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(3.01) - 2,284 listener ratings
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Renaissance man Spenser - he of the acerbic social commentary, the gourmet cookery, and the steely abs - turns his considerable talents to the unraveling of a thirty-year-old murder mystery. During a 1974 holdup in a Boston bank by a revolutionary group calling itself the Dread Scott Brigade, Emily Gordon, a visitor cashing traveler's checks, is shot and killed. Despite security-camera photos and a letter from the group claiming responsibility, nobody saw who shot her, and the perpetrators have remained at large for three decades. Enter Paul Giacomin, the closest thing to Spenser's son. When Paul's friend Daryl Gordon, Emily's daughter, decides she needs closure regarding her mother's death, she turns to Spenser, who must reach past the lack of clues and missing FBI report to seek the truth.
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"Man, Parker's good! Spenser and Hawk are really cool and really funny. Tight, crisp prose, characters who have chemistry who you want to care about. It's hard for me to find authors that I really like. I think I can add Parker to my stable of favorites, which is great since there's something like 29 other Spenser books."
— Ted (4 out of 5 stars)
Back Story Listener Reviews
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Codename Eric, 4/24/2019
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" Not my first Robert B. Parker book and while I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite of his. Like his other works this is an easy read, filled with wit, humour, and gun fights. "
— Christopher, 2/14/2014 -
" Private detective Spenser solves a 28 year old murder, but the woman who hired him finds the revelations too disturbing and no longer wants to know. A fun read from an enduring hard boiled detective character--a very good series. "
— Steven, 2/12/2014 -
" Reading Parker's detective stories are like eating a favorite dessert--not at all nutritious, a guilty pleasure, and you know exactly what you're going to get. "
— Ronald, 2/11/2014 -
" I love the banter and sense of humor of all the Spenser series. "
— Fran, 2/10/2014 -
" In this installment, Spenser's dislike of the 60s counterculture is thrown in to sharp relief, as he attempts to solve a murder that happened a long time ago. And we have a cameo by Jesse Stone, too. A delicious crime novel. "
— Steve, 1/27/2014 -
" Spenser wraps it up with a high-stakes confab. I think he'll still be looking over his shoulder, though. "
— Troy, 1/11/2014 -
" I have read most of the Spencer books, they're quick read that is purely entertaining but the dialogue is pretty contrived. Maybe I've just read too many of these but I know I'll keep reading more! "
— Janelle, 1/8/2014 -
" Not one of the best Spensers, but acceptable. Spenser solves a 28-year old murder which it seems like everyone wants to cover up. "
— Marty, 1/1/2014 -
" Another book so I can write discussion questions. At least it's a Spenser book, which are always fast moving and entertaining. "
— Karla, 11/18/2013 -
" Love the Hawk- Spenser interaction. "
— Ginny, 11/10/2013 -
" not as good as his earlier work. Quick ending. "
— May, 11/4/2013 -
" Very Good; Continuing character: Spenser; Spenser helps friend of a friend by unravleing a 28 year old murder of a radical during a bank robbery "
— Joe, 9/16/2013 -
" quick like all of Parker's. Takes off in directions not readily apparent. "
— B, 7/24/2013 -
" A so so book by Robert Parker. Tried to be funny but wasn't. "
— Bruce, 7/24/2013 -
" I love the Spenser books. I've read most of them and I don't know how this one slipped past me. If you are looking for a book to read that you can blow through, you can't beat a Spenser book. "
— Robert, 5/22/2013 -
" This is one of the Spenser books. I read it because Parker died recently and I've not really read any of the Spenser or Jesse Stone books. I liked the story and would have probably rated it 3 1/2, but definitely not a 4. It was okay. "
— Katy, 5/19/2013 -
" Robert Parker's writing is really crisp and fun. It's like an efficiency machine. If a word doesn't advance the plot, it's not in there. Really fun to read. "
— Ginny, 5/2/2013 -
" One of my Favorite in the Spenser series. Spenser has taken over my life. "
— Debby, 12/28/2012 -
" Nancy 4.5 stars; Ron 5 stars "
— Ron, 12/8/2012 -
" I forget between readings just how much I enjoy the banter in this book. I always get the feeling that I'm watching a really good TV show or movie because the visual image dragged up is so vivid. This one is just as good...and gives a little vision of the Jesse Stone character in other books! "
— Teresa, 11/29/2012 -
" My first Parker story, but it won't be my last. Great murder mystery - wonderful dialogue and a bit with a dog. : ) "
— Vannetta, 8/20/2012 -
" fun, listened to it as audio book with joe mantenga reading it. "
— Jose, 7/18/2012 -
" Typical Spenser tale which means still the best PI out there. "
— Mailmanr5, 6/10/2012 -
" I'm really going to miss Robert B. Parker and the Spenser series. "
— Janice, 2/3/2012 -
" A typical Spencer story. I liked this one and most of the other that I have read. I was sorry to hear that Parker died. "
— Bill, 11/17/2011 -
" As always, the highlight of a Robert B Parker novel is the dialogue. Maybe not the most exciting audiobook I've listened to all year, but serviceable. And it's nice to know that Joe Mantegna is keeping busy. "
— Carrie, 10/19/2011 -
" Good basic Spenser - he meets Jesse Stone, the other Parker cop (with a few more problems). Spenser is one of my favorite would-be alter egos - smart, handsome, athletic, witty, and a tough, mean mo-fo when the chips are down. Fun to read about, and play pretend. "
— Wes, 6/10/2011 -
" potboiler, good for the drive north "
— Linda, 2/23/2011 -
" I really enjoy reading his Spencer series. I like his dry humor and his books are a good read after reading something really intense. "
— Judi, 1/2/2011 -
" Spenser keeps going - a great twist at the end of this one, and a nice mix of caricatures - hippie, mob, civil rights era - and a "cold case" to boot. Fun. "
— Jonathan, 11/4/2010 -
" My first Parker story, but it won't be my last. Great murder mystery - wonderful dialogue and a bit with a dog. : ) "
— Vannetta, 6/26/2010 -
" A typical Spencer story. I liked this one and most of the other that I have read. I was sorry to hear that Parker died. "
— William, 6/18/2010 -
" Spenser calls in some IOUs to help his adopted son. "
— Hapzydeco, 4/27/2010 -
" A re-read...maybe for the third time, not sure. Was studying for yet another teacher certification test (Middle school English) and needed a distraction as only RBP can provide. <br/> <br/>I will miss him. "
— OK, 4/19/2010 -
" If you like Spenser, you will like this book. Vintage Spencer and a lot of fun! "
— Donna, 4/4/2010 -
" I'm really going to miss Robert B. Parker and the Spenser series. "
— Janice, 2/21/2010 -
" Robert Parker's writing is really crisp and fun. It's like an efficiency machine. If a word doesn't advance the plot, it's not in there. Really fun to read. "
— Ginny, 2/18/2010 -
" Pearl the dog dies. Long live Pearl the dog. "
— Nate, 2/8/2010
About Robert B. Parker
Robert B. Parker (1932–2010), long acknowledged as the dean of American crime fiction, was the New York Times bestselling author of the Spenser mysteries, as well as the Jesse Stone novels. He was named Grand Master at the 2002 Edgar Awards by the Mystery Writers of America, an honor shared with earlier masters such as Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen. He has more than fifty books to his credit.
About Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna is a versatile, seasoned actor on both stage and screen. He first garnered national prominence for his work with writer-director David Mamet, earning a Tony Award for Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983. His name has become synonymous with Robert B. Parker’s Spenser since he has narrated the entire series.