Cold Service

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

When Spenser's closet ally, Hawk, is brutally injured and left for dead while protecting booking Luther Gillespie, Spenser embarks on an epic journey to rehabilitate his friend in body and soul. Hawk, always proud, has never been dependent on anyone. Now he is forced to make connections: to the medical technology that will ensure his physical recovery, and to reinforce the tenuous emotional ties he has to those around him.

Spenser quickly learns that the Ukrainian mob is responsible for the hit, but finding a way into their tightly knit circle is not nearly so simple. Their total control of the town of Marshport, from the bodegas to the police force to the mayor's office, isn't just a sign of rampant corruption—it's a form of arrogance that only serves to ignite Hawk's desire to get even. As the body count rises, Spenser is forced to employ some questionable techniques and even more questionable hired guns while redefining his friendship with Hawk in the name of vengeance.

©2005 Robert B. Parker (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The satisfying part here is watching Parker dig deeply into the remarkable friendship between two tough guys constitutionally averse to the whole touchy-feely side of life....When he's on his game, and he's on it here, Parker is capable of packing a Hemingway punch into a few brief words and the occasional grunt." (Booklist)

Long in the Tooth

Although Spenser, a private eye circa 1950, is now getting pretty long in the tooth, his character continues to delight. Cold Service is another enjoyable ride as we go along with Spenser as he rights the wrongs done to Hawk. Parker's Spenser is once again in fine form.

Some New Ground

This is a different sort of Spenser novel; or at least it gives a different, deeper view of Hawk than any of Parker's previous works. His girlfriend Cecile is given a primer on Hawk and the forces that molded him by Spenser; even if she questions much of it. The story of Hawk's recovery from his bullet wounds is similar to Spenser's in a previous novel; similarly Spenser is there for Hawk just as Hawk was for Spenser. Susan Silverman is a quiet, steady, likable persona in this work and the gushing worship that everyone feels for her for no discernible reason is thankfully absent. A nice change from many of the previous Spenser novels.
Once you move past the first dozen Spenser novels there are many examples of hit and miss in the subsequent books; this one is one of the high points. A fast moving, highly entertaining work by an author who does uncomplicated detective fiction extremely well. Excellent listen; highly recommended.

Joe Mantegna is a perfect Spenser

What did you love best about Cold Service?

I always love the interplay between all the characters, Spenser and Susan, Spenser and Hawk, Hawk and Susan. There is lots of Hawk in this book, and he is one my favorite characters. There is a lot of discussion between the actors about the morality of Spenser and Hawk's actions, which I liked a lot.

What about Joe Mantegna’s performance did you like?

I like everything about Joe Mantegna's performance, especially the subtle way he changes his voice for each character without overdoing it. I want to hear all the books he reads!

Quite good

What was probably thought to be enlightened and cutting edge woke interracial dialogue then, is some racist ass sh*t now.

Liked Hawk taking point.
Susan makes me want to drink bleach.
Joe Mags is a good narrator, Michael Pritchard is better. David Dukes should be taken out back and shot. Burt Reynolds is Burt Reynolds.

Good!

Entertaining as always for Robert J. Parker. This one is in the same style as his previous books. I always enjoy the dry humor that is evident in his stories. His colorful characters are the best part. This one didn't disappoint.

Ever Robert B. and it's all good

Without a doubt one of his best. without a doubt, three of my favorite characters. Susan's the third. We get a lot more insight into Hawk. Good read!

Joe Mantenga Audio Spenser Books Rule

I absolutely love the Robert B. Parker Spenser books here on Audible. Br' Tire Iron.

Too much Cecile

The whole gang comes together to write a wrong. Cops, feds, gangsters, and thugs… it could happen.
Conceptually good story but it was a little disjointed at times. The only real negative (for me) was Cecile. She was like a blend of Susan at her most annoying and a naive child with a splash of self righteous black feminist added for extra annoyance. Her characters believability didn’t come close to matching her idiocy unfortunately. A surgeon? I think not.
Anyway, still a decent bit of book for my commute and even when the story doesn’t fully come together, RBP tells it in an interesting and engaging way.
Long time fans of the series will enjoy this but it isn’t the book to dip your feet into Spenser for the first time.
And yes Susan, we know you have a phd.

Joe Montangna a Mistake

I agree with the others. What were the publishers thinking having Joe Montangna read this book. He makes it almost unbearable to listen to. He's an actor who cannot change his voice or tone to personify a character. I never got into the plot of the book because the reader got in the way. Spenser & Hawk deserve better

Fair story, wrong reader

I've read or listened to every one of Parker's books. I'm a fan. But he's in a rut. The same converstations and observations between Spenser and Hawk. The same characters. The same basic plot. Actually, I can live with all that but Joe Montagne is absolutely the wrong guy to read this kind of book. He sounds like a nerdy English professor trying to play the role of a tough guy. His attempts to change his voice to be Hawk are painful to listen to. It's like a white minstral player trying to do blackface and it is just not well done. It was bad enough when he played the part in a movie, with his scrawny arms and small stature, but his voice is even weaker and wussy. Buy the book instead.