Robert B. Parker's Bye Bye Baby

By: Ace Atkins

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

Boston PI Spenser takes on a new case in this installment in Robert B. Parker's iconic New York Times bestselling series.

Carolina Garcia-Ramirez is a rising star in national politics, taking on the establishment with her progressive agenda. Tough, outspoken, and driven, the young congresswoman has ignited a new conversation in Boston about race, poverty, health care, and the environment. Now facing her second campaign, she finds herself not only fighting a tight primary with an old guard challenger but also contending with numerous death threats coming from hundreds of suspects.

When her chief of staff reaches out to Spenser for security and help finding the culprits of what he believes to be the most credible threats, Garcia-Ramirez is less than thrilled. Since her first grassroots run, she’s used to the antipathy and intimidation women of color often face when seeking power. To her, it’s all noise. But it turns out an FBI agent disagrees, warning Spenser that Garcia-Ramirez might be in real danger this time.

It doesn’t take long for Spenser to cross paths with an extremist group called The Minutemen, led by a wealthy Harvard grad named Bishop Graves. Although Graves is a social media sensation, pushing an agenda of white supremacy and toxic masculinity, he denies he’s behind the attacks. As the primary nears and threats become a deadly plot, it’s up to Spenser, Hawk, and a surprise trusted ally to ensure the congresswoman is safe. This is Spenser doing what he does best, living by a personal code and moral compass that can’t ever be broken.

Critic reviews

“A crime yarn laced with tension and wit.”--Kirkus Reviews

“Atkins continues his very successful stewardship of the late Robert B. Parker’s beloved Spenser series. . . This fast-moving and suspenseful thriller is also laced with clever banter. . . Spenser lives and lives well!”--Booklist

“Bye Bye Baby is classic Spenser. . . Atkins captures the essence of the Spenser novels, complete with beloved characters.”--Crime Fiction Critic

Frightenly topical

It would be an understatement to say that as an elder black man I find the current political/social climate in America frightening. It feels like the country is sliding slowly back to the era where black people had no rights. I hadn't really expected this highly anticipated Spenser entry to address the current climate head on. "Bye Bye Baby" is decidedly the most indelibly disturbing entries in the series. This is not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did. But I found it uncomfortable listening as Spenser navigates the racist attitudes prevalent today. Even more disconcerting not having a Spenser around to help shift attitudes in a more positive direction.

Good story but not the best of Spencer

Not the best example of a Spencer novel, but a good listen. The reader is excellent!

joe montanga humor

the ending seemed a bit anticlimactic when the bad guys died too easily and the election was just over

Ace puts out a quality product

He overdoes it with the snark, but all the other little things that give me the ick I can forgive. I’m grateful this guy is carrying on the tradition and keeping these characters alive. It makes perfect sense to me that an Italian guy from Chicago has the lock on voicing an Irish guy from Boston 😉

You will enjoy

Hope Joe Mantegna continues to read Parker's audio books! His voice for Hawk is amazing.