Chasing the Bear

Spenser #36.5

by Robert B. Parker

For almost forty years, Robert B. Parker's inimitable private investigator Spenser has been solving cases and selling millions of books worldwide. Now, for the first time, see how it all began as the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master sheds light on Spenser's formative years spent with his father and two uncles out West. This is an event book for every fan of Spenser, and a revelation for teens about to discover an American icon.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Young Adult, Crime, Adventure, Detective, Thriller

176 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2009

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Kemper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way back in 2009 I read Robert B. Parker’s new Spenser novel The Professional and wrote up a review bitching about how he fell into bad habits late in his career. Then he died a few months later, and I felt slightly guilty about bashing a series I once loved so I started re-reading them from the beginning. I figured I would just hit the early ones and quit before I started getting irritated. Yet I found myself compulsively going through all the Spenser books until I got to the point where I had re-read and reviewed almost all of them here on Goodreads.

The one I’d never read was this which RBP wrote as a young adult story about the adventures of Spenser in his youth. Frankly, when it came out, I was pretty sour about the whole series and was not interested because it seemed like the whole thing would just be a rehashing of a story Spenser told in Pastime about an encounter he had with a bear when he was a teenager out hunting with his father. That brief story was one of my favorite bits of the entire series, and I worried that RBP had screwed it up in some kind of cash grabbing attempt to do a YA book.

After going through all the other Spensers, including the two new ones written by Ace Atkins who has taken over the series and injected new life into it, I decided that finally reading this would be a good way to cap off this personal project that had somehow spiraled into an obsessive compulsive need to endlessly bitch about Susan Silverman. (Plus, if you include this one, it makes RBP’s official Spenser count 40 books instead of 39, and that’s a nice round number.)

So my hopes weren’t high for this, and in the early going, I wasn’t thinking much of it. Spenser and Susan are hanging out in Boston, and she gets him talking about his past which means we aren’t free of Susan even in a story from before Spenser met her. It might not have been quite so irritating if these would have been framing chapters, but instead the present day interludes are scattered through the book as she offers her brilliant insight into what effect those events had on Spenser. And even in a young adult book, RBP couldn’t resist about 127 references to Susan having a PhD from Harvard.

Spenser tells Susan how his mother died in childbirth and he was raised by his father and two uncles in Wyoming. It wasn’t a typical upbringing with the three men equally sharing the responsibility of taking care of Spenser. They taught him how to cook, box, carpentry and took turns reading a set of great novels to him every night. All of this had been in Pastime including a story of the three men beating the hell out of a bunch of drunks who had bullied young Spenser. As I feared, the bear story was something that suffered from some changes. In the original story, Spenser’s father takes him to a bar and orders him his first Scotch after he saves himself from a bear by not panicking and holding his ground. In this version, Spenser’s dad takes him home where he and the uncles have a drink while Spenser has a Coke with them to acknowledge his bravery. I guess you really shouldn’t have teens drinking in a YA novel, but that was a key note in the story so I didn’t like the newer version.

Then something amazing happened. The book gets good. Spenser tells Susan stories that we haven’t read in previous books, and they are actually kind of dark and compelling. Young Spenser shows the courage and character longtime fans would expect when he tries to save a girl from her drunken and abusive father and then he starts looking out for a young Hispanic classmate who is being bullied. Whether it’s following a mean drunk down a river or standing up against racism, you can see the elements of the adult detective Spenser coming together.

Then there’s another surprising turn when RBP delivers two of the most heartfelt moments in the series. Most Spenser fans will have a lump in their throat when reading one scene and then Susan goddamn Silverman actually contributes an observation that hadn’t been discussed a hundred times in other books, and it actually makes a lot of sense and explains a lot about why Spenser is so invested in his idea of her as the only woman for him. It’s pop psychology, but it’s sincere and it fits. For a second, I almost liked her. Just for a second.

In the end I was pleasantly surprised and pleased by this as a Spenser fan, and I’m glad that it will be the last RBP Spenser story I ever read. (Assuming no long lost books ever get published.) Now my long Spenser quest is over and you can all rest easy that you won’t ever have to see another review in which I bitch about RBP.

Although the Jesse Stone series is still there. And Sunny Randall. And his western series with Cole & Hitch……

Next up: My circle is complete when Spenser investigates a gigolo in The Professional.

