Valediction

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

The most dangerous man to cross is one who isn't afraid to die. But the most deadly is one who doesn't want to live. And Spenser has just lost the woman who made life his #1 priority.

So when a religious sect kidnaps a pretty young dancer, no death threat can make Spenser cut and run. Now a hit man's bullet is wearing Spenser's name. But Boston's big boys don't know Spenser's ready and willing to meet death more than halfway.

"Tough, wisecracking, unafraid and unexpectedly literate --in many respects the very exemplar of the species." (The New York Times)©1992 Robert B. Parker; (P)2009 Random House

A Single Dream Exacts a Terrible Price

The headline is something of a paraphrase from The Great Gatsby.Susan Silverman is involved with another man and rather than coming back to Boston she's moving to San Francisco. So Spenser dives into a depression, he dates, and he courts death by taking on a heroin ring to rescue a girl and give her an opportunity to reunite with her boyfriend. Still Spenser keeps the faith. In himself, in Susan, in Hawk. A darker work than the usual Spenser novel it works as a change of pace from the normal Parker take on his alter ego.

Love is hard

Excellent book. Good example of what love often really is, complicated. Good read. Very enjoyable.

Not the best Parker, but still pretty good.

Robert B. Parker wrote a number of Spenser novels, in which Spenser's best friend was a black guy named Hawk, and his girlfriend was a woman named Susan Silverman. In this book he essentially subtracts Susan. Frankly, I think it is a loss, but I understand the need to shake things up a little, particularly for a writer as prolific as Parker. The plot concerns a church which is a front for something else (I won't spoil it for you) and some gangsters who seem somehow to be involved with the church. Michael Prichard does his usual terrific job of narrating the book. Spenser comes very close to dying at the end, which is a twist, as he and Hawk are usually possessed of ultra-masculinity and powers that few other men could even dream of. There is a love interest, a woman named Linda, but she comes off as weak and colorless, compared to the erudite Susan. Spenser's devotion to Susan is almost comical, if it weren't so utterly pure. If you haven't read any of the Spenser books, I would not start here. The earlier books are absolutely terrific. This one is not. There is way too much plot exposition at the end. Spenser lives, but as Hawk says, "You ain't the man you was." Ain't it the truth.

always enjoy me some spencer

we like the storyline, don't understand Susan some of the time. the multiple relationships are exciting and complex.

Spenser in Crisis

I’ve never encountered a Spenser novel that I didn’t enjoy. Valediction is no different. I read and/or listened to the entire series more times than I know and they’re always en.

I’ve never been a fan of Susan and this is Susan at her very worst. I’ve always called Valediction the middle of the “Susan” trilogy that puts her narcissistic tendencies on full display. Some of my favorite novels in the series are the ones where she’s absent. The way she callously disrespects Spenser in this novel is unsettling. I actually liked Linda Thomas and hoped against all hope that he would cut Susan free and begin a relationship with Linda.

Outside of Susan, I enjoyed this novel. The twist was unexpected and welcome. Overall, a nice quick listen and read.