in common – a fancy for Spenser, indomitable private eye keeping an eye on who did what to whom in Boston for thirty some years and fighting to make right wrongs. Ah, Spenser. My hero. Ah, Parker. My role model.
Widow’s Walk is the 29th Spenser novel, which made our hero about sixty years old (close enough to my age now) at the time he unraveled this murder with his pals’ help: Hawk and Vinnie, friends who always have his back; detectives Quirk and Belson, who are on the same side as Spenser – Justice’s; and his long-time psychotherapist girl friend, Susan, and her trusty pooch, Pearl, both who are also on the same side as Spenser – The Rescuers. (Insert dramatic champion music.) Parker doesn’t have to bother much with much of anything now - except for the plot, which he is a master of revealing with snappy dialogue, and a little first person narrative. Example: I ate a donut. But, and this is important – Parker always inserts some deep philosophical ideas and social issues in his story telling via that snappy dialogue. Things like the man/woman thing [see The Man/Woman/ Freedom/Happiness Thing ], corruption in high places [The List: Hawk—“A banker, a financial guy, a real estate developer, and a lawyer. All connected in some way to a homicide. … The jailbird? Why him? … ’Least he fit on the list. Right after lawyer.” (pg. 172) Hahahoowee. Some things never change. Suicide. Homosexuality. And then with Spenser and Susan you always get gems about life, cooking/recipies, fashion, love, and, of course, psychotherapy: “Pretending to be what you are not fills people with self-loathing.” (pg. 116) So true. And this beaut: Spenser—“The more I investigate, the more I learn. And the more I learn, the more I don’t know what’s going on.” Susan—“That happens to me often in therapy. I know something’s in there in the dark and I keep groping for it.” Spenser—“That would be me … groping.” (pg.140) And this: Spenser— “She’s a living testament to the power of dumb.” Susan—“Seems kind of smart to me.” (pg.142) Then: Spenser— “She gets by with dumb. She uses it. She may even rely on it.” (pg. 172) … Followed by the ‘List.’
So there is all of life’s mysteries told so simply without literary tricks. Just the soft-hearted, funny, smart, tough guy Spenser – detecting and righting wrong. And always the rain – warm, cold, soft, hard and “merciless.” (Insert dramatic foreboding, or soothing, music.) Widow’s Walk is a perfect way to pass the time while watching and waiting (Spenser’s methodology of detecting) someone you love heal. (It’s working.)
Widow’s Walk is the 29th Spenser novel, which made our hero about sixty years old (close enough to my age now) at the time he unraveled this murder with his pals’ help: Hawk and Vinnie, friends who always have his back; detectives Quirk and Belson, who are on the same side as Spenser – Justice’s; and his long-time psychotherapist girl friend, Susan, and her trusty pooch, Pearl, both who are also on the same side as Spenser – The Rescuers. (Insert dramatic champion music.) Parker doesn’t have to bother much with much of anything now - except for the plot, which he is a master of revealing with snappy dialogue, and a little first person narrative. Example: I ate a donut. But, and this is important – Parker always inserts some deep philosophical ideas and social issues in his story telling via that snappy dialogue. Things like the man/woman thing [see The Man/Woman/ Freedom/Happiness Thing ], corruption in high places [The List: Hawk—“A banker, a financial guy, a real estate developer, and a lawyer. All connected in some way to a homicide. … The jailbird? Why him? … ’Least he fit on the list. Right after lawyer.” (pg. 172) Hahahoowee. Some things never change. Suicide. Homosexuality. And then with Spenser and Susan you always get gems about life, cooking/recipies, fashion, love, and, of course, psychotherapy: “Pretending to be what you are not fills people with self-loathing.” (pg. 116) So true. And this beaut: Spenser—“The more I investigate, the more I learn. And the more I learn, the more I don’t know what’s going on.” Susan—“That happens to me often in therapy. I know something’s in there in the dark and I keep groping for it.” Spenser—“That would be me … groping.” (pg.140) And this: Spenser— “She’s a living testament to the power of dumb.” Susan—“Seems kind of smart to me.” (pg.142) Then: Spenser— “She gets by with dumb. She uses it. She may even rely on it.” (pg. 172) … Followed by the ‘List.’
So there is all of life’s mysteries told so simply without literary tricks. Just the soft-hearted, funny, smart, tough guy Spenser – detecting and righting wrong. And always the rain – warm, cold, soft, hard and “merciless.” (Insert dramatic foreboding, or soothing, music.) Widow’s Walk is a perfect way to pass the time while watching and waiting (Spenser’s methodology of detecting) someone you love heal. (It’s working.)
January 14, 2012
Sadly, Robert B. Parker died a couple of years ago, leaving the world bereft of any further Spencer adventures. Even though Parker's books are simplistic and formulaic, for those of us who are fans, they are satisfying. The main characters, Spencer, Hawk, and Susan, speak in terse dialogue, as do the minor characters. In fact, the dialogue is almost a shorthand. Take the conversation between Rita Fiore, a lawyer representing a widow accused of murdering her rich husband, and Spencer, in this novel, Widow's Walk. .
"You still with that prissy Jewess?"
"I prefer to think of her as the girl of my dreams."
"Even with me currently available?"
A Hemingway Parker isn't. However, this short dialogue gives us a world of background about the two characters. Fiore and Spencer have had a relationship for a long time, and they're interested in each other, but they haven't followed through on their mutual attraction. Further, we know, even if we haven't read another Spencer book in our lives that Spencer loves a woman who is likely his opposite in many ways.
