Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn

Spenser, Book 44

By: Ace Atkins

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Boston PI Spenser faces a hot case and a personal crisis in the latest adventure in the iconic New York Times best-selling series from author Ace Atkins.

The fire at a boarded-up Catholic church raged hot and fast, lighting up Boston's South End and killing three firefighters who were trapped in the inferno. A year later, as the city prepares to honor their sacrifice, there are still no answers about how the deadly fire started. Most at the department believe it was just a simple accident: faulty wiring in a century-old building. But Boston firefighter Jack McGee, who lost his best friend in the blaze, suspects arson.

McGee is convinced department investigators aren't sufficiently connected to the city's lowlifes to get a handle on who's behind the blaze - so he takes the case to Spenser. Spenser quickly learns not only that McGee might be right but that the fire might be linked to a rash of new arsons spreading through the city, burning faster and hotter every night. Spenser follows the trail of fires to Boston's underworld, bringing him; his trusted ally, Hawk; and his apprentice, Sixkill, toe-to-toe with a dangerous new enemy who wants Spenser dead and doesn't play by the city's old rules. Spenser has to find the firebug before he kills again - and stay alive himself.

©2016 Ace Atkins (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

“Scene-by-scene, line-by-line pleasures are authentic.” (Kirkus Reviews)  

“Atkins tosses in a surprising change to his lead’s status quo, and series fans will be eager to see what he does with it in Spenser’s next outing." (Publishers Weekly) 

“A 5-alarm thriller.... Atkins deftly recreates the Spenser character and his Boston milieu.” (Associated Press) 

NOT ONE OF THE BEST ROBERT PARKER STORIES

If you could sum up Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn in three words, what would they be?

UNBELIEVABLE ARSON TALE

If you’ve listened to books by Ace Atkins before, how does this one compare?

I've listened to other Ace Atkins books in Robert Parker's Spenser series. This was my least favorite.

Which scene was your favorite?

Spenser and Susan talking about having more sex while down the Cape. they seemed to have more sex in this book than all the Spenser books combined. I thought it was funny considering they were supposed to have been together at least 25 years.

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

Overall, I enjoyed it although I found some parts unbelievable.

Worst Spencer

And. I have read them all. Slow developing . Weak story line. It has a tired feel to it

Spencer is Alive.

Spenser is Still Spenser.

I liked this latest book of Atkins' best of all. The others are good but I was still mourning Bob Parker and resenting Ace for stepping in. Anyway Spenser is alive, he and his besties are coping with their ages and dealing with the technology and changing culture of the 21st Century and they're adapting well.

Joe is perfect and Ace is great and awful

Ace Atkins exceeds the late Mr Parker in many ways. Spencer's quips and inner monologue are superb. The villains and most of the main characters are written with a fresh smart gleam. HOWEVER, HIS DIALOGUE BETWEEN SPENSER AND SUSAN IS SO SCHMALTZY AND OUT OF DATE IT IS HORRIFIC TO LISTEN TO. IN REAL LIFE THE CHARACTERS OF SUSAN AND SPENSER WOULD NEVER ACTUALLY HAVE SEX BECAUSE THEY WOULD NEVER STOP THROWING UP. I FEEL BAD FOR THE NARRATOR WHO HAS TO UTTER THIS OBVIOUS, TRYING TO HARD TO BE CUTE DIALOGUE. ISHY AND CREEPY ..YIKES

Spenser is back!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I really enjoyed this book. I am a life long Spenser fan, I was so sad when Parker died, but am so glad Ace Atkins has kept the series going. The dialogue is very similar to Parker and he has kept all the main characters going. I hope there are more books to come!

Enough Already

I've been a Spenser fan for a long time but have reached my limit with this tedious story. It's brimming with too many characters to keep track of, however, not enough Hawk. Moreover, the sex scenes with Susan have become tiresome, formulaic and never move the plot forward. We get it already. Same for the cooking segments. They're just monotonous filler. Point is: I'm through with Spenser until Atkins can come up with something better.

Great series

I love this series, great characters and wonderful story telling. it's like the characters are good friends.

where is haw

I don't know what Ace Atkinson's problem is. on ever since he took off her from Robert b Parker riding the Spencer's novels he's not once put hawk in any of the books. and really I think he's written six or seven books about Spencer. and no hawk. I'm not going to read anymore until he's in it.

Slow Burn

Ace Adkins does not disappoint. He keeps the Spenser character alive. Joe Mantegna is also the best!!!!

Ace Atkins is true to Parker

What made the experience of listening to Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn the most enjoyable?

Robert B Parker is one of my favorite authors, I am very glad Ace Atkins was picked
to continue the Spenser character.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn?

I don't want to spoil the unfolding of the story, the action scenes are great.

What about Joe Mantegna’s performance did you like?

He has that old time film noir element to his delivery.