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was eagerly anticipating my reading of Chasing the Bear, for it was the only Spenser adventure written by Robert B. Parker that—probably because it was classified as a YA—I have not chosen to read before. Now—alas!—I have read it. I do not think it is a success.

It could have been a fine book. It was certainly a good idea for one. Why not go back and write a Spenser origin story? Why not show him as a young teenager, living in rural Wyoming with his father and his two maternal uncles, facing challenges and learning the values that would eventually make him a man.

The stories themselves—young Spenser’s rescue of a girl from her drunken father, his truthful declaration to the local police, and—later—his protection of a Latino boy menaced by a few young racists—are all pretty good. So what’s wrong? All the stories are related by old Spenser to his perennial gal pal Dr. Susan Silverman, who comments, from time to time, on the psychological significance of it all.

I’ve never been a big fan of Susan, so I have to admit my prejudice, but I think—whatever you may think of Dr, Silverman, that this structure turns the novel into a small disaster, for two reasons: 1) the narrative itself is habitually interrupted, and those interruptions periodically drain it of both suspense and energy, and 2) it causes the book itself to become a meditation on lost youth—not exactly an appropriate theme for a YA novel. (The wellsprings of individual human character is a good YA theme. But not a meditation on lost youth.)

Still, like a said, the stories are good. And it's a quick read, for the book is short. Even shorter than your average Spenser.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining family listening 🎶🔰

This is an kindle e-book from the local library.

Because we lived in the Boston area I have read and listened 🎶 to a number of Spenser series. Oh that great seafood!!!

She and Spenser are sitting on a bench. Here we hear 👂 the story of Spencer's family and friends relationships as he grew up. There is also a little bit of his love 💘 life before finding Sue.

I would highly recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒💘🏡

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a prequel to all the Spenser books written by Robert B. Parker. Beautiful coming of age story featuring young Spenser, and the life lessons he will forever take with him - being raised in a home with a loving father and 2 adoring uncles (his mom died). A story of family respect, loyalty, patience, friendship, and doing what’s morally right as he recounts stories to the girl he loves.

I listened to the audio version of Chasing the Bear by Robert B. Parker, narrated by Daniel Parker, available from my local Overdrive library. Recommended. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Scott A. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Nothing really earth shattering but it was a great story of how Spenser became Spenser.

[James Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that helps explain how your parents grew up. The elements of time travel come in the form of flashback sequences as Spenser details growing up with no mother and living with three fathers (his father and his mother's two brothers).

The youth of today have never been through an economic depression followed by rationing due to the war effort. This is a great reminder of what my life was like growing up in the 1970's. My parents were born in the early 1940's and knew what hard times were like. Often kids and their parents (usually the father) took them out hunting for meat as the supermarket was a rare commodity in small town America. And trust in a full larder usually meant stocking up items for long periods of time before going back to larger towns like Terre Haute to buy supermarket goods in bulk.

Education was obtained in small schools with limited library resources that were often shared among all citizens of the community. The majority of advancements came in the 1990's and "smart" phones, laptop computers and tablets would not see accessible development until the early 2000's. Yes, life was rough when text messaging involved writing out the whole message on a piece of paper and hoping it could be passed hand to hand to its intended recipient without being intercepted by a nosey teacher who then violated the students privacy by having the note read to everyone in the class.

Suck it up, you millennial snowflakes because you've got it way to easy.

[(Whining little &!+@#3$) sotto voce].

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually a 4 1/2 star rating. The writing is vintage Parker, and though it is considered a young adult book, I found the writing style to be almost the same as his normal Spenser novels. It's a quick read, with a message, but not preachy. Spenser fans will love the background into his childhood and the reflections on how he was raised by his father and uncles. In many ways, this book showed the basis for Spenser's work with Paul Giacomin in Early Autumn.

With other books and authors, I've found "prequels" or books using extensive "flashback" scenes, to be disappointing. This one was much more interesting. I found that much of the information has been alluded to in previous novels, but the story brought a depth to the details.

I will admit that I was in a melancholy mood when reading this, knowing that with Parker's passing a year ago, each page read brings me closer to the last. The adventures of Spenser, Hawk, Vinnie Morris, Lieutenant Quirk, Sargent Belson and Paul Giacomin have been some of my favorites for the past 30+ years and I will miss experiencing new ones.

