I am not doing reviews of the Spenser books because they are similar plots and the outcomes are predictable. Despite that, I still am really enjoying them. I have just completed book 16 of 51! I like Spenser, Hawk, and Spenser’s girlfriend, Dr. Susan Silverman. There are also movies and television shows for Spenser and Hawk, and I have watched 4 Spenser movies already, and they are not great, but still cool to see what they change from the book.
I also like the fact that the other series I have by Parker and others; Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall, take place in the same realm as characters from those books flow to the Spenser books.
And, definitely a spoiler alert, Jesse and Sunny have a relationship. I think in a future Spenser book, Jesse helps him. I can’t wait for that one! And, does Spenser ever meet with Sunny? Don’t know, yet!
In one of the Sunny books, she is seeing Susan for help with something she is investigating. Sunny requires extra protection and Susan suggests Spenser, but he has something else going on, so Hawk says he can do it. Yeah, I have read all the Jesse and Sunny books, and there is a new Sunny book coming out later this year. Even though Parker passed away in 2010, other authors have continued his legacy of books and characters.
One of the things I really like about the Spenser books is the descriptions of people, places, and food from Parker. The books are told from the point of view of Spenser, so with the details of everything, we can easily tell that he pays very close attention to stuff. I like it as I can easily see what is happening.
For example, and not from any of the books, this is what it reads like (obviously, Parker and company do it much better):
As I walked into the Law Firm of Cross and Lake, the receptionist looked up to me. She had blue eyes, blond hair, painted fingernails, large blue earrings, and she had large breasts that overpowered her red blouse. She looked to be about 25 to 35 years old. She had a small mole on the left side of her face and was talking into a headset. She pushed a button on the phone, that had several green and red lights and some of them were flashing in red, and asked me “how can I help you sir?”
I was hungry, so I made myself lunch. I got a frying pan that has seen a lot of good meals cooked in it, put a splash of butter and oil in it. I grabbed two slices of apricot bread, and threw in some provolone cheese, ham, and salami in between the slices. As the pan sizzled, I poured myself a glass of white wine. A minute later, I could just tell by the way the pan sounded, that it was time to put the sandwich in. I glanced at my watch; 2 minutes on each side on a slightly lower temperature, and it would be perfect. Trust me, I have done this many times!
His face was old, and I could see a scar on his bald head like he had been in a good fight a long time ago.
The building I pulled up to was three stories high with a red fake brick facade. On one of the sides, I saw graffiti. On the other side, was a door that said employees only. I staked it out and nobody came in or out for 2 hours.
