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Spenser #50
Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust
Spenser investigates the past secrets of an elusive tech billionaire in this latest installment of Robert B. Parker’s beloved series, and the first written by celebrated writer Mike Lupica.
The beautiful wife of one of the world’s richest men comes to Spenser in the hope that he can find out what skeletons lurk in her husband’s closet. Though he is a generous philanthropist and loving family man, she is concerned—he recently has become secretive, bordering on paranoid, and she wants Spenser to find out why. As Spenser digs into the billionaire’s past, he realizes that the man may have done terrible things on his rise to the top—but he also may have had good reason to. What he discovers will cause him to question his own views on morality—and place him in grave danger.
The beautiful wife of one of the world’s richest men comes to Spenser in the hope that he can find out what skeletons lurk in her husband’s closet. Though he is a generous philanthropist and loving family man, she is concerned—he recently has become secretive, bordering on paranoid, and she wants Spenser to find out why. As Spenser digs into the billionaire’s past, he realizes that the man may have done terrible things on his rise to the top—but he also may have had good reason to. What he discovers will cause him to question his own views on morality—and place him in grave danger.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2023
About the author
Mike Lupica
109 books1,140 followersMichael Lupica is an author and former American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
November 18, 2024
"I had a long-standing date to meet Martin Quirk at the Street Bar, which was previously The Taj, and before that had been The Ritz since around the time 'The Mayflower' had landed . . . [Quirk] was now assistant superintendent of the Boston Police. He'd been a captain before that and a homicide detective before that. Cop-wise, at least in this city, he was the equivalent of Tom Brady. When I'd told him that one time he said, 'I never left to wear a f***ing pirate helmet in Florida.'" -- on pages 37-38
Ah, another year and another Spenser novel. Although I don't know the exact details, it would seem that prolific mystery scribe Ace Atkins - who produced ten books over ten years after creator Robert B. Parker's passing - has stepped aside for sports columnist Mike Lupica to take the reigns on the long-running series. With Broken Trust, it appears the sturdy narrative and characters are in good hands, as this contemporary story sort of reads like one of the good (as there were definitely some mediocre ones) Spenser novels from the 80's or 90's. Boston private eye Spenser is hired by the concerned wife of a local billionaire tech magnate who is alarmed by her husband's recent peculiar and increasingly hostile behavior. Things soon develop into a more expansive yet tightly controlled plot featuring the usual long-buried secrets and duplicitous (or dangerous) involved parties in the midst of two murders. While some readers may think that strands are tied up a little too neatly at the end - invoking the late critic Roger Ebert's 'Law of Economy of Characters' rule - I still found it to be an entertaining mystery / suspense tale, with the established supporting cast (Susan, Hawk, Boston cops Quirk and Belson, hired gun Vinnie Morris, etc.) also being used rather well.
Ah, another year and another Spenser novel. Although I don't know the exact details, it would seem that prolific mystery scribe Ace Atkins - who produced ten books over ten years after creator Robert B. Parker's passing - has stepped aside for sports columnist Mike Lupica to take the reigns on the long-running series. With Broken Trust, it appears the sturdy narrative and characters are in good hands, as this contemporary story sort of reads like one of the good (as there were definitely some mediocre ones) Spenser novels from the 80's or 90's. Boston private eye Spenser is hired by the concerned wife of a local billionaire tech magnate who is alarmed by her husband's recent peculiar and increasingly hostile behavior. Things soon develop into a more expansive yet tightly controlled plot featuring the usual long-buried secrets and duplicitous (or dangerous) involved parties in the midst of two murders. While some readers may think that strands are tied up a little too neatly at the end - invoking the late critic Roger Ebert's 'Law of Economy of Characters' rule - I still found it to be an entertaining mystery / suspense tale, with the established supporting cast (Susan, Hawk, Boston cops Quirk and Belson, hired gun Vinnie Morris, etc.) also being used rather well.
April 21, 2024
While familiar with both Robert B. Parker and, Jesse Stone, due to a series of Tom Selleck movies, I stumbled across this book when at the library and much to my delight, loved it! Its rare to find mystery stories where the central character possesses sarcasm and wit, as do other characters in the story. This being the 50th episode in the Spenser series, I can only hope the others are as fun and engaging. Spenser is a snarky P.I. in Boston, whose black sparring partner Hawk, and therapist girlfriend Susan, make for an interesting team.
Susan is treating Laura Cain, wife of billionaire/scientist Andrew. During a session, Susan refers Laura to Spenser due to her husband's erratic behavior. At the first meeting with Laura, he learns Andrew engineered ground breaking science resulting in low cost lithium batteries. With the popularity of EV's, the world beat a path to the company's door.
During Spenser's meeting with partner Ethan Lowe, he learns of a pending merger with a Canadian version of Tesla and voices concerns that Crain is waffling. When he happens upon Andrew's executive assistant Claire Megill, their private discussions deepen intrigue. Not long after he's accosted by Clay Whitson, a nasty corporate attorney who gives Spenser a verbal whip lashing which he will learn later was a bad move. Several days later he's followed by Lowe's body man Reggie Smythe, an imposing figure who attempts a boxing match to no avail. But Reggie isn't the sort that backs down easily. Spenser chuckles about all of this while muttering, 'are we having fun yet?'
What's important to understand is Spenser's sidekick Hawk shares his sarcasm and is a sparring partner with 'resources'. Susan is both Spenser's girlfriend and lifelong sounding board; her knowledge of Laura's duress becomes pivotal. Additionally, Spenser is former Boston PD and maintains a 'friendly' relationship with Lt. Frank Belson, homicide and Martin Quirk, state police. All characters share the same brand of sarcasm which adds to the 'fun'.
Soon after Laura Cain is found murdered kicking the story into high gear. As Spenser does the deep dive he learns she'd had a tumultuous college relationship with 'Rob' who abused her verbally and physically. Not long after she meets Andrew, falls in love and the rest is history.
Interactions between Smythe, Whitson and Lowe grow contentious. Spenser learns of some unsavory details about Lowe and with it, the reasons for wanting the merger. Thinking Laura's former lover could be the murderer, Spenser calls on one of his 'underworld connected' friends since Rob had been employed as bartender at a mob owned club.
Like all well written mysteries, Lupica ups the ante with style, sarcasm and revelation comparable to Baldacci, Mosley, Connolly or DeMille. And while he's penned quite a few novels, this is one of few PI mysteries and he hits it out of the park!
A labyrinth of twists, sarcasm and surprises, this is by far the best mystery story I've read. If you enjoy a dab of humor mixed with plot twists, you'll want to add this to your list! I'm giving one of the Parker versions of Spenser a shot though this is a VERY high bar to surpass.
Susan is treating Laura Cain, wife of billionaire/scientist Andrew. During a session, Susan refers Laura to Spenser due to her husband's erratic behavior. At the first meeting with Laura, he learns Andrew engineered ground breaking science resulting in low cost lithium batteries. With the popularity of EV's, the world beat a path to the company's door.
During Spenser's meeting with partner Ethan Lowe, he learns of a pending merger with a Canadian version of Tesla and voices concerns that Crain is waffling. When he happens upon Andrew's executive assistant Claire Megill, their private discussions deepen intrigue. Not long after he's accosted by Clay Whitson, a nasty corporate attorney who gives Spenser a verbal whip lashing which he will learn later was a bad move. Several days later he's followed by Lowe's body man Reggie Smythe, an imposing figure who attempts a boxing match to no avail. But Reggie isn't the sort that backs down easily. Spenser chuckles about all of this while muttering, 'are we having fun yet?'
What's important to understand is Spenser's sidekick Hawk shares his sarcasm and is a sparring partner with 'resources'. Susan is both Spenser's girlfriend and lifelong sounding board; her knowledge of Laura's duress becomes pivotal. Additionally, Spenser is former Boston PD and maintains a 'friendly' relationship with Lt. Frank Belson, homicide and Martin Quirk, state police. All characters share the same brand of sarcasm which adds to the 'fun'.
Soon after Laura Cain is found murdered kicking the story into high gear. As Spenser does the deep dive he learns she'd had a tumultuous college relationship with 'Rob' who abused her verbally and physically. Not long after she meets Andrew, falls in love and the rest is history.
Interactions between Smythe, Whitson and Lowe grow contentious. Spenser learns of some unsavory details about Lowe and with it, the reasons for wanting the merger. Thinking Laura's former lover could be the murderer, Spenser calls on one of his 'underworld connected' friends since Rob had been employed as bartender at a mob owned club.
Like all well written mysteries, Lupica ups the ante with style, sarcasm and revelation comparable to Baldacci, Mosley, Connolly or DeMille. And while he's penned quite a few novels, this is one of few PI mysteries and he hits it out of the park!
A labyrinth of twists, sarcasm and surprises, this is by far the best mystery story I've read. If you enjoy a dab of humor mixed with plot twists, you'll want to add this to your list! I'm giving one of the Parker versions of Spenser a shot though this is a VERY high bar to surpass.
December 13, 2023
The Who’s classic rock song declares the line “Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss.”