[Savanna G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this book a lot. It had a great story line. It’s about Spenser (that’s his last name, I don’t recall his first name ever being mentioned.) He’s talking to Susan, the love of his life and he’s explaining to her the way he grew up and all the stuff he went through with school and how he was raised by his dad and two uncles and he tells the stories of times he has to be brave, especially to protect this one girl who was heavily crushing on him. He was such a brave, strong young man, and he even stood up to people who bullied other kids in school. The storyline is great and flows together pretty well, and even though I really did enjoy this book, I can’t get over the fact that it’s almost as if a seven year old wrote it. Whenever there was dialogue, Parker used the same word over and over again: “he SAID, she SAID, we SAID, I SAID...etc” and as a writer myself, I know that words to describe dialogue are supposed to be changed up because it keeps the story more alive and less childlike. It was a good story nonetheless, it just needed a little more....maturity.

[Renée Gendron]

I really enjoyed the dialogue in this book.. it's real, humble, and credible. The two MCs are speaking plainly about their lives. It's simple in an elegant way.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vast majority of Western Literature falls into what I like to think of as "the Guy Shit" mold. This is stuff that is all about having a Y chromosome and that we mere women can only read about and watch, but never truly comprehend.

There are a couple of categories: the coming-of-age story (usually told with a heavy dollop of father-is-perfect/awful angst), the male-bonding story, the man-against-the-world story, the man-against-himself story, and, of course, the man-against-nature. There is almost always a question of HONOR, all caps, and What It Means To Be A Man.

(I have a theory, if you'll allow a digression, that the Quest for Manhood is such a big deal because men don't have a physical moment when they know they've crossed the threshold. Women get their periods. It's not the only threshold, but I will point out that no female coming-of-age story ever concerns itself with "what it means to be a Woman." )

Now, as I said, Guy Shit is a common theme is Western Literature (said in a pompous tone). For the most part, that style of literature has fallen out of favor of late, supplanted by the naval-gazing whiny bullshit crap of John Updike and other mid-20th-century writers. Mr. Parker is one of the few remaining practitioners of the purely Guy Shit novel and he's been doing it for a long time.

I love Mr. Parker's books (except the Sonny Randall ones, which fail because she is not A Guy and Mr. Parker excels at understanding Guys but sucks at understanding women.) It's a fascinating glimpse into the Guy World and they are fun, fast, and furious in a way that Vin Diesel never could be. If, while reading one of his books, the Guy Shit gets a little deep or thick, well, they are really fast books so I don't ever get overloaded.

Until now.

"Chasing the Bear" is a slim little novella, a "young Spenser novel" says the subtitle. But it manages to cram every single one of the Guy Shit tropes into 224 pages and they are stacked so deep and so wide that I felt like I would put down the book and find I'd sprouted chest hair and the ability to throw a right hook (when morally and philosophically appropriate).

It's not just about Spenser's coming of age, it's a primer on How to Be a Man! With Greatest Hits from Guy Shit thrown in as a bonus: There's saving the girl from the big bad monster, surviving amidst the ravages of nature, rescuing the weaker (possibly gay) minority, having an internal moral compass when everyone else is wrong, standing up to the older bully, understanding what Daddy has been teaching me, knowing when to walk away from a fight, knowing how to fight, and why you need a friend to stand at your back.

I don't say this to disparage the book. I liked the book. I think that you could do a lot worse as a model of Manhood than Spenser and his paragon fathers and uncles. (Occasionally you wonder if Mr. Parker has ever heard of the Telemachus Complex.) But there ought to be a warning label on this book: Warning: Here be High-Level Guy Shit.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this prequel, Spenser tells Susan about growing up in Wyoming with his dad, Sam, and his uncles Cash and Patrick. Spenser's mom died in child birth so Spenser was raised by Sam and his mom's brothers.

Spenser tells little stories about his teen years which show Susan how he became the man he is today. No real mysteries. Spenser helping a young girl and then later helping a minority boy who is picked on.

Not great but a quick read. Also you will need to read it if you are a compulsive Spenser reader.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was advertised as a "Young Spenser" book, and I had pretty low expectations. Would it have a Lil' Hawk I wondered? A Susie-Cutie?

It's actually a very authentic-feeling look at Spenser's childhood, centering around some of the same issues of morality as the typical Spenser book. The whole is laid out as a series of vignettes and short stories about Spenser's youth, from 10-18 or so, interwoven with a continuing conversation of Spenser and Susan in the modern day.

