Hugger Mugger

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

Spenser is back and embroiled in a dangerous and multi-layered case. Someone has been killing racehorses at stables across the south, and Walter Clive, president of Three Fillies Stables, hires him to find out who. Spenser goes to Georgia to protect Hugger Mugger, a two-year-old destined to become the next Secretariat. Disregarding the resentment of the local Georgia law enforcement, he takes the case. Despite the veneer of civility, Spenser encounters tensions beneath the surface old boy bonhomie. The case takes an even more deadly turn when the attacker claims a human victim, and Spenser must revise his impressions of the Three Fillies organization - and watch his own back as well.

"One of the great series in the history of the American detective story." (New York Times Book Review)

Critic reviews

"Brisk..crackling...HuggerMugger finishes strong, just like a thoroughbred should." —Entertainment Weekly

"A winner...The famous dialogue is polished to a high shine...Terrific." —Kirkus Reviews

Very enjoyable story.

The narrator did a great job! A very enjoyable story that helped eat up the miles while driving. I will listen to more of the Spencer series.

What a relief

I was trying (unsuccessfully) to listen to the whole series after having read them out of order for the last 30 years, but David Dukes was too much for me to handle. Joe did a great job and I’m interested to hear how he does Hawk.

hugger m u nnger

great story. I always love listening to Joe montego a narrate the stoies. his presentation fits the humor of the authors intent

ending was a little vague on the actual reveal

very uninformed ending for the reader.
didn't necessarily explain who dun it.
left me a little bit confused about the actual killer, and plot to kill

Spenser sees the South.

Robert B. Parker is a master at what he does (or did), and Joe Mantegna is likewise a master of what he still does, thank goodness. This book takes Spenser to Lamar, Georgia, where he gets immersed in a murder whodunit and also gets a large dose of Southern Hospitality, something of an oxymoron. The plot moves along nicely, and once again Parker throws red herring after red herring. You just cannot guess the ending, and I won't divulge it. The story revolves around a horse breeding and racing operation, three sisters who have vastly different life stories, despite having one horrendous trauma in common, again a thing which I will let Joe Mantegna tell you. Mantegna is truly a gifted actor, and a marvelous audiobook narrator. The change of climate from Spenser's hometown, Boston, is a welcome diversion from the usual Parker yarn. He gets to pine away for Susan Silverman, which adds some poignance to the story. Readers of Parker will recognize that this is not his absolutely finest material, but better-than-average Parker is a bar which many other whodunit authors would kill to reach.