Boston PI Spenser faces a hot case and a personal crisis in this adventure in Robert B. Parker’s iconic New York Times bestselling series.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 … 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.
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You like Spenser et al, and grieve Parker’s passing.
Then you try a continuation, and, to your astonishment, the guy gets the tone right, and the adventure goes on, even with stuff like knee replacements (we know about these at our house)!
Go, Ace!
And I am checking out your Quinn Colson (lots more cussing, and fewer literary references) series, too.
Really enjoyed this Spenser PI book by Ace Atkins. Good story/writing and follows the series spot on with all the previous characters in Robert B. Parker’s original books. So glad Mr. Atkins has continued with this series. Enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the original series by Parker.
Enjoyed all 10 of Ace Atkins Quinn Colson books. Cant wait for the next one.
Ace Atkins does Spenser right!
I’m thrilled with the continuing series of Robert B Parker’s Spenser series after Mr. Parker’s death. Ace Atkins is doing a super job providing Spenser fans continuing adventures, sense of humor, and depth of characters we all love.
A true Parker
I always enjoy the Parker books. Just enough witty remarks to break up any sad parts. Wonderful characters.
Maybe not one of Parker’s best but still a wonderful read.
Every time I finish a Robert B. Parker book I get angry. I have read all of them at least once this time was a second time. I am angry because its like a great meal or desert, it is now gone. The fact that he will be writing no more books seems doubly sad after You have been waiting for all the books to come out for so long and there will be no new books as he is dead. So I reread….Its that good that I read about 1-2 books a week and he is by far my favorite writer.
If you haven’t read a Spencer novel, you have a lot of titles to enjoy. The Spencer character is likeable, his cohorts are great and the plot moves fast. The only negative is the books are way too short; you can read one in an afternoon, so you don’t get your money’s worth.
Never wrapped up one of the key conflicts in the book.
A typical Spenser novel. Characters remain the same, witty dialogue, and a good underlying mystery. Fans of the series won’t be disappointed.
Parker rocks!
This is the first book I’ve read written by the new author who will continue the Spenser stories. I noticed references to current events and a slightly dfferent style of writing. It was good.
Ace Atkins does a fairly good continuation of Spencer’s but I don’t really care for the change in Susan.
This author tries to recreate the original characters but doesn’t really manage
Good book
I love Spenser and the stories are always entertaining and just enough whimsy, romance, and action .
True to the character of Spenser.
Ace isn’t Robert but pretty darn close.