Rough Weather (Spenser)
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Product Description
Hired as a bodyguard at an exclusive society wedding, Spenser witnesses an unexpected crime: the kidnapping of the young bride, which opens the door for murder, family secrets, and the reappearance of an old nemesis.
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
Crying need for tighter editing
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Comment:
Other reviewers who have been less than thrilled with the book have noted that the characters, dialogue and plots are getting a little tired. Much as I love the series, I think I have to agree, and I think better editing would help. For example, in this book, Spenser is talking to the headmistress of the school the kidnapped victim attended. She mentioned that at one point she referred the young woman to a 'pediatrician.' Following this, the doctor appears to magically change into a psychologist/psychiatrist. He refers to himself as a 'shrink' and Susan mentions him in that context. That's really getting complacent, on the part of the writer and the editor.
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Summary:
I'll Have More of the Same, Please.
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Comment:
Disclaimer: I am someone who enjoys Robert B. Parker's books so much that I named my dog Spenser.
Opening one of his books is like biting into a jelly doughnut. Yum! Rough Weather is no exception. All the ingredients are here: the economical, expertly wielded prose that conveys so much with so few words. The clever wordplay/foreplay between Spenser and Susan. The ethical dilemmas that we mere mortals might anguish over, wrestled into submission by our hero to produce his own unique brand of justice. And, of course, Hawk.
Rough Weather features the return of Spenser's near-invincible nemesis, the Gray Man, a merciless killer with whom Spenser feels a reluctant connection. (No need to consult Susan to analyze why.) The book also includes a rousing good action scene that's more nail-biting than the usual Spenser fisticuffs.
Get this book. Dig in. Mmmm, you're in for a treat!
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Summary:
Typical Spenser
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Comment:
Rough Weather is the typical Spenser novel at this point. It has a strange plot, snappy dialog, interesting characters, some action, and a bit of an anti-climactic finish. It's not bad, though, and if you've read all or many of his books you'll probably enjoy it.
In this outing, Spenser's hired to attend a wedding. The woman who hires him is a well-known celebrity, mostly notorious for marrying wealthy men, and cleaning them out, and then divorcing them. She's estranged from her third husband, and wants Spenser to attend her only daughter's wedding, so that in the event the girl's father (from whom she's divorced) tries to make a scene. Spenser thinks this odd, but takes the job anyway, and sure enough his suspicions are on target: armed men, led by Spenser's bete noir "The Gray Man" show up, kill the groom, and kidnap the bride. Spenser can't prevent any of this, and spends most of his time making sure his lady Susan (who he brought to the wedding) is safe. Then he and Hawk investigate why the Gray Man would be kidnapping the girl in such circumstances, and what they can do about it.
I enjoyed this book a great deal, though the plot is a bit muddled and confused at times. By now we know that plot isn't as important to Parker as characters and dialog are, and it shows here, but not particularly badly. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
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Summary:
Best Spenser Novel in Ages
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Comment:
I felt that this book had plenty of excitement, and if the plot wasn't that realistic, well, I'm fine with that. A lot of Robert B. Parker's plots aren't that realistic, but luckily this is detective fiction, not a documentary. Spenser is at his most Spenser-ish, there's plenty of quippy remarks, a mystery to solve and the Grey Man. There's also some nostalgia for us long-time Spenser readers, some closure and some sentiment - but not enough to make things awkward or slow anything down. I really enjoyed this book!
BTW, I'm amazed by the number of people here who don't like Susan - not because she's so likeable, but because she is so completely a part of the Spenser universe. I can't imagine reading a series of books where I feel such dislike for one of the major recurring characters. She's exactly what Spenser and Robert B. Parker want her to be. That seems like a good thing to me.
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Summary:
MORE WHITE SPACE; AND FRANKLY UNFINISHED
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Comment:
Again: A book comprised mostly of white space, and frankly unfinished. I repeat: Dear Mr. Parker: If you are so tired of writing this character, then stop now and put him out of his misery -- and us, as well, for we live in hope of Spenser's return. Don't follow John MacDonald* into finishing a beloved series with substandard writings. [*"The Dreadful Lemon Sky" and "The Empty Copper Sea," for which he's not forgiven, even 20 years after his death.] Stop now; retire Spenser gracefully. I've enjoyed these books too much to watch you in free-fall.
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