Rating: 
Summary: It all began with Susan Silverman's ex-husband
Review: "Be well aware, " quoth that lady mild,
"Lest sudden mischief ye too rash provoke"
- Spenser's FAERIE QUEEN
If you're interested in an audio edition, I enthusiastically recommend the unabridged recording narrated by William Windom. The exchanges between Hawk and Spenser come out very well indeed; so does everything, in fact, including some truly slimy characters. (Didn't know that Windom could play creepy roles? See him as the prosecutor in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.)
Welcome to one of Spenser's cases where a friend has asked him to take on an unpaid job: Susan Silverman, on behalf of her ex-husband. She kept his name, but he changed it - he's now Brad Sterling. He's trying to be a Yankee success story - Harvard graduate, PR guy with his own business and a corner office - but he's now facing a lawsuit that can ruin him even if he wins.
A group of women volunteers from a fund-raiser he organized the previous year - Galapalooza, a big event put on collectively for a lot of charities too small to have their own fund-raisers - are suing him for sexual harassment. Unfortunately, one of the plaintiffs is Jeanette Ronin, the trophy wife of Francis Ronin, one of the most famous trial lawyers in the U.S. None of the defendants will talk to Spenser about the case, and even Sterling is evasive. But for Susan's sake, Spenser perseveres - and sudden mischief is indeed provoked...
Most of the usual supporting players appear: Hawk decides to hang around, after 2 thugs try to chase him away ("I made $200,000 last week in Miami, and I don't much like people threatenin' me"), Rita Fiore (knowledgeable about Ronin, having argued cases before him); Rachel Wallace; and Pearl the Wonder Dog. Even Tony Marcus is back ("Should've been life, and you out in 3 years.")
Rating: 
Summary: bad first time, wonderful second time
Review: I guess I was in a bad mood when I read this installment in the Spenser series. Because I often trashed it for not being very good. Then I went back years later to read it again. I was wrong.
I loved this book. It was a little bit different, but not some stupid want-to-be cowboy novel. You get to know Susan a little bit more, action, wise-cracks, Spenser novel stuff. Read with pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the recent average
Review: I'm not as pessimistic as "judge" above. Yes, Parker slipped badly in the early 90s - I was particularly annoyed by several short books with very wide margins. But this and the last entry ("Small Vices") were much improved. In both these books Spenser and Susan deal with substantive issues in their relationship: whether or not to adopt a child in the first, and Susan's silence about her past and her loyalty and committment to men not worthy of her in this one (Spenser, of course, both does and does not fit that category.) Where Parker is lacking is precisely those places that Judge identifies - Spenser's wonderful relationships with the supporting cast, and the excellent characterizations found there. I read these books as much for Hawk and Belson and Quirk, and the more of them the merrier. At least Rachel Wallace makes a cameo here. Another significant shortcoming is the waste of a truly worthy white-collar foe for Spenser, a visciously corrupt Brahmin lawyer/judge who meekly shows up at the end and writes a check.... Boo! You'd be hard pressed to beat the climaxes of both this book and Small Vices, though. I found them gripping and beliveable, and Spenser's restraint both times it quite impressive. Get it from the library, or wait for the paperback, however - I haven't bought Parker in hardcover since "A Catskill Eagle."
