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comin' round

Customer Rating:
While the comments presented by many reviewers of this book might have been valid for the half-dozen or so previous Spencers, they aren't fair for the latest edition. In Rough Weather Parker seems to be getting back some of the style and substance evident in earlier works. The humor is there and the banter is much closer to both the author and the character's standard. The plot is not usual, but does work. My chief complaint remains the line spacing. While it is impressive to plow through so many pages in a short time, I'd rather there was more story. That said, while I'm happy to pan Parker's penmanship and use cheap alliterations in process Rough Weather is actually satisfying and gives one hope that whatever contributed to the previous weaker works has been overcome and things are coming around, albeit slowly, to the level of earlier Spencers. Worth the read. Get it at a discount if you can, but get it.

It's just Spenser being Spenser

Customer Rating:
I know how some people feel about the recycled Spenser cliches and the mock relationship with Susan. It grates on me sometimes. I read Spenser for the action, word play with the people he meets and most of all for the beautiful imagery of Boston (Having spent a year in the city long ago) which he nails. These items are in abundance so they more then make up for the disappointing ending to the story. 4 stars for Parkers latest Spenser.

Good, Workmanlike Spenser

Customer Rating:

Ok, this isn't top of the line Spense, but has some definite strong points (as well as weak points), and, to my taste, strikes a good balance between seminal lone wolf Spenser and those recent novels that have been overcrowded with every old character that could be tossed in. Spenser is definitely in his Boston millieu, with his personal contacts in at least three branches of fuzz involved, wined, dined and questioned; the odd mobster in an uneasy dance of dubious cooperation; and of course Hawk and Susan, who even manages to be less annoying than usual.

But what's good is as much what's missing --

When Susan needs protection most, it doesn't devolve into a round-the-clock house arrest lockdown by a gang of heavies -- after the first outing, that scheme got old quick. The duty lands squarely on Spense himself. And as has been pointed out by others, this time Spenser is on his own at the crucial moment, faced with overwhelming odds and depending on his wits as well as his brawn to keep alive and rescue the fair maiden. Not unique, but it's been a while.

Perhaps related to the above, though Spenser depends on several sources of intelligence, he doesn't assemble an army of toughs from across the country even though he's faced with the lethal Gray Man who has his own army of hired thugs. It's just Spense and Hawk, not even Vinnie or Tybop, and at first just Himself on a seemingly harmless outing.

Yes, the book recycles many of the same situations, characters and scenes from earlier novels. But rather than feeling phoned in, it has the comfort of an old pair of jeans, or better a new garment made from well worn in, but still sturdy, recycled cloth.

To some extent the plot is predictable ... indeed the real question in my mind was that the villains were so obvious I couldn't believe that was how it would work out. But it was still fun reading for the details, and for how Spenser would work his way to the resolution, and there was at least one big surprise for me in the last few pages.

Reviewing: "Rough Weather" by Robert B. Parker

Customer Rating:
This latest one in the series opens, as many do, with Spenser gazing out his office window at the women passing below on Berkeley Street. Middle of September finds the women starting to display the fall fashions, the Red Sox out of contention, and the sky grayish but not overcast. His musings are interrupted by Ms. Heidi Bradshaw who would like to hire him.

She has a home off the coast on Tashtego Island. She wants to hire Spenser to be there for an event in late October and isn't at all specific as to why she wants Spenser around. "I want you to be the man I can turn to if I need something." (Page 9) As long as he can bring Susan, longtime girlfriend, Spenser is agreeable and takes the job.

Late October comes quickly and on the appointed day Dr. Susan Silverman, looking ravishing as always, and Spenser arrive at the island. Pearl the wonder dog had to be left back home and that is probably just as well. Everything is under tight control as it should be considering the monies under Heidi Bradshaw's control and her expensive tastes. After all, her only daughter is getting married. So things have to be perfect. But, Ms. Bradshaw can't control the fact that a hurricane is coming closer by the hour and the weather is worsening. She also can't control the fact that multiple murders, a kidnapping, and the return of the notorious "Gray Man" will disrupt the wedding.

This latest Spenser plows absolutely no new ground in terms of character development, the characters themselves or plot. Entertaining enough as a story, the book dusts off numerous old associates that have made this journey many times before. The novel also dusts off many an old conversation between Spenser and Susan about what makes him different that the "Gray Man" or Hawk or several other returning characters. It also reaches a conclusion that is utterly predictable and as such borders on the clichéd. The minimalist prose continues so chapters are short, descriptions lacking, and the novel has a feel of a short story padded to novel length.

And yet, this is Spenser. One can't help overlooking the numerous weaknesses in the book simply because Spenser is an old favorite. As such, it is hard to be critical because it would be nice to be Spenser for a day. And if Susan Silverman was around, the night would be pretty good too.

Take it for what it is which is simplistic reliable entertainment that pleasantly diverts one's attention from the real world. Considering how most things are these days in the real world, that kind of mindless fun reading is a good thing. Especially since the Steven Seagall movies are so bad lately.


Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008

Fast read, but wrong message

Customer Rating:
I've read all the Spenser novels, so obviously I'm a fan. It's very comfortable to me to get back to all of the old characters, and as usual, I devoured this whole thing in one sitting, on an airplane, hooray. I must say, however, without too many details because I don't want to spoil it, but this is the first time I've ever had real qualms about the choice Spenser makes at the end. Usually when he breaks the rules, you understand why. Here I was baffled. Of course, this is just a matter of opinion. But it seemed inconsistent to me.