Rating: 
Summary: The Spenser Reviews: God Help the Reader
Review: After a very auspicious start, Spenser stumbles badly in this, the second of the series. Other than meeting Susan Silverman, who is not that much more than Brenda Loring with brains in this book, the story is an unappealing shaggy dog tale of a screwed up kid who may or may not be kidnapped, his goofy dad and his drunken, nymphomaniac mother. The resolution of the story is entirely regrettable. Even Parker must have thought so, because he basically re-did this plot in a masterly fashion in the later classic, "Early Autummn."Don't read this as your first Spenser book; start with the first one and skip this one or save it for last. It's definitely not worth your time.
Rating: 
Summary: The first of two perfect partners for Spenser ...
Review: Although, Spenser continues his ogling ways, he meets his match in Susan Silverman. You know the repartee can only develop between these too, and you know that Spenser sees a certain toughness in Susan that compliments his own. After two books, Parker continues to put the fun in dsyfunctional, as he creates the perfect suburban couple trying to be something they're not (a recurring them in most Spenser novels). Yet, he leaves enough room for redemption, and the beginnings of reformation and restoration. Once finished, I couldn't wait to continue Spenser's journey, and see where Parker would go next. My annual ritual of moving through the series - for 10 years now - never fails to satisfy.
Rating: 
Summary: OK book... Beginning to really like Spenser though
Review: I can actually visualize these books on TV. Smart-ass detective, predictable plots. So far, it's true. You don't read these books for the plot, you read them for the funny antics of Spenser.
I am hoping these get better or I may have to stop reading them.
It's kind of like...ho hum another Spenser book.
Rating: 
Summary: Introducing Susan Silverman
Review: I had read almost all the Spenser books before I got to this one, and so I was fascinated by how it foreshadowed the rest of the series. Most notably, it introduces us to Susan Silverman -- at this point a high school guidance counselor but later to become a psychologist. And she is why this is a 4-star, not a 5-star, review. By my lights, she remains the weakest element of this entertaining and evergreen series. Spenser is almost instantly besotted by her, and I have no idea why. She is pretty and dresses well, but isn't the greater Boston metropolitan area filled with attractive fashionistas? She doesn't quite instantly fall into bed with Spenser, but then again, I'm sure that there are many women who don't automatically have sex with private detectives they meet at work. Her insights are not that brilliant. While she is not as high maintenance here as she becomes in future books, nor as pretentious, she is still not all that remarkable. All this said, the mystery itself is wonderful. The plot twists kept me intrigued. And Spenser himself is fascinating. True to his code and filled with compassion and integrity, he is still my favorite sleuth with a series. (Apologies to Nero and Archie!)
Rating:
Summary: One of Parker's Best!
Review: I have read Robert B. Parker since I was 13 and devour his Spenser books instantly, as he is one of only three authors that I will buy in hardback (Grafton and Evanovich are the other two). So I feel qualified in stating that this is one of his best stories in the series. Spenser is hired by the Bartlett's to find their missing son. Mom and Dad are far from perfect - Mom's a self-centered alcoholic, Dad's a passive workaholic. Kevin, the son, appears to have been kidnapped (I'll leave the plot surprises for you to discover!), and it's up to Spenser to save him. This is truly Parker at his best. The plot is terrific and never becomes secondary to Spenser's emotional life, as sometimes happens. This also happens to be the book that introduces the erstwhile Susan Silverman, which adds a nice kick to the story. The fact that this story takes place in the mid to late 70's in no way detracts from its value. Buy this book and treasure it!
Rating:
Summary: One of Parker's Best!
Review: I have read Robert B. Parker since I was 13 and devour his Spenser books instantly, as he is one of only three authors that I will buy in hardback (Grafton and Evanovich are the other two). So I feel qualified in stating that this is one of his best stories in the series. Spenser is hired by the Bartlett's to find their missing son. Mom and Dad are far from perfect - Mom's a self-centered alcoholic, Dad's a passive workaholic. Kevin, the son, appears to have been kidnapped (I'll leave the plot surprises for you to discover!), and it's up to Spenser to save him. This is truly Parker at his best. The plot is terrific and never becomes secondary to Spenser's emotional life, as sometimes happens. This also happens to be the book that introduces the erstwhile Susan Silverman, which adds a nice kick to the story. The fact that this story takes place in the mid to late 70's in no way detracts from its value. Buy this book and treasure it!
Rating:
Summary: Tight Story
Review: I'm a newbie and feeling good about getting started in the Spenser series. Spenser is a great human character, with nicely developed strengths and weaknesses, and a beautiful ability to downplay both in every conversation. He gets the job done no matter which obstacles his client throws in the way and finds something good in each person no matter how unpleasant they are. I like this guy.
Rating:
Summary: Tight Story
Review: I'm a newbie and feeling good about getting started in the Spenser series. Spenser is a great human character, with nicely developed strengths and weaknesses, and a beautiful ability to downplay both in every conversation. He gets the job done no matter which obstacles his client throws in the way and finds something good in each person no matter how unpleasant they are. I like this guy.
Rating:
Summary: A vast improvement over the first Spenser novel
Review: In this second Spenser "novel of suspense," our hero is trying to find Kevin Bartlett, a fifteen-year old who has disappeared from his parent's affluent home out in the Boston suburbs. The parents and the local cop think Kevin is just another runaway, but the fact that the kid left with just his guinea pig makes Spenser suspicious. However, when the ransom note shows up in the form of a cartoon strip and the kidnappers make a phone call with a jingle, things are only beginning to become confusing. Add to this the fact that the Bartletts are not the world's happiest couple and the suspicions just keep piling up for Spenser. "God Save the Child" is a vast improvement over Parker's first Spenser novel, simply because he has reigned in the character a bit by doing a relatively simple thing: providing a couple of characters who can appreciate Spenser's skewed sense of humor and more importantly understand his skills and devotion. The first character is Lieutenant Healy, a State Cop willing to use Spenser instead of doing the stereotypical real cop distaste for private detectives. The second, of course, is Susan Silverman, making her first appearance in the series. The two character click and know pretty much from the first moment they have found someone special in the other, which is a welcome relief after Spenser's sexual escapades in the first novel. Add to this the fact that Spenser succeeds as much by persistence as he does by virtue of being smarter than everybody else on the scene. The final scenes are not only exciting for the action they contain, but I also appreciate what the climax reveals about the collection of unhappy people this story is about. Although it has been a quarter of a century since "God Save the Child" was written, the period references are relatively inconsequential. As always, Parker's novels are a quick and easy read, perfect for those of us who live the commuter life.
Rating:
Summary: Parker gets to second base...
Review: In this second Spenser novel, Parker finally gets off running. The first one was a bit sketchy, with Spenser being drawn with large strokes, but not yet as solid a character as he becomes here. You don't really read these novels for the plot; you read them for the great dialogue, the humor, the repartee, and Spenser. Okay, the story's good as well - Spenser looks for a missing boy, after the parents hire him, but ends up finding more than he bargained for. In this novel, Spenser meets his lady-love, Susan, who has an important role throughout much of the later novels. A fine Spenser, and Parker is now at cruising speed. Read the rest of the series.
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