Rating: 
Summary: Question the Good Reviews on this One
Review: Skimming the existing reviews, and having read WIDOW'S WALK myself, I have to conclude that the readers who gave this novel a high rating (4 or 5 stars) didn't read the same book that I did.I have to wonder whether friends of Mr. Parker are logging on and attempting to boost his ratings. WIDOW'S WALK is horrible. I agree with what a previous reviewer wrote when he said that Parker should at least use a new outline. There's no question that the story in WIDOW'S WALK is thin, if not outright nonexistent, and the number of typos and inconsistencies in the novel leads me to fault Mr. Parker's publisher and editors. Given the number and variety of other entertainments available to readers today, when a member of the reading public pays [good money] for a book, the thing better be at least READABLE. Other points: 1. To the Reader: I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. It didn't. 2. Mr. Parker: Please stop trying to show us how open-minded you and/or Spenser are with your affected acceptance of characters with alternative lifestyles. These characters often play no part in the story and are obviously added to give Spenser additional crutches to solve his cases. 3. Mr. Parker: Enough with the descriptions of characters' clothing. These attempts at characterization are insulting to the reader and create stereotypes, not characters. 4. To the Reader: I normally love his stuff. As another reviewer wrote, there are many other Spenser options out there. Read them instead.
Rating:
Summary: at least work with a new outline
Review: The first ten Spenser books gave the reader a reason to care about the character, after that, I think Parker believed he could use the same outline and create a retirement plan for himself. Every office girl is cute, Hawk still is not in prison or dead, that banter is boring and Spenser is fat. The stories are the same, and not once, even in his other books (Jesse Stone) was there a plot twist or at least a variation in the pattern of how Parker "builds" the stories. Thank God I have gotten his last five books from the library. The money I saved, I bought John Sandford books instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Smash Hit for the Pithy Boston Gumshoe
Review: Robert B. Parker's pithy and literate private detective Spenser, with an S" like the English poet, is back with his street smart sidekick Hawk for a thrilling novel that will fill you up like a fine meal at Spenser's favorite restaurant the East Coast Grill. Startling accusations against his "main squeeze" Susan Silverman provide an interesting side story to the already brilliant and flexuous mystery into the matter of just who killed banker Nathan Smith? Spenser and Hawk's usual descants on issues of the day also make this a novel to remember.
Also brought up again in this novel are the issues of homosexuality. Although this is no surprise given what we know about Dr. Parker's sons, it is always a treat to hear Dr. Parker's moderate yet enlightened vista on this touchy question. Any fan of Parker, Spenser, mysteries, or just a good book should read this fabulous novel.
Rating: 
Summary: I caught a typo!
Review: I'm not one to gloat, but sometimes I just can't help myself! On page 288, line 16, the word "now" appears. I'm 99% certain that the word should be "low." I can't give the scene away to explain, since the plot depends on it. It's definitely not Parker's best Spenser novel by far, but it's still entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner
Review: If you like Spenser you will love this book! He's back and at it again with his long-time love,Susan,and Hawk,who plays a large roll in this book. It's worth reading just for the clever repartee between Spenser and Hawk. Nathan Smith,a millionaire,is murdered and his dumber than dumb wife,Mary, is suspected of killing him. Her lawyer,Rita,hires Spenser to investigate,along with the police. What follows is a cast of characters who all seem to die after Spenser talks to them. The development of each of these is so well done,as always. Unless you read this book in one sitting it is hard to remember who is who and on pp.244 when Spenser is telling Susan about the case she replies "You're giving me a headache." Exactly!! This does not deter from the book as it all falls nicely in place,as do all of Robert Parker's books. Spenser is the consummate Renaissance man,discussing the advantages of chopped chives in egg salad with Susan, to breaking a man's nose in a parking garage. It is hard to resolve the fact that this is a detective novel with many murders,as it often reads like something out of Comedy Central. I loved this book;I love Spenser; I love Hawk,Susan, and even Pearl,the dog. Robert Parker's talent for witty conversation between his characters is unsurpassed,as is his ability to write an exciting novel. I always look forward to his next book. He never lets us down
Rating:
Summary: Worse than Potshot
Review: I thought Potshot was an indication that Parker no longer felt the need to write a good book; this one solidifies my feelings. I guess he'll continue as long as people buy his books--but this one is a dog!
Rating:
Summary: Thank goodness for Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall...
Review: ...I always look forward to the latest Spenser novel and pre-order it from Amazon as soon as it appears. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of suspense here - while there was some mystery as to "whodunnit," there was no real sense of urgency or danger. Sad to say, this seemed more like a decent episode of "Law & Order" than the latest and greatest from Mr. Parker. I, too, look forward to the next installment - but give us some more Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall, too!
Rating:
Summary: Widow's Walk
Review: Parker (the old pro) has done it again. Just when I seem to be going into a slump (reading bad books), in comes Parker with another HOME RUN. Spenser, Susan and Hawk are all in top form in this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Braithwaite is Crazy -- WIDOW'S WALK is boring
Review: He may be a TOP 500 reviewer, but Kent Braithwaite's review of WIDOW'S WALK is way off the mark. This is one of the most BORING installments in the Spenser series, and this comment is coming from a die-hard Boston Red Sox and Robert Parker fan. There are several outright grammatical errors and typos in the book, which leads this non-TOP 500 reviewer to conclude that a) it was a first draft of the novel or b) his editor(s) are getting lazy. Save your $$$; wait for this to come out in paper.
Rating: 
Summary: A standard Spenser novel -- and that ain't bad
Review: There are no big surprises in "Widow's Walk" and no great social questions to be explored. It is very much a standard Spenser novel, where the stalwart and flippant Boston PI takes on the bad guys. The case is simple: investigate the murder of a wealthy banker to help his much younger blonde wife beat the homicide charge. She can't be as dumb as she seems. Or maybe she really is. Spenser and Hawk and Susan are their usual selves. Not an earthshaking novel, but a good fast read that kept me turning the pages as more and more bodies piled up. Hey, "Widow's Walk" isn't going to win the Pulitzer Prize, but I'll be waiting happily for next year's Spenser novel...
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