Though the modern-day conversation was interesting at times, I felt like it ran out of useful stuff to say about halfway in, and in any case, it interrupted the backstory narratives too much. Conversely, I found the backstory narratives very compelling, both in the spirit of Parker's regular narrative and (at least sometimes) as boy's adventure story.

I'd definitely read others in this series, though I'd like to see more of the past and less of the present. However, I'm not convinced that this book is a very good YA. There are just too many adult themes and too many philosophical discussions, particularly in the modern-day frame.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know who this book if for. Seems to me it should work (mildly at best) with long-time fans of the Spenser detective novels who are twelve years old. Show me one and I'll show you a hen's tooth.

I bought this book for the library, thinking that Robert B. Parker had created a wonderful character in Spenser and that kids would like the young Spenser. But the book is a dialogue between the adult Spenser and his true love Susan, with intersperced flashbacks to answer Susan's questions about Spenser's childhood. The dialogue -- the relationship between Spenser and Susan -- will be meaningless to anyone who hasn't read an adult Spenser novel. And young Spenser's childhood, though interesting, is not enough to carry the book.

Two stars because I didn't dislike the book, although I'd rather have back the hours I spent reading it. If there were a star rating that means "Hugh?" I'd choose that.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful novella. A boy raised by his father and two uncles as a nearly equal member of a four-member family is allowed to unfold as a human being coming into himself. Having been given a strong base from which to grow, he comes into his own as his own person. I found myself identifying with him as one who doesn't understand why people feel compelled to take others at prejudicial face value since he meets everyone as an individual. Of course, this isn't met well with people who bully as a way to justify their own existence. But being strong in standing for what is right, if not popular, will always be right. And doing right will always be strong in itself.

I would call this book a tribute to Robert B. Parker.

[Jeff Yoak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely fantastic. Spenser tells Susan stories from this childhood, and this book is played out with a 14-year-old Spenser. We've heard brief mention of Spenser's father and his two uncles in the past, but it was wonderful to get to know them.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spenser wasn't always the big, tough guy with the ready quip. In this novel, Spenser and the love-of-his-life Susan, sit out on a park bench and she asks him about his early life.

His mom died when he was born, and he was raised by his dad and two bachelor uncles, who were carpenters. They taught him how to box, an appreciation of literature, and the difference between morality and the law.

I'm not sure if this works as a young adult novel; I think most readers would be adult fans of the series. It does address teen issues such as bullying, racism, and abusive parents, but will the memories of a middle-aged man hold much teen appeal?

I enjoyed it, but would have preferred a full-length, adult treat ment of "how the legend began."

[Wade · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Being young is hard.”

“I was pretty sure if we ran, the bear would chase us.”

“‘Every person is afraid sometimes. Thing is not to let it run you. Thing is to go ahead and do what you need to do.”

Chasing The Bear was not for me. Although I love Spenser novels, this one marketed as a Young Adult novel features a young Spenser at fourteen living in the West with his father and two uncles. We flip back and forth between present day Spenser and Susan pontificating in their sappy and sickeningly sweet way as well as young Spenser acting the tough guy. Even though geared as young adult, I cannot imagine any young adults caring about the present day or the random stories of his youth. So I will definitely be sticking with the regular Spenser books.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parker has written many Spenser novels. This is a short one telling us of Spencer’s early life, well, high school age. He was brought up by his father and his deceased Mother’s two brothers. He never knew his mother. He was treated as the fourth man in the house. He matured quickly and thought like an adult. The family of men taught him a lot. He learned to fight and to think.

[Daniel Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raising Spencer

[Sunhawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella, Spenser and Susan talking about how he got to be who he is. Interesting background, and worthb the short read.

[Eric Kneisler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary YA fiction

Setting: Present day, in Boston, MA

Characters:
Spenser- main character, has no first name
Susan Silverman - Spenser's girlfriend
Sam - Spenser's father
Cash - Spenser's uncle
Patrick - Spenser's uncle
Jeannie Haden - childhood friend of Spenser
Luke Haden - Jeannie's father
Cecil Travers - police officer

I thought this book was good but not as good as some I have read. I think it was interesting to read a book that explained about a character in Robert Parker's adult books.

The story starts out with Spenser in a park with his girlfriend, Susan. He starts telling her some of the things that have happened in his life before he became a detective. The book is told in flashbacks.

Spenser grew up with his father and his two uncles. His mother died when he was born. His father and uncles were construction workers. They also did some boxing for extra money. Spenser learned how to box from them when he was younger. At night they would read classic books to him.