That feels pretty apropos in relation to the handoff of the “Spenser” legacy from Ace Atkins to Mike Lupica. This is more than the passing of a proverbial torch. The legacy of Spenser is the gold standard. The holy grail. The big Kahuna. Spenser has become the classic PI that all other modern day fictional mystery detectives owe a serious debt of gratitude for his influence on the genre. Taking on responsibility for Spenser is an incredible endeavor, made even harder by the quality and success that Atkins brought in reenergizing Spenser and his historic city of Boston.
The good news is that Lupica is up to the challenge. At least he’s warming up to it. In some ways, he’s similar to Atkins, and in some ways he definitely his own boss. But I don’t say this to compare them against each other. They are masters in their own rights in the shared universe of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser. I love them both.
After finishing his run of writing the Sunny Randall and Jessie Stone novels, Lupica’s first Spenser novel is this year’s “Broken Trust.”
It starts with the wife of the sixth richest man in America walking into Spenser’s office and asking him to find out what’s driving her husband crazy. Andrew Crain is a brilliant scientist who discovered a way to make lithium in a cheap and effective manner. He and his business partner, Ethan Lowe, have turned their company, Lith Inc, into a great success and are looking at a potential merger that will take them even farther towards world domination.
However, Andrew has become standoffish, brooding, secretive, and prone to disappearing for hours or days at a time. Spenser’s first time meeting him even includes an almost act of violence when Andrew witnesses another man threatening his female date, and then he vanishes…
As expected, Spenser’s investigation involves corporate politics, dangerous relationships, hidden secrets, threats on his life, and unexpected murder. All of the typical elements of a Spenser novel and more are here, including our hero putting himself in mortal danger to keep a promise that no one or anything will keep him from fulfilling. And by his side is his better half, Susan, and his warrior brother, the invincible Hawk, to aid him when he needs it most.
There were several things to like with Lupica’s first outing as the writer responsible for Spenser’s continuing legacy. Although it felt like he was trying too hard at times and there were a couple of moments that didn’t work or were too over the top, I personally felt like he captured the magic and essence of our hero and his world most of the time.
Like Atkins before him, Lupica knows Spenser’s world. He’s lived in since he began reading Spenser’s books back in his early years and grew to be close friends with Robert B. Parker and his family. He is a true insider, in many ways. Lupica knows the characters intimately. He knows the city of Boston and its history. More importantly he knows Spenser inside and out, his character, what drives him to be the Knight Errant, and his personal relationships with Susan and Hawk. He’s certainly got their mannerisms, style, communications down. The conversations and banter were really enjoyable and flowed well most of the time. There are some excellent exchanges in this one, not just with Suan and Hawk, but the individual moments with Quirk and Tony Marcus really shined. My only nitpick was hearing Spenser call Susan “Suze” in the early chapters almost made cringe. It just seemed so out of character, but maybe that’s just me.
I liked the appearances and references to other characters from Spenser’s universe, like Vinnie, Sunny Randall, Richie Burke, Belson, Farell, Maddie, and Sixkill to name a few. That was a nice touch. I also liked the descriptions and history of Boston sprinkled throughout the book. There was many of them. Maybe a bit less might have been better, but I was okay with the city as being an integral character in the story. It is a big part of Spenser’s universe.
The overall plot was fairly interesting and developed okay, maybe a bit slow in some ways, and of course a few twists added in which usually involved murder. Figuring out the mystery elements have not typically been that hard to figure out as most Spenser books are not known for their intricate and complex plotting. They have been about the characters, their relationships, and challenges fought through together and alone.
I will also say that there were some repeated plot points. How many times is Spenser going to get shot at and the shooter miss? It’s going to be time to find another way to have him survive an attack and shooting attempt. With over fifty books in the series, it’s going to be harder to find creative ways to get him through those moments. I recognize that will be a challenge and I wish Lupica luck with it.
Also, Lupica had more plotlines than Spenser novels usually have, and attempted to intertwine them together and keep the reader guessing. However, for me, it made the ending a bit convoluted and dragged out. Not enough to take away from my overall impression, but enough to note it. I leave it to you to decide for yourself how you feel about it.
Overall, Lupica did a good job of taking the handoff from Atkins and taking his own lap carrying the torch. As I stated, he knows the characters, their history, the setting, and the heart of the Errant Knight, Spenser. He speaks the Spenser language, understands what drives Spenser, and the all-star cast that surrounds him and makes him better.
Mr. Lupica – please keep moving our detective hero and his partners forward in new and engaging ways. I need having him and them in my life each year.
That feels pretty apropos in relation to the handoff of the “Spenser” legacy from Ace Atkins to Mike Lupica. This is more than the passing of a proverbial torch. The legacy of Spenser is the gold standard. The holy grail. The big Kahuna. Spenser has become the classic PI that all other modern day fictional mystery detectives owe a serious debt of gratitude for his influence on the genre. Taking on responsibility for Spenser is an incredible endeavor, made even harder by the quality and success that Atkins brought in reenergizing Spenser and his historic city of Boston.
The good news is that Lupica is up to the challenge. At least he’s warming up to it. In some ways, he’s similar to Atkins, and in some ways he definitely his own boss. But I don’t say this to compare them against each other. They are masters in their own rights in the shared universe of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser. I love them both.
After finishing his run of writing the Sunny Randall and Jessie Stone novels, Lupica’s first Spenser novel is this year’s “Broken Trust.”
It starts with the wife of the sixth richest man in America walking into Spenser’s office and asking him to find out what’s driving her husband crazy. Andrew Crain is a brilliant scientist who discovered a way to make lithium in a cheap and effective manner. He and his business partner, Ethan Lowe, have turned their company, Lith Inc, into a great success and are looking at a potential merger that will take them even farther towards world domination.
However, Andrew has become standoffish, brooding, secretive, and prone to disappearing for hours or days at a time. Spenser’s first time meeting him even includes an almost act of violence when Andrew witnesses another man threatening his female date, and then he vanishes…
As expected, Spenser’s investigation involves corporate politics, dangerous relationships, hidden secrets, threats on his life, and unexpected murder. All of the typical elements of a Spenser novel and more are here, including our hero putting himself in mortal danger to keep a promise that no one or anything will keep him from fulfilling. And by his side is his better half, Susan, and his warrior brother, the invincible Hawk, to aid him when he needs it most.
There were several things to like with Lupica’s first outing as the writer responsible for Spenser’s continuing legacy. Although it felt like he was trying too hard at times and there were a couple of moments that didn’t work or were too over the top, I personally felt like he captured the magic and essence of our hero and his world most of the time.
Like Atkins before him, Lupica knows Spenser’s world. He’s lived in since he began reading Spenser’s books back in his early years and grew to be close friends with Robert B. Parker and his family. He is a true insider, in many ways. Lupica knows the characters intimately. He knows the city of Boston and its history. More importantly he knows Spenser inside and out, his character, what drives him to be the Knight Errant, and his personal relationships with Susan and Hawk. He’s certainly got their mannerisms, style, communications down. The conversations and banter were really enjoyable and flowed well most of the time. There are some excellent exchanges in this one, not just with Suan and Hawk, but the individual moments with Quirk and Tony Marcus really shined. My only nitpick was hearing Spenser call Susan “Suze” in the early chapters almost made cringe. It just seemed so out of character, but maybe that’s just me.
I liked the appearances and references to other characters from Spenser’s universe, like Vinnie, Sunny Randall, Richie Burke, Belson, Farell, Maddie, and Sixkill to name a few. That was a nice touch. I also liked the descriptions and history of Boston sprinkled throughout the book. There was many of them. Maybe a bit less might have been better, but I was okay with the city as being an integral character in the story. It is a big part of Spenser’s universe.
The overall plot was fairly interesting and developed okay, maybe a bit slow in some ways, and of course a few twists added in which usually involved murder. Figuring out the mystery elements have not typically been that hard to figure out as most Spenser books are not known for their intricate and complex plotting. They have been about the characters, their relationships, and challenges fought through together and alone.
I will also say that there were some repeated plot points. How many times is Spenser going to get shot at and the shooter miss? It’s going to be time to find another way to have him survive an attack and shooting attempt. With over fifty books in the series, it’s going to be harder to find creative ways to get him through those moments. I recognize that will be a challenge and I wish Lupica luck with it.
Also, Lupica had more plotlines than Spenser novels usually have, and attempted to intertwine them together and keep the reader guessing. However, for me, it made the ending a bit convoluted and dragged out. Not enough to take away from my overall impression, but enough to note it. I leave it to you to decide for yourself how you feel about it.
Overall, Lupica did a good job of taking the handoff from Atkins and taking his own lap carrying the torch. As I stated, he knows the characters, their history, the setting, and the heart of the Errant Knight, Spenser. He speaks the Spenser language, understands what drives Spenser, and the all-star cast that surrounds him and makes him better.
Mr. Lupica – please keep moving our detective hero and his partners forward in new and engaging ways. I need having him and them in my life each year.
