The whole thing can turn to shit pretty quick. You pretty much just described his entire career. Parker did not get very far into his last Spenser novel before dying, so it fell to his literary agent to finish the book. She does a credible job of imitating Parker's style, though that would not be much of a challenge. He had lots of quirks that can be imitated. The plot is utterly predictable, but so were many of Parker's when he bothered with a plot at all. Indeed, the plot and its resolution, mostly the responsibility of agent Brann since Parker left no outline, is so obvious from the form Parker did not get very far into his last Spenser novel before dying, so it fell to his literary agent to finish the book.
Indeed, the plot and its resolution, mostly the responsibility of agent Brann since Parker left no outline, is so obvious from the formative pages that it would be fair to give it away without altering to spoilers. If you are so dumb that you can't see it coming, you deserve to have it spoiled. Because it is so obvious, however, I see no need to dwell on it further. The real mystery here is how much of the book was written by Parker and how much by Helen Brann. My best guess is that the first four chapters are Parker's. Parker wrote short chapters, usually three to seven pages. Chapter 5 is eleven pages, though the next few are short.
Parker tended to end each chapter with a line that he seemed to think was clever, but seldom was. He toned that down in the last couple of books, but did not get over it. Chapter 3 ends with one such line and 4 ends in what might be one in the latter style. These are mostly missing thereafter. A possible description of Parker's style in this series is "smart-ass. Parker put an usually gratuitous and usually unacknowledged Shakespeare quotation in most of his books, and indeed there is one from MACBETH past midway, but Parker's quotes usually fit the situation where this one really does not if one understands the meaning of the words as Shakespeare used them.
That is certainly Brann.
Silent Night
I do not argue that Brann wrote chapter five and after. A case could be made that she did not begin until chapters 8 or 9 when the longer chapters become normal, but the last lines of 5 and later are purposeful instead of show-off, so that is my guess. Please let me know if you learn the facts that I have looked for, but cannot find. Brann was been very closed-mouth beyond saying that Parker had written very little of this book at the time of his death. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
This Spenser novel was finished by Parker's agent after Parker's passing. She did a pretty good job of keeping the tone and pacing of the characters. There was some interesting byplay between Spenser and Hawk that I wasn't sure felt entirely right. The story centers around Street Business, a place that helps homeless kids.
The younger brother is very well meaning.
The Kingpin has a girlfriend who has heard more than she should and has gotten closer to one of the boys at Street Business than she intended. Hawk basically tells Spenser that he, Spenser, is one of the good white hats while Hawk lives in the gray areas and doesn't want that to change. But I am not sure that is completely accurate.
- Dangerous Men.
- Foreign Bride.
- Wir verschwinden: Der Mensch im digitalen Zeitalter Intelligent leben 3 (Intelligent leben - Eine Essay-Reihe) (German Edition).
- Silent Night (Spencer, #) by Robert B. Parker.
- Hardback Editions.
- Lesa's Book Critiques: Silent Night by Robert B. Parker and Helen Brann.
While it is true that Hawk has always killed with fewer regrets than Spenser, Hawk has Spenser's back and he has put himself on the right side more often than not. While he may not be in a long-term relationship with a woman, Hawk's relationship with Spenser and Susan and Henry Cimoli and others is definitely long term. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable. I'm a sucker for anything Christmas. Oct 25, Bruce Snell rated it liked it. Parker completed by Helen Brann - 3.
This book was started by Parker, but after he died, Ms. Brann finished it with the consent of his wife. While it is not as good as the best from Parker, it is still nice to read the adventures of Spenser, Hawk, and Susan. This story is Christmas themed, although why is anyone's guess - Spenser makes it clear that he has no real attachment to the holidays other than time with Susan, and Hawk is far m Book number This story is Christmas themed, although why is anyone's guess - Spenser makes it clear that he has no real attachment to the holidays other than time with Susan, and Hawk is far more interested in watching the basketball game than celebrating although none of that really has anything to do with the story, so it is more of an observation than a criticism.
In what starts like a tribute to Charles Dickens and Oliver Twist, Spenser is asked to help a local group house that is attempting to rescue street youth. That leads to a murder plot involving a Puerto Rican gangster and his girlfriend. As I said, it wasn't Parker and it was clear what he wrote and what he didn't , but it is what is currently available of Parker's legacy, so I'll take it and I'll be glad to see the next Spenser by Ace Atkins who does a better job of trying to fill Parker's shoes.
