Now & Then

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Spenser knows something's amiss the moment Dennis Doherty walks into his office. The guy's aggressive yet wary, in the way men frightened for their marriages always are. So when Doherty asks Spenser to investigate his wife Jordan's abnormal behavior, Spenser agrees. A job's a job, after all.

Not surprisingly, Spenser catches Jordan with another man, tells Dennis what he's found out, and considers the case closed. But a couple of days later, all hell breaks loose, and three people are dead. This isn't just a marital affair gone bad. Spenser is in the middle of hornet's nest of trouble, and he has to get out of it without getting stung.

With Hawk watching his back and gun-for-hire Vinnie Morris providing extra cover, Spenser delves into a complicated and far-reaching operation: Jordan's former lover, Perry Alderson, is the leader of a group that helps sponsor terrorists. The Boston P.I. will use all his connections, both above and below the law, to uncover the truth behind Alderson's anti-government organization. Alderson doesn't like Spenser poking around his business, so he decides to get to him through Susan. But what Alderson doesn't realize is that Spenser will do anything to keep Susan out of harm's way; nothing will keep him from the woman he loves.

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©2007 Robert B. Parker (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This briskly paced cat-and-mouse game offers Spenser fans exactly what they've come to expect from the reliable Parker: no-nonsense action and plenty of romantic give-and-take between Susan and Spenser." ( Publishers Weekly)

Real Fictional Entertainment

I think this is among Parker's best and Joe M is the icing on a very good cake.

Thumbs up

This was shorter than I would have liked but the quality of the writing and the faithfulness to the characters are all up to par. Enjoy.

a good one!

I enjoy almost all of Robert B Parker's books, I enjoy Joe Mantegna's narration and the 'saids' are just a part of Parker's writing style that I've grown to love. Thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and the narration.

Good as always

Another Spenser classic. I like them all, even though I prefer less Susan like many others do.

love Mantegna reading Spenser

the combination of outstanding narration another great Spencer novel makes for a great listening experience

Somewhat rambling

The suspect becomes clear fairly early, but what crime he has committed remains a mystery almost to the end. Maybe too many scenes that don’t move the acrion. Susan‘s “I have a Harvard PhD“ gets overworked, for example but at one point she does contribute physically to her own rescue

Joe Montania is The Best

I love the text, but Montania brings everything to life. Very enjoyable and spellbinding read.

Love the Spencer

Any additional comments?

A Spencer novel is the ultimate in thuggary. A man among men, this book tows the line. Who wouldn't want to be Spencer? Two thumbs up.

I said, he said

I have read in print most all of the Robert Parker titles and have loved them all. This was my first audio version of his books. I was very disappointed. I am not sure if it is the writing and I just don't notice it as much in print, or the narration. But all all of the "I said" and "they said" really bugged me. I listen to many audiobooks and this is the first time I have ever noticed it.

I don't think I would by another Parker book in audio.

A wonderful listen!

I guess I am really hooked on Spencer now - I generally like audio books that are a little longer than Robert Parker's seem to be but I thoroughly enjoy listening to them and do so at every opportunity until I finish. No one but Joe Montegna should ever read the Spencer series! He is just perfect and it is him I see when I listen to Spencer's voice during the book - to me he is what Spencer looks like and no one else can do the character or Parker's dry humour and irony justice. The others who have narrated some of the Spencer series are very good but not for these books - Joe Montegna IS Spencer and anyone else sounds wrong. All the Robert Parker books are well crafted and written, extremely engaging and enjoyable and well worth the price. I am off to buy a couple more. What will I do when I have finished them all??