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Summary: A Southern Spenser Mystery
Review: Hugger Mugger is more of a mystery novel than the typical Spenser, which usually contains a lot more violence. This time, Spenser has to solve the mysterious death of a wealthy horse breeder. Was it one of his three daughters, his ex-wife, his mistress or his security service? Along the way we are treated to the usual assortment of entertaining Parker characters, all new this time around.Parker resorts to one of his standard devices to help keep the reader on top of the story -- phone conversations with Susan Silverman serve to remind us of characters and plot points. Unfortunately, Parker infuses their relationship with embarassing, crass behavior I suspect many readers find a bit disgusting. If only he could resist inserting these passages, he might become a first rate author without qualification.
Rating: 
Summary: The formula still works
Review: I like Robert B Parker's Spencer novels, I've read most of them and am always interested in picking up a new one. They are smart, clever and funny. I like the character of Spenser and the tone and style of the novels. Hugger Mugger fits snuggly into the formula for Spenser novels that Parker has developed over the year. Ok this isn't one of the all time great Spenser novels, but it still works. The plot may be a little contrived and I always miss Hawk's ascerbic comments, he's presence is sorely missed here. Parker creates the requisite number of oddball characters and suspects, and even though this novel feels formulatic, it's still an enjoyable way to spend the commute to work. This isn't supposed to be gritty realism, or a shocking page turner. What it amounts to is good entertainment value, with familiar characters we know and love. A nice way to loose yourself for a few hours in Spencers world.
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Summary: Spenser is trapped in a Tennessee Williams play with horses
Review: "Hugger Mugger" is a two-year old thoroughbred that is the next Citation or Secretariat (depending on how long you have known anything about horse racing), as well as the title of this Robert B. Parker Spenser novel. This time around our hero is in Georgia, where rich guy Walter Clive wants Spenser to see who has been taking shots at his horses. Everyone assumes that Hugger Mugger is the target, but that would be too easy an explanation for one of these novels and when Clive is found dead our suspicions are concerned. Unfortunately, Penny Clive, the youngest of the three sisters for whom Three Fillies Stables is named, no longer requires his services. So Spenser heads back to Boston and Susan, but not for long. Spenser notes several times that the Clive family are like characters out of a Tennessee Williams play, which means sexual debauchery is a dominate genetic trait of the family. You just know this one is going to get particularly twisted before it is over. This is an average Spenser novel, representative of Parker's recent work, which means less cooking than the old days while Spenser and Susan find time to discuss his case after bouts of big time fun. If you are looking for Hawk, you will be disappointed as he is off in France (with a B.C. professor). However, there is a gay bouncer name of Tedy Sapp and Dalton Becker, the local deputy who are the requisite kindred spirits for our hero when he is away from home. As always Parker's novels are perfect for the commuter lifestyle and can be read in a day or two easy. "Hugger Mugger" is not one of his better books but it is still enjoyable.
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Summary: Nothing New.....
Review: I have read every Spencer book that Robert Parker has written, and I am beginning to think that he has hit the proverbial wall. While early (and even middle)Spencer books are terrific, the last three books have left me severely wanting more. Dont get me wrong they remain very well written but the plots and story lines are getting ever more formula. I will keep reading them as they come, because Parker writes terrific characters. I just hope he can find new and exciting things for them to do!
Rating: 
Summary: Back to What Works
Review: Although I love Parker's work, his characters, and his stories, since Thin Air I have been less satisfied, feeling that maybe time was running out for Spenser and his cohorts. Hugger Mugger was the best Spenser novel in years, combining wit with Parker's classic descriptions of characters and places (who else could perfectly summarize a person in three words?). The plot removes Spenser from his native Boston and subtracts many of my favorite supporting characters, leaving Parker room to come up with a whole new rogues gallery. The plot, while at times meandering, is fresh, and the ending is a real shocker. With renewed faith in the Spenser books, I look forward to the next one.