He told about an event that happened with a girl named Jeannie. She liked Spenser and wanted to be more than friends with him. But he wasn't interested in her that way. They stayed friends.

Jeannie's father was Luke Haden. He was known as the town drunk. One night Spenser saw Jeannie in her father's car. He could tell that her father was drunk. He knew she was in trouble. Her father could be abusive when he was drunk. Spenser was able to get Jeannie out of there. Spenser took Jeannie out on the water with a rowboat. A little while later, Luke found them on the water. They were able to get out and Spenser made it look like he and Jeannie were still on the boat. He let the boat go over the water falls. Luke was so drunk he kept following the boat until it was too late to turn back. He ended up drowning that night. Spenser told the police what happened. They didn't charge him with any crimes.

Jeannie asked Spenser to help a student who was being picked on by white kids in their class. His name was Aurelio Lopez. He was Hispanic. After Spenser started hanging out with and protecting Aurelio, he wasn't picked on anymore, but Spenser lost some friends he knew for a long time. He knew this was going to be a problem.

The whole group of 15 white kids confronted Spenser one night. They were mad that he was friends with Aurelio. They felt like Spenser had chosen Aurelio over them and they didn't like it. They wanted to teach him a lesson. Spenser's dad and uncles showed up and made sure the fight was fair between the leader of the group and Spenser. Spenser won the fight and the group didn't bother him again.

Spenser gets a football scholarship to Boston college. Then he gets injured in his sophomore year. He lost his scholarship. He couldn't afford to stay in college. He ended up joining the police force, eventually becoming a detective.

Theme: This book was about how things that happen to us throughout our lives help shape who we become. Decisions and choices we make can affect us for years to come or even all our lives. Spenser found he could use the skills he learned in boxing to protect himself in his job. He learned detection skills when he helped his friends. He was able to find a good job even after losing his scholarship. Spenser also learned how to make the best of his situation instead of dwelling on it.

I liked this book, but it isn't one of my favorites. I would still recommend it to those who like a simple story with some adventure and mystery. I would recommend it to kids twelve years old and up.

[Lewaynelwhite · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Never a mistake,” Patrick said, “to do what you think is the right thing to do.”
Spenser's uncle, Patrick - Chasing The Bear

A while back I was talking with some librarians about, oddly enough, books. Someone posed the question, “If you could be any fictional character, who would it be?”

A few of them answered with literary characters from classical literature. Without hesitation, I answered “Spenser,” Robert B. Parker's private investigator.

There are obvious reasons why a character like Spenser would appeal to me. He's a “Man,” capable of fighting, drinking, loving, and solving crimes. He's brave, heroic, hangs out with some fascinating people, is “sort of” married to a smart, sassy woman, and is generally the epitome of a Chandleresque modern-day knight. And he's always got the right words for any situation.

But, the more honest reason is that Spenser operates within a very specific, but not clearly defined, code of right and wrong. There are things he won't do, and when he does, it's because it was the right thing to do. In the novels, Spenser attributes his character to being raised by his father and uncles, who themselves are “real” men. Occasionally in Parker's novels, there is passing mention of one thing or another that he learned from them. But, little specific information is directly given the reader, (including Spenser's first name) leaving the detective a literal man of mystery.

Chasing The Bear, is Parker's foray into the world of young adult fiction. Its tagline calls it “A Young Spenser Novel”, and it gives the PI a sort of origin story.

I'm leery of origin stories, because they often fail to live up to the origins of our heroes that we've created for our ourselves. Anyone who's seen “X-Men: Origins-Wolverine” can attest to that tremendous let-down.

“Chasing The Bear” is a rare success.

Framed by a modern day conversation, as Spenser and the love of his life, Susan Silverman spend the day together, alternated by “flashback” style narration by Spenser, “Chasing The Bear” reveals the detective as a teenager, and gives us some of the events that have shaped him. The reader meets his father, and his mother's brothers, Cash and Patrick; Jeanie, who will not be the love of his life, but will be his first damsel in distress, and whose father is the titular “bear”; and, Aurelio Lopez, his first “client,” a victim of bullying.

The reader literally witnesses the events that transition Spenser from boy to man, and the steps he takes away from his father and uncles, and into his own life as a hero.

The novel itself is short and written in brief chapters, being targeted at a youth market. But, it retains Parker's gift for “real” dialogue and character-driven story. It isn't a “must-read” for fans of detective fiction, or even fans of Spenser, but it is an entertaining way to get a better sense of the “real” Spenser, and perhaps a little bit about Parker, himself.

