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Summary: A MEMORABLE READING BY JOE MANTEGNA
Review: Few voice artists can rival Joe Mantegna. He brings an unparalleled depth of understanding to the characters he represents. Perhaps this isn't surprising when one remembers that he's a Tony Award-winner for his portrayal of the memorable Richard Roma in David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross. His stellar Broadway credits would be impressive enough, but don't forget the big screen - he's starred in such feature films as Godfather III, Bugsy, and Searching for Bobby Fischer. Mantegna brings every ounce of this ability to his readings - close your eyes, relax, and let the story unfold as only he can tell it. And, this story is a spellbinder. Robert Parker brings back Spenser, one of America's favorite private investigators in another suspenseful tale laced with spine tingling action and crunching dialogue. When 51-year-old Nathan Smith is murdered, his young wife is immediately suspect. Few believe her innocence but she has multi millions so she retains the best to get her out of this jam. Never one to turn down a hefty fee, Spenser takes the case even though the widow's alibi wouldn't stand up in a slight breeze. Mary Smith says she was watching the tube in another room when her husband went to join the heavenly host. Furthermore, witnesses saw the couple loudly disagreeing earlier in the evening and the prosecution has a fellow eager to testify that Mary once tried to pay him to kill Nathan. Stir in another murder and you have a tempest in tea town. Good luck Spenser!
As always the remarkable Mr. Parker gives readers what they want - roller coaster ride action, and cleverly conceived characters. Mr. Mantegna gives listeners what they want - a superb reading. - Gail Cooke
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Summary: How can a murder mystery seem so bright?
Review: The answer to the question is Parker's sense of wit and his positive outlook. Breezing through this book while trapped on a 9-hour trans-Atlantic flight from Hell, I was reminded of why Spenser has been so successful as a character -- he uses intelligence and principles to solve crimes and to live his life. There is no wallowing in self doubt after Spenser shoots a 2-bit hood who tries to kill him. Spenser is a true heroic man that anyone would love to have as a friend and hate to have as an enemy. Just another great read from Parker.
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Summary: A disappointing 'Walk'
Review: This might have been a relativly reasonable book if Mr. Parker had bothered to use an occasional adjective or adverb, or cared enough about the quality of the writing to do something other than pages of dialogue consisiting of 'Yes', 'Yes?', 'Yes'
What a cheat.
We learn nothing new about Spenser, Hawk, or Susan, we only learn that Pearl the Wonder Dog is growing old. Aren't we all.
If I could give this so-called book a minus star, I would. Parker has proved he CAN write. Why didn't he?
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Summary: Not a Pulitzer, but still a good read.
Review: If one takes the photograph of Parker on the back of the dust cover seriously, I would say the man is looking quite healthy for someone who is turning 70 this year. It is too bad his writing hasn't kept pace. While this novel isn't his best, it is most assuredly a lot better than Hugger Mugger. It does show that he is still capable of giving us the kind of action and plot structure we have come to expect of him.
Like others, I am glad to see Parker is now writng about other characters, especially Jesse Stone. It is indeed time for Spenser to retire.
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Summary: Don¿t Expect To Be Challenged
Review: This may not be the best entry of the Spenser series, but it does serve to while away the hours in amused comfort, happy in the knowledge that Spenser's still out there in all his brash glory. There's nothing particularly deep or clever about Widow's Walk, nor does the Spenser character grow or develop, but then, they can't all be zingers, can they? Spenser is called in by lawyer Rita Fiore to help prove that her client, the amazingly vacuous Mary Smith, did not murder her husband. Not an easy task when a lot of the evidence points directly at her, she has a lousy alibi and she stands to receive 10 million dollars thanks to her husband's life insurance policy. As is his usual method, Spenser proceeds to ask as many questions of as many people as possible hoping to eventually discover something meaningful. This time out, it seems to take a little longer than usual with fewer results. However, his winning smile and unique questioning technique eventually sees him making enough headway to put together a mishmash of clues. I found the ending pretty unsatisfying and more confusing than anything. It was almost as if it were more important to showcase Spenser's smart-aleck verbal sparring than it was to wrap up the case for the reader. Due to the large amount of dialogue and the double spaced lines, Widow's Walk is a very quick read that is probably best used to put your brain into neutral for a few hours. Those who have read the earlier Spenser books should forgive Parker this one, those who haven't would probably be best served in going back to try a few of the earlier books first.
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Summary: The Beefy Bostonian
Review: Robert Parker delivers on his Spenser formula (still my favorite!) with the wisecracking and oh too cool and beefy Bostonian, the ever sensitive Spenser. Along for the ride are Susan (feeling a little angst), Pearl (feeling a lot of age) and the hunky Hawk, as well as Rita Fiore and various familiar policemen. The bodies really stack up as Spenser tries to determine the innocence of his exceedingly dimwitted client. As usual, there are glimpses of Boston, gourmet food, clever insight, and the brilliant and droll dialogue any true Spenser fan just can't get enough of.
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Summary: He's done it again
Review: All of Parker's novels have a solid feel about people trying to do the right thing in unsavory situations. He currently has three different major characters (not counting one side journey into the life of Wyatt Earp) and Spenser is the longest-lived and most consistent of the three. Jesse Stone is a former Los Angeles big city policeman turned small town police chief wrestling with alcoholism and loneliness. Sunny Randall is a woman private investigator still in love with her ex husband but needing to be on her own to explore life. They are both engaging but neither of them is Spenser. For a generation Spenser has been wandering through Boston and the environs solving crimes, protecting the innocent, and sometimes just wandering. Spenser, of course, is never really alone. He is in love with Susan Silverman, a psychologist. They have been together for 25 years as this story unfolds (which gives me a hint how long I have been hanging out with them). Her dog is getting old and might someday soon have to be put away (a topic they discuss with more objectivity and less affection than I would like). When things get difficult Spenser can call on Hawk, his African American sidekick and protector, for support. There is always an undercurrent of Hawk being stronger and maybe even smarter but not as balanced as Spenser. In Widow's Walk a very wealthy man has been killed and his wife is the obvious culprit. Then her defense lawyer brings Spenser into the case and things begin to unravel. I doubt if anyone who read the first four chapters could predict the ending. Parker both keeps you absorbed with the story and comfortable with the usual characters and a few new suspects. Someday someone will write an interesting book about the evolution of American society as seen through Spenser's lifetime. This book is a good contribution to that experience.
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Summary: Underwhelming Spenser Thriller!
Review: I have to agree with the consensus in that this is not the best Spenser novel. In fact, it is not even in the upper 50%. I guess they all can't be winners, however, it is disappointing when one has so enjoyed the witty repartee that has usually existed among the central characters of Spenser, Susan, Hawk, Quirk and Belson, et al. This just doesn't exist in Widow's Walk, nor does the plot make up for it. Too bad, but I'll definitely eagerly await the next in the series because Parker will always deserve another chance with all the enjoyment he has given us over the years.
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Summary: ABSOLUTELY THE WORST!!
Review: I have read every Robert Parker book ever written - I love Robert Parker. However, this was his worst book ever. There were so many characters in this book that I couldn't keep track of them all and finally got so frustrated that I didn't care who they were. Of course, being a die hard Robert Parker fan, I read it to the bitter end, but it wasn't worth the effort it took to turn the pages.
Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: It's nice to be able to heap some praise on Parker for this effort. Typically fast paced, well thought out plot (even if we've seen it all before), and my favorite characters in action. This is one of the better Spenser novels in years and highly enjoyable.
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