Pastime (The Spenser Series Book 18)

This seller is superb. the book is in absolutely brand new condition. It is physically almost as good as its content (after all this is Robert Parker)

Since Parker’s passing there have been attempts at keeping the Spenser franchise alive. No one has come close and I find myself resenting the shabby imitations. “Passtime” is Parker at his best; snappy turns of phrase, humor at every turn. There will never be another like him. The best we can hope for is another who can entertain us to the same degree in a unique way.

10 years ago, Patty Giacomin hired Spenser to look for her son Paul. And now, the son wants Spenser to look for his mother. In doing so, Spenser finds out she has a new beau named Rich Beaumont and Spenser isn't the only looking for them. What does, Gerry Broz-- son of Mob Boss, Joe Broz-- want with them?One of the things that sets this book aside from the other titles in the series up to this point is that we get a glimpse into Spenser's upbringing. Spenser has mentioned how he grew up in Laramie, WY and how he was raised by his father and two uncles. But this time Spenser goes into greater detail from how he was raised, when they moved to Boston, his first crush, and how he got into fighting.Parenthood is definitely a recurring theme in this book as you see it in Spenser's past, in Paul and Patty Giacomin's relationship, and even between Gerry and Joe Broz.And then there's the introduction to Pearl, the Wonder Dog who tags along with Spenser.I can't find a reason to not like this one. I mean after all, it's Spenser!

Robert B. Parker and Spenser are sublime even when the story is melancholy. Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall are great. Not to mention Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. But in my sentimental soul, all of them together don't match up to Spenser.

The characters were well developed and Likeable. But the story was bland. Finding a mother who doesn’t care, and being pursued by a wannabe mobster, but nothing happens with either of them. Since this is book 18, I hope 1-17 are more exciting.

I have thirty-five novels of Parker's Spenser novels, most of which I have read. "Pastime" is, in my opinion, undoubtedly the best of all the novels I have read. It is a shame he died last year because he was still producing good novels among those of his later years, not "Pastime" which is an earlier effort. It is not worth comparing the Jesse Stone or Sonny Randall books, I have never been able to figure out why he wrote them; if he thought he had a story to tell inappropiate for Spenser then write it as an independent novel; he did this in a series of his westerns. Could he have written another story as well or as compelling or as insightful as "Pastime" in another venue? We will never know. I think "Pastime" draws some of its interest from the small portions doled out in parts of the book about Spenser's origin. The Wyoming start is outlined broadly in just a few short sentences which, if collected in a single paragraph would have lacked the impact they gathered in the way they were presented, as explanations for some of his presnt behavior and personality. It also served as an explanation, as opposites, for Paul Giacomin's behavior and drives. Some of it was questionable, such as the four men coming East to help form more of Spenser's personality in a fitting manner, to a better purpose. The general plot was a search for Paul's mother, with no income generated in the doing. Three people were contrasted, not in side-by-side comparison but in developing the story. There was Spenser as one, Paul as two, and the crime lord's son, Gerry, as the third and the contrast in all three and how they developed. The plot itself was rather thin, almost an afterthought, as the main pupose definitely seemd to be an analysis of personalities and there was no real ending to the search, Paul's mother was found fairly early but the story went on, with Spenser singled out as a target for the criminals involved. The ending here was foreseeable and trite, no suspense, no mystery and very little interest generated, not even in the master criminal's actions. So why did I give it a five star rating? Forget the plot and study the characters. Parker developed his characters in this novel much better than in any of his other works, so go with the flow. It is worth reading and helps in reading the other novels as well.

This book was not up to his usual standards. I especially did not care for the narrator. I feel he did a terrible job with the other characters voices. Plus it didn't have any of the usual wise guy quick wit.

...But this one is a peach. Parker isn’t as good a writer as Connelly and the books are a little shorter than Sandford’s great Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers series, but here Spenser is, the true link between Philip Marlowe and the modern flawed hero. I love the way Parker writes about Spenser and Susan’s relationship, but this one gets my vote because he clearly knows and loves dogs, and here is where Pearl joins the stories as a true character. I hope she stays for the next 15 books or however many it is. Is this guy prolific or what? (Plus he also apparently co-wrote with Chandler himself.)

Outstanding characters. Interesting plot. Nice vivid trips around Concord and New England. Amusing studies of mafiosa, low life's, sympathetic good guys, despicable bad guys...what's not too like,huh?

Book as described

This is a poor story on its own and only worth reading as part of the Spenser series to understand some of the characters in later episodes.

I enjoyed reading this book. However, I do not think it held my interest as much as many of the other books by Robert B. Parker.