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is part of the Spenser series but is a little different. Parker wrote it hoping to attract new young readers to his novels about Boston private investigator Spenser who already had a loyal adult following. It is neither a mystery nor detective fiction, but fills in the story of Spenser’s childhood and how he became the man he eventually became.

One day walking with his long time love Susan Silverman in the Boston Public Gardens, Susan tells Spenser she knows little of his life as a boy and asks him to share some of his childhood experiences. Susan has always been a good listener, one of her qualities Spenser really appreciates. So he tells her some of what he considers is important about his past.

He grew up in Laramie Wyoming where he lived with his father Sam, his two uncles Patrick and Cash and their dog Pearl. His mother had died right before he was born by C-Section and he was raised by his father and uncles who shared a home together. They trusted one another, took turns taking care of the house, cooking the meals and looking out for him. They were all carpenters, big men who took in extra cash by boxing. Each was committed to teach Spenser how to box when he was young so he could take care of himself as he grew older.

Spencer credits his father with teaching him what was right and how to know that what you are doing is right. It's not always clear and so you don’t always know, but you think about it and trust yourself. Sometimes you make a mistake, which is okay, everyone does at some point. What is right always feels good afterwards. And he explained the difference between what was right and what was legal, which was often two very separate things.

Neither his father nor his uncles were educated men but they read. There was a second hand set of books bound in red leather in the house and they took turns reading to him at bedtime. They were the classics many of which Spenser did not understand and some of them he found quite boring, but he enjoyed the time he spent with his family and the attention they paid him during those evenings.

Both his father and uncles knew that managing life meant knowing how to be self-sufficient. They showed him how to fish and hunt, how to cook and do basic carpentry work . They hunted for their meat, kept a vegetable garden and preserved produce for the long winter months. And they taught him how to fight. Every other day one of them would box with him. Spenser found the workouts exhausting but it got him in shape and he found he enjoyed it. He learned that boxing had nothing to do with pushing people around and more about having a sound mind in a strong body. And he they made sure he understood not only how to fight, but when to fight. Sometimes things were just not important enough to fight over and other times the odds are so stacked against you, the smart thing is not to fight at all.

Spenser also learned something about women. Both his father and his uncles liked women and dated. But his father never remarried after his mother’s death. Sam told Spenser his mother was “the one” and he never loved another. His uncles never married until after Spenser had left home.

One important story he shares with Susan is the time he was hunting with his dog Pearl and his Dad and came upon a bear. Whenever Spenser was in trouble in later life he thought about that bear and how he handled himself and it helped him get through fearful situations.

Another important story is the time when he was only fourteen and he saved a friend who asked for his help. Jeannie Hayden was a friend from school. She had a difficult home life living with a mean, abusive and violent father who was drunk most of the time. Spenser knew he beat her and that she was frightened of him. One day as her father forced her to go on a camping trip with him, Jeannie called out to him for help. Her father had been drinking heavily and was armed with a large Bowie knife. Spenser was terrified and not sure what to do. But he remembered his father words that at some point in time everyone is afraid and the important thing when that happens was not to let it rule you. To just go ahead and do what needed to be done. Spenser saved Jeannie that day although he was forced to take drastic action to do so. His father congratulated him on how he had handled himself. He had done what he had to be done and did it well.

Jeannie wanted to be Spenser’s girlfriend but he never thought of her that way, only as a friend. He knew she was not “the one” and so had to let her down. She was disappointed but he was able to tell her his true feelings in such a way that they were able to maintain their friendship.

Jennie asked for his help again when her school mate Aurelio Lopez, a Mexican boy was bullied by a gang, many of whom were Spenser’s friends. The boy was small and easy to pick on and his life had become so miserable he didn’t want to go to school. When Spenser helped Aurelio he became alienated from his white friends who decide to pay him a lesson. A gang of fifteen boys gathered to attack him but Spenser stood his ground. He remembered what his Uncle Cash had told him about being challenged by a group. Pick out the leader, separate him from the others and then challenge him to a fair fight. When his Father and Uncles arrive, they did not intervene. Instead they mediated a fair fight and Spenser won easily. Neither he nor Aurelio had further trouble from the gang.

Spenser’s recollection of stories ends when he goes off to college in Boston on a football scholarship. Injured in his second year, he loses the scholarship and is unable to fund more schooling, so he decides to stay in Boston and join the police force.