Oct 21, Dan rated it really liked it. I approached this final Spenser book with caution.
Silent Night (Spenser, book 40) by Helen Brann and Robert B Parker
After reading 40 books about the character Spenser, since , I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the one he'd left unfinished at the time of his death at his word processor. Somewhere I've read he'd previously written a shorter version of the story published it for friends. But I ordered it anyway thinking I'd read it over the Christmas holidays.
Instead on its arrival, I snuck a peek at the first chapter and I just kept reading. It is only 22 I approached this final Spenser book with caution. It is only pages in length and its plot is not very complex, but it was very enjoyable. A good way to say goodbye to a favorite author. I have read another 20 books or so by Parker, but they were for me never as catching as his Spenser stories. Great for airplane trips though. This novel was finished and expanded by Parker's longtime agent and she did a fine job of completing the series. The first half, or more, of the book reads more Parker than Helen Brann, and the last section has less of Parker's touches and has less lively dialogue, but the overall impression is that this was a job well done.
A most fitting tribute to the author and his readers of 41 years. View all 16 comments. Nov 02, Lilyane rated it did not like it. I had promised myself that I wouldn't read any more Robert Parker books that weren't actually written by Mr. I'm not sure how much of what was or wasn't written at the time of his death is truth or clever marketing to keep the brand alive. This holiday novel, however, was written by Parker's longtime literary agent and friend - a woman he knew well for decades - and I was curious.
I could tell within a page or two that it was not Parker - the sentences were too long, and the dialogue was I had promised myself that I wouldn't read any more Robert Parker books that weren't actually written by Mr. I could tell within a page or two that it was not Parker - the sentences were too long, and the dialogue was not as crisp or as sharp as it ought.
The plot was increasingly contrived, and the ending was tied up with a holiday ribbon that was far too neat and tidy. Hawk as warm and fuzzy is absolutely not vintage Spenser. I hope that the contractual obligations and monies owed will soon be met. I shall try harder to keep my promise not to read any more of these pseudo Parker works - he was far too good for all of this.
View all 4 comments. Jun 12, Quillracer rated it liked it. This is the last Spenser book written by Parker. He started it and his long-time agent, Helen Brann, finished it. This makes me think Brann did some polishing of his work and wro This is the last Spenser book written by Parker. This makes me think Brann did some polishing of his work and wrote some chapters on her own.
Some chapters here are much longer than Parker normally wrote and some have two scenes in them — something Parker never did to my recollection. The wrap-up after the climax went on longer than Parker would have done it, too. Ace Atkins has written 2 Spenser books since Parker's passing and they've been good enough reads, but no one gets it just like Parker. It's quite easy to tell, at least for me, where Parker left off and Brann took up with this tale, but that's okay. The voice changes a bit, but it's still a good read. Sure do miss you, RBP, hope you're spinning some good tales for the angels!
May 15, David Kilner rated it liked it. Rather light-weight and predictable story without much depth and fairly stereotypical characters Plotting: Predictable - no twists or turns. Easy to figure out. Probably the best feature of the book Setting and Description: Very easy to read Sub-plots: Predictable Note Parker died before finishing the book and his agent completed it. Dec 19, Michael rated it it was ok Shelves: This is the one and only Spenser novel I have ever read and I can't say I was impressed.
Blurb promises of finding new meaning in family togetherness were unfulfilled. I realize that Parker died before finishing this book and his literary agent took over. Perhaps this is why I find the book so pedestrian. But there was nothing here to convince me to read others in the series. Nov 01, Grey rated it it was ok Shelves: I've read every Spenser novel to date. This one was off, the dialogue, the narrative.
It was short and even then it seemed padded. It's a shame, too, because I love Spenser and Hawk, but it was their dialogue that was the weakest and didn't ring true. Dec 14, Tim rated it really liked it. Thanks for finishing the late Robert B. I could not tell where the late Mr. Parker left off and where agent, novelist Ms. Quite a testament to her own writing ability. I can only hope she continues the Spenser series.
This is my first Spenser novel. It was a quick read - and I mean quick! I read it in just over an hour. The characters and the situation were just what I expected and no more.
