Sudden Mischief: A Suspense Novel (Spenser Mysteries (Audio))

Rating:
Summary: post-Vice breather
Review: After Small Vices, perhaps the best of Parker's Spenser series, a letdown was expected. It would have been inappropriate to have so intense a story follow so quickly -- the suspension of disbelief would have been been unsustainable.

So Sudden Mischief focuses on relationships more than action. While Pastimes illuminated Spenser's childhood, details of Susan's pre-Spenser history are exposed in Mischief. This isn't as bad as it might seem. Earlier in the series, I found Susan to be so self-absorbed I almost stopped reading. However, she's since matured, developed, and become more an asset to Spenser's work than a liability. I actually found her presence enjoyable here.

The "mystery" part of the book is more ordinary by Spenser standards. As others have pointed out, there's all the usual Spenser elements, including his annual rejection of supermonogamous temptations. But the story is hardly very compelling. There isn't much mystery there. The reader is left in a more passive role, turning the pages to see what will happen next, without much speculation into or concern over what that will be. Still, the story isn't overtly bad.

Even if it was, Parker's writing is always a joy. So, if you're a fan of the Spenser series, Sudden Mischief is a worthwhile investment of your time, and not only for the development of Susan's character.

Rating:
Summary: Better than the recent average
Review: I'm not as pessimistic as "judge" above. Yes, Parker slipped badly in the early 90s - I was particularly annoyed by several short books with very wide margins. But this and the last entry ("Small Vices") were much improved. In both these books Spenser and Susan deal with substantive issues in their relationship: whether or not to adopt a child in the first, and Susan's silence about her past and her loyalty and committment to men not worthy of her in this one (Spenser, of course, both does and does not fit that category.) Where Parker is lacking is precisely those places that Judge identifies - Spenser's wonderful relationships with the supporting cast, and the excellent characterizations found there. I read these books as much for Hawk and Belson and Quirk, and the more of them the merrier. At least Rachel Wallace makes a cameo here. Another significant shortcoming is the waste of a truly worthy white-collar foe for Spenser, a visciously corrupt Brahmin lawyer/judge who meekly shows up at the end and writes a check.... Boo! You'd be hard pressed to beat the climaxes of both this book and Small Vices, though. I found them gripping and beliveable, and Spenser's restraint both times it quite impressive. Get it from the library, or wait for the paperback, however - I haven't bought Parker in hardcover since "A Catskill Eagle."

Rating:
Summary: Here's the scoop- It's awesome
Review: The book moves quickly, and ever so you get a clear picture of not only Spenser but more history on Susan as well. I will not spoil it for the die-hard fans out there who haven't come across this book. The chapters are short and focused, and what I liked most about it is that each chapter it focuses on a one-on-one talk between Spenser and some other person. Mostly-- 90% of the time, which I greatly appreciate. It focuses a lot on Spenser, and his puzzle pieces which he puts together in order to emit the true picture of the mystery from all the alibi. Further more the chapters are short, focused, and the vocabulary is easy to pick up.

I personally like Spenser and Susan because their attitudes are so professional. Also, this book is best read throughout a period of time, instead of just one day. It's even better if the reader can somehow imagine himself as Spenser-- or Susan-- for the matter. They're technically the same. Anima vs. Animus. Honestly this book also suits those who are "full of themselves", how else would you be able to connect with the main characters anyways?!

It has been such a long time since I have read a book that compels this aggressively. This honestly is my first look on the Spenser series, and I appologize that I'm not a long-time fan or so (This series has been going on longer than I've lived!) but it's great. I find it most effective reading it while picturing it like a movie. And also for all the guys,if you imagine that YoU'rE Spenser, and you've got a parrallell attitude with him (like I do), it blows your mind. Honestly.

Susan Silverman's ex-husband, now known as Brad "Sterling" is on charge with sexual harassment and later on with murder. The case in itself is slow, but it's everything that's stirred in the middle that makes this book well worth the read. Not only does Spenser have this attitude that speaks out to the reader as "I'm untouchable" but he has his equally arrogant lover "Susan" and they make an awesome couple. It's Romantic... also in the sense of the writing style, which is a bit Romanticist. I mean, c'mon, Spenser tops every bad guy with a swift move and a kick in the groin. It's cheap, and repetitive... and it's a little too cheesy to win against the baddies. Especially the part when Susan gets in some action as well later in the story. Oh yeah, that's the main highlight, I believe. Susan gets to kick ass! Haha, check it out. I don't know enough about the series to know whether if this occurs often or not, but it was great! Ok, what are you waiting for?! Read this book. I promise you won't be dissapointed.