Rating:  Summary: "Hush Money" Review: I have not read "Hush Money", yet. I plan to. I like Parker's style and have not missed a Spenser book yet. I like the Jesse Stone character even more. I just wish Parker would either kill off the Jennifer Stone character or send her back to Los Angeles. She is totally annoying, just like Susan Silverman. However, they are a part of what makes the books work, even the slow parts. Keep writing Parker and I will keep reading. Stephanie
Rating:  Summary: Spenser is back in form! Review: A terrifically funny, and fun, fast read, perfect for vacation or the plane. The double plot keeps momentum peaked, and this Spenser novel thankfully lacks the bitterness that crept into the middle of this long and successful series. Parker's crisp, spare style looks deceptively easy but is the mark of a master of the genre. Highly recommended.
Rating:  Summary: Same old, same old--but good stuff. Review: I've read 'em all...and Spenser and Hawk are always macho Spenser and Hawk, and Susan is perfect, and smart, and beautiful, and thin. Nothing much is different in "Hush Money"--except that there are two plots which play off each other, both revolving around masculinity and sexuality and the distortions that each can bring to human lives. That lends a little depth to the action line, I think. Parker's writing style is as spare and humorous as it always has been: delightful dialogue and punchy chapter endings, and--something I hadn't realized before--nicely evocative descriptions. I was in Boston when I read this book, and so I slipped over to Harvard Square and looked at it through Robert Parker's eyes. It's all there, every wonderful detail. It's good stuff.
Rating:  Summary: First Spenser novel Review: Hush Money was my first Parker/Spenser novel, but it certainly won't be my last! I loved the witty dialogue, the intricate plot, the characters, and the exposure of political realities behind the ivy covered walls. Burt Reynolds narration was right on target - he's the perfect Spenser read. I will purposely look for more Parker/Reynolds combinations.
Rating:  Summary: Surprisingly good Review: I had avoided reading Hush Money for many months because I feel that Parker has been coasting for many years. I have been getting tired of the basic plot of the invincible Spenser and his trusty sidekick Hawk bashing their way through mysteries. Hush Money reminded me of how much I enjoy Parker's writing. His characters are fun to listen to, and his descriptions are very funny -- I laughed out loud many times. Overall, I'd recommend the paperback version of this book. It's a quick, enjoyable read.
Rating:  Summary: Wait for paperback Review: In Sudden Mischief, Parker started to erode his historical credibility. Susan's first husband, who a couple of books before had given her Pearl when he left for London, reappears. Unfortunately, now he hasn't seen Susan in 20 years, and his relationship with the dog has been forgotten. Also, Parker changes his mind on whether Giacomin's dad is still sending him money or not. This trend gets worse in Hush Money. Spenser should be about 65, and the same age as Hawk. However, we find out that Hawk is about 3 years older than a forty year old. This would be fine, if Parker decided to just go the Kinsey Mahone or Hercule Poirot route, which he would have to do soon anyway if he wanted Spenser to keep beating people up. But, the inconsistencies are worse; for example, his car blows up, and soon reappears. In addition, there are many awkward plot twists, and several times when credibility becomes an issue. Overall, this reads like a first draft. Parker fans will still want to read it- but at least avoid the hardback costs.
Rating:  Summary: Going Through the Motions Review: I barely got through the first chapter of this book. About halfway through the second, I couldn't read any more. The dialogue between Hawk, Spenser, Susan, etc. remains contrived, silly, ridiculous, and boring. How much more can we endure of Spenser's waxing on (and on and on and on) about how lovely Susan Silverman is? How reality seems to coalesce about her? And Pearl the Wonder Dog is just plain annoying. Not to mention the secret, unspoken code only Hawk and Spenser understand. Seems to me Parker is just borrowing snippets of earlier Spenser books (the bad ones) to come up with a new novel. Why bother? If Parker's lost the passion he should stop writing them! Save a few trees. It's a pity. Spenser was great up to and including "Valediction." Now Hawk, Spenser, Susan, et. al. have become parodies of themselves. Check out Dennis Lehane instead (the first three novels, anyway.) He was certainly inspired by Parker, but I think he still respects his craft. Though I fear I detected indications in the fourth novel of his falling victim to the same temptations of parodying his characters as Mr. Parker.
Rating:  Summary: I enjoyed it very much, Burt's reading was very enjoyable! Review: I found this book interesting and I found Burt's reading of it right on target. I found myself laughing out loud in a couple of spots and appreciate Robert Parker's sense of humor. I adore Spenser, Hawk, Susan and Pearl. You keep writing them and I'll keep buying them.
Rating:  Summary: Best Yet of Robert B. Parker Review: Parker's delghtful character descriptions plus Burt Reynolds reading would be a must even without a plot--So far--Hush Money is our favorite. And Burt Reynolds is magnificent with each character he reads.
Rating:  Summary: Where's my exciting Spenser and Hawk ending in this book Review: This book started out very promising at the beginning. It was great getting a little background on Hawk. But the ending of this book let me down big time. I'm always looking for Spenser and Hawk to go out with a bigger bang than they've gone out in Parker's past several Spenser novels. This books leads you to believe that thats going to happen. Spenser working between the two cases is very intriguing. Even if the stalker plot starts to drag a little bit. I feel that this book was missing the action packed ending that the murder plot was leading to. Those of us that have read Parker's first Spenser novels know what I'm talking about. Are Spenser and Hawk becoming soft in they're old age....please say it is'nt so.
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