I have a confession. My favorite book series of all-time is Robert B. Parker’s Spenser novels. Yeah, I know that as far as confessions go this one isn’t all that newsworthy. But given my love for the thriller genre and the great authors for whom I have professed my admiration, like bestselling authors Daniel Silva and Brad Thor to name just two, this confession might come as a surprise to some. However, it’s 100% true. I started reading Spenser books when I was in middle school after discovering the mid-1980’s TV series Spenser for Hire with Robert Urich & Avery Brooks.
Spenser books have always delivered. They are quick reads that offer intriguing stories, are filled with tons of sarcasm and include characters I absolutely love. In fact, I would further confess that Spenser and Hawk are my all-time favorite literary duo. They are fantastic characters that, because of the TV series, are easy to picture taking on the bad guys with vigor and without fear. As such, I am forever grateful to Ace Atkins for taking the torch from the late, great Robert B. Parker to keep Spenser, Hawk and the gang alive and kicking ass.
The latest installment, Someone To Watch Over Me, starts with a teenage girl’s lost backpack but quickly turns into Spenser and his apprentice, the 22-year old Mattie Sullivan, going up against rich and powerful adversaries. The more we learn about the targets of Spenser & Mattie’s investigation, the more horrifying events come to light, which naturally result in Spenser facing more danger…par for the course for him. Thankfully, Spenser has the usual crew by his side – Hawk with heavy weaponry and intimidation, Susan Silverman with psychoanalysis and unconditional love, Quirk with the power of the Boston PD, Rita Fiore with legal prowess, and a new puppy representing the reincarnation of beloved Pearl – as they seek to righteously put an end to monstrous acts perpetrated by a smarmy rich couple.
This book has everything I’ve loved about Spenser novels since my childhood. A fast-moving plot, Spenser seeking righteous justice for marginalized victims, sarcasm galore, undying love between Spenser and Susan, Hawk being a bad ass, sexual icon, and more. It’s a wonderful homage to the great works of Robert B. Parker and a worthy entry into the Spenser lexicon. Ace Atkins is on a roll with the last 2 books in the series being the best since he took over in 2012. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us Spenser fans going forward.
If you haven’t read a Spenser novel before, I urge you to do so in 2021. I don’t know what you’re waiting for. The series started in 1973 and there are now 48 books in the series. 48!!!!! That’s insane. But if you do decide to pick up one of these books, I promise you a fun story with wonderful characters. Check it out. You’ll be making childhood me very happy if you do.
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