Sudden Mischief

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: William Windom

Length: 6 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Brad Sterling - former Harvard football player, ne¿er-do-well, and Susan Silverman's long out-of touch ex-husband, is by all appearances a successful businessman. But when, in the course of running a vast fundraiser called Galapalooza, he is charged with sexual harassment, he turns to Susan for help. Though Brad denies the charge, he's desperate, behind in alimony and child support payments to other exes, and on the verge of insolvency. When Spenser, Susan's current love interest, reluctantly agrees to take the case, however, Brad claims everything is fine - he's free of debt and free of problems. While the harassment charge begins to look more and more suspicious, Spenser senses there is something wrong with Galapalooza as leads to charities turn into dead ends. Susan, meanwhile, becomes steadily more agitated as she wrestles former demons reincarnated by her ex-husband's reappearance. As the questions mount, Brad disappears, a body is found, and clues to a shadowy mob connection begin to surface. Spenser finds himself fighting a two-front war against some very bad men, on the one hand, and against an increasingly unpredictable Susan, on the other.

©1999 Robert B. Parker (P)2009 Phoenix

Featuring Susan Silverman; But It's Good Anyway

Susan asks Spenser to help her ex-husband Brad Sterling (Silverman being too Jewish) who has come to her with a sob story about being broke. Strangely enough he informs Spenser that she's an overwrought woman being too melodramatic. In the meantime she's extremely bitchy towards Spenser who has taken on the case pro bono in order to help her ex solely because she asks him. Naturally Spenser accepts this with equanimity; and along with his pal Hawk they go through thugs on both sides of the law to get to the truth. In the meantime Spenser and the evidently weirdly compelling Susan Silverman work through her problem in a highly Freudian way though it hasn't been the therapy of choice since the 1960's. Despite all the negatives this is an action filled, fast paced mystery that delivers what we've come to expect from Parker's first icon.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

THIS READER CANNOT DO PARKER's RHYTHM

This reader CANNOT do Parker. Those of us who love the English language, and who love rhythm that authors create, look forward to someone reading who understands that musical magic. This guy is TERRIBLE. Everywhere there's a period (which is very frequent with Parker!) he reads as a comma or a question mark. It's EXCRUTIATING. AWFUL. PLEASE do not let this guy read Parker again, and I really want my money back.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Complex Story; okay reading

Where does Sudden Mischief rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very good

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

interesting complex plot, I wasn't on the edge of my seat, but remained very interested

Did William Windom do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

He does a good spenser, but all the characters sound the same. I could not differentiate Spence from Hawk

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

Kept me interested as I commuted and on my walks.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable story but narrator detracts

I am enjoying the story as much as I have the other Spenser novels I've listened to with one exception - the narrator. I haven't finished the book yet and it is a struggle to get myself to turn it on as I find the narration so distracting compared to Joe Mantegna's narration in other Spenser novels. This narrator has a very old, gravelly voice which does not fit the character of Spencer and the rhythm is off. There is also very little distinction between the characters so at times you aren't quite sure who is speaking. The story is fine but can't recommend the narrator.

Robert B Parker Spenser series always a good read

Where does Sudden Mischief rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was the 2nd audio book I ever listened to and got me hooked on audio. The story line was interesting, the personal interaction of Susan Spenser and Hawk was funny and warm and gives a first comer to Spenser a good view of the characters. I have since read all of the Spenser series and they are those that I'll read, or listen to, over and over. Just so sorry the run is over. We lost a great writer and philosopher when Mr. Parker left us.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As always with this series, Spenser, Susan and Hawk occupy the favorite positions because of their interacting relationships and the philosophies they convey.

Which scene was your favorite?

Susan

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I don't do tag lines

Any additional comments?

Read all of the Spenser books....I went back and started with the 1st. It was entertaining to grow with the characters.