Stardust

Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: ... I thought this was one of the best Spenser novels at the time of its publication, but I do recommend reading it in sequence. Especially, read "A Savage Place" first, because the two books have a certain relation to each other.

This is a bit more of a mystery than others in the series in that you don't discover the murderer's identity until the end, and this is good in adding a bit more suspense than usual.

Spenser's hired to protect a very obnoxius TV star, who's addicted to drugs, alcoholic, arrogant...listed alphabetically, I'd be naming several other character defects before we get to nympho, and that's just past the middle of the alphabet!!! On top of all this, she might be making up all these threats she's supposedly receiving. However, when her double is murdered, Spenser has to take the task of protecting her more seriously. He has a hang-up about protecting women since an unpleasant happening earlier in the series.

I had a suspicion around half way through as to who the murderer was...I won't tell you whether I was right or wrong. However, I believe the suspicion was deliberately & subtly planted by Parker, and if so, I admire him for the way he did it. Like I say, I'll let you find out whether this was deliberate foreshadowing for dramatic effect, or a red herring to distract you.

I do recommend this highly, but if you're not already a Spenser fan, read several earlier books including "The Savage Place" first in order to better appreciate this.

Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: ... I thought this was one of the best Spenser novels at the time of its publication, but I do recommend reading it in sequence. Especially, read "A Savage Place" first, because the two books have a certain relation to each other.

This is a bit more of a mystery than others in the series in that you don't discover the murderer's identity until the end, and this is good in adding a bit more suspense than usual.

Spenser's hired to protect a very obnoxius TV star, who's addicted to drugs, alcoholic, arrogant...listed alphabetically, I'd be naming several other character defects before we get to nympho, and that's just past the middle of the alphabet!!! On top of all this, she might be making up all these threats she's supposedly receiving. However, when her double is murdered, Spenser has to take the task of protecting her more seriously. He has a hang-up about protecting women since an unpleasant happening earlier in the series.

I had a suspicion around half way through as to who the murderer was...I won't tell you whether I was right or wrong. However, I believe the suspicion was deliberately & subtly planted by Parker, and if so, I admire him for the way he did it. Like I say, I'll let you find out whether this was deliberate foreshadowing for dramatic effect, or a red herring to distract you.

I do recommend this highly, but if you're not already a Spenser fan, read several earlier books including "The Savage Place" first in order to better appreciate this.

Rating:
Summary: What is the attraction to this series????
Review: I finally picked up a Robert Parker book after seeing this author's name and all the books he has written - takes up a whole library shelf? I don't get it. This was one of the most shallow and boring books I have every read. If it wasn't for the fact I was bored and had nothing else to read because my husband was watching football I would never have finished it. In fact it didn't - I skipped to the last 20 pages just to get it over with. The characters are boring, the plot was straight from so-so has been TV show, descriptions of Boston and surrounding areas not needed and actually took up half the writing.

Why do readers like these books, I will never pick up or waste my time again - but I guess I am happy to have finally stopped wondering what it would be like to read one. Forget reading these books unless you are satisfied with run of the mill TV story lines and do not seek any kind of mental stimulation.

Rating:
Summary: Spenser has his all-time least helpful client
Review: It is always interesting to figure out what the new little twist is in each of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels. When "Stardust" begins we seem to be on familiar ground. Once again our hero is dealing with the depravity of Hollywood, albeit this time around on his own turf. Susan Silverman is the "technical advisor" on "Fifty Minutes," a television series being shot in Boston about a sophisticated pyschotherapist who falls for a semi-thug who gets to be a cop (we will now take a moment to contemplate what real TV show Parker might be taking off on here). The star of the show, American's sweetheart Jill Joyce, claims to be the victim of an escalating chain of anonymous harassments. The twist is that when Spenser hires on to protect her, his new client gives him absolutely no help whatsoever; she refuses to answer questions, makes vague claims as to what may or may not have happened, and treats him like a toadie. To make things even more fun, Jill Joyce is totally spoiled and arrogant, either drunk or high, who cannot believe our hero would (repeatedly) turn down her advances. Why does Spenser care about her? Because nobody else does, and when her stunt double is found murdered, there appears to be ample reason for concern. This means that "Stardust" is very much a typical Spenser novel: the case is more complicated than it seems and once he is hired Spenser is going to do the right thing no matter what the people who hired him want (there is a great scene where his lawyer friend reminds the powers that be that he warned them this would happen). As always, it is a great read for those of us living the commuter lifestyle--you can polish off these books two days tops.

Rating:
Summary: Spenser is still the good, old Spenser
Review: Just what you'd expect in a Spenser novel. Witty dialog and suspence. This book will not be a disapointment to Spenser fans.

Rating:
Summary: Spenser Mixes It With The TV Crowd
Review: Once again it's Spenser to the rescue. This time he's called onto the set of a television show to act as bodyguard to the star, and America's sweetheart, Jill Joyce. Unfortunately, she's also a drunk, incredibly difficult to work with, and determined to bed every man within a 5-mile radius.

But when Spenser's on the job it's professionalism all the way which makes for a very fiery employer / employee relationship. It also makes for some most amusing situations and gives ample opportunity for Spenser to display his flair for detective work. The relationship between Spenser and Susan is comfortable, as ever, and between Spenser and Hawk as solid as a rock.

The sanctuary of a Spenser book is always a welcome haven for weary readers with the pace of the book high and the pages turning quickly. Light entertainment at it's best; if you're after mystery with a liberal dash of humour then you're in for a real treat here.

Rating:
Summary: Bad Persona
Review: One of the amazing things about Parker is his ability to create a great story then ruin it was a petty, mean-spirited characterization. I understand Spenser has a problem with women because he is soooo very in love with self-centered Susan; this has caused him to think she is perfect and all other women suffer in comparison (why does this seem unreal). But, and this is a big but, Parker needs to stop portraying the damsels in distress as being so trashy and unworthy of being saved. Really. Between his strange attraction to perfect Susan and his attraction and admiration of the perfect Hawk, I'm getting the impression that Spenser is in the closet. Would explain alot.

Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER GOOD ONE BY PARKER!!!
Review: Parker has written another good book. Spencer is hired to baby sit a TV star. He is to protect her and also find out who is trying to kill her. He is his usual witty self, he is helped by Hawk and Susan as always. The TV star, Jill Joyce, is not a good person, a nice way to say it. Spencer keeps digging and finally comes up with the person who has been making the threats. You will be surprised who it is. A good read, if you have liked other Spencer books you will like this one. I always enjoy Hawk, wish he had a larger role the books.

Rating:
Summary: The very end redeems it
Review: The beginning of this book is really very average Spenser, which certainly makes it enjoyable enough but not at all noteworthy. Let's see ... Susan drags Spenser into a case he doesn't really want, Spenser wisecracks and offends everyone in authority, Hawk provides trustworthy and able-bodied support ... same old, same old. The story itself isn't very compelling or interesting until the end. That's when Spenser shows us what makes him special. It's his attitude toward Jill Joyce, the care he devotes to her, and the offhanded way he delivers it (as though it's just his duty as a human being) that I found out of the ordinary and very moving.

Rating:
Summary: Stardust: Where's Burt Reynolds
Review: The man who reads this book is not Burt Reynolds. He makes Hawk sound like Tonto of Lone Ranger fame. Read the book because the tape will make you sick.