I received a free advance copy of this from NetGalley.Spenser tries to bring down a rich pedophile who has been protected for years by his wealth and influence. This guy also has a partner in a woman who helps him lure the girls in, and they are often taken to a private island where other powerful men come to party.That’s just such a disturbing and creepy premise that I’m glad this is a work of fiction and that nothing like that could happen in real life….In the first Spenser book that Ace Atkin...

Boston private detective Spenser had his first outing in 1973, and as the series fast approaches its fiftieth book it would be tempting to conclude that by now he’d come across as a tired, seen it all has-been who is simply going through the motions. Truth to tell, it feels nothing like that. In 2012 the baton was handed on by the late Robert B. Parker to journalist turned author Ace Atkins, in whose safe hands I believe the series is likely to have legs for some time to come. Here Spenser’s you...

It has been too long since I visited the world of Spenser and co. 'Someone to Watch Over Me' quickly reminded me of why I have always found this series so endearing. Spenser is the best - a super smart, hilarious strong man with a soft heart. Hawk's character is the perfect compliment to Spenser's and is just too cool for words. Susan is the conscious and glue that keeps Spenser balanced and sane. I love her intellect, confidence, wit, and big heart. And, of course, Spenser's latest pup (of the

This is the last of the Spenser books. No, it isn’t an end to the series, but it is the end of my reading of the new ones. After forty-eight years, three authors, and forty-nine books, it is time to say goodbye to Spenser, Hawk, Susan and all the rest of the gang.When Robert Parker died suddenly ten years ago, his estate’s decision to continue the series (whether for art, honor, or money) with Ace Atkins at the helm didn’t seem like a terrible idea. Ace Atkins is an excellent writer.However, whe...

4 Stars. A good read about a pair of sleazy slimeballs. Spenser, Hawk and 22-year-old Mattie Sullivan, you'll remember her street-wise attitude from "Lullaby" from 2012, slowly develop a jaw dropping case of sexual exploitation and assault of several minors against mega-rich Peter Steiner and his enabler, socialite Patricia "Poppy" Palmer. This is the second Spenser novel in a row to steal from current headlines. This time it's an adaptation of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell affair. I...

As I mentioned the other day, after Robert B. Parker died I tried one of the Spenser novels by Ace Atkins, and gave up. The voice just didn’t hit me right. I’d always been a fan of Spenser, enjoying his witty, sometimes snarky comments. It’s been a few years, and I finally picked up Robert B. Parker’s Someone to Watch Over Me. Spenser and Hawk are right in this book. I wonder, though, how long the series will continue. Both of them are aware that they’re aging. Of course, they’ve been aging for

Ace Atkins does a great job with the Spenser series and here he does a do over of the Jeff Epstein episode, and if you still don't get it, he names one of his cops Epstein. Spense and Hawk take down a rich millionaire and his procurer with a penchant for sex with children. Has a nice surprise ending. Recommended.

Parker would be proudLike the best of Spenser, with a Pearl, a Susan, Hawk his own bad self, a Gray and a Mattie. Some reflections on shared past, and a view to an easy exit. A solid plot, well-wrapped, makes the reader hungry for more of Boston’s finest.

Mattie is Spenser's part time secretary/sleuthing assistant. I can see why he likes her -- she's full of bravado and has a true mouth on her. She tells him a friend, only 15 years old, was asked to give a massage to an older man in a gentleman's club -- only a massage for $500. You can guess that's not all that happened. When the girl ran, she left her backpack and they won't give it back. You know Spenser is not going to let this ride. Big news flash: Hawk is back! The Spenser books have not be...

When my favorite author, Robert B. Parker died unexpectedly in January 2010, I was devastated. He was a great mystery/detective writer with several viable series in the genre. After his death the executors of his estate decided, together with Parker’s publishers, to allow the Spenser, Jesse Stone, Sunny Randall, and Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch series to continue to be written by agreed-upon authors.The Spenser novels first continued with the one Parker was working on at his death was completed b...

Spenser is one of my all-time favorite book characters (and one of very few who translated well to the small screen, IMHO). When this author took over from the late Robert B. Parker, I was skeptical; but he's done an exemplary job of staying true to the original. My only "complaint," if you will, is that I've seen little of Spenser's cohort Hawk - another favorite character - and when he did appear, he didn't quite "sound" like himself. Well, folks, Hawk's back in this one - both in person and v...

Iconic Boston Private Eye: Spenser returns to kick butt across Boston, Miami and the Bahamas with the aid of his best friend and ally, the ever dangerous and stylish Hawk. They are charged with taking down the villainous Peter Steiner and his henchwoman and accomplice, Poppy Palmer. In a gritty hard-boiled fashion, Ace Atkins provides a pitch perfect drama, as they attempt to make order out of chaos and injustice. Mattie Sullivan works for Spenser as apart-time assistant and sleuth-in-training w...

★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.---It was early evening and early summer, and my bay window was cracked open above Berkeley Street. I had a half-eaten turkey sub on my desk and the sports page from The Globe splayed out underneath. Dan Shaughnessy proclaimed Mookie Betts to be overrated. I'm sure many said the same thing about me. But I was pretty sure being overrated was better than being underrated. A mistake few made twice.I contemplated Mookie’s s...

"You're making a very big mistake." -- Matthew Greebel, shyster attorney for the villain"Please - threaten me with something more original." -- Spenser, the P.I. (rolling his eyes)Author Atkins cruises in with his ninth (I've lost count, but meant in a good way) novel featuring the singularly-named Boston private investigator, and I think this is one of the rare times where the series goes on a truly topical bent. Now assisted by spirited 22 year-old trainee Mattie Sullivan - introduced as a 'So...

Cool PI story - very Epstein-ish. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Since I can’t remember the last time I read a story by Robert Parker, reading this version, even though it’s number 48 in a series, was a brand new experience.I have to say I was not intimidated in the least to be reading book 48 in the series. I had hoped that it would be a standalone to a degree and in fact, it pretty much was. While I’m sure the majority of the characters were in prior novels, I did not feel lost in the least.The aut...

I was going to compliment Ace on doing a great job capturing Parker’s voice. But really at this point it’s just a great Ace Atkins Spenser novel. When I laugh out loud while reading, I know it’s Spenser at his best. Thank you Ace.

It’s always risky to jump into a long-running series for the first time. But with a little checking on the characters’ backstories, I was able to enjoy Someone to Watch Over Me by Ace Atkins, the legacy author for Robert B. Parker and his Spenser series. I don't have the issue of comparing the "new" author from the series creator.Most people checking into this book know the characters far better than I do so I’ll simply say I found Spenser, Hawk, Susan and the others enjoyable characters. Lots o...

There’s easy-breezy reading, and then there’s this. Snatched from the headlines, this is obviously Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell meets Spenser and Hawk as James Bond, with CIA Epstein as Felix Leiter. The Grey Man is the Bond villain, though he’s really the very-pale, raspy Sean Harris as Solomon Lane here, from the recent, excellent Mission: Impossible movies. These are such obvious cut and paste jobs that some may get offended and think it’s lazy. It very well might be, but there’s a m...

I was delighted to find a new Spenser novel today. I had every intention of only reading horror fiction this October but for Spenser I will make an exception. Ace Atkins has written a very exciting book and I am happy to report Hawk is featured prominently. (This is not a spoiler this information is actually on the back cover.) Someone To Watch Over Me is a cracking good read I really enjoyed.