Rating: 
Summary: Do the Right Thing
Review: A would-be elegant lady hires wise-cracking private detective Spencer to find her 15-year old son Paul and bring him back. She suspects her ex-husband is behind it all and sends Spencer to him first. Spencer reluctantly takes the case and quickly learns that between a neurotic mother and a shady no-good father, young Paul has no interest in what life with either of them has to offer. Seeing that the parents really don't care about Paul except as a leverage tool to get at each other, Spencer is forced to make a tough and risky decision about the boy's future. 'Early Autumn' is a great story about doing the right thing. Parker packs a lot into the book's 213 pages: action, tough guys, tough talk, slimy criminals, how to build a cabin, even ballet! Spencer is a great detective character who cares about doing the right thing and making honorable choices. A good, fun read that's over too quickly.
Rating:
Summary: Do the Right Thing
Review: A would-be elegant lady hires wise-cracking private detective Spencer to find her 15-year old son Paul and bring him back. She suspects her ex-husband is behind it all and sends Spencer to him first. Spencer reluctantly takes the case and quickly learns that between a neurotic mother and a shady no-good father, young Paul has no interest in what life with either of them has to offer. Seeing that the parents really don't care about Paul except as a leverage tool to get at each other, Spencer is forced to make a tough and risky decision about the boy's future. 'Early Autumn' is a great story about doing the right thing. Parker packs a lot into the book's 213 pages: action, tough guys, tough talk, slimy criminals, how to build a cabin, even ballet! Spencer is a great detective character who cares about doing the right thing and making honorable choices. A good, fun read that's over too quickly.
Rating:
Summary: TOO SHORT, TOO SHORT!
Review: Great but too short. Should of been deeper. Covers a subject matter that hit home for me.
Parental neglect, of the type where the parents, who's rotten relationship is so all consuming that you, the only child, become just another unwanted burden they can't or don't want to deal with so they cope with you by disregarding your very existence. Add to that the fact that the parents themselves have no friends and discourage you from bringing any home. Add to that the child is shy and not too bright to begin with and you end up with a 15 yr old who's still 8 yrs old.....a looser, a total blank slate. I'd like to see Parker redo this one. Spenser came along and saved the kid.
Rating:
Summary: Easily one of Parker's Best
Review: I am a big fan of Parker's writing and of the Spenser books in particular, so I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite of his, but Early Autumn would certainly be right up there. At once it combines all the elements of Spenser's hard-boiled detective universe with the coming-of-age of Paul, a regular character in subsequent Spenser novels. Handled with delicate realism and devoid of sappy sentimentality, Early Autumn is easily one of the most human of the Spenser stories. It is quick and light, and good for a weekend afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: Easily one of Parker's Best
Review: I am a big fan of Parker's writing and of the Spenser books in particular, so I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite of his, but Early Autumn would certainly be right up there. At once it combines all the elements of Spenser's hard-boiled detective universe with the coming-of-age of Paul, a regular character in subsequent Spenser novels. Handled with delicate realism and devoid of sappy sentimentality, Early Autumn is easily one of the most human of the Spenser stories. It is quick and light, and good for a weekend afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best in the series
Review: I just finished re-reading this novel...it's great...everything that makes a Spenser mystery great is in here to the max...unfortunately, what sometimes makes a Spenser maddening is also present...Susan, Spenser's girl. This self-centered little Miss Priss is just begging for a dump!
Rating: 
Summary: Hardy Boys for Bigger Kids, but its not as good
Review: I read this book for a class, yes a class, and in reading this book I had to look beyond the fact that my teacher has an infatuation with small boys in tights. I looked beyond that and tried to get into the story, but it seemed that the plot came out of an old Lassie Show. The authour has next to no writing skill, and he seems to keep pumping out books for the money. If you want to contribute to this quest, buy the book, if you are sane you won't.
Rating:
Summary: One of the few Spenser books I remember vividly
Review: I think this is Parker's best Spenser book since the characters seemsed to be more alive and more commpassoniate in this book. A definate must read!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite Robert B. Parker books
Review: I'm an avid Robert B. Parker fan---Spenser lives in my mind, and I enjoying adventuring with him. "Early Autumn" strikes me as one of Parker's most touching stories, focusing on the the intereactions of Spenser and a troubled teen, Paul Giacomin. Besides Spenser's unfailing wit, he throws out some great comments and admonitions about growing up. What makes Spenser's remarks even more satisfying is that in the discourse between Paul and Spenser, things are not neat and tidy. Life is not always fair, nor do we always control the awful events that sometimes hit us like a solid left hook. But Spenser also assures Paul that individuals can control many things in their own lives, and that's where our focus needs to be.
Rating:
Summary: Best I've read so far...
Review: I've only recently discovered Robert Parker and I've been working my way thru his books, 15 of them so far. Early Autumn is the best yet. Very good reading.
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