In the previous book in the series, Valediction, Susan had left Spenser to take a job in San Francisco, partially because she said that she needed some time alone because she’d always defined herself as someone’s daughter, wife, girlfriend, etc. and Spenser’s idealization of her had become overwhelming. That explanation might have held more water if she also didn’t admit that she’d been cheating on him for some time before she left and is still seeing the guy. But Spenser has committed himself to his idea of true love for Susan, so he’ll continue to do anything for her no matter what she‘s done. It’s not the healthiest of relationships.Spenser gets a brief note in the mail from Susan stating that she’s in trouble, and that Hawk is in jail in a small town in California after trying to help her. If I had a former girlfriend who had dumped and cheated on me, and she’d gotten my best friend involved in something behind my back that got him arrested, I might go bail my buddy out of jail. I’d definitely hold it over his head for the rest of his life, and there’s no way on god’s green earth I’d try to help her. I guess I’m either more petty or more realistic than Spenser. Take your pick.But Spenser is Spenser and before you can say “America’s Most Wanted”, he’s flown out to California and broken Hawk out of jail. It turns out that Susan’s new guy, Russell, is the son of super-wealthy Jerry Costigan. Russell and Susan have had a weird kind of co-dependent relationship, and when Susan couldn’t completely let got of Spenser, he got possessive. Susan had turned to Hawk for help to get away, but the Costigans had a set-up ready and got Hawk jailed. Now he has Susan, and it’s unclear whether she’s there of her own free will. On the run, Spenser and Hawk will have to do a lot of very illegal and fairly nasty things to survive, and Spenser is willing to throw his usual rules out the window to get Susan back. It turns out that Jerry Costigan apparently thinks he’s a villain in a James Bond movie with his own private Blackwater-style army and hidden bases all over the country. He’s also too much of a right-wing nut job for even the Reagan-era U.S. government, and the CIA offers to get Spenser and Hawk off the hook with the cops if they’ll ‘take care’ of Jerry. Spenser is so desperate to find Susan that he’ll make a deal with any devil, and he’s soon asking friends and former clients for help, too.This is a pretty outlandish plot for the usually more grounded Spenser stories, but it was the mid-’80s so it’s not too surprising that Parker embraced a big action story when it came time to resolve the Spenser and Susan saga. The plot is brisk and Spenser and Hawk are at their violent smart-ass best as fugitives. The problem here is that it’s how you feel about Susan that’s going to determine how much you like the book. There’s a real Helen-of-Troy thing going on where Spenser and all his friends are willing to go to war to save Susan, but I don’t see where she’s earned that devotion. In the earlier books, she’s smart, sexy and funny, and you understand why Spenser loves her. But it’s not like she’s cured cancer or done anything except be Spenser’s girlfriend. Yet even the unsentimental Hawk is willing to throw his life away for her. Plus, a large number of people are hurt and killed in this little war between Spenser and Russell, yet everyone still acts like it’s Susan’s psychological well-being that is the most important thing in the world. Even after all the chaos and carnage, she still has issues letting go of Russell or Spenser, and everyone treats her like a fragile little flower instead of demanding that she take some responsibility for the situation she’s created and help end it.The other issue is that after this, Parker stopped taking chances with the series, and locks down the Spenser formula. Until now, Spenser has had cases and issues that have caused him real ethical dilemmas. He’s failed at times, and gotten depressed and angry, or done things he’s not proud of. After this point, it’s mostly stoic Spenser, who is quietly sure of the right thing to do and doesn’t fail or compromise. It gets boring quickly. Worse, Susan and Spenser quickly become smug and insufferable . They’ll never have anything but minor problems, and their delight at how perfect their love is makes me wish that some character would remind them of the body count that their happiness cost.Parker was always open about how he and his wife nearly split during this time, and that she had an affair. They reconciled, but it’s obvious that he never really got over it. He did some good Spenser novels and other work after this point. But from now on, almost all the protagonists are stoic individuals whose main character trait is that they are exceptionally ‘still and quiet’. The theme of a ‘good’ man who loves a ‘bad’ woman will be repeated over and over. We’d never again get a great Spenser novel. The best of them would be shadows of what he delivered in the first thirteen Spenser books. But I went back through these early Spenser books to praise Parker for what he did, not bitch about what he failed to do later. It’d been ten or fifteen years since I’d read the early books, and it was a pleasant surprise to be reminded how much I enjoyed Parker when he was still on top of his game. Next up: Spenser tries to tame a seahorse in Taming A Sea-Horse.