I may read another. Christmas is hitting Boston and Spenser has a new client a young boy named Slide whose friend Jackie needs help. Someone is trying to put Street Business out of business. So Jackie hires Spenser to find out what is going on and why This leads Hawk and Spenser to vicious drug dealer who wants to make the shelter go away and Jackie to do something else besides the pipe dream of a shelter for kids. Jackie's brothers girlfriend is also deep in this and she needs Spenser to get her out without getting Christmas is hitting Boston and Spenser has a new client a young boy named Slide whose friend Jackie needs help.
Jackie's brothers girlfriend is also deep in this and she needs Spenser to get her out without getting her killed! I love Spenser his books are great to read and really have funny parts to it. You get to see what Spenser is up to and how he spends his holiday season! His books have everything humor, adventure. This is what it is and needs to be read as such. Full marks to Bob' s agent for taking on the challenge.
I love this series and this Christmas tale slips nicely in amongst the classics. It must have been emotional for all concerned but hey this wasn't a bad effort , I'm sure Bob would be proud. Helen Brann did a good job of picking up the ball and completing this Spenser novel.
But Helen Brann is no Ace Atkins.
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While the voice is close to that of Spenser, the book comes up short regarding Spenser's humor. Dec 26, ayrdaomei rated it it was ok. As I understand it, this is the title RBP was working on at the time of his death in God rest him , and it was finished by his longtime editor Helen Brann. I didn't care for the story too much it felt rather been there, done that , especially right on the heels of the somewhat similarly premised Wonderland , but I will continue to read Spenser titles for as long as they are published, because I love, love, love these characters.
I am always pleased to see Hawk, and the cameos by other longt As I understand it, this is the title RBP was working on at the time of his death in God rest him , and it was finished by his longtime editor Helen Brann. I am always pleased to see Hawk, and the cameos by other longtime favorites were welcome although they were fleeting. I even enjoyed Susan in this, whereas I usually find her a bit much. The character beats are mostly all there and feel right, although I must say I didn't quite get Hawk's little crisis late in the book. It seemed a bit contrived to me, because we have seen Hawk be concerned for others before, particularly children.
I missed why all of a sudden it was an issue for him. I wouldn't mind the Carmen character making a return in some later book - I thought there was a lot of story potential with her that was not explored. A Spenser novel started by Robert B. Parker and finished by his literary agent after his death at the apparent encouragement of Parker's widow.
So there is perhaps some closure here for them both. So I want to be compassionate in my review. But Silent Night has three strikes against it - 1 It is a. Unfortunately, items 1 and 2 are there in spades. So I'm giving this a compassionate 2-star rating. This is the one that Robert B. Parker was working on when he passed away. His literary agent, Helen Brann, finished it for him.
Aside from the fact that I could tell almost to the word where she took over it was an okay attempt. By the end of the book it didn't feel quite like MY Spenser. Brann doesn't have the flair for dialogue that Parker had and she describes in too much detail some scenes. I think Ace Atkins does a better job in seamlessly or almost seamlessly stepping in to Parker's shoes. Maybe it's just me. As I said, it's only my opinion.
Dear Lesa, I couldn't agree with you more. I'm convinced I know the exact page where Helen took over. You are so right about Hawk. He never questioned Spenser and his decisions and I'm so disappointed. Hawk talks more in the first half of this book than he has in almost the other 30 or so. Well, I love Robert B. Parker and I always will. Thank you for listening. You wouldn't happen to know which page Helen actually took over on, would you? Parker and Helen Brann. Helen Brann, who was Robert B. Parker's agent, reported that on the morning he died Parker was working on a Spenser Christmas story.
When Parker's widow told her that, and said she wondered what would happen to it now, Brann offered to finish it. A Spenser Holiday Novel. It's one last look at the meaning of family by a man who knew that family isn't always related, but sometimes made of people we want to be with, people we care about.
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It's two weeks before Christmas when an eleven-year-old boy, Slide, shows up in Spenser's office, asking him to help his friend, Jackie. Joachim Lorenzo Alvarez, "Jackie", runs Street Business, a business that isn't exactly legal in an area of Boston that isn't the best.
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He gives kids a place to live and his brother helps him find jobs for the boys, orphans, runaways, kids that need help. Jackie's older brother, Juan, was a successful Puerto Rican businessman who had money and clout, and, in the past, had provided protection for Street Business. But, someone was roughing up Jackie's kids, so he went to Spenser for help. Spenser wanted to help because he saw Slide as "The most terrified kid trying not to show it I've ever seen.