The Godwulf Manuscript

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Spenser earned his degree in the school of hard knocks, so he is ready when a Boston university hires him to recover a rare, stolen manuscript. He is hardly surprised that his only clue is a radical student with four bullets in his chest.

The cops are ready to throw the book at the pretty blond coed whose prints are all over the murder weapon but Spenser knows there are no easy answers. He tackles some very heavy homework and knows that if he doesn't finish his assignment soon, he could end up marked "D" -- for dead.

Crack another case with Spenser.

©1992 Robert B. Parker (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

>"Spenser is Boston's answer to James Bond - irreverent, witty, worldy. His first-person recital of his detective work makes for fast, amusing reading." ( The Pittsburgh Press)

Not my favorite

In this one Spenser is the formulaic PII who will bed anything in a skirt. Had it been my first Spenser read I would not have read another

GOOD INTRODUCTION TO SPENCER

Robert B. Parker is sometimes known as the Dean of American Crime fiction. This is the first book in his voluminous Spencer private detective series. This is not a great mystery, but it unfolds through the eyes of private detective Spencer and his sarcastic humor. Although the reader can be assured that Spencer will ultimately prevail, still the journey to the end is very entertaining and worth a listen.

Lacking Attitude

I found this, first of the Spencer Series I read, comfortably predictable. The setting in Boston is more of a tour book-type recitation of landmarks and small towns. Except for the familiar place names, I found no discernable "Boston-style", unlike Mike Hammer's New York City, or Philip Marlow's L.A.
It made me think of Miss Marple with a gun and balls.

This story was like a dish of vanilla ice cream. Good, familiar, not exciting or surprising. Sometimes that's just perfect. Othertimes, it's not quite enough.

Entertaining and a Look Back

What made the experience of listening to The Godwulf Manuscript the most enjoyable?

Spenser is a cool cat. Equal parts sarcastic and sensitive. I loved the look back to another decade.

Any additional comments?

I'm sorry I hadn't read these books earlier. Looks like I have a lot to read to catch up on. I expect I'll enjoy the journey.

Welcome to Spenser

Where does The Godwulf Manuscript rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Parker drops us into Spenser's world with a snappy mystery involving love, drugs, and Chaucer.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Spenser, but only because we don't meet Hawk in this book.

Good with Soft spoken narrator at moments

The story was interesting but at times it seemed the narrator was whispering and mumbling

Great story

Great Story. Great characters. a friend to me this is his favorite series. I can. See why

Tough Guy Time Capsule

It's fun to read this first book in the Spenser series. Even for this genre Spenser is wildly politically incorrect in the present day, but his outlook wouldn't have raised an eyebrow in the day in was written. Parker is a master.

Vintage RBP

I can truly say I have genuinely enjoyed his books. Like many others I miss him.

Not What I expected

I had head of the Spencer novels by way of a radio show I listen to. I was not expecting the gritty story telling surrounding a quick witted detective. This story was fantastic!. The actor narrating does a great job giving that noir feel. I am now a Spencer fan and love that I have such a long backlog.