Jacqui's Reviews > Robert B. Parker's Hot Property

In Mike Lupica's latest Robert Parker Spenser novel, Hot Property, readers are treated to another excellent rendition of Robert Parker's voice  through Mike Lupica's pen. Spenser is as usual looking for his next case, but not stressing over it, enjoying his time with his significant other, Susan, and his partner and best friend, Hawk. They live a good life in Boston, Mass, interrupted at times by detective cases only Spenser can unravel such as finding lost people or solving unsolvable crimes. This one is more personal. Spenser's good friend, Rita, is almost killed for no apparent reason and Spenser won’t let it go until he can figure out who did it. Untangling this one takes unexpected turns that don’t even slow Spenser down despite being a few more murders and an attempt in his own life. All of this--no surprise--Spenser takes in stride.

Besides being a well paced book with likable characters, Spenser has a sense of humor that never fails to spice up the story. For example:

“We were going for elegant here, champ,” she said. “Not to mention swellegant,”

“You’re a pretty funny guy,” he said. “Yeah,” I said, “but I’m trying to quit.”

The original author of the Spenser character, Robert Parker, is dead but this continuation of the series is the unusual example of a new author (Mike Lupica) able to take on original author's persona and writing style almost perfectly. If you liked the early Spenser stories, you will still love this one.