Rating:
Summary: Spenser has to help out Susan's ex-husband...fun ensues
Review: It would be accurate to describe "Sudden Mischief" as the Spenser novel in which our hero has a client who refuses to tell him much about the subject under investigation and when Spenser starts poking his nose around in things people show up and tell him to drop the case or they will beat him up. Eventually he finds out the truth and attempts to do the right thing. Of course this describes a whole bunch of Robert B. Parker's novels in this series and the fact that I have been reading them straight through in order probably magnifies the redundancies. That being said, there are certainly some interesting developments in this 25th Spenser story, although most of them focus on the always fascinating relationship between our hero and Susan Silverman. Especially when Susan gets to hit a guy in the head with a brick.Out of a clear blue sky Susan has received a visit from her ex-husband Brad Sterling (the joke is HE changed his name after Susan nee Hirsch Silverman divorced him). Brad tells Susan he has financial difficulties and a sexual harassment suit that will ruin him. Susan asks our hero to look into the latter, but Brad does not seem too worried about things even though one of the nation's most prominent lawyers is out to get him. Susan, to say the least in an example of gross understatement, is conflicted over the fact she has asked her lover to help her ex-husband. In "Sudden Mischief" we find out more about Susan's past, the way we did about Spenser in "Pastime." The main question on the psychologist's couch is why Susan has been drawn to the men who have complicated her lives. Against this interpersonal drama the case under investigation seems rather incidental, even though there are corpses showing up that do not always have their tongues. "Sudden Mischief" is one of those Spenser novels that make you realize the Spenser series is really an epic love story where our hero and Susan just get distracted by these pesky little cases.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of Susan
Review: It would be accurate to describe "Sudden Mischief" as the Spenser novel in which our hero has a client who refuses to tell him much about the subject under investigation and when Spenser starts poking his nose around in things people show up and tell him to drop the case or they will beat him up. Eventually he finds out the truth and attempts to do the right thing. Of course this describes a whole bunch of Robert B. Parker's novels in this series and the fact that I have been reading them straight through in order probably magnifies the redundancies. That being said, there are certainly some interesting developments in this 25th Spenser story, although most of them focus on the always fascinating relationship between our hero and Susan Silverman. Especially when Susan gets to hit a guy in the head with a brick. Out of a clear blue sky Susan has received a visit from her ex-husband Brad Sterling (the joke is HE changed his name after Susan nee Hirsch Silverman divorced him). Brad tells Susan he has financial difficulties and a sexual harassment suit that will ruin him. Susan asks our hero to look into the latter, but Brad does not seem too worried about things even though one of the nation's most prominent lawyers is out to get him. Susan, to say the least in an example of gross understatement, is conflicted over the fact she has asked her lover to help her ex-husband. In "Sudden Mischief" we find out more about Susan's past, the way we did about Spenser in "Pastime." The main question on the psychologist's couch is why Susan has been drawn to the men who have complicated her lives. Against this interpersonal drama the case under investigation seems rather incidental, even though there are corpses showing up that do not always have their tongues. "Sudden Mischief" is one of those Spenser novels that make you realize the Spenser series is really an epic love story where our hero and Susan just get distracted by these pesky little cases.
Rating:
Summary: Rather a landmark novel in the series...
Review: Somehow, I feel a batch of people have missed the point here. This is a pivotal novel, one in which Susan has to face some things she would prefer not to. Susan's ex-husband comes to her for help. Of course, she doesn't understand the kind of help he's looking for and her misunderstanding involves Spenser and eventually turns up a batch of stuff that the ex is involved in. Human emotions are dealt with here, and it's revealing to watch Susan as she begins to realize some of her own hang-ups. As far as the mystery goes, there isn't great mystery here. We learn what's going on at the same time that Spenser does and much of it isn't a surprise. Parker does telegraph much of the time and I believe this to be purposeful. More and more, in these later Spenser stories, Parker does something unexpected. This time, it's the ending which is unusually abrupt. There's reason here, and Parker does know exactly what he is doing in the way he's crafting these stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Susan comes to grips with her love-hate man relationships
Review: Susan asks Spenser to help her ex-husband with a bogus sexual harassment suit. Soon, we discover Susan psychoanalyzing herself, with Spenser playing the role of insightful facilitator. This isn't what Spenser fans want. We want hard edged Spenser/Hawk action. There is a good bit of action, and I love the banter between Spenser and Hawk. I especially like Hawk slipping into his upper middle class WASP accent. The story lacked something in the end, however. I came away a bit unsatisfied, even though Susan whacked one of the bad guys with a brick. Too bad the tongue was cut without the right folks understanding the reason.
Rating:
Summary: Selfish Susan at it again
Review: Susan Silverman, the pinnacle of the selfish, self-involved (...), strikes again. This time she expects Spenser to save her ex-husband while putting up with her petty bitchery about him saving her ex-husband. The (...) mental. I do not understand why Parker feels compelled to include such a worthless character in all his books. She really ruins the story lines.