Well, it looks like Spenser's back and thank goodness, Hawk makes more than an appearance here. He an intricate part of the story. I'm fond of Hawk, he's a cool dude and is Frack for Spenser's Frick. Susan, now she's another story in my book. Starting to wonder what Spenser sees in her; oh, I forgot, he loves her. But really Susan, get it together, please! Really liked the storyline, with Spenser and Hawk traveling outside Boston to get done what they need to do to make things right. for Raymond This novel Spenser gets side-tracked with his morals which up to now have be steady and firm. He does what needs to be done though for the betterment of everyone, but there's a subtle change in him. USA Today says on the back cover, "if you like tight writing, no wasted words, loads of liolence, and interesting characters, Parker will be your cup of tea." Yes, Robert B. Parker is my cup of tea since this is the latest Spenser read in series which I've challenged myself. Prepared to continue until the end (27 maybe?) and A Catskill Eagle is number 15 if I counted right. At least one, I had read previously, but started with The Godwulf Manuscript and glad I read them as a series since characters are popping up who have a background with Spenser. It's like I already know who they are due to previous books, some of which were not all that great. Just purchased a book, Poodle Springs, which Raymond Chandler who I've been reading also, started and Parker apparently finished after Chandler's death. Read the Parker read and wanted to emulate Chandler's writing and his P. I. character, Philip Marlowe. Knowing that, I can see some similaries, which is a good thing.
Do You like book A Catskill Eagle (1986)?
A disjointed narrative that leaves Susan a damsel in distress for half a novel, and features random cameos from earlier books such as Rachel Wallace and Hugh Dixon?You know, I'd like to say that this was a weird one, but the truth is, they've been weird since the one where Spenser and Hawk bust up a European terrorist network at the Montreal Olympics, and they've been really bizarre since Spenser kidnapped a boy, took him to the woods, and built a cabin with him while they drank beer and worked out.(Not to say they haven't been good; I loved Valediction, and A Savage Place.)
—Michael Durant
ok, first of all, the previous book in this series left us w/ the 2 main characters still in a relationship, albeit one w/ some miles between them. still ... she was in DC, he was in Boston, and they were making trips between to see each other. now, in this book, suddenly, the female half of the couple has moved to the opposite coast, gotten a new job, has been invovled in a whole new relationship, and it's a year later. we know nothing about what's gone on, but are treated like we SHOULD know. huh?!secondly, altho i hae a nasty feeling it's true, it doesn't SOUND plausible that our government not only is asking Joe Schome off the street to kill someone they can't get enough credible dirt on to jail, but, are giving him anything and everything he needs in order to accomplish the feat, and THEN some!last, but not least (?), after a not quite so determinable amount of time, the couple pretty much gets back together again, almost like a whole year, the affair, the killings, and everything else, hasn't even happened. again, HUH?!?!?!this was definitely NOT one of my favorite books out of this series so far!!!i will, however, continue on thru the series. "one bad apple doen't turn the bunch, girl", or however that line goes! 8^)
—joyce lynn
In this novel, the plot revolves around Spenser and Hawk who rack up murder charges, a jailbreak, assault of a police officer, arson, theft, etc., all in an effort to free their beloved Susan from an man she loves. Susan has come to love two men (Spenser and Russell) for different reasons and must be free of both to make a choice. And Spenser is the one to free her from Russell and his dangerous family. Russell's family is sorely wanted by the FBI and CIA and they will offer to give aid to find Susan, plus clear Spenser and Hawk of all charges in exchange for cooperation with the Costigan clan. But IF Susan is found and freed, who will be her chosen love?I always love the fearless Spenser and his friend Hawk. Spenser and Hawk's hilarious banter had me laughing out loud and my husband suggested I leave the room if I couldn't stop. This seems to be an earlier Spenser and I don't know if I like the mind-numbing personality of Susan in this book as well as in later novels. She doesn't seem so educated, sophisticated, strong, or self-sufficient in this book and I was a little taken aback by that. Of course, those are the exact qualities that seem to have gotten her in this mess in the first place. The book head a good plot, lots of action and funny dialogue to keep things balanced.“This quote shows Spenser's undying commitment to the woman he loves: "And when you find her? Then what?" "Then she will be free again to come here and work with you (the shrink) until she can make the choices she wishes to make." "And what if you are not that choice?" "I think I will be. But I can't control that. What I can do is see that she's free to choose."
—Shirley Worley
