bookhawk's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic series. Great action in this book. Spenser, Hawk and Susan take on human trafficking.
cnorbury's review against another edition
3.0
My first Robert B. Parker read. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Fast-paced, taut prose, authentic dialogue, good MC and supporting characters. The MC, Spenser, is just enough a wise ass to make him humorous, but still serious and not overplayed just to create the humor.
I read this in a day, which is good and bad. Character development is minimal at best, setting is often overlooked as are character descriptions and backstory, and the plot was straightforward with minimal twists or surprises.
A great book if you just want to devour an entertaining story while enjoying a day at the beach or curled up in front of a cozy fire.
I read this in a day, which is good and bad. Character development is minimal at best, setting is often overlooked as are character descriptions and backstory, and the plot was straightforward with minimal twists or surprises.
A great book if you just want to devour an entertaining story while enjoying a day at the beach or curled up in front of a cozy fire.
gon8go's review against another edition
4.0
That was pretty dark for a Spenser book, I loved the fight at the end and the resolution was odd. Not even Spenser is sure if he saved her or not. Definatley one of the classic good ones.
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
Typically well above average Parker tale. Interesting subject matter and solution. Spenser, Suze and Hawk continue to grow into wonderful characters.
cmcahill's review against another edition
3.0
Spenser and Hawk help Susan Silverman break up a child prostitution ring that involves politicians at the highest level and those responsible for education in the state. The title comes from a Yeats quote
"The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned..."
"The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned..."
jurassicreader's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cwebb's review against another edition
3.0
Short but fun read. Some things are left open which maybe would have been explored in later Spenser books.
janetval's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
penstarling's review against another edition
3.0
There's been a rightful uproar in Romancelandia this past week over someone categorizing a book about a 15yo girl and 35yo man in a coerced sexual relationship as Romance. Ceremony is a book that also deals with adult men having sexual relations with 15yo girls. But Ceremony calls the men 'baby rapers' and does what it can to save the girls. Or at least limit their exploitation. I think in this day and age a lot of people would find the conclusion of this story at the very least unsettling if not out right wrong. But I think for a story from 1982 it's somewhat revolutionary in recognizing that family isn't always the place for some kids and that social services can easily fail the same kids. Some times all you can do is try and mitigate the damage to kids who are already fucked over and would run away from home or foster care. It isn't a perfect solution. April Kyle doesn't get the same satisfying ending that Paul got in Parker's Early Autumn. But it is, in my view, a realistic look at life for some teenagers, and does what it can to help one who might otherwise be entirely lost.
michaelrswanson's review against another edition
3.0
Another solid entry in the Spenser series. The subject matter and how it is managed may be offensive to today's audiences.