June 29, 2023
No one who’s read more than a couple of his books would mistake this for Robert Parker’s writing. It’s at best ‘Parker-ish.’ This author unfortunately felt a need to be cruder. Crasser. More sarcastic. More sexist. More racist. And generally more overt and obvious, with none of the down-played, low-key—and far more effective—finesse of the original.
I almost gave up a few pages in: the obnoxious name-dropping that fills the first few pages is overdone, obnoxious, clumsy, and unnecessary. Maybe it’s a desperate and misguided attempt to underline the fact that the setting and characters have time-traveled forward into the present? In any case, I found it off-putting, but powered through in hopes the book would get better.
And it did. After grudgingly making the shift to this version (vision?) of the characters, I enjoyed seeing them again. (Almost) like a Parker novel, the story, once it finally found itself, moved forward quickly. The mystery was believable and well-developed, although it drags a bit—there’s an unlikely complication—shortly before the resolution.
Reading this book is like overhearing someone you don’t know, tell a story about people you do. I didn’t believe everything the author said, but I understood what was going on. And even though the view was a bit murky, it was still nice catching up on some of the new adventures these old friends had been having.
I almost gave up a few pages in: the obnoxious name-dropping that fills the first few pages is overdone, obnoxious, clumsy, and unnecessary. Maybe it’s a desperate and misguided attempt to underline the fact that the setting and characters have time-traveled forward into the present? In any case, I found it off-putting, but powered through in hopes the book would get better.
And it did. After grudgingly making the shift to this version (vision?) of the characters, I enjoyed seeing them again. (Almost) like a Parker novel, the story, once it finally found itself, moved forward quickly. The mystery was believable and well-developed, although it drags a bit—there’s an unlikely complication—shortly before the resolution.
Reading this book is like overhearing someone you don’t know, tell a story about people you do. I didn’t believe everything the author said, but I understood what was going on. And even though the view was a bit murky, it was still nice catching up on some of the new adventures these old friends had been having.
September 8, 2023
I have been a fan of Robert B. Parker and his work for a long time but I feel like Spenser ought to retire. The age thing is a little ridiculous. However Mike Lupica is a wondeful writer and he has done a great job of keeping Spenser alive. Broken Trust has all the ingredients we expect in a good Spenser story. I had a fun time reading this book and I will continue following the different Parker characters no matter what. The plot and its twists are good and as always Mike has a great way with words. I thank G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House and Edelweiss for supplying me with this book. Out in stores late November.
September 5, 2024
I went looking for the next Jesse Stone novel by this writer Lupica, did find that Jesse Stone had been passed off to a new writer. And Lupica had moved on towards Robert B Parkers main title Spenser. Which would mean that Lupica now has written three characters/series created by Parker with Sunny Randall being the third.
Anyhow this New Spenser has got it all, intrigue, wickedly funny dialogues, a sexy woman called Suzan who shrinks the heck out of Spenser among other things. There is Hawk being the Ubermensch hé is and impressive. Spensers friends on the force and contacts in the underworld.
The mystery this time is a Melinda type woman asking Spenser to look into the behaviour of her Bill Gates type of her husband. When Spenser does hé has no high hopes . When the woman gets killed it becomes personal and there is no force in the world that can stop Spenser and friends. They wisecrack together to the inevitable outcome where the case is solved. Throw in a tad of good oldfashioned violence and you got the recipe of an above average Spenser novel.
Yes Mike Lupica can write a mean Stone/Randall/ Spenser novel and is perhaps a very good reason for these series to continue. Robert B Parker will undoubtely enjoy it a lot that his creations get the good treatment by a fairly decent writer who does understand the world created by Robert B Parker.
An excellent read and very enjoyable way to spend time.
Anyhow this New Spenser has got it all, intrigue, wickedly funny dialogues, a sexy woman called Suzan who shrinks the heck out of Spenser among other things. There is Hawk being the Ubermensch hé is and impressive. Spensers friends on the force and contacts in the underworld.
The mystery this time is a Melinda type woman asking Spenser to look into the behaviour of her Bill Gates type of her husband. When Spenser does hé has no high hopes . When the woman gets killed it becomes personal and there is no force in the world that can stop Spenser and friends. They wisecrack together to the inevitable outcome where the case is solved. Throw in a tad of good oldfashioned violence and you got the recipe of an above average Spenser novel.
Yes Mike Lupica can write a mean Stone/Randall/ Spenser novel and is perhaps a very good reason for these series to continue. Robert B Parker will undoubtely enjoy it a lot that his creations get the good treatment by a fairly decent writer who does understand the world created by Robert B Parker.
An excellent read and very enjoyable way to spend time.
August 25, 2024
Mike Lupica took over the Spenser series from Ace Atkins after having written several Sunny Randall books and a few Jesse Stone novels for Parker’s estate.
His sports background shines through here with several references to the sports scene in Boston. Mostly Red Sox, some Patriots, and a whole lot of Spenser missing Mookie Betts after his trade to L.A.
Lupica tied in several past characters and even has Hawk drinking beer instead of his go-to champagne haha. The “author baton” was relayed successfully as the pacing, plot and character development were exactly what I was hoping for. Looking forward to Hot Property to be released in November.
His sports background shines through here with several references to the sports scene in Boston. Mostly Red Sox, some Patriots, and a whole lot of Spenser missing Mookie Betts after his trade to L.A.
Lupica tied in several past characters and even has Hawk drinking beer instead of his go-to champagne haha. The “author baton” was relayed successfully as the pacing, plot and character development were exactly what I was hoping for. Looking forward to Hot Property to be released in November.
October 6, 2023
Of all the characters in the late Robert B. Parker's arsenal of books, Spenser is - by far - my favorite. And in the years following Parker's death in 2010, I've continued to read (and for the most part enjoyed) those that were carried on by other writers (all of whom, for the most part, did admirable jobs). But now, a favorite author has tackled Spenser - and I couldn't be happier.
Much of that comes because the others never quite got the hang of Hawk, Spenser's sometime sidekick; in some of the books he was conspicuous in his absence, and I always suspected that was because it was so hard to find Hawk's "voice." This time, though, it rang true (well, as true as it can get minus Parker himself). It also hits a timely topic as Laura Crain, the wife of the world's sixth richest man - and an acquaintenance of Spenser's longtime main squeeze, psychologist Susan Silverman - walks into Spenser's office. Her hubby Andrew, she claims, hasn't been himself lately and she wants to know why. His longtime business partner, Ethan Lowe, is honchoing a major merger with a Canadian company - one that could push the combo into the financial stratosphere (or possibly in the opposite direction).
But with the ink on Laura's retainer check barely dry, disaster strikes; now Spenser is even more intrigued and, like a dog with a bone, doesn't want to let go of the case. As his investigation progresses, he gets to interact with old friends from the Boston Police Department and frenemies who are not - plus, of course, the aforementioned Hawk - all of whom should be familiar to loyal readers of this series. For details, though, you'll just have to read the book. Already, I'm chomping at the bit for the next installment, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing a pre-release copy of this one.
Much of that comes because the others never quite got the hang of Hawk, Spenser's sometime sidekick; in some of the books he was conspicuous in his absence, and I always suspected that was because it was so hard to find Hawk's "voice." This time, though, it rang true (well, as true as it can get minus Parker himself). It also hits a timely topic as Laura Crain, the wife of the world's sixth richest man - and an acquaintenance of Spenser's longtime main squeeze, psychologist Susan Silverman - walks into Spenser's office. Her hubby Andrew, she claims, hasn't been himself lately and she wants to know why. His longtime business partner, Ethan Lowe, is honchoing a major merger with a Canadian company - one that could push the combo into the financial stratosphere (or possibly in the opposite direction).
But with the ink on Laura's retainer check barely dry, disaster strikes; now Spenser is even more intrigued and, like a dog with a bone, doesn't want to let go of the case. As his investigation progresses, he gets to interact with old friends from the Boston Police Department and frenemies who are not - plus, of course, the aforementioned Hawk - all of whom should be familiar to loyal readers of this series. For details, though, you'll just have to read the book. Already, I'm chomping at the bit for the next installment, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing a pre-release copy of this one.
December 16, 2023
Spenser is back with a few of his friends.
This story is more serious than usual, but still fun.
I love Spenser 😊.
See other reviews for more information.
I recommend this novel!
This story is more serious than usual, but still fun.
I love Spenser 😊.
See other reviews for more information.
I recommend this novel!
November 29, 2023
I received a complimentary electronic ARC of this excellent Spencer novel from Netgalley, author Mike Lupica, and publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons. I have read Broken Trust of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Number 50 in the Spencer and Hawk series, this is the first I have read by Mike Lupica, and I enjoyed it, as I did those written by Ace Atkins. I am glad these characters, such an important part of our fantasy world, are still with us, though we have lost Robert B.
I am always ready for another Robert B. Parker story and Mike Lupica does a fine job of bringing the pages to life. All the foibles that make Spencer memorable are there in full color, The mystery though simple is a bit disguised, and the good guys as always must win in the end.
Reviewed on July 1, 2023, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on November 28, 2023, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
I am always ready for another Robert B. Parker story and Mike Lupica does a fine job of bringing the pages to life. All the foibles that make Spencer memorable are there in full color, The mystery though simple is a bit disguised, and the good guys as always must win in the end.
