Spenser Confidential (Movie Tie-In)

By: Ace Atkins, Robert B. Parker - creator

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a Netflix film starring Mark Wahlberg as Spenser!

Old friends. Small favors. Bitter rivals. Stirred together, it all makes for one explosive cocktail in this New York Times best-selling thriller that has Spenser feeling the heat....

Henry Cimoli and Spenser have been friends for years, yet the old boxing trainer has never asked the private eye for a favor. Until now. A developer is trying to buy up Henry's condo on Revere Beach - with a push from local thugs. Soon, Spenser and his apprentice, Zebulon Sixkill, are on the trail of a mysterious woman, a megalomaniacal Las Vegas kingpin, and a shady plan to turn a chunk of land north of Boston into a sprawling casino. As alliances shift and twisted dreams surface, the Boston political machine looks to end Spenser's investigation one way or another - and once and for all.

Previously published as Robert B. Parker's Wonderland

©2013 Ace Atkins (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Atkins finds his footing this time, settling into the character and concocting a fairly complex caper with urban development, organized crime, and sex all playing roles.... Quite a good crime novel." (Booklist)

"Solid.... Atkins’s ability to perfectly mimic the originals will please diehard fans hungry for familiar pleasures." (Publishers Weekly)

"An entertaining effort." (Kirkus)

As good as Parker

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

Funny, complicated, reassuring. I love Ace Atkins' creation of Mattie, the interaction between Mattie and Spener, and the complicated plot in this book. I have read all 43 books by Robert Parker, mourned his loss, but Atkins imitated Parker's voice in an uncanny fashion. This is one of my very favorites of the Parker books.

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

Any of the interactions between Mattie and Spenser are delightful. The trip to the grocery store tickled me...because it skillfully moved Mattie's characterization ahead in a delightful fashion. And the ending scene at the ball game was the capstone of a terrific novel.

What does Joe Mantegna bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Only Joe Mantegna should ever read the Spenser books...Whenever another narrator attempts to take over that job, I just cringe. Mantegna is so superior that he makes anyone else sound like a bumpkin.

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

I laughed out loud at the way Mattie spoke to Spenser...and I shared Susan and Spenser's anxiety about her needing to grow up so fast.

So glad Spenser lives.

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

Oh,thank God

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

The plot was as good as usual. Not the real reason to listen. To hear Mantegna interpret Spenser is divine. So glad Ace Atkins is carrying the torch high.

What does Joe Mantegna bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

All the color and sly innuendo in his voice make the characters. He does Z very well without going over the top, his work is splendid.

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

Laugh out loud often. Lots of smirks too.

Any additional comments?

Joe M does not even try to do British, which is a good thing. Only part that might have made it incredible.

big fan!

love Robert Parker books and narrator, Joe. Listened to almost all of his books. will read and listen to more.

Another Spencer adventure, interesting story

I have all of Parker's 'Spencer' audiobooks and especially treasure the ones read by Joe Mantegna. Ace Atkins did a pretty good job of writing Spencer dialog. I missed having Hawk in the book, like I do any time he is "unavailable" for the plot.

Where is the movie tion

There were no changes between this book and the original book wonderland I didn't see a movie tin and thankfully I didn't own that book or I would have been very upset about buying a duplicate copy of a book that I already had just with a different name.

Spencer continues

Any additional comments?

I have really liked all the Spencer novels and I think Ace Atkins has really done a good job filling in some big shoes.

Spenser continues!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Atkins has the style and the fever to continue the Spenser series. While Mantegna is an outstanding actor playing Spenser, bring back Prichard as the reader. Michael Prichard could make the reading of a phone book exciting. Great job overall. If you liked Parker's Spenser then the new version by Atkins will not disappoint you.

New Title Old Book.

I heard this book under a different title. Why not list the original title in addition to the movie tie-in?