joannneuroth's reviews
93 reviews

Pale Kings and Princes by Robert B. Parker

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Ceremony by Robert B. Parker

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

A Savage Place by Robert B. Parker

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Mortal Stakes by Robert B. Parker

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful relaxing tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Judas Goat by Robert B. Parker

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I’m binge-reading my way through the series to help pass time in rehab from a complicated broken femur. They’re perfect.

Promised Land by Robert B. Parker

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book describes the roots of Spenser and Hawk’s long deep friendship as each recognizes a man of honor in the other. Fun to re-read

The Judge's List by John Grisham

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Grisham has me page-turning again. Tension, danger, risk high. Two strong women protagonists who persevere.

Content Warnings

Robert B. Parker's Hot Property by Mike Lupica

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I like the way these spinoff series continue Robert Parker‘s legacy and characters. Seemed a bit in the long side — many repetitive interviews with the same people,
asking the same questions, hoping to shake something new loose. But the plot was complex, intense, and action packed; bodies falling right and left. As always, dialogue was snappy. Spencer was arrogant and intuitive. Susan and Hawk were entertaining. Just the kind of book I needed right now.

The Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Spenser is one of a kind -- wise-ass, obnoxious, prickly ... but also wise, conscience-driven, seemingly indestructible and undeterred by fear. Here he's working solo, not yet having picked up Susan and Hawk, beloved to fans of future books in the series. This is the book for you when you need to rest your complex-thinking neurons and just follow Spenser as he wades (clueless) through complex situations poking at things to see what happens ... until something DOES happen and he follows the string. Also his home cooking is sometimes almost enough to make you drop the book and sizzle up some corn-fritters with fried apple slices.