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The Early Spenser
Three novels featuring the hard-boiled Boston private eye find Spenser looking for a stolen rare manuscript and a killer, trying to track down a kidnapped rich kid, and looking into the blackmail of a baseball legend's wife
498 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1989
4 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Robert B. Parker
489 books2,296 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 25, 2022
Here are my individual reviews of each:
1. The Godwulf Manuscript (1973)
As a literal lifelong fan of Parker, I’ve always wanted to re-read the entire Spenser series (at least those written by Bob himself) in order. HERE WE GO. I’ll list the reading order below for anyone who may need it.
Even this early, the reader is treated to the typical smart-alec Spenser personality and honestly, the bulk of this is timeless. Impressive. This book is nearly five decades old now and still plausible, etc. Obviously means of investigating have evolved but … it works.
Regulars introduced in this one:
Martin Quirk
Frank Belson
Spenser’s mad cooking skills
Joe Broz
*Spenser’s age? He states that he’s 37.
This book is nearly 50 years old—for the most part it doesn’t feel like it at all … though when Spenser only needs $5 to cover cab fare, that’ll be an exception, and some of the college kids’ dialogue, is another big one. 😉
“It’s only BARELY possible to reach Marblehead from anywhere…”
^Northshore, MA residents will understand this, I think. There’s no lie in this quote.
Overall, really well done, not just for its time, but in general.
5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This has such a vintage sound to it, the voice, the delivery … it’s like listening to a radio show from olden days—sort of a cathartic way to kick off my Spenser re-read adventure. Totally a vibe.
(Though honestly, I’m not sure I’d enjoy this narrator for anything other than vintage Spenser. And he doesn’t pronounce ‘Peabody’ as a Bostoner like Spenser would, nor does he bother with Boston accents.)
image:
I loved the Lynn Shore Drive bit. :)
image:
image:
2. God Save the Child (1974)
Like so many Spenser reads, this one starts out in his office in Boston—classic. It also brings us to Smithfield, where Wilderness was set, and which, according to local legend, is Parker’s fictional name for Lynnfield, MA.
This one involved a missing kid, dead bodies, danger, etc. so it was more suspense-y than its predecessor. It even made me laugh out loud a couple times.
In typical Parker fashion, there’s more here going on than meets the eye and Spenser is determined to get to the bottom of ALL of it.
Regulars introduced in this one:
Healy
Susan Siverman (on her first date with Spenser)!
Henry Cimoli
A fun read, 5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This narrator … is okay. While he does NOT bother with a Boston accent, there is a vibe to his vintage-y sound.
image:
I loved the Lynn Shore Drive bit. :)
3. Mortal Stakes (1975)
In 1973, People Magazine said of this one, “The dialogue sparkles.” < That’s well-said for all Parker novels, no?
This installment very much feels like the 1970s … or at least what I imagine of them, as I wasn’t alive yet. It’s got a vintage feel to it. (They watch films on projectors!! No VCRs or other technology yet, wow!)
In this one, Spenser’s sleeping with Brenda & they seem to be in a relationship as well, but also he’s seeing Susan and Brenda’s seeing other people. Clearly in early Spenser novels, he was much more casual about this. He tells the reader that Susan is better for talking, Brenda more for ‘fun stuff’. 😏 (Perhaps this is why things ultimately get more serious with Susan, later into the series?)
As often happens, Spenser figures out more than he’s supposed to and displays admirable morals (despite a couple of racist and sexist remarks I couldn’t help but notice). There’s also a lot to be said about second chances and decency … this book gives a look into that, as well as Spenser’s personal morality code.
Regulars introduced in this one:
Brenda Loring
“If the British wanted to invade Bunker Hill now, they wouldn’t be able to find it.” —Spenser, griping about getting around in Charleston.
A fun read, 4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This narrator … is okay. While he does NOT bother with a Boston accent, there is a vibe to his vintage-y sound.
image:
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
1. The Godwulf Manuscript (1973)
As a literal lifelong fan of Parker, I’ve always wanted to re-read the entire Spenser series (at least those written by Bob himself) in order. HERE WE GO. I’ll list the reading order below for anyone who may need it.
Even this early, the reader is treated to the typical smart-alec Spenser personality and honestly, the bulk of this is timeless. Impressive. This book is nearly five decades old now and still plausible, etc. Obviously means of investigating have evolved but … it works.
Regulars introduced in this one:
Martin Quirk
Frank Belson
Spenser’s mad cooking skills
Joe Broz
*Spenser’s age? He states that he’s 37.
This book is nearly 50 years old—for the most part it doesn’t feel like it at all … though when Spenser only needs $5 to cover cab fare, that’ll be an exception, and some of the college kids’ dialogue, is another big one. 😉
“It’s only BARELY possible to reach Marblehead from anywhere…”
^Northshore, MA residents will understand this, I think. There’s no lie in this quote.
