While trying to protect a bookie, Hawk is shot and nearly killed by the Ukrainian mob. The mob also kills the bookie and all the members of his family except for his youngest son who was in day care at the time. It will take Hawk quite a while to recover from his injuries, but when he does, he vows to kill each member of the mob, plus the ringleader. He'll have plenty of help from Spenser and some other familiar faces, but before he does, he wants to make sure the bookie's young son is taken care of financially for the rest of his life.

Robert Parker's Spenser books are fun but frustrating at times to read. The fun part comes with the witty dialogue between the characters, especially Spenser and Hawk (and there's a lot of Hawk in this book). The city of Boston itself is a character, and it's easy for Bostonians to imagine Hawk, Spenser and Susan actually walking down the city streets. The books are always exciting, quick reads. The frustrating part is that Spenser and his long time love, Susan Silverman, seem to have the same conversations in every Spenser book as Susan insists on analyzing both Spenser and Hawk. After so many years together, she should know by now that Spenser is who he is and Hawk is, well, Hawk is Hawk.

I have not read "Small Vices" (although it looks like I should) so I was a bit lost as to who The Gray Man was and what part he played in Spenser's past. Also, the book is a chapter too long, Parker should have ended it with the scene at the shopping mall, which would have been a perfect ending, rather than yet another conversation between Spenser and Susan about Spenser and Hawk's actions.

Fans of Robert Parker will enjoy this book, as long as they don't expect anything new. ( )

I read this previously, perhaps in 2005 or 2006. It is a solid Spenser & Hawk, in the modern line with Susan offering commentary on Spenser and Hawk as knights errant. Very bloody, with Hawk and Spenser decimating Ukrainian gangsters in suburban Boston. ( )

A novel that reveals much more about the psyches of Spenser, Hawk and Susan, but at the same time dips into the cold world of mobs and types of organized crime, in this case Ukranian OC. Not sure I like when Ukranians are the bad guys.... Some sparkling Parker wit, but less so than in other books. Many of the usuals make appearances, including Pearl. ( )

I really like the Spenser novels because they're uncomplicated fun. I find Spenser's relationship with his partner and his domestic arrangements difficult to believe, but as always I enjoy the dialogue between Spense and Hawk. ( )

What can be said of a Spencer Novel that hasn't already been said? Robert Parker has spent over two decades fleshing out is quick witted, fearless, tough guy private eye. Spencer novels are always fun, quick reads.

In this installment Spencer's life long friend and ocassional partner Hawk, faces a near death experience after being shot by a new Ukranian mob ring that is attempting to stake its claim on the streets of Boston.

It takes Hawk awhile to recover from the shooting. Now he is back at full strength and has channeled all of his rehabilitation efforts on tracking down the people responsible for trying to end his life.

Spencer and Hawk begin shaking trees in the seedy underbelly of Boston's most noturious crime lords turf. Needless to say, said crime lords are taking offense.

Blood will be sheed and lives will be lost. The biggest question is, will Spencer and Hawk be among the group requiring funeral arrangements? ( )