Looking for Rachel Wallace

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

“Crackling dialogue, plenty of action, and expert writing.”—The New York Times

Rachel Wallace is a tough young woman with a lot of enemies.

Spenser is a tough guy with a macho code of honor, hired to protect a woman who thinks that kind of code is obsolete. Privately, they will never see eye to eye.

But when Rachel vanishes. Spenser is ready to lay his life on the line—to find Rachel Wallace.

“A rare kind of book.”—Chicago Sun-Times©1987 Robert B. Parker; (P)2009 Random House

ANOTHER GREAT SPENSER, ANOTHER GREAT LISTEN

LISTENING TO THESE EARLY SPENSER NOVELS HAS BEEN A REAL TREAT. LIKE GETTING REAQUAINTED WITH AN OLD FRIEND. YOU JUST HAVE TO PLACE SOME OF THE OFFERINGS IN THEIR RIGHT FRAME OF REFERENCE. IN LOOKING FOR RACHEL WALLACE, SPENSER IS HIRED TO PROTECT AN OUTSPOKEN FEMINIST WRITER FROM THREATS AGAINST HER PERSON, AND SOME OF THE ATTITUDES TOWARDS WOMEN, AND LESBIANS MIGHT COME ACROSS DATED TO LISTENERS WITH A MORE MODERN APPROACH. BUT PLACING MACHO SPENSER TO TAKE CARE OF AN OUTSPOKEN FEMINIST AND LESBIAN IS A GREAT PLOT DEVICE FOR PARKER TO EXPLORE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN, ESPECIALLY IN HOW THE TWO SEXES DIFFER IN APPROACHING LIFE ISSUES, AND DEALING WITH THE PRESSURE OF HATE CRIMES. RACHEL WALLACE IS A PROPONENT OF NON-VIOLENCE IN THE FACE OF IGNORANT ABUSE. SPENSER WOULD JUST AS SOON PUNCH A BIGOT IN THE NOSE. THIS JUXTAPOSITION OF ATTITUDES MAKES FOR SOME INSIGHTFUL MOMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO, AND ADD IN SPENSER'S GAL PAL, SUSAN SILVERMAN, AND NOW THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT IT IS TO BE A MAN'S MAN, AND THE PERCEPTION OF WHAT IS A MODERN WOMAN HAS REALLY JUST BEGUN. AND NONE OF THIS TAKES AWAY FROM THE RAPID FIRE PACING OF THE PLOT. THAT IS THE GLORY OF ROBERT PARKER'S WRITING; IT'S WEIGHTY STUFF, BUT NEVER FEELS HEAVY HANDED.

Once you hear Joe Mantegna as Spenser...

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

...no one else will do.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy all Spenser and Stone novels, so this was 'required' reading for me.

Spenser Makes A New Friend

The militant lesbian author Rachel Wallace is being threatened and needs protection; do you see where we're heading here? That's right Spenser to the rescue; he becomes her shadow and hilarity ensues. In actuality the initial portion of the book is mostly humorous with Rachel and Spenser arguing patriarchal nomenclature and gender politics. The tone of the book changes when Rachel is kidnapped and Spenser loses much of his sense of humor.
There had been an earlier confrontation with an anti-gay protester in front of one venue where Rachel was speaking. When a connection is established between a woman Rachel had a one-night stand with and the protester, well you just know there will soon be a solution unveiled.
This is one of the better Spenser novels along with Early Autumn and the Godwulf Manuscript the best of Parker is exhibited. Obviously this book is one that I recommend highly.

Parker at his best!

Easily, one of the top 5 Spenser novels.

Here, he is a bodyguard to a feminist author who doesn’t agree with his style, humor, or general demeanor. The clash sets up an exciting plot and Spenser must do what he does best.

Full of small details about the city itself, the weather and major Boston landmarks, this is a great relatively short read if you are in the city visiting, or if curled up someplace warm on a Winter day.

The only downside, very little mention of Hawk.

Worth every second

Great story great reading. Into it the whole story. Worth listening to again in a while for fourth time. Good.