bookhawk's review against another edition
4.0
Robert B. Parker delivered another excellent Spenser novel that blends superb action with deeper relationship and social commentary reflective of the times. 4 stars. It is a good thing to see there are 49 books in a series and be happy to know there are 37 more yet to read.
bookcraft's review
4.0
Much as I liked this entry in the Spenser series (and I really did like it, hence the 4-star rating), a quote from Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy kept coming back to me with every iteration of Spenser's angst over defending himself/hurting bad people in order to save good people:
"I don’t go around gratuitously shooting people and then bragging about it afterward in seedy space-rangers bars, like some cops I could mention! I go around shooting people gratuitously and then I agonize about it afterward for hours to my girlfriend!”
gon8go's review against another edition
4.0
Susan is the real villain in this book. What a selfish, self absorbed princess. Spencer and hawk kick ass as always.
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
The story, minus the Susan silliness was excellent. Spenser and Hawk get better with every page. This was their toughest test yet.
jurassicreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
brianlokker's review
4.0
I enjoyed this twelfth entry in the Spenser series quite a bit, despite its premise, which I found to be somewhat absurd.
The premise? That Spenser would criss-cross the country and willingly commit multiple crimes, including cold-blooded murder, in order to rescue Susan Silverman from the clutches of her new boyfriend, Russell Costigan. Absurd, too, that not only Hawk but Quirk and Belson would knowingly enable Spenser and assist him in this quest, just because … hey, it's Susan! It's all especially absurd given the fact that Susan had willingly embraced Costigan's clutches and apparently continued to do so, while also wanting Spenser to rescue her. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as it's been well established by now that Spenser idealizes Susan beyond all rationality.
Nonetheless, once I managed to suspend my disbelief at this premise, the story was strong. Lots of action, and lots of Hawk. The camaraderie between Spenser and Hawk is one of my favorite aspects of the Spenser series: mutual, unquestioning trust between them (which of course explains Hawk's willingness to go all-in on Spenser's Susan quest), leavened by great doses of trash talk and wit. The two are together for most of the book, and even though Spenser can't resist constantly reminding himself and everyone else that, by God, we're doing this for Susan, the humor of his interaction with Hawk and their toughness together in action redeem the story.
A Catskill Eagle also benefits from appearances by several characters from earlier books, in addition to the usual supporting cast of Quirk, Belson, and Henry Cimoli, along with Hawk. Rachel Wallace (Looking for Rachel Wallace) provides significant research support to Spenser, while Paul Giacomin (Early Autumn) and Hugh Dixon (The Judas Goat) give him moral and financial support, respectively. The fact that people from Spenser's earlier cases sometimes become a part of his ongoing world, or at least make cameo appearances, rewards readers who have read the series in order.
So I certainly recommend A Catskill Eagle to fans of Spenser, especially those who also enjoy Hawk (I can't imagine any who don't!). If you're new to the Spenser series, this may not be the book to start with. But read a few of the earlier ones, and then give this one a try too.
The premise? That Spenser would criss-cross the country and willingly commit multiple crimes, including cold-blooded murder, in order to rescue Susan Silverman from the clutches of her new boyfriend, Russell Costigan. Absurd, too, that not only Hawk but Quirk and Belson would knowingly enable Spenser and assist him in this quest, just because … hey, it's Susan! It's all especially absurd given the fact that Susan had willingly embraced Costigan's clutches and apparently continued to do so, while also wanting Spenser to rescue her. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as it's been well established by now that Spenser idealizes Susan beyond all rationality.
Nonetheless, once I managed to suspend my disbelief at this premise, the story was strong. Lots of action, and lots of Hawk. The camaraderie between Spenser and Hawk is one of my favorite aspects of the Spenser series: mutual, unquestioning trust between them (which of course explains Hawk's willingness to go all-in on Spenser's Susan quest), leavened by great doses of trash talk and wit. The two are together for most of the book, and even though Spenser can't resist constantly reminding himself and everyone else that, by God, we're doing this for Susan, the humor of his interaction with Hawk and their toughness together in action redeem the story.
A Catskill Eagle also benefits from appearances by several characters from earlier books, in addition to the usual supporting cast of Quirk, Belson, and Henry Cimoli, along with Hawk. Rachel Wallace (Looking for Rachel Wallace) provides significant research support to Spenser, while Paul Giacomin (Early Autumn) and Hugh Dixon (The Judas Goat) give him moral and financial support, respectively. The fact that people from Spenser's earlier cases sometimes become a part of his ongoing world, or at least make cameo appearances, rewards readers who have read the series in order.
So I certainly recommend A Catskill Eagle to fans of Spenser, especially those who also enjoy Hawk (I can't imagine any who don't!). If you're new to the Spenser series, this may not be the book to start with. But read a few of the earlier ones, and then give this one a try too.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mkcoffel's review against another edition
5.0
Loving this book.... wish I could sit down and just finish it!
slapshottechnology's review against another edition
4.0
One of the better early Spenser reads. I enjoyed Spenser going out, breaking Hawk out of prison, them hanging out in Washington, and fly all over the country. Didn't like the interaction of Susan and Russell. She is portrayed to be such a discerning woman and he seems like an immature child.