so-soThis may change in later novels in the series, but for the earlier volumes, I feel they are as interesting as cultural artifacts as they are as mysteries.
A formula emerges: all women involved in the case will be irresistibly drawn to Spenser, comment on his physique without fail, he will sleep with at least one. All architecture, ensembles and meals will be described in detail, which personally, in the case of the outfits, is fascinating. 1/?
"Still in the same crummy dump?"
"I have not relocated my office,"
Pffft, it's all in the way you say it! ?
Gotta say, that's the first time I've seen THAT as a damage note in a library book. 🤨
Luckily, this will probably be my first and only exposure to coal residue, so I don't fear carcinogenic properties in these quantities. Of all the books to get by ILL (that stands for interlibrary loan, not sickness)...think I'm gonna look up the history of Elkford...🤔
pickForgot how riveting Spenser and Susan are. Great mystery. (The period clothes though... it can‘t help but feel dated. So different from my first read 20+ years ago!). Restarting this series = best decision ever. Going to start the next one right now.
pickPretty good though I don't know if I'm sold enough to go further with this series.
God Save the Child | 
Perhaps showing my lack of sophistication but the people all seem to drink A LOT.
Strange dichotomy, where the hypermasculine protagonist appears to be completely laid back/understanding of friend/acquaintance/informant and bar full of strangers being gay, but happy to diagnose it as a psychological condition in a teenager. Ah, the 70s.
Why do I keep reading? Because the series is also peppered with laconic self-effacing wit, sometimes surprisingly sensitive (especially for the times it was written in), and it turns out I love a tightly written detective-led mystery! 🤷🏼♂️
⚠️ Sexual harrassment, sexism, homophobia, pedophilia 2y