Not his best work. While investigating the real-life onstage murder of an actor, Spenser wanders around trying to make connections that don't even begin to make sense until about the last 20 pages. Meanwhile it rains. A lot. Even the irrepressible Hawk is subdued in this one. ( )

good straightforward novel, lots and lots of jokes between the main characters keep this book alive. The suspense is okay, not really great and takes a backseat to the humor in the book. ( )

This is a darker than normal entry into the Spenser series that is still enjoyable. I’m always happiest to see Hawk and Spenser working together. But, you could just feel everyone getting ground down over the course of this addition. It read much more as a noir. This was an interesting experiment, but Spenser didn’t really feel at home in this dismal new world. Then again, we all need a reminder of how terrible the world can be at times... ( )

Only 3.5 stars. Parker is great with descriptions and characterizations. But this was a gloomy gloomy setting and even the weather was miserable. Other books have been a lot more fun. The most amusing conversation was when he asked Susan about a mentally disturbed actress, and Susan replied, "She's nuts." So Spencer said that was too technical and wanted it more in layman's terms and she gave him her psychologist insights.

I bought the book, but it's going to end up at Little Free Library. I think some of the other patrons will like it more than I did. ( )

Walking Shadow is Robert B. Parker’s 21st (out of 40) novel featuring the Boston P.I. Spenser. In this one, Spenser’s long-time unmarried (and darn well going to stay that way) girlfriend, Susan Silverman, dragoons him into attending a production of a theater company on whose board she serves in the not very prosperous port city of Port City (no such real place). When one of the cast is shot on stage, Spenser (with Susan’s prodding) takes it upon himself to assist the local police in solving the murder.

During his investigation, Spenser runs afoul of the local Chinese gang (tong), which would be extremely dangerous for any normal person, and even Spenser deems the peril sufficient to enlist the aid of two of his toughest compatriots, Hawk and Vinnie Morris. With their able assistance, Spenser stays alive and solves not only the original murder but two other murders that his investigation precipitates. In the process, Parker answers one question that his followers have wondered about for many novels, namely: who is the best pistolero of Spenser’s associates? It surprised me to discover that Vinnie is better with a gun than either Spenser or Hawk.

The repartee among the characters is up to Parker’s high standards. For example:

“What are you going to do?” Hawk said.
“Susan and I are going to a reception and board meeting at the theater,” I said.
“What could be better,” Hawk said.
“How about getting whacked in the nose with a brick?” I said.
“Well, yeah,” Hawk said. “That would be better.”

Evaluation: Parker is very good at this genre, and this book is a fine example of his craft, but this genre is so light that I hesitate to give the book a 4 star rating.

(JAB) ( )