Reviewed on July 1, 2023, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on November 28, 2023, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
December 19, 2023
3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
I love the Spenser books and would normally give it a solid 4 or 5 star rating, just on Joe Montanga's narration alone, but this is the first in the series written by Mike Lupica and I didn't feel his writing was on par with that of Robert B. Parker or Ace Atkins who took over after Parker's death. Still, it was a solid entry into the Spenser universe.
I love the Spenser books and would normally give it a solid 4 or 5 star rating, just on Joe Montanga's narration alone, but this is the first in the series written by Mike Lupica and I didn't feel his writing was on par with that of Robert B. Parker or Ace Atkins who took over after Parker's death. Still, it was a solid entry into the Spenser universe.
December 16, 2023
This book would mostly please readers who have read most of the other Spenser books. There is a bit about Boston, and I am from that city so it's fun reading about places you have been. Lupica is the third person to write these books. Parker, of course, invented the characters. I liked the couple that Ace Atkins wrote. I think he might have been better than Parker. Lupica did a good job on this story.
The plot and dialog are formulaic, but for fans of the Spenser books, that's ok. It's a cozy read and fun to see the slight spin Lupica puts on the story.
The plot and dialog are formulaic, but for fans of the Spenser books, that's ok. It's a cozy read and fun to see the slight spin Lupica puts on the story.
December 1, 2023
Broken Trust Review
The late but still great Robert B. Parker created a great character and a great supporting cast. Mike Lupica continues the witty dialog and the great stories
The late but still great Robert B. Parker created a great character and a great supporting cast. Mike Lupica continues the witty dialog and the great stories
November 29, 2023
Broken Trust
I have been a fan of the Spenser novels since the very beginning, faithfully reading each one. However, I think I have hit my limit with this one. All the familiar characters are present along with familiar situations. It feels as though the author carefully mixed the ingredients from previous stories...multiple dinners at high end restaurants with the single most annoying female in detective history, Susan Silverman...multiple workouts with Hawk as they exchange caustic comments with each other...multiple characters who wonder in and out..none of them striking enough to create a lasting impression on the reader. The "bad" guys are indecipherable from each other, each waving a gun and attempting to beat up our hero. Not to mention drop-in visits from Boston police force, which do not seem to move the story forward.
The plot definitely has possibilities.. digging up a rich man's past, but the reader's interest quickly wanes with the constant circling of events, each leading to yet another dead end. Most of the action is confined to last couple of chapters, where several people are eliminated in several blazes of gunfire. The actual resolution of the story seems more than a little lame. And disappointing. It may be time to leave Spenser, Susan and Hawk walking the streets of Boston and dining in expensive restaurants without sharing any more of their activities.
It has been a great run Spenser...I will miss you.
I have been a fan of the Spenser novels since the very beginning, faithfully reading each one. However, I think I have hit my limit with this one. All the familiar characters are present along with familiar situations. It feels as though the author carefully mixed the ingredients from previous stories...multiple dinners at high end restaurants with the single most annoying female in detective history, Susan Silverman...multiple workouts with Hawk as they exchange caustic comments with each other...multiple characters who wonder in and out..none of them striking enough to create a lasting impression on the reader. The "bad" guys are indecipherable from each other, each waving a gun and attempting to beat up our hero. Not to mention drop-in visits from Boston police force, which do not seem to move the story forward.
The plot definitely has possibilities.. digging up a rich man's past, but the reader's interest quickly wanes with the constant circling of events, each leading to yet another dead end. Most of the action is confined to last couple of chapters, where several people are eliminated in several blazes of gunfire. The actual resolution of the story seems more than a little lame. And disappointing. It may be time to leave Spenser, Susan and Hawk walking the streets of Boston and dining in expensive restaurants without sharing any more of their activities.
It has been a great run Spenser...I will miss you.
May 2, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for a prepublication copy. Never having read a Spenser novel, I came only with my appreciation of Mike Lupica as a great young adult novel author. Not disappointed. The banter in this reminds me of the Andy Carpenter books by David Rosenfelt. Self-deprecating but witty. Spenser is more literate which I appreciated. The wife of a wealthy entrepreneur comes to Spenser to ask him to investigate her husband's odd behaviour as of late. The plot rapidly moves to murder and intrigue. I like Spenser as a character. He's monogamous with a Harvard educated psychologist. He has a code of conduct he is loyal to. He quotes poetry and Shakespeare. He can fight. What's not to like? I'll be reading more of the Spenser series.
January 26, 2024
Flat, formula Spenser. I have read all 50 Spenser novels but lately they have been quite uninspired and this is no different. Spenser eats pizza and donuts, drinks beer, beds Susan and works out with Hawk while antagonising the bad guys and the Boston police. Woman with fabulous legs, breast and butts cross his field of vision. Many people tell Spenser to drop the case but he can’t - it’s a matter of honour. The regular Spenser characters (minus Rita Fiori, unfortunately) appear briefly to perform their usual duties - Belsen to tell him when a body has been found, Quirk to tell him he better not be withholding evidence, etc.
But this time Spenser does a minimum of detecting while relying on others to provide the evidence and then tell him what it means. There’s no question as to who the bad guys are and the answer to the mystery Spenser is originally hired to investigate is obvious to the reader at least 200 pages before it is revealed, and not by Spenser.
I don’t know if the Robert B Parker estate has strict rules on what can happen in any new Spenser stories, but any spark of originality is very sadly lacking.
But this time Spenser does a minimum of detecting while relying on others to provide the evidence and then tell him what it means. There’s no question as to who the bad guys are and the answer to the mystery Spenser is originally hired to investigate is obvious to the reader at least 200 pages before it is revealed, and not by Spenser.
I don’t know if the Robert B Parker estate has strict rules on what can happen in any new Spenser stories, but any spark of originality is very sadly lacking.
April 13, 2024
JUST what I needed after several complex and amorphous books -- a fast, smart-mouth, good-guy/bad-guy, donut-filled, brunch-cooking, mob-connected, boxing-workout Spenser hunt, complete with Hawk, Zebulon Sixkill and Susan in fine form. Even a brief, flirtatious appearance from Sunny Randall. Perfecto!
December 14, 2023
For me, the plotting and overall story mechanics were better than those of Ace Atkins but the characterization and auctorial voice not quite as good. A solid 3 stars though and I look forward to more installments by Mr Lupica once he finds the right timbre.
December 11, 2023
This Is Not Robert Parker’s Broken Trust
I have been a Spenser fan since the beginning of the series. Since Robert Parker’s death, there has been an effort to continue the Spenser franchise with other writers. Mike Lupica, some of whose other writing I have enjoyed, is the latest to try his hand with Spenser.
Mr. Lupica tries. Hawk plays a prominent role. Although his speech patterns are over the top. Quirk and Belson, older (as is Spenser) reappear in supporting roles. Zebulon Six Kill briefly joins the chase. And, of course, Susan Silverman, Spenser’s indispensable significant other is by his side. Add Vinnie Morris, Ty Bop, and a few other friendly gangbangers and it’s clear Mr. Lupica has done some homework.
Unfortunately, that is the best thing I can say about this book. The plot involves machinations inside the executive suite of a very successful privately held research company started by a college student genius who fortunately has a buddy who knows business. Really knows business. Fast forward a decade or so. The founder/genius is acting erratically immediately before a planned merger that will make him and his company extraordinarily wealthy (as opposed to just fabulously wealthy). His college sweetheart/almost lost love spouse knows Susan Silverman, shares her concerns, and is referred to our hero. And we are off. There is some violence, although the fight scenes just seemed off to me. We encounter domestic violence, of course fraud, and a couple of nasty bad guys, one of whom is, for some reason, British. There are some twists and turns, two homicides in which the Boston Police defer to Spenser and Hawk. This is where Quirk and Belson make their cameos. Eventually, Spenser gets to the bottom of things as he usually does by barging ahead and breaking things.
The problem is that everything just seems off. Spenser’s ruminations are neither clever nor humorous. His wisecracks the same. His irreverent disrespect, the same. The dialogue, the same. Everything is just off.
And, therefore, to me, a series long devotee, the book just doesn’t work at all. Everything that made the Spenser series a standout is just not there.
Robert Parker was a superb writer. I understand the desire to continue the series. But….why not just remarket the Parker novels. Now, in addition to being very well written private eye novels, they are classics of the genre and period pieces. I’ll give Mr. Lupica kudos for trying. But, I think they should just stop before they completely destroy what was a stand out body of easy to read, highly enjoyable P.I. Novels. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with quitting with a winner(s). And there is everything right about highly enjoyable, escapist crime fiction.
I have been a Spenser fan since the beginning of the series. Since Robert Parker’s death, there has been an effort to continue the Spenser franchise with other writers. Mike Lupica, some of whose other writing I have enjoyed, is the latest to try his hand with Spenser.
