Sixkill

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Joe Mantegna

The last Spenser novel completed by Robert B. Parker.

On location in Boston, bad-boy actor Jumbo Nelson is accused of the rape and murder of a young woman. From the start the case seems fishy, so the Boston PD calls on Spenser to investigate. Things don't look so good for Jumbo, whose appetites for food, booze, and sex are as outsized as his name. He was the studio's biggest star, but he's become its biggest liability.

In the course of the investigation, Spenser encounters Jumbo's bodyguard: a young former football-playing Native American named Zebulon Sixkill. He acts tough, but Spenser sees something more within the young man. Despite the odd circumstances, the two forge an unlikely alliance, with Spenser serving as mentor. As the case grows darker and secrets about both Jumbo and the dead woman come to light, it's Spenser--with Sixkill at his side--who must put things right.

©2011 Robert B. Parker (P)2011 Random House Audio

too many "He said She said"

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Take out all the He said She said references

Would you recommend Sixkill to your friends? Why or why not?

yes it has a good story line

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

Great dialog

Do you think Sixkill needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Great story and read well.

Fun detective story

At first I was put off by two things. (1) Too many "he said" and "she said." (2) I thought that Joe Mantegna's narration was too high and light. However, as the story progressed I came to enjoy his interpretation of Parker's humor and the unique characters.

Spenser's Last Bow

What did you love best about Sixkill?

I liked Parker's approach of alternating episodes from the title character's life with narrative chapters in the present, so we get a sense of him organically. Would have loved to see how he fit in with the rest of Spenser's

What did you like best about this story?

It's vintage Spenser, with an unusual set of villains.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in which Spenser finally gets Jumbo to talk.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Though I have a hard time picturing Joe Mantegna as the presumably Irish/English Spenser, Mantegna reads the character with flair and makes Spenser's wise-assery come alive.

Makes the miles go by...

Fun to listen to while driving! Laughed out loud several times & will listen to series.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS

What made the experience of listening to Sixkill the most enjoyable?

Title reference is that this is the last Spencer book RBParker wrote and it is the first for a new character Z. Sixkill. It is an indepth character study starting with a 2 dimensional sketch of a Northern Plains Cree who was gifted physically with a strong body and is introduced as a body guard to the Person of Interest, Tubby Bubba Johnson. That said many people believe Parker writes in 2 dimensions; unfortunate for them for they are missing the humor and depth of the characters presented. It is the very real Boston attitude, street but cultured, fast acting but ready and able to savor the finer things in life. Spencer is ready to see anyone first as a often humorous sketch and then as the book progresses into a multi faceted personality capable of self deprication, greed, egoism. But Spencer easily moves through the many Boston sub cultures, without being snagged by petty or even malevolent prejudice. Z. Sixkill becomes yet another sub culture lieutenant in Spencers circle of friends and allies. That brings us back to Last Of the Mohegans (intentional spelling variation) because our real hero, Robert B Parker moved on to the Happy Hunting Ground. The Good News is that there is a gentleman from Tennessee who has admired Parker throughout his 40 year career and has been given permission to attempt to WRITE ON !!!Hopefully close enough to Parkers voice, clipped arrogance, and the aforementioned Boston attitude, One of the best in the series although the tension doesnt ride as high, the character development is outstanding. With the added dimension of being the last, its savoring value is hightened.Author JCPease

What other book might you compare Sixkill to and why?

The other ones that involve Spencer's mentoring a younger soul.

Which scene was your favorite?

a number of them that take place in the Harvard Stadium

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Last of the Mohicans

Any additional comments?

Joe Montegna offers a very good narrated adaptation, although it took me a book or two to GET his version of Parker's heavy, toungue in cheek sarcasm. A 5 star rating would have to include some true Bawston Tawnic.

Parker: a marvelous old friend who makes you happy

Robert B. Parker was one of this country's most prolific authors, in league with Elmore Leonard. Like Leonard, he simply wanted to entertain us, and he succeeded almost every time out. Likewise, Michael Prichard was an amazingly prolific performer (and may still be). And Joe Mantegna is also an incredibly prolific and likable actor and narrator. Choosing between these two narrators is like trying to choose between the best apple pie and the best peach pie: very hard to do. In Sixkill, Parker again puts Spenser in his usual slot: a very tough guy on the outside with a very tender inside. The dialogue is, as always, witty and brief. You start chuckling right out of the gate. Mantegna seems to have a little more trouble with the repetitive "he said, she said" stuff than Prichard. I seem to notice that less when hearing Prichard. Mantegna, OTOH, is a face many of us know from movies and TV, and his voice is that of a friendly guy who might live next door to you, who happens to be one of the best storytellers anywhere. The plot of Sixkill is really just an excuse for Spenser to act, to play the tough guy when he wants to and the tender lover of Susan Silverman when he needs to. Not that the plot is trifling: it is clever and tugs at your heartstrings, in some ways. Sixkill is a huge Indian who once played great football, but then fell down a terrible slide. Spenser takes him on as a project, and between Spenser and the talk-about-tough-but-silent Hawk, they reclaim Sixkill in a way that is very humane and caring. Parker was a genius. Both Prichard and Mantegna make him sound wonderful. I have only tried to listen to one book narrated by David Dukes, and I hated it. Sit down with Parker and have a great time.

Way to many "he saids"

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, definitely I'd remove all the "he said, she said," at the end of every sentence or statements. Come on, it is so very annoying.

Would you be willing to try another book from Robert B. Parker? Why or why not?

I have listened to several of Robert B. Parker books and most are not this bad with redundant grammar.

Have you listened to any of Joe Mantegna’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Joe Mantegna is a wonderful performer.

Was Sixkill worth the listening time?

I guess it was alright but required continued stopping to get over the annoyance of the "she said, he said."

Sixkill

A good, solid Spenser novel, even though Hawk is not in it. I'm just happy to continue listening to Spenser series since the passing of RBP. Can't help but wonder where he would have taken us with this new character...

A nice narrated story by Joe Mantegna

Would you listen to Sixkill again? Why?

Yes. This is not the last Spencer Novel, but Robert B. Parker's last one.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sixkill?

Any additional comments?

I will miss Robert B. Parker's Spencer.

Spenser!!

Just the usual - I love Robt. B. Parker and I love Joe Mantegna. Unbeatable combo.