Rating:
Summary: Here's the scoop- It's awesome
Review: The book moves quickly, and ever so you get a clear picture of not only Spenser but more history on Susan as well. I will not spoil it for the die-hard fans out there who haven't come across this book. The chapters are short and focused, and what I liked most about it is that each chapter it focuses on a one-on-one talk between Spenser and some other person. Mostly-- 90% of the time, which I greatly appreciate. It focuses a lot on Spenser, and his puzzle pieces which he puts together in order to emit the true picture of the mystery from all the alibi. Further more the chapters are short, focused, and the vocabulary is easy to pick up. I personally like Spenser and Susan because their attitudes are so professional. Also, this book is best read throughout a period of time, instead of just one day. It's even better if the reader can somehow imagine himself as Spenser-- or Susan-- for the matter. They're technically the same. Anima vs. Animus. Honestly this book also suits those who are "full of themselves", how else would you be able to connect with the main characters anyways?! It has been such a long time since I have read a book that compels this aggressively. This honestly is my first look on the Spenser series, and I appologize that I'm not a long-time fan or so (This series has been going on longer than I've lived!) but it's great. I find it most effective reading it while picturing it like a movie. And also for all the guys,if you imagine that YoU'rE Spenser, and you've got a parrallell attitude with him (like I do), it blows your mind. Honestly. Susan Silverman's ex-husband, now known as Brad "Sterling" is on charge with sexual harassment and later on with murder. The case in itself is slow, but it's everything that's stirred in the middle that makes this book well worth the read. Not only does Spenser have this attitude that speaks out to the reader as "I'm untouchable" but he has his equally arrogant lover "Susan" and they make an awesome couple. It's Romantic... also in the sense of the writing style, which is a bit Romanticist. I mean, c'mon, Spenser tops every bad guy with a swift move and a kick in the groin. It's cheap, and repetitive... and it's a little too cheesy to win against the baddies. Especially the part when Susan gets in some action as well later in the story. Oh yeah, that's the main highlight, I believe. Susan gets to kick ass! Haha, check it out. I don't know enough about the series to know whether if this occurs often or not, but it was great! Ok, what are you waiting for?! Read this book. I promise you won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Here's the scoop- It's awesome
Review: The book moves quickly, and ever so you get a clear picture of not only Spenser but more history on Susan as well. I will not spoil it for the die-hard fans out there who haven't come across this book. The chapters are short and focused, and what I liked most about it is that each chapter it focuses on a one-on-one talk between Spenser and some other person. Mostly-- 90% of the time, which I greatly appreciate. It focuses a lot on Spenser, and his puzzle pieces which he puts together in order to emit the true picture of the mystery from all the alibi. Further more the chapters are short, focused, and the vocabulary is easy to pick up. I personally like Spenser and Susan because their attitudes are so professional. Also, this book is best read throughout a period of time, instead of just one day. It's even better if the reader can somehow imagine himself as Spenser-- or Susan-- for the matter. They're technically the same. Anima vs. Animus. Honestly this book also suits those who are "full of themselves", how else would you be able to connect with the main characters anyways?! It has been such a long time since I have read a book that compels this aggressively. This honestly is my first look on the Spenser series, and I appologize that I'm not a long-time fan or so (This series has been going on longer than I've lived!) but it's great. I find it most effective reading it while picturing it like a movie. And also for all the guys,if you imagine that YoU'rE Spenser, and you've got a parrallell attitude with him (like I do), it blows your mind. Honestly. Susan Silverman's ex-husband, now known as Brad "Sterling" is on charge with sexual harassment and later on with murder. The case in itself is slow, but it's everything that's stirred in the middle that makes this book well worth the read. Not only does Spenser have this attitude that speaks out to the reader as "I'm untouchable" but he has his equally arrogant lover "Susan" and they make an awesome couple. It's Romantic... also in the sense of the writing style, which is a bit Romanticist. I mean, c'mon, Spenser tops every bad guy with a swift move and a kick in the groin. It's cheap, and repetitive... and it's a little too cheesy to win against the baddies. Especially the part when Susan gets in some action as well later in the story. Oh yeah, that's the main highlight, I believe. Susan gets to kick ass! Haha, check it out. I don't know enough about the series to know whether if this occurs often or not, but it was great! Ok, what are you waiting for?! Read this book. I promise you won't be dissapointed.
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