Mr. Lupica tries. Hawk plays a prominent role. Although his speech patterns are over the top. Quirk and Belson, older (as is Spenser) reappear in supporting roles. Zebulon Six Kill briefly joins the chase. And, of course, Susan Silverman, Spenser’s indispensable significant other is by his side. Add Vinnie Morris, Ty Bop, and a few other friendly gangbangers and it’s clear Mr. Lupica has done some homework.
Unfortunately, that is the best thing I can say about this book. The plot involves machinations inside the executive suite of a very successful privately held research company started by a college student genius who fortunately has a buddy who knows business. Really knows business. Fast forward a decade or so. The founder/genius is acting erratically immediately before a planned merger that will make him and his company extraordinarily wealthy (as opposed to just fabulously wealthy). His college sweetheart/almost lost love spouse knows Susan Silverman, shares her concerns, and is referred to our hero. And we are off. There is some violence, although the fight scenes just seemed off to me. We encounter domestic violence, of course fraud, and a couple of nasty bad guys, one of whom is, for some reason, British. There are some twists and turns, two homicides in which the Boston Police defer to Spenser and Hawk. This is where Quirk and Belson make their cameos. Eventually, Spenser gets to the bottom of things as he usually does by barging ahead and breaking things.
The problem is that everything just seems off. Spenser’s ruminations are neither clever nor humorous. His wisecracks the same. His irreverent disrespect, the same. The dialogue, the same. Everything is just off.
And, therefore, to me, a series long devotee, the book just doesn’t work at all. Everything that made the Spenser series a standout is just not there.
Robert Parker was a superb writer. I understand the desire to continue the series. But….why not just remarket the Parker novels. Now, in addition to being very well written private eye novels, they are classics of the genre and period pieces. I’ll give Mr. Lupica kudos for trying. But, I think they should just stop before they completely destroy what was a stand out body of easy to read, highly enjoyable P.I. Novels. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with quitting with a winner(s). And there is everything right about highly enjoyable, escapist crime fiction.
December 4, 2023
I'm a little torn as to how I feel about this book. On one hand, I think that the story was pretty good. It took a little longer to grab ahold of me, though, than I would have liked. To me, the plot wasn't especially compelling until just over the 20% mark of it. From there on, things started to get better.
What frustrated me most in 'Broken Trust' were the depictions of Spenser and Hawk. They seemed a little bit 'off' to me. I give writer Mike Lupica a lot of credit for taking over the Spenser series and I think that he did a very good job on this book. However, his Spenser and Hawk didn't feel exactly like the Spenser and Hawk I loved from the original Spenser stories written by Robert B. Parker. At times here, Spenser was a little too silly with the jokes he made to others and he came off, at least to me, as being more arrogant than he had been in Parker's books. Not to say that Spenser didn't have a healthy ego back then, but it was different here.
As for Hawk in this new book, I thought he was a little too crude-sounding at times. Maybe I'm remembering the original books incorrectly, but I don't recall Hawk cursing as much in them as he does in this one. Also, I think sometimes Hawk sounded a little too 'street.' I know he often sounded that way in Parker's books, and it was frequently just an act the character put on for others around him, but there were times here I thought it was amped up a little bit too much.
I'm not saying that Mike Lupica didn't do a good job on the characters. He mostly captured them very well. I just think there were several times in the book when they didn't seem like 'my' Spenser and Hawk, if that makes sense. I really can't fault the author too much for that, though. After all, he's a completely different writer than the one who wrote the dozens of earlier books I read and loved that featured these characters.
As for the story in 'Broken Trust,' after its slow start, it was compelling enough for me to keep turning the pages and I was mostly satisfied with how it ended. I think that Mike Lupica, overall, did a very good job on the book. There were multiple scenes in it that I thought were exceptionally written.
While I didn't love the book as much as I wanted to, I'm still glad I read it. If Mike Lupica writes another Spenser book, I'd definitely give it a chance.
NOTE: I received an advanced reading copy of this novel from the publisher.
What frustrated me most in 'Broken Trust' were the depictions of Spenser and Hawk. They seemed a little bit 'off' to me. I give writer Mike Lupica a lot of credit for taking over the Spenser series and I think that he did a very good job on this book. However, his Spenser and Hawk didn't feel exactly like the Spenser and Hawk I loved from the original Spenser stories written by Robert B. Parker. At times here, Spenser was a little too silly with the jokes he made to others and he came off, at least to me, as being more arrogant than he had been in Parker's books. Not to say that Spenser didn't have a healthy ego back then, but it was different here.
As for Hawk in this new book, I thought he was a little too crude-sounding at times. Maybe I'm remembering the original books incorrectly, but I don't recall Hawk cursing as much in them as he does in this one. Also, I think sometimes Hawk sounded a little too 'street.' I know he often sounded that way in Parker's books, and it was frequently just an act the character put on for others around him, but there were times here I thought it was amped up a little bit too much.
I'm not saying that Mike Lupica didn't do a good job on the characters. He mostly captured them very well. I just think there were several times in the book when they didn't seem like 'my' Spenser and Hawk, if that makes sense. I really can't fault the author too much for that, though. After all, he's a completely different writer than the one who wrote the dozens of earlier books I read and loved that featured these characters.
As for the story in 'Broken Trust,' after its slow start, it was compelling enough for me to keep turning the pages and I was mostly satisfied with how it ended. I think that Mike Lupica, overall, did a very good job on the book. There were multiple scenes in it that I thought were exceptionally written.
While I didn't love the book as much as I wanted to, I'm still glad I read it. If Mike Lupica writes another Spenser book, I'd definitely give it a chance.
NOTE: I received an advanced reading copy of this novel from the publisher.
December 22, 2023
Almost flawless, Lupica takes over the Spenser franchise from Ace Atkins and, continues as he did to memorialize and grow the CHs so intrinsic to the Spenser universe. Lupica is also writing the Sunny Randall series and she and her ex, Ritchie, make an appearance in these pages as do Z, Matty (now both in LA), the cops Belson and Quirk, as well as others from Boston, some of the underworld, Vinnie, Susan, and most importantly, Hawk. All of them are seamlessly integrated from the previous story to this one and Lupica’s knowledge and comprehension of the Parker canon and Boston is even surer than the successful Atkins. Spenser continues to both grow and hover in familiarity in his CH growth, Susan seems a little less strident (or I am finally growing to like her consistency and love for Spenser?), and Hawk is his snarky, confident and sexy self. Boston shines, food and drink, doughnuts and Dunkin coffee. The downtown Boston and environs and Cambridge real estate get a lot of tips of the hat as Spenser and company walk everywhere with Pearl the wonder dog. The only real criticism I have is that sometimes the narrative flow feels like a Boston walking tour but it all rings true for setting and place. The violence and fight scenes are both well-drawn and not too over the top, and Lupica makes the aging Spenser mostly realistically deal with his few limitations and the aftershocks of injury. The ongoing complaints of Red Sox failures and trading Mookie is quite humorous as Spenser laments his team’s falling in the ranking. Dialogue carries the reader through the narrative flow as business mergers and domestic abuse play a role thematically and in the plot. The clients and formidable foes that Spenser encounters are also well-drawn allowing us to comprehend Spenser’s reactions as the White Knight that he is, as well as the not really legal solution in a satisfactory ending that is also sticky. For fans of indelible settings, great dialogue and good procedural detail, I might also suggest Robert Crais’s Elvis & Joe series set in LA, Peter Swanson’s Eight Perfect Murders, and Anthony Horowitz British series.
October 30, 2023
As with some other series of RBP I’ve mentioned how well new authors took them over and this is no exception. The tone, storylines and wonderful sense of humor has been carried on. Another great addition to this series and I hope there’s more to come. Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this copy for read and review
April 16, 2023
I am so glad I had the opportunity to once again visit the world of Spenser in his hometown of Boston. “Broken Trust” written by Mike Lupica, is an intriguing and action-packed story that all Spenser fans will certainly enjoy. Mr. Lupica was the perfect choice to continue the Spenser legacy and he captured the essence of Spenser with so much detail I thought that Mr. Parker had written this book. Spenser is, of course, still with Susan and they spend their time dining out, walking her dog Pearl, and being in love. Hawk will always be Spenser’s best friend and confidant and he was more than willing to assist Spenser with his latest case.
I was thrilled to see that Spenser still had his dry wit and brutal honesty as he interrogated the business executives he was investigating. His old friends at BPD were always there to help, but Spenser does things his own way and that will never change. The mystery behind the billionaire's past created quite a stir within his company and the one thing Spenser was sure of was that no one could be trusted. Spenser traveled around Boston and all the way to California before he finally got the answers he was looking for. Spenser protects those he cares about and throughout his investigation he came upon witnesses who were brave enough to come forward with valuable information, while at the same time, putting their lives at risk. Spenser called upon Hawk and other associates to safeguard these individuals, while he searched for the truth, once and for all.