Overall, really well done, not just for its time, but in general.
5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This has such a vintage sound to it, the voice, the delivery … it’s like listening to a radio show from olden days—sort of a cathartic way to kick off my Spenser re-read adventure. Totally a vibe.
(Though honestly, I’m not sure I’d enjoy this narrator for anything other than vintage Spenser. And he doesn’t pronounce ‘Peabody’ as a Bostoner like Spenser would, nor does he bother with Boston accents.)
image:
I loved the Lynn Shore Drive bit. :)
image:
image:
2. God Save the Child (1974)
Like so many Spenser reads, this one starts out in his office in Boston—classic. It also brings us to Smithfield, where Wilderness was set, and which, according to local legend, is Parker’s fictional name for Lynnfield, MA.
This one involved a missing kid, dead bodies, danger, etc. so it was more suspense-y than its predecessor. It even made me laugh out loud a couple times.
In typical Parker fashion, there’s more here going on than meets the eye and Spenser is determined to get to the bottom of ALL of it.
Regulars introduced in this one:
Healy
Susan Siverman (on her first date with Spenser)!
Henry Cimoli
A fun read, 5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This narrator … is okay. While he does NOT bother with a Boston accent, there is a vibe to his vintage-y sound.
image:
I loved the Lynn Shore Drive bit. :)
3. Mortal Stakes (1975)
In 1973, People Magazine said of this one, “The dialogue sparkles.” < That’s well-said for all Parker novels, no?
This installment very much feels like the 1970s … or at least what I imagine of them, as I wasn’t alive yet. It’s got a vintage feel to it. (They watch films on projectors!! No VCRs or other technology yet, wow!)
In this one, Spenser’s sleeping with Brenda & they seem to be in a relationship as well, but also he’s seeing Susan and Brenda’s seeing other people. Clearly in early Spenser novels, he was much more casual about this. He tells the reader that Susan is better for talking, Brenda more for ‘fun stuff’. 😏 (Perhaps this is why things ultimately get more serious with Susan, later into the series?)
As often happens, Spenser figures out more than he’s supposed to and displays admirable morals (despite a couple of racist and sexist remarks I couldn’t help but notice). There’s also a lot to be said about second chances and decency … this book gives a look into that, as well as Spenser’s personal morality code.
Regulars introduced in this one:
Brenda Loring
“If the British wanted to invade Bunker Hill now, they wouldn’t be able to find it.” —Spenser, griping about getting around in Charleston.
A fun read, 4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Audio:
This narrator … is okay. While he does NOT bother with a Boston accent, there is a vibe to his vintage-y sound.
image:
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
July 25, 2017
Really enjoyed my introduction to Spenser! Love the humor and wisecrack remarks, but I especially enjoyed the nostalgic trip back to the early 70s. Parker was a master of description, and he takes you right to the scene with highly amusing accounts of the clothes and customs of the time. His descriptions of food are enough to make you hungry, especially when Spenser makes cooking sound so easy! I also enjoyed the setting of Boston. Even though it's been many, many years since I was familiar with the area, it was still fun to read about the old streets and neighborhoods, even highways and bridges that were so dear to my heart in childhood. (Do they still have the swan boats? So much fun!) I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
May 27, 2013
I'm rereading my way through all of Parker's Spenser novels. He's a crime writer of course but hard to classify... very literate, poetic, at times, a lot of noir aspects but not only this. Every few pages there comes a description, a comment, a brief dialog, a situation or even a recipe, that so captures a truth of history, social culture, or human psychology that I find myself stopiing to contemplate or even mark up the page. These are real "little classics".
July 21, 2023
As its title says, it is the early Spenser, no Hawk, but marvellously Spenserian just the same, with a spot of detection, bad, bad men, few clues, a good hunt, and filled with his trademark jokes and puns. Entertaining reading.
THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT
One of the liveliest Spenser books, it has everything: robbery, homicide, breaking, good cop thrown out by bad cop, action, drama and the mordant wit that makes Spenser who he is.
GOD SAVE THE CHILD
Think about it: your teenage son prefers a bodybuilder who's into some shady rackets to either his father or mother. Your son runs away to him, demands a "ransom", which is paid, but still doesn't return.
In this haunting story, which has few of the trademark one-liners, Spenser pictures not only an American Gothic of its genre, but a whole township involved in a game that costs several lives.
Not perhaps the best Parker novel, but we get to meet Susan Silverman in her debut, and Spenser at his driest.
