Hush Money

Spenser Series, Book 26

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Burt Reynolds

When Robin Nevins, the son of Hawk's boyhood mentor, is denied at an exclusive university, Hawk asks Spenser to investigate. It seems the denial is tied to the suicide of a young gay activist, and as Spenser digs deeper, he is nearly drowned in a multicultural swamp of politics: black, gay, academic, and feminist.

At the same time, Spenser's inamorata, Susan, asks him to come to the aid of an old college friend, K.C. Roth, the victim of a stalker. Spenser solves the problem a bit too effectively when K.C. turns the tables and begins to stalk him.

With Hush Money, Robert B. Parker adds a morally complex tale to this legendary series.

©1999 Robert B. Parker (P)1999, 2016 Dove Audio, Phoenix Books

Critic reviews

"Reynolds's portrayal of detective Spenser is on target - intelligent, tough, and sensual." ( AudioFile Magazine)

Funny and clever

A lot more fun if you know the environs. Burt Reynolds does a great job emulating the wry humor Parker enjoys. His Maine accents are weak but otherwise does a great job.

Nice Spenser Novel

What did you love best about Hush Money?

Spenser

What other book might you compare Hush Money to and why?

Chance, Now and Then

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

Unlike many other Spenser fans, I like Reynolds as a Spenser narrator. His voice characterizations aren't realistic, but they are entertaining.

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

This is the stupidest question Audible asks. I realize this review format is intended to dumb things down for the slow witted, but this is too much.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the better Spenser novels. The novels in which Parker takes on the political nonsense of modern academia are entertaining, always containing the proper blend of irony and serious criticism. Susan is as irritating as ever, but that's what you get with Parker. I simply skip the chapters with Susan. Thankfully they are self-contained.

Reynolds terrible

Left a review previous. The more I listen, the worse it gets - thanks to Burt Reynolds. My god man, you are terrible.

Spencer series

loved every minute want to listen to all Spencer stories please send a list in order of publication

Burt Reynolds sucks

I love the stories and I'm a huge Robert B Parker Spenser fan. I love every book that Joe Mantegna narrates. This and the other Spenser story that Burt Reynolds narrates are horrible. He's a constant mumbler and makes it very hard to understand. In my dream world, all the previous Spenser books that Mantegna didn't do would be redone.

As good as I had hoped

Burt Reynolds really brings the story alive. Character voices are unmistakable. Wish it were longer.

Narrator

Liked the story, but did not like the narrator whom mumbled and slurred his speech.

Burt cmon

Would've been nice if burt reynolds had actually read the book beforehand. It was full of badly timed pauses while we wait for burt to figure out where the sentence was going. "He went to the refrigerator and got out ... (pause) ... a beer." ... plus i think three of the characters had lisps. Seems high.

Love Spenser

This was one of the best Spenser books ever but please don’t let Burt Reynolds narrate any more books. His mumbling and breathy reading was difficult to understand.

Parker + Spencer + Reynolds = magic I

I wish Burt Reynolds narrated more Spenser novels. Burt brings a star power to a great author - enjoy