I was thrilled to see that Spenser still had his dry wit and brutal honesty as he interrogated the business executives he was investigating. His old friends at BPD were always there to help, but Spenser does things his own way and that will never change. The mystery behind the billionaire's past created quite a stir within his company and the one thing Spenser was sure of was that no one could be trusted. Spenser traveled around Boston and all the way to California before he finally got the answers he was looking for. Spenser protects those he cares about and throughout his investigation he came upon witnesses who were brave enough to come forward with valuable information, while at the same time, putting their lives at risk. Spenser called upon Hawk and other associates to safeguard these individuals, while he searched for the truth, once and for all.
April 11, 2023
A new Spenser book is always a welcome treat and Mike Lupica does a credible job of capturing Parker’s unique mood and dialog. The beautiful wife of one of the world’s richest men comes to Spenser in the hope that he can find what has caused the recent change in her husband’s personality. The technology genius has always been a generous philanthropist and loving husband, yet she is concerned—he recently has become secretive, bordering on paranoid, and she wants Spenser to find out why. Spenser has little to go on and most people attribute the behavior to nerves and stress from a huge company merger in the works. But then a shocking murder changes everything and Spenser finds himself in danger and obsessed with solving the case. As usual, the city of Boston plays a major role and the book can also serve as a travelogue of places to see, things to do and places to dine. Most of the usual Spenser cast of friends and associates are present, including Susan Silverman, Hawk, Vinnie Morris, Henry Cimoli, Martin Quirk, Frank Belson and Tony Marcus. I especially enjoyed Spenser’s joy at returning to an apartment in his old neighborhood and the way that he always found a way to brag to everyone he meets that he can walk to work. The book captured my interest from the start and I found it a quick and enjoyable read. Thanks to the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons and to NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC.
December 6, 2023
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S BROKEN TRUST ABOUT?
From that promising start, Laura Crain—the wife of the US's 6th richest man—asks Spenser to help. Her husband has been acting strangely, and neither Laura nor his business partner can understand why. Their company is on the verge of completing a merger that will make them richer yet and will secure the company's place in the electric car market.
The richer part isn't that important—outside of the increasing opportunities for the very philanthropic couple to give even more money to causes. But strengthening the company to keep doing what it's been doing is important to the Crains—they're committed to this kind of environmentally friendly industry.
Spenser has a hard time starting his investigation because it's such a vague target—maybe he can't help her after all, but something about Laura Crain makes him want to try. He's (reportedly, although some downplay this) almost paranoid, having outbursts—one nearly violent one is witnessed by Spenser—and his volatility puts many things at risk.
Then someone tied to the company is murdered. Spenser is threatened. Not long after that, someone else dies, too (probably another murder, even if it's initially unclear). And now Spenser has a bigger mess to look into, assuming he can keep everyone else connected to the case safe and the target off his back.
THE OBLIGATORY STREET-CRED ESTABLISHMENT
Each time a new author takes the reins of a Parker series, their first book is full of them establishing their bona fides when it comes to the series. They have to show that they understand the protagonist, the supporting characters, and the history of the series through references to past cases, quick/extended appearances of various supporting characters, etc. And Lupica goes above and beyond with these—almost all of them feeling like they were apropos in the moment, thankfully. I started to keep a mental list of his efforts, then I switched to writing them down when the list got long enough—then I abandoned it because I had better things to pay attention to and it was getting too long to print here.
The punchline? The dude knows his stuff and can show it off.
He even brings in a connection to Gino Fish. Given how long Gino's been dead, that was nice. And, as difficult as it might be to justify returning to that connection, I'd enjoy Lupica finding a way to do it. I really enjoyed that particular character.
Now, I didn't think that Sunny Randall's quick appearance was necessary—nor do I think Richie Burke added much. But I liked how the latter was used (which may contradict what I just said about him), and it was a clever thing to do.
MARTIN QUIRK
Martin Quirk gets a couple of good scenes here and his presence is felt outside of them, too—Belson brings him up a few times, which helps—but Quirk casts enough of a shadow it wasn't that necessary. Part of that is due to the whole cred establishment, but not all of it, I don't think. It also fits pretty well with this book—and you'd expect someone with his rank to be getting involved given the prominence of the people involved in these murders.
Beyond that, however, if Lupica wasn't planting seeds for something major on the Quirk-front in the next book or two, then he faked me out pretty well. I hope he didn't because I'm pretty curious about it—we haven't gotten a lot of good Quirk material in a long time (since he got Spenser out of that southern jail cell back in the 90s, maybe?).
MIKE LUPICA
And what's going on with Quirk is just one of the moves Lupica is making to put his own stamp on this series. And that's one of the things I really appreciate about both the Publisher/the Estate's handling of these authors taking over—they allow them to make changes to the characters. I'd absolutely understand if they had to keep the characters in some sort of stasis from how Parker had left them, like an '80s TV drama or something.
I'm holding off forming an impression about what Lupica is doing with some of the characters at this point, I need to see it worked out a little more. But I do appreciate him taking ownership and making the moves.
I'll be frank—I thought he did okay with the Sunny Randall books (the series I have the least attachment to, so I didn't care too much how he did), and while I thought he was a step down from Coleman, he's doing okay with the Jesse Stone books. But giving him the keys to the Ferrari of Parker's series? That seemed like a dangerous move.
However, I think of all his Parker-verse work, this was the strongest. He rose to the occasion, and I'm greatly relieved. I hope he can continue it.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BROKEN TRUST?
One of my favorite parts about almost every Spenser novel is the initial conversation between Spenser and the client. Lupica nailed it, I thought. After that strong start, things kept rolling at or near that level for just about the rest of the book.
It wasn't perfect, by any means, but it was quite good. For example, some of the Hawk-Spenser banter is a little jokier than usual—Hawk, in particular, seems a little looser as he teases Spenser over a handful of things. It's subtle, but it's there. I enjoyed it—maybe too much—but I think Lupica could dial back Hawk a notch or two.
To be a little more pointed: the last page (or so) of Chapter Eighty-Three, all of Chapter Eighty-Four, and the last half of Chapter Eighty-Five (which, sadly is the last half chapter of the book) were let-downs. If you took the first half of Eighty-Five and put it earlier and made Eighty-Tree/the novel end with the conversation in Spenser's office, I'd have been more satisfied. I can't remember when I've been so specific about this kind of thing (not a habit I'm inclined to get into, either)—but that probably says how much it rankled me. I probably would've given the book another half-star (at least) without these pages.
Lupica did a good job with Susan—a character that can frequently be divisive, but he dealt with her well (and the conversations with her about the case didn't drag the book down). Other than Hawk's teasing, I thought he did a great job with Hawk and the other returning characters*.
* He did brush off one of the more tantalizing things that Atkins left for him regarding Hawk in less than a sentence, however. I think that was a mistake, but I get it, too.
As for Spenser himself? I give Lupica high marks—both for keeping Spenser vulnerable, fallible, and human while seemingly superhuman at times. There's a point where Spenser wonders if he's invented a red herring for himself on one line of inquiry, which was a nice touch. Spenser takes probably the least likely punch he's received in the series to date—and I believed it (and quite enjoyed the fallout). Basically, he treated the character with the respect due, and I suspect that comes from a fellow fan's heart.
I really liked the case—and the turns it took. I do wonder if Lupica wrote himself into a little corner and had to use a deus ex machina to get him out of it in the latter chapters. It worked well enough that I'm not complaining—nor am I wholly convinced that's what happened. It just seems like one (which is bad enough). But the layers to the case, the motives of the potential suspects, how everything played out in the end, and the secrets that came to light (and how they came to light) were really well handled and worthy of Parker at his best.
Color me satisfied with this one, and my trust in Lupica strengthened. I think this would be a decent jumping-on point for someone curious about the character—or the idea of an aging PI still plugging away at things. Check this one out.
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We sat there in silence for a few moments, as if each of us were waiting for the other to make the next move. It often went this way with potential clients, like an awkward first date, and just how much they wanted to drop their guard.
“So how can I help you, Mrs. Crain?”
“Please. Laura.”
“So how can I help you, Laura.”
Her blue eyes were so pale as to be as clear as glass.
“That’s the thing,” she said. “You probably can’t.”
WHAT'S BROKEN TRUST ABOUT?
From that promising start, Laura Crain—the wife of the US's 6th richest man—asks Spenser to help. Her husband has been acting strangely, and neither Laura nor his business partner can understand why. Their company is on the verge of completing a merger that will make them richer yet and will secure the company's place in the electric car market.
The richer part isn't that important—outside of the increasing opportunities for the very philanthropic couple to give even more money to causes. But strengthening the company to keep doing what it's been doing is important to the Crains—they're committed to this kind of environmentally friendly industry.
Spenser has a hard time starting his investigation because it's such a vague target—maybe he can't help her after all, but something about Laura Crain makes him want to try. He's (reportedly, although some downplay this) almost paranoid, having outbursts—one nearly violent one is witnessed by Spenser—and his volatility puts many things at risk.
Then someone tied to the company is murdered. Spenser is threatened. Not long after that, someone else dies, too (probably another murder, even if it's initially unclear). And now Spenser has a bigger mess to look into, assuming he can keep everyone else connected to the case safe and the target off his back.