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Summary: Not His Best, But Spenser Is Spenser
Review: While not Parker's best effort, "Hugger Mugger" is still very good. When I get a new Spenser book, it is like an old friend has come by for a visit. Friends that don't push you or expect much from you. They just show up and make you feel good and relaxed. You know what to expect from them and are not disapointed. Nothing new or inovative here, but a Spenser fan will not be let down. Spenser even quotes a little poetry again. But, he still isn't cooking again, yet. Maybe Parker is a little tired of Spenser and crew. And, maybe he does it so that he can have the funds to do other things more interesting to him. Whatever the reason, I'm glad that he still puts out a Spenser novel each year. Thanks Robert!
Rating: 
Summary: Well begun, should have stopped there.
Review: It may seem harsh, but this book is tripe. The start offers promise of another Parker gem, but this novel quickly melts down as one progresses. Set against a back ground of horses, murder, and women who seem not able to control thier lustful desires, Mr.Parker offers nothing new, and indeed has begun to make Spenser both pedantic and unreal in turns. Any reader of this series knows the affection Spenser has for his lady love,Susan, however, reading the constant lamenting Spenser feels while away on a case is starting to wear thin. Absent from this novel is Hawk, the mysterious friend of Spenser, who is perhaps Mr.Parkers best literary creation. The plot is weak, interlaced is a case that sees Spenser again earning merit badges for service to the hopeless masses, a pointless and unconvincing tale thrown in for filler. On the heels of the equally disappointing Hush Money, the Spenser novels seem to be losing thier spark. If you are new to the genre, or the series, Small Vices is a novel that will expose you to Parker at his best. Hugger Mugger, on the other hand, should be mucked out of Mr.Parkers Stable. If the weak plot were not tragedy enough, the books resolution is so abrupt, I thought my copy lost a page or two on the way home. Alas, upon inspection of other copies, I am sad to report that mine is complete, and it was Mr.Parker who seems to have misplaced the final pages, not I.
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Summary: Spenser's not perfect (and that makes for a better book)
Review: Unlike some of the Spenser novels, this one doesn't end up in a neat little package. Very few of the characters in this book are actually good people, so in addition to solving the mystery, Spenser has to figure out who are the least bad persons. Also, at one point in the book, it looks like the story is over -- until another plot twist comes along. Most Spenser novels have me thinking, "Yeah, that's how I would resolve that in his position." With this one, I'm not so sure, and (in my opinion) that made it a better book. As an Atlanta native, it was amusing to see Parker's geographic references when Spenser went to Atlanta briefly. Have to pick one nit, though. NO ONE born and raised in a small Southern town would offer someone "iced tea" -- that's redudant. "Tea" means iced; if you want it hot down here, you have to ask for "hot tea". :-)
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Summary: Spenser by the numbers
Review: You know how when you have a canker sore in your mouth you can't stop from touching it with your tongue even though you know it's going to hurt? That's the way it is for me with Parkers's latest novels. I know that they're going to irritate me to no end but I can't stop reading them.The fact that the earlier Spenser books are what got me into the whole detective genre in the first place, makes it extra dissapointing that Parker seems content to just churn out a couple of books a year without challenging himself or his readers . Parker is such a gifted writer that he can produce these standard run-of -the- mill books in his sleep, I wish he'd put in a little more effort and give us something more fullfilling.The two main reasons why I'm giving this book 2 instead of 3 stars are for the facts that the Susan/Spenser relationship is extra annoying this time around. They never, and I mean NEVER have a conversation without it including some mention about them having sex. I swear , Susan and Spenser could be talking about the Challenger blowing up and they would fit some coy sexual innuendo in there. The main reason though that this book irritated me , and I'm surprised nobody else mentioned it, is the fact that one of the characters in this book is basically described a few times as being a child molester and nobody in the book (except the bad guy!) seems to have a problem with it. Spenser seems downright sympathetic to this pedophile without it bothering him in the least. Truly bizarre.
Rating:
Summary: Still Good, but glad it wasn't my first Spenser read!
Review: Being a true fan of Robert Parker and his work I have to give this book a three on the scale. This book was the slowest moving that I have read so far. Hat's off to Spenser for staying loyal, (he always will) to Susan with the tempting, beautiful Clive sisters around.... If this was my first Spenser mystery I may not have become hooked on them. It is my 9th and by far the most disappointing one yet. I miss Hawk and some of the action. This story seemed to move very slow. I am looking forward to the next story, hoping it will be "back to normal". What I mean by that is having the, "Can't put this book down" feeling.
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