The most dangerous man to cross is one who isn't afraid to die. But the most deadly is one who doesn't want to live. And Spenser has just lost the woman who made life his #1 priority. So when a religious sect kidnaps a pretty young dancer, no death threat can make Spenser cut and run. Now a hit man's bullet is wearing Spenser's name. But Boston's big boys don't know Spenser's ready and willing to meet death more than halfway. "Tough, wisecracking, unafraid and unexpectedly literate --in many respects the very exemplar of the species." (The New York Times)
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"This was my favorite of the Spenser novels thus far. It had everything! The difficulty in Spenser's relationship with Susan is letting us know them both better. The core mystery is interesting. Hawk is present and violent. Paul makes a non-trivial reappearance. A story like this makes me regret having been away a while."
— Jeff (5 out of 5 stars)
" Another fun Robert B. Parker book. Probably not my favorite, but it sure beat staring at the tube. "
— doug, 2/18/2014" One of the darker Spenser novels. Spenser lost the woman he loves and takes it out on a religious sect he is investigating. For the first time since Mortal Stakes Spenser has another woman in his life. Despite Hawk and Paul's repeated interventions Spenser really looses his way in this book. "
— Nate, 2/6/2014" This installment is the slowest by far, so far. The writing is still wonderful but the story drags as Spenser spends most of the book moping about Susan and trying to function without her. This one is probably my least favorite of the series so far. Still, it's a necessary step in defining who Spenser is so it is necessary to the series as a whole. "
— M., 1/23/2014" Well, I love Spenser. I love his droll, dry sense of humor, his one liners but most of all I LOVE his love for Susan. This book, however, wasn't my favorite because Susan and Spenser are splitsville - they have relationships with other people - ewwwww! I did love the suspensful chase chapters though and I really HATED the Sherry Spellman chick! "
— Holly, 1/4/2014" From the book series that inspired the TV show, "Spenser for Hire." Spenser is a bit off his game in this one while dealing with love troubles, but still manages to uncover a heroin ring within a religious commune. "
— Jenny, 12/31/2013" Not much of a read. There were several spots of useless words that I skipped over. The ending still confuses me. I'm not sure who the bad guy was and who was the willful follower. "
— Cassi, 12/20/2013" (#11 in the Spenser series)- This is one of the best ones. Not as good as Early Autumn but close. I am really pissed at Susan in this one. AND also Spenser for being such a wimp. Susan leaves and moves to California without even giving Spenser her address. "
— Kellie, 12/18/2013" Don't we hate Susan Silverman! "
— Bcoghill, 12/15/2013" Another good, if sad at times, one. "
— Tony, 10/25/2013" Didn't really care much for this one. "
— Charles, 10/2/2013" Not one of the better Spenser books in the series. "
— Julie, 9/6/2013" I liked this one, despite Susan. Had to laugh when he was in the hospital and one of his visitors is actually smoking while talking to him -- not TOO dated!! "
— Kate, 9/3/2013" Always great to reread a Parker book...damn, I miss him. "
— Chuck, 7/14/2013" Nancy 5 stars; Ron 5 stars "
— Ron, 2/21/2013" 'Valediction' reads like a short story and has lots of punch. Spenser is a detective's detective as evidenced by his dedication to solving this who's who. Gives a lot of background into how the characters evolve throughout the series. "
— Pam, 2/15/2013" Even though this book is one of the more revealing Spenser stories, I wasn't as excited with it as with many others in the series. Perhaps Mr. Parker's strength is not as versed in writing about insecurities as it is in the more familiar brash and cocky. "
— Anthony, 6/25/2012" Deep, very deep. Well developed character. "
— Marianne, 3/11/2012" See my blog for my review: Martin's View: Valediction. "
— Martin, 3/9/2012" Strange reading an early Spencer book. I remembered references to his relationship with Susan so it fit but I like the character better when Susan is in his life. Still a good read, as always a true Parker book. "
— Judi, 1/18/2012" A reread -- maybe third or fourth time actually. I have all of RBP's Spenser novels on my shelf and when I'm between other books and lamenting the passing of RBP, it's good to revisit old friends in printed form. "
— OK, 10/2/2011" Very Good; Continuing character: Spenser; while dealing with his girlfriend moving to the west coast, Spenser unravels connections between a missing girl, a religious community, and heroin. "
— Joe, 8/8/2011" Susan, say it isn't so. "
— Tony, 7/25/2011" Parker's genius may never be matched!!! It's like eating peanuts or potato chips; once yyou start, you're hooked. "
— Ron, 6/8/2011" The voice just sounds different to me. It was O.K. but..... "
— Tony, 5/24/2011" I enjoyed this YA novel about the young Spencer and how he came to be. I read the first book in the Spencer series some months ago and was wondering if I could actually read more books that were so old, but this one made me eager to give it a shot. "
— Penny, 5/10/2011" While parts of the book repeat information that true Spenser fans already know, the books is a great addition to the Spenser lore. It's a little like hearing a familiar story that is repeated at family gatherings. "
— Erika, 3/25/2011" this book was not quite up to par with the rest of Parker's books. I still enjoyed it, but it did ramble just a bit. "
— Michael, 3/6/2011" Good, but definitely late Spenser. It wouldn't have been the end of the world to miss this one. On the upside it took just over 2 hours to read. "
— Du, 2/20/2011" Spenser’s formative years spent with his father and two uncles out West<br/>i read it aqnd didn't write notes.<br/>short and charming little spenser.<br/>go for it. "
— Steve, 1/23/2011" As a friend opined, "This is the 'secret origin' of Spenser you've kept us waiting for?" Oh please... "
— David, 1/20/2011" Would that every boy have parents like Spenser has in this book! "
— Mary, 1/16/2011" So long Mr. Robert B. Parker. It was great fun joining younger versions of our beloved Spenser as he developed those unique characteristics. we will sadly miss reading this series develop. "
— Yankey, 1/13/2011" Spenser relates some of the incidents in his life that formed his code of ethics. "
— Gary, 6/22/2010" I enjoyed this little book. Definitely Spenser light. It is also the first book I've read from Parker since his death. I heard he had passed away on his keyboard. Not sure where I read that, but that is definitely how I want to go. "
— J.R., 6/21/2010" A brief look at Spenser's early years, as told to Susan, his current love interest. In the book, Spenser saves a girl (but not a girl friend) from an abusive father, a Hispanic boy from bigoted classmates, and learns life lessons from his father and uncles. "
— Tom, 5/14/2010" As the title says, this YA novel deals with the young Spenser. Find out what made him. Quick read, but enjoyable. "
— Margaret, 4/12/2010" Good story. I've read a Spenser book before and thought it was just OK, but this one tells about him as a boy and was quite good. "
— Daphne, 4/6/2010" In comparison to Parker's "The Boxer and the Spy",this young adult novel is hands down a better read. Tying in Spenser's current relationship with Susan and his past as a young boy, you can see the foundational develop of his character leading to the man he is today. Nicely done! "
— Rena, 3/24/2010" A little disjointed but still pretty great. Spenser's father and uncles are well drawn and do a fine job of showing how Spenser became Spenser without any George Lucas like suckyness. "
— Nate, 3/17/2010Robert 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.
Michael Prichard is a Los Angeles-based actor who has played several thousand characters during his career, over one hundred of them in theater and film. He is primarily heard as an audiobook narrator, having recorded well over five hundred full-length books. His numerous awards and accolades include an Audie Award for Tears in the Darkness by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M. Norman and six AudioFile Earphones Awards. He was named a Top Ten Golden Voice by SmartMoney magazine. He holds an MFA in theater from the University of Southern California.