Valediction: A Spenser Novel

Robert B. Parker wrote a number of Spenser novels, in which Spenser's best friend was a black guy named Hawk, and his girlfriend was a woman named Susan Silverman. In this book he essentially subtracts Susan. Frankly, I think it is a loss, but I understand the need to shake things up a little, particularly for a writer as prolific as Parker. The plot concerns a church which is a front for something else (I won't spoil it for you) and some gangsters who seem somehow to be involved with the church. Michael Prichard does his usual terrific job of narrating the book. Spenser comes very close to dying at the end, which is a twist, as he and Hawk are usually possessed of ultra-masculinity and powers that few other men could even dream of. There is a love interest, a woman named Linda, but she comes off as weak and colorless, compared to the erudite Susan. Spenser's devotion to Susan is almost comical, if it weren't so utterly pure. If you haven't read any of the Spenser books, I would not start here. The earlier books are absolutely terrific. This one is not. There is way too much plot exposition at the end. Spenser lives, but as Hawk says, "You ain't the man you was." Ain't it the truth.

I like the Spenser novels, but this narrator is not very good, he's rather monotone, and the sound quality is poor as well. I think it's an older one or something, because I have heard Spenser books read with a different narrator who is much better.