When a simple case turns into a treacherous and politically charged investigation, Spenser faces his most difficult challenge yet-keeping his cool while his beloved Susan Silverman is in danger. Spenser knows something's amiss the moment Dennis Doherty walks into his office. The guy's aggressive yet wary, in the way men frightened for their marriages always are. So when Doherty asks Spenser to investigate his wife Jordan's abnormal behavior, Spenser agrees. A job's a job, after all. Not surprisingly, Spenser catches Jordan with another man, tells Dennis what he's found out, and considers the case closed. But a couple of days later, all hell breaks loose, and three people are dead. This isn't just a marital affair gone bad. Spenser is in the middle of hornet's nest of trouble, and he's got to get out of it without getting stung. With Hawk watching his back, and gun-for- hire Vinnie Morris providing extra cover, Spenser delves into a complicated and far-reaching operation: Jordan's former lover, Perry Alderson, is the leader of a group that helps sponsor terrorists. But Perry doesn't like Spenser poking around his business, so he decides to get to Spenser through Susan. The Boston P.I. will use all his connections both above and below the law to uncover the truth behind Perry's antigovernment organization. But what Alderson doesn't realize is that Spenser will stop at absolutely nothing to keep Susan out of harm's way; nothing will keep him from the woman he loves.

Published
October 23, 2007
Where to find this book
External links open a book search at the selected retailer. Availability may vary.
Spenser

The series

Full series details →

In the layered streets of Boston, where power shifts like the tides and loyalty is the rarest currency, one man has built a career on standing firm when others bend. The Spenser series carves out a world that feels startlingly real—gritty yet sharply human, laced with danger but grounded by heart. At the center of it all is a private investigator whose code of honor is as unshakable as the city’s granite foundations.

Read full series description

What sets this iconic detective series apart isn’t just the cases—though they are twisty, tense, and rooted in the complex web of urban life—but the way it unpacks the human spirit. Alongside trusted allies like the enigmatic Hawk and the ever-insightful Susan Silverman, these stories pull readers into a landscape where choices are rarely black and white, and every victory comes at a cost.

Originally brought to life by Robert B. Parker and later entrusted to writers like Mike Lupica, the series has evolved while staying true to its core: a rich exploration of morality, loyalty, and the gray spaces in between. With a writing style that's crisp yet layered, the narratives balance sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and a steady undercurrent of suspense that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.

From early classics to new installments that tackle modern dilemmas without losing the soul of the original work, the series continues to strike a rare balance—combining hardboiled crime storytelling with a deeply personal look at what it means to do the right thing when it’s anything but easy.

For anyone drawn to detective fiction that doesn't just entertain but lingers long after the final page, this is a world worth stepping into—and maybe getting a little lost in.

#1 · 1973The Godwulf Manuscript #2 · 1974God Save the Child #3 · 1975Mortal Stakes #4 · 1976Promised Land #5 · 1978The Judas Goat #6 · 1980Looking for Rachel Wallace #7 · 1981Early Autumn #8 · 1981A Savage Place #9 · 1982Ceremony #10 · 1983The Widening Gyre #11 · 1984Valediction #12 · 1985A Catskill Eagle #13 · 1986Taming a Seahorse #14 · 1987Pale Kings and Princes #15 · 1988Crimson Joy #16 · 1989Playmates #17 · 1990Stardust #18 · 1991Pastime #19 · 1992Double Deuce #20 · 1993Paper Doll #21 · 1994Walking Shadow #22 · 1995Thin Air #23 · 1996Chance #24 · 1997Small Vices #25 · 1998Sudden Mischief #26 · 1999Hush Money #27 · 2000Hugger Mugger #28 · 2001Potshot #29 · 2002Widow's Walk #30 · 2003Back Story #31 · 2004Bad Business #32 · 2005Cold Service #33 · 2006School Days #34 · 2006Hundred-Dollar Baby #35 · 2007Now and Then #36 · 2008Rough Weather #37 · 2009The Professional #38 · 2010Painted Ladies #39 · 2011Sixkill #40 · 2012Robert B. Parker's Lullaby #41 · 2013Robert B. Parker's Wonderland #41.5 · 2014Silent Night #42 · 2014Robert B. Parker's Cheap Shot #43 · 2015Robert B. Parker's Kickback #44 · 2016Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn #45 · 2017Robert B. Parker's Little White Lies #46 · 2019Robert B. Parker's Old Black Magic #47 · 2019Robert B. Parker's Angel Eyes #48 · 2021Robert B. Parker's Someone to Watch Over Me #49 · 2022Robert B. Parker's Bye Bye Baby #50 · 2023Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust #51 · 2024Robert B. Parker's Hot Property #52 · 2025Robert B. Parker's Showdown #54 · 2026Robert B. Parker's Framed #55 · 2027Spenser Book 55
Risingshadow

Be the first reviewer

Sign in and write the first reader review.

Risingshadow

Readers Also Enjoyed