THE OBLIGATORY STREET-CRED ESTABLISHMENT
Each time a new author takes the reins of a Parker series, their first book is full of them establishing their bona fides when it comes to the series. They have to show that they understand the protagonist, the supporting characters, and the history of the series through references to past cases, quick/extended appearances of various supporting characters, etc. And Lupica goes above and beyond with these—almost all of them feeling like they were apropos in the moment, thankfully. I started to keep a mental list of his efforts, then I switched to writing them down when the list got long enough—then I abandoned it because I had better things to pay attention to and it was getting too long to print here.
The punchline? The dude knows his stuff and can show it off.
He even brings in a connection to Gino Fish. Given how long Gino's been dead, that was nice. And, as difficult as it might be to justify returning to that connection, I'd enjoy Lupica finding a way to do it. I really enjoyed that particular character.
Now, I didn't think that Sunny Randall's quick appearance was necessary—nor do I think Richie Burke added much. But I liked how the latter was used (which may contradict what I just said about him), and it was a clever thing to do.
MARTIN QUIRK
Martin Quirk gets a couple of good scenes here and his presence is felt outside of them, too—Belson brings him up a few times, which helps—but Quirk casts enough of a shadow it wasn't that necessary. Part of that is due to the whole cred establishment, but not all of it, I don't think. It also fits pretty well with this book—and you'd expect someone with his rank to be getting involved given the prominence of the people involved in these murders.
Beyond that, however, if Lupica wasn't planting seeds for something major on the Quirk-front in the next book or two, then he faked me out pretty well. I hope he didn't because I'm pretty curious about it—we haven't gotten a lot of good Quirk material in a long time (since he got Spenser out of that southern jail cell back in the 90s, maybe?).
MIKE LUPICA
And what's going on with Quirk is just one of the moves Lupica is making to put his own stamp on this series. And that's one of the things I really appreciate about both the Publisher/the Estate's handling of these authors taking over—they allow them to make changes to the characters. I'd absolutely understand if they had to keep the characters in some sort of stasis from how Parker had left them, like an '80s TV drama or something.
I'm holding off forming an impression about what Lupica is doing with some of the characters at this point, I need to see it worked out a little more. But I do appreciate him taking ownership and making the moves.
I'll be frank—I thought he did okay with the Sunny Randall books (the series I have the least attachment to, so I didn't care too much how he did), and while I thought he was a step down from Coleman, he's doing okay with the Jesse Stone books. But giving him the keys to the Ferrari of Parker's series? That seemed like a dangerous move.
However, I think of all his Parker-verse work, this was the strongest. He rose to the occasion, and I'm greatly relieved. I hope he can continue it.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BROKEN TRUST?
He looked around. “We looking fo anything in particular?” Hawk said.
“What we're always looking for,” I said. “Something that will make us feel smart when we find it.”
“Could be here awhile,” he said.
One of my favorite parts about almost every Spenser novel is the initial conversation between Spenser and the client. Lupica nailed it, I thought. After that strong start, things kept rolling at or near that level for just about the rest of the book.
It wasn't perfect, by any means, but it was quite good. For example, some of the Hawk-Spenser banter is a little jokier than usual—Hawk, in particular, seems a little looser as he teases Spenser over a handful of things. It's subtle, but it's there. I enjoyed it—maybe too much—but I think Lupica could dial back Hawk a notch or two.
To be a little more pointed: the last page (or so) of Chapter Eighty-Three, all of Chapter Eighty-Four, and the last half of Chapter Eighty-Five (which, sadly is the last half chapter of the book) were let-downs. If you took the first half of Eighty-Five and put it earlier and made Eighty-Tree/the novel end with the conversation in Spenser's office, I'd have been more satisfied. I can't remember when I've been so specific about this kind of thing (not a habit I'm inclined to get into, either)—but that probably says how much it rankled me. I probably would've given the book another half-star (at least) without these pages.
Lupica did a good job with Susan—a character that can frequently be divisive, but he dealt with her well (and the conversations with her about the case didn't drag the book down). Other than Hawk's teasing, I thought he did a great job with Hawk and the other returning characters*.
* He did brush off one of the more tantalizing things that Atkins left for him regarding Hawk in less than a sentence, however. I think that was a mistake, but I get it, too.
As for Spenser himself? I give Lupica high marks—both for keeping Spenser vulnerable, fallible, and human while seemingly superhuman at times. There's a point where Spenser wonders if he's invented a red herring for himself on one line of inquiry, which was a nice touch. Spenser takes probably the least likely punch he's received in the series to date—and I believed it (and quite enjoyed the fallout). Basically, he treated the character with the respect due, and I suspect that comes from a fellow fan's heart.
I really liked the case—and the turns it took. I do wonder if Lupica wrote himself into a little corner and had to use a deus ex machina to get him out of it in the latter chapters. It worked well enough that I'm not complaining—nor am I wholly convinced that's what happened. It just seems like one (which is bad enough). But the layers to the case, the motives of the potential suspects, how everything played out in the end, and the secrets that came to light (and how they came to light) were really well handled and worthy of Parker at his best.
Color me satisfied with this one, and my trust in Lupica strengthened. I think this would be a decent jumping-on point for someone curious about the character—or the idea of an aging PI still plugging away at things. Check this one out.
January 28, 2024
I started reading and very much enjoyed Robert B. Parker's Spenser books almost 20 years ago. Over time I added his Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall series as well (not being a fan of westerns, I never started his Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch books). I loved Parker's straightforward but interesting plotting and believe no one is better at writing excellent and entertaining dialog.
When Parker passed away in 2010, his estate elected to have the Spenser books continue as written by Ace Atkins. It took a few years for me to try one and to be fair, it took a few stories by Atkins before I felt he had mostly captured Parker's Spenser, to about 80% - readable but not exactly Parker's Spenser. The Jesse Stone books were continued a bit less successfully under two different authors. The Sunny Randall books languished 10 years until sports writer Mike Lupica was chosen to continue the series. He wrote a couple of excellent ones and then in 2020 took over the Jesse Stone series. His Jesse Stone felt much more authentic than any since Parker himself was writing them.
A sea change came in 2020. The estate handed the Jesse Stone Series to Mike Lupica based on the success of his restart on the Randall series. In addition, Ace Atkins, an author of books of his own, decided to stop writing the Spencer series. So the estate added Lupica as the follow on writer of the Spenser series while giving the Randall series to author Alison Gaylin. Having sampled continued books by all since the change, I hear by endorse all of the changes.
In this book, Lupica's first foray into writing a Spenser book, he hit the nail on the head. Well written, a entertaining plot, the inclusion of virtually everyone in Senser's universe in either an important role our at least a cameo, he's done a spectacular job. No spoilers but if you have had an interest in these series, give this one a try.... Maybe at this point I will try one of those Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch books after all...
When Parker passed away in 2010, his estate elected to have the Spenser books continue as written by Ace Atkins. It took a few years for me to try one and to be fair, it took a few stories by Atkins before I felt he had mostly captured Parker's Spenser, to about 80% - readable but not exactly Parker's Spenser. The Jesse Stone books were continued a bit less successfully under two different authors. The Sunny Randall books languished 10 years until sports writer Mike Lupica was chosen to continue the series. He wrote a couple of excellent ones and then in 2020 took over the Jesse Stone series. His Jesse Stone felt much more authentic than any since Parker himself was writing them.
A sea change came in 2020. The estate handed the Jesse Stone Series to Mike Lupica based on the success of his restart on the Randall series. In addition, Ace Atkins, an author of books of his own, decided to stop writing the Spencer series. So the estate added Lupica as the follow on writer of the Spenser series while giving the Randall series to author Alison Gaylin. Having sampled continued books by all since the change, I hear by endorse all of the changes.
In this book, Lupica's first foray into writing a Spenser book, he hit the nail on the head. Well written, a entertaining plot, the inclusion of virtually everyone in Senser's universe in either an important role our at least a cameo, he's done a spectacular job. No spoilers but if you have had an interest in these series, give this one a try.... Maybe at this point I will try one of those Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch books after all...
October 18, 2023
Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust by Mike Lupica will be published on November 28, 2023. G.P. Putnam and Sons, a subsidiary of Penguin Group Viking, provided an early galley for review.
Back in 2008, I discovered the Spenser mystery novels series by Robert B. Parker. Over the course of six months, I devoured the then-available thirty-five books in the series (thanks to my local public library). The author passed a few years later (after completing four more novels), and I kind of forgot about the series. Ace Atkins picked up the ball and provided ten more novels in the series about the Boston detective. Now, with this novel - which is the fiftieth book in the series (and the first by Lupica), I really wanted to jump back in.
Even though I've gotten fifteen years older since we last spent time, Spenser and his usual associations (Hawk and Susan) have not. Sure, this book starts with him moving to a new apartment, however Spenser remains timeless despite his debut back in 1973's The Godwulf Manuscript. Fifty never looked so good. Lupica even has Spenser make some meta comments relating to how his friends and associates are always pretty much the same.
Lupica does a solid job getting the narrative to have the old Parker feel and sound. As Parker used to do, he gingerly peppers in references to prior novels to remind us of the history of the franchise. Like Parker, he uses plenty of "in the moment" references so that the reader knows that Spenser inhabits a world very much like our own (with just a few subtle differences). He also describes food and clothes in the same manner that Parker had Spenser do so. It is like going back home again.