I'm sure where chronologically Widow's Walk comes in the Spencer series. I do know that this book lacks the energy that the earlier books had. It's almost as if Parker is going through the motions. He makes sure that Hawk puts in a few appearances. Spencer gets off some rounds as he shoots a few bad guys. He is beaten up at least once. He and Susan have their conversations about food, wine, martinis, sex, and the dog Pearl. The minor characters are just dopey enough or mean enough or, in this book, gay enough to be interesting. The widow of the title is especially interesting in that she's almost too dumb to be believed. Several times, the reader is left to wonder if she's putting on an act. Parker makes sure to let Spencer investigate her high school years so that we know for sure she was always a dim bulb. Not so dim that she doesn't end up a rich widow, however.
The novel has a few twists and turns that make it readable. It doesn't take too much energy to read it, so if you're lucky enough to be on a beach somewhere, or unlucky enough to suffer from insomnia, this is the book for you.
"You still with that prissy Jewess?"
"I prefer to think of her as the girl of my dreams."
"Even with me currently available?"
A Hemingway Parker isn't. However, this short dialogue gives us a world of background about the two characters. Fiore and Spencer have had a relationship for a long time, and they're interested in each other, but they haven't followed through on their mutual attraction. Further, we know, even if we haven't read another Spencer book in our lives that Spencer loves a woman who is likely his opposite in many ways.
I'm sure where chronologically Widow's Walk comes in the Spencer series. I do know that this book lacks the energy that the earlier books had. It's almost as if Parker is going through the motions. He makes sure that Hawk puts in a few appearances. Spencer gets off some rounds as he shoots a few bad guys. He is beaten up at least once. He and Susan have their conversations about food, wine, martinis, sex, and the dog Pearl. The minor characters are just dopey enough or mean enough or, in this book, gay enough to be interesting. The widow of the title is especially interesting in that she's almost too dumb to be believed. Several times, the reader is left to wonder if she's putting on an act. Parker makes sure to let Spencer investigate her high school years so that we know for sure she was always a dim bulb. Not so dim that she doesn't end up a rich widow, however.
The novel has a few twists and turns that make it readable. It doesn't take too much energy to read it, so if you're lucky enough to be on a beach somewhere, or unlucky enough to suffer from insomnia, this is the book for you.
March 30, 2008
This was a random book my MIL lent me. I almost didn't read it, but right away I was hooked into the storyline. It's very much dialogue-based, but this is a good thing. The author sets his world very matter-of-factly, and it is really interesting. The main character, Spenser, who I didn't discover his name until mid-book is likeable, even though his obvious woman-appreciating skills are a little annoying. But it helps that he loves the woman he's with, and they have a dog (animal-likers are always a plus). He's witty and intelligent, and seems like a good guy.
The story kept me guessing until the end (although I got a little confused when the whole cast of characters involved with the murder was summarized).
The only bothersome kind of writing in this novel is the author's excessive use of "some" when describing the eating habits of the characters.
But I enjoyed this novel a lot and am already on another Spenser novel my MIL lent me.
The story kept me guessing until the end (although I got a little confused when the whole cast of characters involved with the murder was summarized).
The only bothersome kind of writing in this novel is the author's excessive use of "some" when describing the eating habits of the characters.
But I enjoyed this novel a lot and am already on another Spenser novel my MIL lent me.
May 20, 2015
Widow's Walk by Robert B. Parker
This mystery is about a well to do wife and husband and he's been murdered. Mary Smith doesn't really have a good alibi and her lawyer doesn't even believe her....
Spenser and his side kick Hawk follow the clues as they investigate not only that murder but many more... Spencer is able to question many others who have been friends with Mr. Smith
and then they get fired from their job and then end up dead....he gets the cops involved when he is shot at-for who he's interviewed.... action, adventure and mysteries.
Love street action as I'm familiar with the area and how he investigates.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
This mystery is about a well to do wife and husband and he's been murdered. Mary Smith doesn't really have a good alibi and her lawyer doesn't even believe her....
Spenser and his side kick Hawk follow the clues as they investigate not only that murder but many more... Spencer is able to question many others who have been friends with Mr. Smith
and then they get fired from their job and then end up dead....he gets the cops involved when he is shot at-for who he's interviewed.... action, adventure and mysteries.
Love street action as I'm familiar with the area and how he investigates.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
June 29, 2008
another "well done" for Parker, kept me going all the way.
i WILL say, tho, i'm getting a bit tired of the sex and swearing. also, the wrong people being killed, while we let others walk. i'm almost glad i'm about thru w/ this series, which is unusual. normally, i feel let down when a series ends.
i also found it strange, and a bit frustrating, to say the least, that a new "main" character appeared in the book. someone that Spenser supposedly has known for years, but, i don't recall him even being mentioned before in the series. while at the same time, Susan was display in a "weird" way for her, and once again, Paul wasn't mentioned at all!
i WILL say, tho, i'm getting a bit tired of the sex and swearing. also, the wrong people being killed, while we let others walk. i'm almost glad i'm about thru w/ this series, which is unusual. normally, i feel let down when a series ends.
i also found it strange, and a bit frustrating, to say the least, that a new "main" character appeared in the book. someone that Spenser supposedly has known for years, but, i don't recall him even being mentioned before in the series. while at the same time, Susan was display in a "weird" way for her, and once again, Paul wasn't mentioned at all!
February 1, 2018
Very fast read, but a fun book. Have read enough of these books to know the characters. A man is killed who is gay, his wife who is a beard, is blamed for the murder. His wife is very dumb, which comes out early in the story. As the book progresses, other people are killed to hide a real estate/banking scam. Spenser is hired by the wife's attorney to investigate and finds himself in trouble, but with the aid of Hawk survives. The wife remains dumb throughout the story.
August 7, 2012
Another unexceptional novel by Robert B. Parker. If it were not for the dialog, I would not bother.
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