Sudden Mischief

Rating:
Summary: It's Spenser, what more do you need to know?
Review: There are some characters who have been around so long and are so consistent that they fit like an old pair of jeans; there are some books that are so easy and go down so smooth that they can be read in one gulp. The character, of course, is Spenser; the book, Sudden Mischief, the latest Spenser novel from the typewriter of Robert B. Parker.

These books are designed for one-stop reading. They take three hours, give or take for your reading speed, and are meant to be devoured by the fire with a bottle of Jack Daniels for company. The plots are pretty similar, and many of the same things happen (Spenser cooks. Spenser quotes Spenser. Spenser beats people up. Spenser and Hawk trade jibes.). Basically, the Spenser novels are genre fiction, formulaic, pure and simple. But they're GOOD genre fiction. Spenser is an easy guy to like, as long as you're not on his bad side. He's intelligent, he makes a mean plate of spaghetti, he's got the cutest sidekick in the business (Hawk can rough me up any time!), he knows his medieval literature, and he's pretty good at walking the balance between solving crimes and committing them. What's not to like?

Rating:
Summary: Another Score for Spenser
Review: Throughout this new addition to my Spenser series, Parker keeps our favorite detectives emotions in check. The plot opens as Susan Silverman, longtime girlfriend of Spenser, asks him to investigate the alleged sexual harassment charges against her ex-husband, Brad Sterling. Quickly this case morphs into a multi-murder case, and Spenser finds it difficult to help Sterling while considering him as a suspect. This brings obvious internal struggle for him, as well as some hard pressing and action-packed scenes between him and shady characters involved in money making scemes. Dialogue is quick, with a bite, as can be depended upon in Spenser novels. A devoted reader of Parker's, I noticed most of the story based on the relationship between Susan and Spenser, with that perhaps overcoming the actual mystery. However, Parker writes with enough sass that every new insight into their relationship was devoured. Light on action, but definitely a quick read, a solid Spenser read. A must read for Spenser fans, and anyone else outside the club will instantly fall in love after reading Sudden Mischief.

Rating:
Summary: Spenser keeps going, fading a bit
Review: We've gone through the entire series and in fact I have them all reviewed. I really admire his ethics, and like the characterizations, but Susan bugs me. She romps through life, treating Spenser unkindly, and he sticks by her. Does she deserve it? In this novel she's not exactly sane. At least she helps him with a brick at for sure that Brad won't come back and kill Susan later! What bothered me most was his train of thought with the "cheated-on husband" - it's better to be lied to than to know the truth. WHAT???

Rating:
Summary: Spenser goes to his class reunion
Review: While enjoyable most of the time, this book reminded me of a "This Is Your Life" episode.

Without any real reason, Spenser runs into any number of people from previous books (e.g., Rachel Wallace). It's the equivalent of a class reunion, completed with bored significant-other (Susan).

I enjoyed the book because Spenser spends a lot of time with Hawk. The plot isn't very flash (e.g., he beats up thugs in his office, he tries to intimidate various tough guys), but the dialogue with Hawk is fantastic.

Susan whinges a bit less than usual. Unlike books where she's carrying on like a pork chop, I didn't have to turn each page hoping for a hostage drama involving Susan which goes horribly wrong (albeit only from Spenser's point of view).

If you're going to start reading Spenser books, there are better ones. However, if you like Hawk's comments, I think this one is definitely worthwhile reading.

Rating:
Summary: Ready for Retirement???
Review: While Sudden Mischief is better than some other recent efforts, it looks like Mr. Parker and his characters have run out of steam. Not unreasonable since Spenser is a veteran of the Korean War. I have read and enjoyed the entire series of Spenser novels but have becoming increasingly disappointed with lack of energy the recent novels have demonstrated. I'm afraid that Sudden Mischief is the last Spenser novel I'll ever purchase. Guess it's time to find a new author with less focus on the food/beverages and more focus on the action.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book - but HORRIBLE READING for audio version
Review: While the story was entertaining- the strange intonations of the reader made me stop listening about halfway through - which is pretty bad considering the price of audio books! Save your sanity - and money and AVOID this audio book.