The Spenser novels

I've just started reading a Robert B. Parker novel from 2004 called "Bad Business". Although Parker has a couple of other series, and they're both good, I have to say Spenser is my favourite.

I have a feeling Spenser is based on the man the author would like to be himself! The photo on the back cover is of a man who is quite good looking, but probably not quite as much as he thinks he is! The author's dog also looks like the same breed as "Pearl the Wonder Dog" in the stories.

There's lots of action and intrigue in these stories, but I think what I like best is the characters. I feel as if I know them all: Spenser, the love of his life Dr. Susan Silverman, the mysterious good/bad guy Hawk, the long suffering police inspectors Healy and Quirk, and even some of the villains who keep popping up in several of the books. I also love the dialogue, which makes me chuckle even as I'm wondering what is coming next.

I keep my mystery reading strictly for evening, particularly bedtime reading, or otherwise I'd never get anything done! So it can take me almost a week to finish a book, although sometimes I can't resist reading on until it's done. Anyway, I'll comment on "Bad Business" on the blog as I work my way through it this week. If anybody else out there has read it, feel free to leave a comment --- but don't give away the plot!