Robert B. Parker's Lullaby

A Spenser Mystery

By: Ace Atkins

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

When 14-year-old Mattie Sullivan asks Spenser to look into her mother’s murder, he’s not completely convinced by her claim that the police investigation four years ago was botched. Mattie is gruff, street-smart, and wise beyond her years, left to care for her younger siblings and an alcoholic grandmother in a dilapidated apartment in South Boston. But her need for closure and her determination to make things right hit Spenser where he lives - they’re the very characteristics he abides by.

Mattie believes the man convicted of the crime is innocent, and points Spenser to the Southie toughs she saw carrying her mother away hours before her murder. Neither the Boston PD nor the neighborhood thugs are keen on his dredging up the past, but as Spenser becomes more involved in the case, he starts to realize that Mattie may be on to something. He will need Hawk’s help to find peace for Mattie - a job that’s more dangerous than Spenser ever thought.

©2012 Ace Atkins (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

“Handpicked by the Parker estate to be the keeper of the flame for the Spenser franchise, award-winning author Ace Atkins rises flawlessly to the occasion.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Atkins succeeds. He doesn’t sound like somebody trying to emulate Parker. He sounds like Parker in a book that hits all the usual Spenser notes. He has the wisecrack-filled dialogue down and Parker’s cadences, too: Spenser, thankfully, sounds like Spenser. You also get the vivid sense of place, flexing of muscles and spare plot that were hallmarks of Parker’s 39 Spenser books….It’s a feat when a writer creates characters who live and breathe on the page and make readers care and keep coming back for more. To manage that with someone else’s characters, let alone with an icon like Spenser, is a minor miracle. Ace Atkins pulls it off.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

“Even the most fanatical Parker fans would be hard pressed to identify any aspect of this Spenser novel that doesn’t read as if it were penned by Spenser’s late creator.…Atkins hits all the familiar marks...as he offers familiar pleasures.” (Publishers Weekly)

Not up to par with Parker

Would you try another book from Ace Atkins and/or Joe Mantegna?

No

Any additional comments?

There was something about the work that failed to hold my interest. I can't put my finger on it but it just wasn't as good as Parker's Spenser.

Good story, but no R. B. Parker

Just finished Lullaby. Mr Atkins does a pretty good job of capturing the essence of Spenser. Good listen, just not Mr. Parker.

Light storyline

If you could sum up Robert B. Parker's Lullaby in three words, what would they be?

Easy story to follow.

What does Joe Mantegna bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Like the tone of his voice. Made the character's come to life.

Ace aces Spenser!

Atkins has more than captured the essence of Spenser. I have been rereading all the old Spenser novels (via Audible) and thus the whole enivronment is fresh in my mind. I honestly can not tell that this book was written by a different author. He has captured the universe entirely, including references to unseen characters from previous tomes that fit right into the flow. There is no sense that he used a "checklist" to ensure that he covered all the bases - something very common with follow-on works. Everything here felt right. He captures Susan and Hawk perfectly, and his references to inside-Boston stuff was spot on.
Finally, the story was compelling and held my interest. The new characters were well-developed and felt as if they belonged in the Spenser universe.

Ace gets an A+ from this avid Parker reader. (Are you ready to do another Cole and Hitch?) I'm looking forward to the next Spenser - may he live forever!

Thank you to the Parker estate for letting this series continue.

Joe Mantegna is the perfect reader for this series. I've listened to several others, who range from OK down to horrible - but Joe captures the spirit and attitude of the stores perfectly. (I'm aware that he portrayed Spenser in some made-for-TV movies that were not well received by most Spenser fans, but reading is not the same as acting). Joe does the multiple roles well, and I think he does the best Hawk of any of the readers.

In short, I strongly recommend this novel to either long-time Parker fans, or new readers. You won't be disappointed!

He's Still Spencer

If you could sum up Robert B. Parker's Lullaby in three words, what would they be?

When Robert B. Parker died, you would figure Spenser did as well, but Ace Atkins has kept him alive...the flavor, the crassness, all of it is the Spenser, those of us fans of the original stories are so familiar with. This story was not extraordinary, though the client was fun, But what made it good was the fact that Spenser, Hawk, and Susan are all here and truly the same characters with the same humor and action that Parker so prolifically provided.
Joe Mantegna has done most of the Spenser readings (as well as played Spenser is several TV movies) and so he adds the right touch of sardonic wit to make the book work. If you are a Spenser fan, this will all work for you...if you've never done a Spenser book, go back and listen to the older Spenser books, this one will still be here waiting for you when you come back.

Language

What did you like best about Robert B. Parker's Lullaby? What did you like least?

I love Joe Montegna as a reader. I've always loved the characters in each story.

The language is just uncessary. Who are you proving a point to when you do that? I don't think John Q. Public speaks like that--I could be wrong. I just know that I don't and the folks that I hang with don't. At this point, I may not get another book--I know the saying is never say never. And guess what? I didn't have to say "f--king never say never". See how easy that is to leave it out? Honestly!

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure.

What does Joe Mantegna bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's got the sass and the class to bring off the Spencer character.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Heavens, no--there'd probably be more language.

not R.Parker but very good.

Would you consider the audio edition of Robert B. Parker's Lullaby to be better than the print version?

I was afraid the series wouldn't be same but so far it is good. I enjoyed it and tended to forget it was a new writer. I always enjoy the audio editions better.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I thought it was typical Spenser.

What about Joe Mantegna’s performance did you like?

I always like him. I have some of the earlier ones with a different reader and they can't
stand up to Joe.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I always listen to Spenser all in one sitting.

Excellent Narrative

I enjoyed the great characters in this book and think Ace Atkins really captured RBK's style of writing. When a street tough, young girl asks Spencer to investigate the murder of her mother, he must dig into a five year old murder, which is anything but an open and shut case. I loved how all the characters were so realistic and brought to life by an all around good story. I will definitely be looking for more books in this series. Joe Mantegna is "Spencer" and does a seem less, well paced narrative.

Wit, Humor, Action

What did you love best about Robert B. Parker's Lullaby?

The reparte of Spencer with all characters in book.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not on the edge but thoroughly entertained and chuckling often.

What does Joe Mantegna bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is good enough to tell the story, but has always seemed the wrong voice for Spencer

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, spacing the tale was for me more enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

The author's death greaves me greatly. I always knew I would like his books.

Excellent come back!

As a Spencer’s fan to be able to continue to enjoy the reading his histories is fabulous news.

There is one thing that changed (for good): The frequency of “I said… He said” has been reduced to a minimum! This makes the reading more fluent and enjoyable.