Robert B. Parker's Lullaby

A Spenser Mystery

By: Ace Atkins

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

When 14-year-old Mattie Sullivan asks Spenser to look into her mother’s murder, he’s not completely convinced by her claim that the police investigation four years ago was botched. Mattie is gruff, street-smart, and wise beyond her years, left to care for her younger siblings and an alcoholic grandmother in a dilapidated apartment in South Boston. But her need for closure and her determination to make things right hit Spenser where he lives - they’re the very characteristics he abides by.

Mattie believes the man convicted of the crime is innocent, and points Spenser to the Southie toughs she saw carrying her mother away hours before her murder. Neither the Boston PD nor the neighborhood thugs are keen on his dredging up the past, but as Spenser becomes more involved in the case, he starts to realize that Mattie may be on to something. He will need Hawk’s help to find peace for Mattie - a job that’s more dangerous than Spenser ever thought.

©2012 Ace Atkins (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

“Handpicked by the Parker estate to be the keeper of the flame for the Spenser franchise, award-winning author Ace Atkins rises flawlessly to the occasion.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Atkins succeeds. He doesn’t sound like somebody trying to emulate Parker. He sounds like Parker in a book that hits all the usual Spenser notes. He has the wisecrack-filled dialogue down and Parker’s cadences, too: Spenser, thankfully, sounds like Spenser. You also get the vivid sense of place, flexing of muscles and spare plot that were hallmarks of Parker’s 39 Spenser books….It’s a feat when a writer creates characters who live and breathe on the page and make readers care and keep coming back for more. To manage that with someone else’s characters, let alone with an icon like Spenser, is a minor miracle. Ace Atkins pulls it off.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

“Even the most fanatical Parker fans would be hard pressed to identify any aspect of this Spenser novel that doesn’t read as if it were penned by Spenser’s late creator.…Atkins hits all the familiar marks...as he offers familiar pleasures.” (Publishers Weekly)

This is new Spenser.

What did you love best about Robert B. Parker's Lullaby?

Spenser came back.

What about Joe Mantegna’s performance did you like?

He is always excellent.

Any additional comments?

There is something different from Robert B. Parker's original Spenser, I feel.

Glad Spenser is Back!

If you could sum up Robert B. Parker's Lullaby in three words, what would they be?

True to form!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I enjoyed hearing about Spenser, Susan, Hawke, Pearl and all the rest. I always love the way Spenser keeps picking and picking until it all shakes out. The way he respected the young girl and stood up for her was endearing.

Have you listened to any of Joe Mantegna’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Joe Mantegna MAKES the Spenser books. He IS Spenser to me.

Any additional comments?

The only detriment was the language. It was kind of embarassing to have that language coming out of my Ipod player. I sure couldn't listen to this book around anyone else. I hope the author will temper it (especially the F bomb) in the next books. The bad language did NOT add anything to the story.

Atkins aces Parker's writing style!

What made the experience of listening to Robert B. Parker's Lullaby the most enjoyable?

That all my favorite characters are alive and well

What did you like best about this story?

I was amazed at how well Atkins was able to write in Parker's style. I was so sad about losing my favorite characters after Parker's death. However, here everyone is as entertaining as ever! Yea...I hope Ace Atkins is young and will carry on for many years to come.

Have you listened to any of Joe Mantegna’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to most of his Spencer books and he was better than ever in this one.

Atkins almost aces it

This is definitely a Spenser story. It's all there: the fight against evil, the artless philosophizing about life, and, of course, working mostly pro bono. My only complaint is that i don't think Atkins quite got Hawk right; he just seemed more talkative than usual. Nonetheless, I'm delighted that Spenser has not passed along with Parker.

Tough guy detective cracking wise

Joe Mantegna's narration, and the humor really made this book come to life. I've listened to it repeatedly, and it is worth hearing again. I'm about to order another book in the series.

see below

I think I listened to all for Robert Parker's Spenser series that audible has, and if I hadn't been told, I wouldn't have known this wasn't done by Parker. Same narrator (Mantegna), same characters, same accents. Some of Parker's better than others, and this was more like a lesser one. Still, there's kind of a stigma in my mind letting someone else continue a series after the original writer is gone. For instance, haven't yet bought the Steig Larssen successor book yet, same reason.

Ace, Got it Right!

Where does Robert B. Parker's Lullaby rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

This could very well be in the top 20%. My current library is somewhere around 250 so go figure.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This not about one story or book but a process of several characters that have been developed over 30 years. What a great job Ace did with the characters.

What about Joe Mantegna???s performance did you like?

He is one of the best but now could not listen to him as anybody else except Spenser.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Love the times he talks with the love of his life, Sue. I always enjoy these parts.

Any additional comments?

Hope Ace keep these coming, wish he could also pickup the Appaloosa series.

Another great Spenser book.

Ace Atkins continues the series with s great addition. Robert B Parker would be proud.

A good story for those who love Spenser

What made the experience of listening to Robert B. Parker's Lullaby the most enjoyable?

Though he is a new author for Spenser, he is the same old Spenser. For you old timers,we must suspend our knowledge. He had served in Korea (which makes him about 80, as well as Hawk and Susan). But there is much action and witty remarks. Maybe too many witty comebacks but still very fun

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robert B. Parker's Lullaby?

I like the relationship between the new client and Spenser

Which scene was your favorite?

The fight sceen in the bar

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud a number of times

Any additional comments?

There was talk of too much swearing and drinking. I liked that they used a part of Boston not known for its manners

Good mystery but NOT authantic Parker

It's an excellent story but I'm down rating it to 3 stars because Atkins uses foul language Robert B Parker would have never used. The narration By Joe Mantegna is flawless but I'm down rating the narration because the voice is simply very wrong. Spencer would have a deeper and older voice.