Iconic, tough-but-tender Boston PI Spenser delves into the black market art scene to investigate a decades-long unsolved crime of dangerous proportions.The heist was legendary, still talked about twenty years after the priceless paintings disappeared from one of Boston’s premier art museums. Most thought the art was lost forever, buried deep, sold off overseas, or, worse, destroyed as … destroyed as incriminating evidence. But when paint chips from the most valuable piece stolen, Gentlemen in Black by a Spanish master, arrives at the desk of a Boston journalist, the museum finds hope and enlists Spenser’s help.
Soon the cold art case thrusts Spenser into the shady world of black market art dealers, aged Mafia bosses, and old vendettas. A five-million-dollar-reward by the museum’s top benefactor, an aged, unlikable Boston socialite, sets Spenser and pals Vinnie Morris and Hawk onto a trail of hidden secrets, jailhouse confessions, and decades-old murders.
Set against the high-society art scene and the low-life back alleys of Boston, this is classic Spenser doing what he does best.
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Spencer is approached by a dying gentleman, Mr. Locke who is also a Private Investigator who was hired twenty years ago by The Winthrop museum to recover three pieces of art that seem to have vanished off the face of the earth. This heist wasn’t a professional hit by any means, it was sloppy and one of the pieces were torn. Mr. Locke has been all over the world and back looking for these three pieces, one is a small Picasso, Goya but the prize is an El Greco, “The Gentleman in Black”. The El Greco had a bit of a shady history behind it as well, but it was Winthrop’s main concern. Mr. Locke’s dying wish is that these pieces would be recovered to the museum before he passes on. Spencer agrees to meet with the board of Winthrop, it seems they are getting a lot of activity regarding these pieces since the statute of limitations has run out on the theft itself, plus there is still is a hefty award awaiting anyone who recovers these pieces Spencer, of course, clashes with the board immediately, they are a snobby lot, but he does help them up to a point, but there is only so much pretentiousness he’ll take. They are not too impressed with him either, but he’s used to being underestimated. After one failed attempt, where he takes all the blame and deserves none, he’s fired off the case. This is where the fun begins, he’s flying solo on this caper no Hawk or Z for back up, but he can always count on Vinnie Morris. I love what Ace Atkins has done with this series, he’s done a great job and they are still a pleasure to read. Spencer hasn’t lost his acerbic wit and he’s still a force to reckoned with. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion expressed above.
It might not be Robert B. Parker, but it’s still Spenser. Atkins writes longer, more complex books and that’s something I enjoy.
Ace Atkins is doing a great job keeping the Spenser For Hire series going, and Old Black Magic is an interesting addition. While Hawk doesn’t make an appearance in this book, Vinnie is there to help Spenser find a stolen and incredibly valuable painting. There are lots of twists and turns, dead ends, and double-crosses. It’s a good mystery, and Spenser is in fine form.
Dr. Parker really can’t be replaced, but Ace Atkins does a good job here.
He’s really hit his stride with the characters these last few Spenser books.
Reads and sounds just like Robert B. Parker
Very well written. Ace does a great job of mimecan Robert Parker’s style.
Robert B. Parker would be a very hard act to follow, but Ace Atkins has done an admirable job in carrying on the adventures of Spenser, Susan Silverman, Hawk and others in Spenser’s Boston.
I always like Robert B Parkers books. I try to read everyone of them.
Once again, Atkins has done a good job with the Parker/Spenser franchise. The usual roster of Boston characters, both law abiding and otherwise. Great story based upon an actual art heist with a plot that moves along like marathon three card monty.