Overall, the story this time was enjoyable and touched on some very topical themes. I look forward to future additions to the series.
Back in 2008, I discovered the Spenser mystery novels series by Robert B. Parker. Over the course of six months, I devoured the then-available thirty-five books in the series (thanks to my local public library). The author passed a few years later (after completing four more novels), and I kind of forgot about the series. Ace Atkins picked up the ball and provided ten more novels in the series about the Boston detective. Now, with this novel - which is the fiftieth book in the series (and the first by Lupica), I really wanted to jump back in.
Even though I've gotten fifteen years older since we last spent time, Spenser and his usual associations (Hawk and Susan) have not. Sure, this book starts with him moving to a new apartment, however Spenser remains timeless despite his debut back in 1973's The Godwulf Manuscript. Fifty never looked so good. Lupica even has Spenser make some meta comments relating to how his friends and associates are always pretty much the same.
Lupica does a solid job getting the narrative to have the old Parker feel and sound. As Parker used to do, he gingerly peppers in references to prior novels to remind us of the history of the franchise. Like Parker, he uses plenty of "in the moment" references so that the reader knows that Spenser inhabits a world very much like our own (with just a few subtle differences). He also describes food and clothes in the same manner that Parker had Spenser do so. It is like going back home again.
Overall, the story this time was enjoyable and touched on some very topical themes. I look forward to future additions to the series.
January 11, 2024
You'd be a fool not to…
(SPOILER ALERT)
…stop, Mr. Lupica. Just stop. As much as I loved Spenser while Robert B. Parker was alive and willingly tolerated him during Ace Atkins’ tenure (although Atkins’ consistently misspelling Rugar’s name as Ruger in "Bye, Bye Baby" came oh so close to sending me over the edge) your take on the series as evidenced by "Broken Trust" is one of "too many notes" for even the most diehard fan.
Too many detailed references to what Spenser is wearing on any given day. Too many elaborate descriptions of what Spenser is eating or cooking. Too many "name drop" references to places where he goes out to dine or shop. And too many- far, far too many- perfect, blissful and technically perfect occasions of sex with Susan Silverman. I mean, give the woman a break. She's what now, given that she would've been about 35 years old around the time they first met, well up into her 70s at this point. That's not retconning, that's out and out time travel stuff.
But Lupica doesn't just stop there: not only are there too many notes but that a whole lot of them are off-key. Way, way off-key. Silverman, I don't know, maybe it's from too much time spent in the bedroom, but she's never sounded so snarky and full of herself as she does here. Hawk sounds like Steppin Fetchit on meth, or at least he does when he's not relegated to "unnecessary sidekick" mode. The less said about Zebulon Sixkill other than "why?" the better. Lieutenant Belson has obviously been the recipient of a personality transplant from Captain Glass (who, in one of the few- very, very few- redeeming qualities of this book has finally been shown the door). And Martin Quirk? I mean, what does Lupica have against the guy? I'll admit to daydreaming about Quirk’s "bricklayer" hands put to use persuading the author to let this series and Spenser limp off to hard-boiled detective Valhalla with at least some reputation intact and unsullied. Oh, I almost forgot Tony Marcus and Vinny Morris. Let's just say that Lupica would probably wish that Quirk would've gotten to him first before either of them would take retribution for what was done to them here.
There's not a hint of the scathing wit or brilliant banter that were the hallmark of the series during the Parker years and which Ace Atkins generally managed to capture at least a few times in each of the books that he wrote. The plot is pure formula, the bad guys are timid caricatures and the "shocker twist" at the very end is telegraphed so broadly that it's almost a relief when the last page is reached. No, I take that back- it is a relief and especially since the author showed some mercy and spared us from one more leaden description of Spenser and his honey making love.
(SPOILER ALERT)
…stop, Mr. Lupica. Just stop. As much as I loved Spenser while Robert B. Parker was alive and willingly tolerated him during Ace Atkins’ tenure (although Atkins’ consistently misspelling Rugar’s name as Ruger in "Bye, Bye Baby" came oh so close to sending me over the edge) your take on the series as evidenced by "Broken Trust" is one of "too many notes" for even the most diehard fan.
Too many detailed references to what Spenser is wearing on any given day. Too many elaborate descriptions of what Spenser is eating or cooking. Too many "name drop" references to places where he goes out to dine or shop. And too many- far, far too many- perfect, blissful and technically perfect occasions of sex with Susan Silverman. I mean, give the woman a break. She's what now, given that she would've been about 35 years old around the time they first met, well up into her 70s at this point. That's not retconning, that's out and out time travel stuff.
But Lupica doesn't just stop there: not only are there too many notes but that a whole lot of them are off-key. Way, way off-key. Silverman, I don't know, maybe it's from too much time spent in the bedroom, but she's never sounded so snarky and full of herself as she does here. Hawk sounds like Steppin Fetchit on meth, or at least he does when he's not relegated to "unnecessary sidekick" mode. The less said about Zebulon Sixkill other than "why?" the better. Lieutenant Belson has obviously been the recipient of a personality transplant from Captain Glass (who, in one of the few- very, very few- redeeming qualities of this book has finally been shown the door). And Martin Quirk? I mean, what does Lupica have against the guy? I'll admit to daydreaming about Quirk’s "bricklayer" hands put to use persuading the author to let this series and Spenser limp off to hard-boiled detective Valhalla with at least some reputation intact and unsullied. Oh, I almost forgot Tony Marcus and Vinny Morris. Let's just say that Lupica would probably wish that Quirk would've gotten to him first before either of them would take retribution for what was done to them here.
There's not a hint of the scathing wit or brilliant banter that were the hallmark of the series during the Parker years and which Ace Atkins generally managed to capture at least a few times in each of the books that he wrote. The plot is pure formula, the bad guys are timid caricatures and the "shocker twist" at the very end is telegraphed so broadly that it's almost a relief when the last page is reached. No, I take that back- it is a relief and especially since the author showed some mercy and spared us from one more leaden description of Spenser and his honey making love.
December 10, 2023
Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust is the 50th book in the Spenser series. It was my first one to read in the series. I didn't feel as if I was missing a lot of back story, so this can be a stand-alone read. But this is an established series and deserves to be read in its entirety.
Spenser's gets a call to speak with Laura Crain, the wife of the world's sixth richest man which also happens to be an acquaintance of Spenser's longtime partner, psychologist Susan Silverman. Laura would like Spenser to find out what it is going on with her husband. The marriage is fine, but he is acting different and needs Spenser to help her. Andrew's partner, Ethan Lowe, at their company is working on a merger. Everything Spenser hears in his investigation has him going in many directions and no solid clues, until Laura is murdered as well as another employee's death which is made to look like suicide.
There are many characters in this story. There is also a lot of quick-witted bantering going on as well that moves the story along. Most of the investigation goes nowhere which has Spenser circling back to what they know as opposed to what they don't which gives them a bigger picture to look at.
I thought that this was a great story and was well written. The characters have great depth and are people you might want to have as friends. This felt more of an intellectual story since we are following Spenser around as he is thinking out loud to us. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Spenser's gets a call to speak with Laura Crain, the wife of the world's sixth richest man which also happens to be an acquaintance of Spenser's longtime partner, psychologist Susan Silverman. Laura would like Spenser to find out what it is going on with her husband. The marriage is fine, but he is acting different and needs Spenser to help her. Andrew's partner, Ethan Lowe, at their company is working on a merger. Everything Spenser hears in his investigation has him going in many directions and no solid clues, until Laura is murdered as well as another employee's death which is made to look like suicide.
There are many characters in this story. There is also a lot of quick-witted bantering going on as well that moves the story along. Most of the investigation goes nowhere which has Spenser circling back to what they know as opposed to what they don't which gives them a bigger picture to look at.
I thought that this was a great story and was well written. The characters have great depth and are people you might want to have as friends. This felt more of an intellectual story since we are following Spenser around as he is thinking out loud to us. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
January 15, 2024
This is the first book being written by Lupica. He's continuing on as Ace Atkins is no longer writing the series. I was apprehensive when I read Atkins wasn't continuing. I felt that he'd done a brilliant job of continuing the Spenser series in Parker's style.
The books that Lupica had co-written with Patterson, I haven't been keen on so I didn't know how it'd go.
I think he did a good job of picking up the style where Atkins left off.
There was still the Parker rhythm which he'd been inspired to emulate from his love of Chandler's style.
One difference was that this story was a bit more complicated than usual.
I loved hearing an update on Z & Maddie. I like those characters!!! Where's their spin-off?
The books that Lupica had co-written with Patterson, I haven't been keen on so I didn't know how it'd go.
I think he did a good job of picking up the style where Atkins left off.
There was still the Parker rhythm which he'd been inspired to emulate from his love of Chandler's style.
One difference was that this story was a bit more complicated than usual.
I loved hearing an update on Z & Maddie. I like those characters!!! Where's their spin-off?
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