MORTAL STAKES
This has a swinging Spenser, with the full array of murder, blackmail, porn films, pimps, high class gentlemen's clubs with high class madams, loan sharks – the works. And caught up in this mess is a star baseball player, whom the manager suspects of game throwing, and his wife and little son. Spenser, with his throwaway lines, rides his white horse once more. He hasn't still decided between the two women in his life, though, and that's a mystery yet to be solved.
THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT
One of the liveliest Spenser books, it has everything: robbery, homicide, breaking, good cop thrown out by bad cop, action, drama and the mordant wit that makes Spenser who he is.
GOD SAVE THE CHILD
Think about it: your teenage son prefers a bodybuilder who's into some shady rackets to either his father or mother. Your son runs away to him, demands a "ransom", which is paid, but still doesn't return.
In this haunting story, which has few of the trademark one-liners, Spenser pictures not only an American Gothic of its genre, but a whole township involved in a game that costs several lives.
Not perhaps the best Parker novel, but we get to meet Susan Silverman in her debut, and Spenser at his driest.
MORTAL STAKES
This has a swinging Spenser, with the full array of murder, blackmail, porn films, pimps, high class gentlemen's clubs with high class madams, loan sharks – the works. And caught up in this mess is a star baseball player, whom the manager suspects of game throwing, and his wife and little son. Spenser, with his throwaway lines, rides his white horse once more. He hasn't still decided between the two women in his life, though, and that's a mystery yet to be solved.
June 26, 2017
6/24: I've finished The Godwulf Manuscript, and it is delightful. I've always read the Spenser stories randomly, picking up whatever happened to be at the library, so it's good to go to his origins and see how the character evolves. The story does not disappoint. 6/25: Finished God Save the Child, and it is up to the usual excellent Parker standard. 6/26: Finished Mortal Stakes, and the good guys won again, but not without paying a price. One of the many things I love about these books is that Spenser, amazingly capable being that he is, is not superhuman. He experiences self-doubt and regret just as the rest of us do, and that makes his character all the more interesting.
May 4, 2017
It is fun collection of detective stories however I found the third story a little challenging to get invested in. The funny thing is I cared what happened to Spenser but not the client which put me at odds like Spenser was in the tale. I still recommend this to mystery lovers.
January 20, 2019
Wha a great read.
June 25, 2019
Each of the three stories is excellent and fun to read. Spenser is by turns, funny, sarcastic, self-examining (especially Mortal Stakes). And the mysteries involved keep you guessing.
June 28, 2019
Great start to the Spenser genre. Highly recommended.
August 19, 2023
The book jacket says Robert Parker, the author of The Early Spenser is a successor of Hammett and Chandler. They wrote noire detective novels in the 1930’s and ‘40’s. Parker’s protagonist is in the 50’s or 60’s. So, you can see that the subject matter is more modern, but rapidly becoming dated. Pay phones, newspapers, and the rent Spenser must pay on both his downtown Boston apartment and office are relics of a past generation. Also, scandalous affairs exploited by blackmailers and shootouts with criminal kingpins appear quaint by today’s morality. In the modern world celebrity publicists would find a way to promote scandalous behavior and, maybe where the nation’s economic structure, as a wealthy upper-class miles away from the poor and destitute, with a shrinking middle class between, the criminal element consists of unscrupulous, unseen financiers at one end, far removed from street thugs at the other. Between, the “middle level” criminals have become scarce. I really don’t think you’re going to come face to face with top level gangster armed equally with you, to settle things in a shoot-out. I’m not an expert, but come on.
But for entertainment’s sake The Early Spenser was enjoyable to read. The private detective, Spenser, is sarcastic and sassy, and the staccato dialog moves the plot right along. I would point out the whole thing is done without profanity, which, in my opinion, is a rare feat for a crime novel still in circulation. Also, Spenser uses several literary references, presumably to elevate Spenser’s stature to “educated,” or “sensitive,” which seems, to me, a little incongruous, given the number of lumps he’s taken to his head over the years. I would think he would be a candidate for Traumatic Brain Injury or at least partial memory loss, especially with the amount of alcohol he consumes. But here it’s funny and sharp. Then the description of characters’ attire, food, furniture, street scenes all show Parker’s eye for detail that the next generation of detective novelists could learn from. The motives of people probably transcend time as well. Finally, Parker becomes philosophical toward the end of the third selection in the book. He says men, “need a system” or set of principles by which they live. When those principles come into conflict, the individual must sort them out. Spenser’s lesson to a character is bring a gun and be ready to use it. Well, I guess that might’ve been accepted in the U.S. in the 1950’s. But in 2023, you can’t really “gun down” all your enemies. In my opinion.
