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)

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 HOWEVER, HIS DIALOGUE BETWEEN SPENSER AND SUSAN IS SO SCHMALTZY AND OUT OF DATE IT IS HORRIFIC TO LISTEN TO.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

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.

 Parker typical Story was good characters 

I am thoroughly happy with Robert B Parker, and the characters that are part of his long series

Another Great One

Great story enjoyed it from start to finish. It'
s great that someone is carrying on Parkers legacy.

Great series

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

Loyal to the Spencer books

I have read all of the Spencer books. I loved Robert B Parker and since Ace Atkins took over they continue to entertain me. I am not sure he always captures the humor that Robert Parker did but he is true to the characters, so I will read them and enjoy them as quick fun detective novels.

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!

Slow Burn

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

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.

Not as good as Parker.

The story line is stretched out too much. Montegna 's reading is very slow and the pace was the same for all characters . I finished but don't really recommend it