Hush Money (Spenser Book 26)

Dr. Parker is a genius in every aspect of his genre. Noteably he folds in excerpts from literature skillfully to his narative.Parker skillfully delves into psycholigical analysis through dialog with his lifetime partner Susan Silverman. In this way I agree with and have profited from much of his analysis of the rationale for his characters actions.Another dimension to Robert B Parker is how he integrates real life detecting with the inevitable interface between the police and organized crime and detective work.The overall theme of all of Parker's Spenser books is that of the hero. Spenser always tries to do the right thing. This happens at the expense of his finishing a case for free because he has been fired. Or, he might take on work for free for some aspect of life that is important to him. There are also the moral and the legal aspects of life. Spenser always true to the heroic nature of his character always leans towards moral behavior.No discussion of Spenser novels would be complete without the introduction of his complex and enigmatic character Hawk. For more on who Hawk is, buy the book.One of the most delightful aspects of all of the Spenser books is the wise cracks, repartee of the Bogart mode of tough guy back and forth.Here in summary we have the best of old time detective fiction. This is Rex Stout and Raymond Chandler supersharged and brought up to date.The above remarks apply to all the Spenser novels and are especially suited to Hush Money.

Spenser was an early favorite, but after a while I began to suspect his girlfriend, Susan Silverman, was actually writing the books and I gave up. I have no interest at all in those written or published post mortem. That's Capgras syndrome -- some alien mind taking over the physical body of Spenser. Ugh! I was left with a few Parker originals I hadn't read (or listened to). After a several Jack Reacher's in a row, I reconsidered, and lit on this audible version specifically because the narrator was Burt Reynolds! The fish out of water element -- a good-ol' boy voicing Boston bred tough-guy Spenser -- was irresistible. Come to find out, I loved the story and actually loved the narration. Mr. Reynold's has an enormous range of voices, can really act! but avoided doing a Boston accent for Spenser (although he nailed other character's with it). I think that was an excellent choice.And the story was Spenser as I remembered him, taking on some tough issues (race, sexuality) but not letting them overshadow the story by turning Spenser into a social worker.If anyone, like me, has given up on Spenser (although judging by the number of books "Parker" still publishes years after his death, there aren't many), Hush Money is an excellent place to reboot the excitement. And for Audible fans, Burt Reynold's reading is unsurpassed.

This is about as complex as a Spenser book can get. Spenser takes on two cases at once. He is asked to find out why a college instructor is denied tenure. And, a father wants to know why his son really committed suicide. As a favor he looks into a woman being stalked, a woman who falls in love with Spenser and will not accept no for an answer. And in the middle of it all Spenser's life is threatened by a racial group. Just the usual stuff to keep him busy.

If you are a Spenser fan you will love this book. The repertoire these characters provide is just wonderful. This is a good read, an easy read and the good guys are lovable. I think my husband and I have read every single Spenser novel that has been written. We even named one of our cats after the famed detective. Anxiously awaiting Parker's next book by whomever is authoring them now that the beloved RBP has passed. They are staying true to his style. Thank you, thank you thank you.

He's into if you are big and strong you can do anything an might beats anything else. His philosophy on life, love and etc. is his alone and I've experienced this on a personal basis and it stinks of I'm king of the mountain and you should listent too me. My personal take on people who are weight lifters and fighters is that basically they are huge cowards and use their strength to get their way in life. The guys I felt I could rely on were the common guys who would not impress you physically. The strong guys could never admit they could not do everything and would press ahead in spite of their weaknesses mentally and emotionally and get you into a whole lot of trouble. Ordinary guys know when they are in over their heads and take more reasoned paths. But, that's my experience and not the whole world.

Spenser at his best. Another pro bono special. Working for Susan and Hawk. Totally twisted. I think any Spenser fan will enjoy.

All the Spenser books are tightly woven mysteries set in Boston, MA and Robert Parker always brings the action to life with his dry wit and on the spot observations on life, love, faith, and crime. This was no different and I read it in one night as I usually do when it comes to the Spenser novels. This was a blackmail scheme turned murder on a college campus and it was definitely a page Turner.

When I give the writing a "good" rating I have to qualify that. Editor's, I believe, would rate Mr. Parker's technical skill as superb as usual. But in my estimation, the storyline became a bit confusing at times. Too many characters to keep track of, and he would often change from using the first name to using the last name when referring to the same character. This had me going back to find out which character he was talking about at that particular time. Overall, I would have to say it's a pretty good storyline; although somewhat didactic, perhaps..

Another for my husband's collection

Very good.

二つの事件を併行して解決するストーリ－なので、少し入り組んでいるが後半はスピーディーないつもの展開。ホークの過去が分かるのも面白い。ここまでこのシリーズを読んで来ると、昔、お爺さんが講談本読んでいるような心境。もう何をどうかいても結構。とにかく読もうと思うものの、他の本も読まなければならないので、シリーズ26冊目の本作で読み止め。楽しい読書を有難うという心境です。

ホークの人生の恩人が現れ，その息子の危機を救う仕事と，スーザンの友人がストーカーに付け回されている問題を調査する仕事を同時並行にこなすスペンサー．ホークの少年期が回想されるのはファンにとっては新しく嬉しい発見．また，白人が黒人を差別するという単純な問題に留まらず，現在のアメリカの複雑な人種問題をうまく組み込んでいるのが素晴らしい．これで物語が何重にも厚みのあるものになっている．英文学教授の経験もあるパーカーが大学の終身雇用権をテーマの一部に組み入れたのも面白いし，スーザンがスペンサーに教わった通りに人を殴り倒すラストにも驚きと笑いが含まれている．

古本でも、気にならない。たまに、折れているページがあったりしますが、全く気にしません。本当にたまに、前持ち主さんが書き込みをしているブツに当たりますが、それはそれで面白い。古本は有難いです。