But for entertainment’s sake The Early Spenser was enjoyable to read. The private detective, Spenser, is sarcastic and sassy, and the staccato dialog moves the plot right along. I would point out the whole thing is done without profanity, which, in my opinion, is a rare feat for a crime novel still in circulation. Also, Spenser uses several literary references, presumably to elevate Spenser’s stature to “educated,” or “sensitive,” which seems, to me, a little incongruous, given the number of lumps he’s taken to his head over the years. I would think he would be a candidate for Traumatic Brain Injury or at least partial memory loss, especially with the amount of alcohol he consumes. But here it’s funny and sharp. Then the description of characters’ attire, food, furniture, street scenes all show Parker’s eye for detail that the next generation of detective novelists could learn from. The motives of people probably transcend time as well. Finally, Parker becomes philosophical toward the end of the third selection in the book. He says men, “need a system” or set of principles by which they live. When those principles come into conflict, the individual must sort them out. Spenser’s lesson to a character is bring a gun and be ready to use it. Well, I guess that might’ve been accepted in the U.S. in the 1950’s. But in 2023, you can’t really “gun down” all your enemies. In my opinion.
March 13, 2013
Since this book is three-in-one I'll write a review of each as I finish them. I've read most of the novels in the Spenser series before but wanted to revisit them in order. So here we go.
The Godwulf Manuscript: Being the first book of the series, it served as the introduction to Spenser. And it was very well done. Robert B. Parker was a master storyteller and it shows in this novel. Written in 1973, it still holds up today. A solid story, great characters. A wonderful introduction to the series and one of the genre's great protagonists.
God Save the Child: The second installment in the Spenser series is just as good as, perhaps even a bit better than, the first. I said it before, Robert B. Parker is a master and it shows in his writing. Great characters, good story. I'm not entirely loving the ending but I can live with it. Still, Spenser, like his creator, is one of the best in the business.
Mortal Stakes: Another great read! Each book of the Spenser series gets better and better. The third volume had it all: great characters and story and keeps letting the reader into Spenser's head more, his beliefs and his code. These are wonderful books by a wonderful author. I can't wait to start the next one, which I'm going to do right now.
The Godwulf Manuscript: Being the first book of the series, it served as the introduction to Spenser. And it was very well done. Robert B. Parker was a master storyteller and it shows in this novel. Written in 1973, it still holds up today. A solid story, great characters. A wonderful introduction to the series and one of the genre's great protagonists.
God Save the Child: The second installment in the Spenser series is just as good as, perhaps even a bit better than, the first. I said it before, Robert B. Parker is a master and it shows in his writing. Great characters, good story. I'm not entirely loving the ending but I can live with it. Still, Spenser, like his creator, is one of the best in the business.
Mortal Stakes: Another great read! Each book of the Spenser series gets better and better. The third volume had it all: great characters and story and keeps letting the reader into Spenser's head more, his beliefs and his code. These are wonderful books by a wonderful author. I can't wait to start the next one, which I'm going to do right now.
February 20, 2010
I was so sorry to learn of the author's death. I already liked several of his series: Jesse Stone, Sunny Randall, and the newest trilogy about the West. I decided to dip into his largest series, which is of course about Spenser. I read these first 3 novels and found that they shared the same characteristics that made me enjoy the books I'd already read. I like Parker's humor, his mastery of dialog, and, most especially, the sense of honor that his characters (well, the "good" ones) are imbued with. I will definitely read more Spenser, especially to find out what he does about Ms. Silverman. I met Mr. Parker late one evening at the Little Professor Bookstore in Homewood. Sure wish I'd sat down with him (there were only us 2) and had a lengthy conversation, but, alas, I was on "library time".
October 6, 2012
I learned a lot I didn't know about RBP. Inspired me to go back and read the entire Spenser series in order, which I am currently doing. Just finished number one, two and three, awaiting 4 from the library. I've read most of them before, but I can't remember which ones I haven't read, so I'm reading the whole series in order. Keep you posted.
November 25, 2011
parkers first 3 spencer novels packaged together. i can see why people call this a classic series. lots of fun.
March 5, 2016
The first 3 Spenser novels -- I had read them, but they were as great the second time around.
May 11, 2013
Omnibus of the first three Spenser novels. Good entertainment, and good value. A nice introduction, or re-introduction, to Spenser. All three novels seem a little dated now.
May 22, 2013
Good book, great series, loved the way Robert Parker told his stories and loved the Spenser character along with all his exploits.
September 5, 2013
I come back to the Spenser books every 3 or 4 years and read them again. Fun, quick reads that are witty and suspensful. Plus, I love all the Boston landmark references.
April 6, 2016
Read all the Spencer books, best dialogue you'll ever read and fast fun plots, I loved these books!
November 13, 2010
The politics and clothing are way out of style but Spenser, Susan & Hawk are always a great read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews