What do You think about The Widening Gyre (1992)?
When a state representative is getting blackmailed with a film of his wife having sex with another man, he hires Spenser to get to the bottom of things for him. But when Spenser learns the man's identity, he's bitten off more than he can chew, especially with him preoccupied with Susan Silverman being out of town.I was needing a quick read before taking on another fantasy read and The Widening Gyre fit the bill. It got the job done.The book started slow, with Spenser moping because Susan Silverman was out of town. Even when Susan's not around, she manages to suck the life out of things. Anyway, Spenser gets on a security detail for a state representative with an alcoholic wife and things spin out from there. Spenser did some great detective work when he wasn't pining for Susan in this one, gradually piecing together the identity of the blackmailer and then stirring up a hornet's nest when he finds out who the man's father is. There isn't a whole lot of action in this one but when it comes, Parker makes it count. So yeah, I only gave this a three despite enjoying the shit out of parts of it. Firstly, there was very little Hawk. Secondly, there was way too much of Spenser and Susan discussing their relationship when they finally crossed paths again halfway through the book. Are there people out there who actually enjoy Susan Silverman having such a large role in the books?Despite the abundance of Susan and lack of Hawk, I still enjoyed this book for the most part. 3.5 out of 5.
—Dan Schwent
Weak 3 stars. Not as good as others in the series. My mind wandered at times.Here’s a term I hadn’t heard - granny sex. Sleazebag invites 40-something women to his home for sex orgies with college boys. A two-way mirror allows others to watch, take pictures and laugh. The older women have sags and wrinkles that 20-somethings don’t. That was unsettling. Two of these sex scenes are briefly described - no details.As to plot, characters, and actions - nothing really grabbed me, nothing memorable, not as much wit or humor as in prior books.The narrator Michael Prichard was very good.DATA:This is book #10 in the Spenser series.Narrative mode: 1st person Spenser. Unabridged audiobook length: 4 hrs and 3 mins (192-196 pages). Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: two described, but without detail. Setting: current day Boston, Mass and Washington, D.C. Book copyright: 1983. Genre: PI mystery.
—Jane Stewart
Pretty good book with the subject as timely today as ever: corruption and hypocrisy in politics.Spenser's doing some introspection here, in fact, a lot more than usual. He doing some self examination since Susan is moving forward with getting her Ph.D. in psychology and Spenser resents her being away. He loves her but tries to understand himself and his feelings without her closer to him. Young Paul, from an earlier book, makes a brief appearance and opens a door to Spenser psyche which Spenser explores.Not much in the way of 'kick ass' and Hawk makes only a brief appearance but still a good read especially if a reader is following Spenser like I've (and Jeff) have been doing.When I find a writer I like more than others, I always read a biographical sketch and will find (if there is one) a Parker bio and read it. What little I know though is that Parker and Joan, his wife, separated for a couple of years and when they got back together they had one floor which was Parker's, another which was Joan's and still another which was 'theirs' and was probably a kitchen and living room area. Just guessing on that one. It's obvious an author's experience is reflected in his/her writing, I wonder how much in Parker's case? After I read a bio of Parker (providing, of course, that there is one) in my spare time I might compare the dates of his published books with his personal life. After publishing some books, he did go back to school and received his Ph.D. in English literature and his written words, his phasing, shows his notable education. No question about that. This book though tells a lot about Spenser's psyche and how he attempts to resolve his personal issues with Susan's desire to further her education. I hope they never marry though, because I want him for myself...I'm selfish that way. Other than his minor indiscretion, which unfortunately I've never forgiven him for, he's my kind of guy. Witty and literary and knows the proper wine to order with dinner. What more could a woman ask for? Oh, yeh, forgot about that minor indiscretion...I'll have to do more thinking about it before I commit. Spenser married with kids? Oh my, how could he solve all the problems which land on his desk with a wife and kids at home? Nope, would rather he continue as he is, overthinking about love.
—Cathy DuPont