Young adult readers may be enticed by this collection of stories to begin reading the series. It serves as a prequel and a good introduction to Spenser the man, who became a private investigator in Boston. Other loyal, older adults who have been fans of Spenser for years will enjoy hearing more of his backstory through this series of flashbacks. They come to a better understand of his moral code, his determination to do the right thing, his support of the underdog and even why he describes Susan Silverman as his “one true love” as he often does when asked about his marital status.

Long time readers of the series now know the foundation of his success. His mother was gone, but he was surrounded by people who cared about him and made him feel an important part of a family unit. He grew up in a safe, supportive and comfortable environment, expected to learn to take care of himself and become self-sufficient. While he was young, vulnerable and still learning they stayed close by in the background, “just in case”. His father and uncles were incredible parents who taught him not just through their quiet lessons and more deliberative instruction but by being living role models for the way to lead a successful life.

I enjoyed this read for what it was, not a mystery, not a detective story but a background to the lead character of a very successful, long standing series enjoyed by hundreds of readers.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I'm sort of grieving at Robert B. Parker's passing; this is the first Spenser novel in nearly twenty years that I missed. I don't know if it's a YA novel, even though that's how it was classified in the public library. It's a good book, but it shows how a young man from rural Wyoming became, well, Spenser.

It's a great book; the entire thing is a series of flashbacks interspersed with a conversation Spenser is having with Susan Silverman, love of his life. We see how Spenser grew up raised by his father and three uncles, who raised him in a highly unconventional manner, but one which made him feel well loved, confident, and shaped by who he is. Interestingly enough, he describes himself as a much loved only child of three doting parents (dad and two uncles).

We see Spenser go through a series of adventures that shape him. As someone who's read all the novels in the series, it's interesting to see him grow, change, and develop. Interestingly, though Spenser is as Boston as he can be, forever aligned with this city, his sense of values are a sort of Western meritocracy, one that I have seen myself, one that judges a person based on what she or he can do rather than on other factors.

Highly recommended.

[Christopher Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every one of Parker’s Jesse Stone and Spenser books. I started reading the Stone books first, then Spenser in order (from GoodReads lists!); this placed Chasing the Bear toward the end of the run, and I’m glad it did. The book is a great flashback into a character I loved over many books, giving insight into the formation of the boy that would become the honorable man. A favorite of this book: learning why Spenser always parks his car in tow-away spots. It’s a small thing, a tiny detail, but to read it as merely a boyhood observation translated into the man’s typical behavior across multiple books was subtle, and all the more endearing for feeling like I “got” it. Artistry.

Always liked the author’s use of direct observations and stripped-down language to convey a scene or emotion, trusting to the reader to apply the tone and impact based on their time spent with the characters. Descriptions enmesh the reader in the scene, conjuring vast landscapes and profound emotional effect, but a minimal approach forces the reader to engage their full imagination and knowledge of the characters.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally get a glimpse into the young Spenser as he relates stories from his youth to Susan. He starts with general information about his growing up with his father and the 2 brothers of his deceased mother and then gives us some specific tales of developing into the protector he becomes later. These flashbacks are very interesting and enlightening.

As a YA title, the language is toned down a lot. As is usual with all of Mr. Parkers' books, it is a very fast read because of all the white space on each page and between the short chapters. His character development and dialogue are excellent.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't like this, which disappoints me a lot. For the most part, I love the Spenser books. Unfortunately, I don't think Parker's writing has translated well for the YA set. This is, literally, a YA Spenser, and it's all the boring parts of a regular Spenser novel (the lovey-dovey self examination and some wine), with very little of the cool stuff. It was interesting learning about his family, but it was too perfect, too Walden, too MUCH. Anyway, I'm just glad I finished.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read Spenser novels for a while and was really pleased to spend some time with Spenser and Susan! It is like visiting old friends. The stories in the book had me cheering for Spenser's Dad and two uncles and, of course, for Spenser himself.

I often recommend another book about a child raised by uncles. Sleeping Arrangements by Laura Shaine Cunningham. This one is a memoir and also had me cheering for the girl and her uncles.

Sometimes survival mode yields miracles.

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not up to Parker's ability. The dialogue, usually stellar, fell flat into I said, he replied.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am just starting the series, so this gives me additional character developmental info that the author may have previously kept to himself. As a story it was nothing.