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Robert B. Parker's Lullaby (Spenser) Paperback – April 2, 2013

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,910 ratings

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“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

When fourteen-year-old Mattie Sullivan asks Spenser to look into her mother’s murder, he’s not convinced by her claim that the wrong man was convicted. Mattie is street-smart, wise beyond her years, and now 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 hits Spenser where he lives.

As Spenser becomes more involved, he thinks that Mattie may be onto something after all. And he’s going to need the help of his friend Hawk to find peace for Mattie—a job that’s more dangerous than he ever thought.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Robert B. Parker’s Lullaby

“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. In addition to the signature dialogue, all the familiars are fully resurrected: Susan, the sexy shrink; Pearl, the wonder dog; Hawk, the wonder sidekick; good cop Quirk, and, of course, Spenser himself, that consummate knight errant for the twenty-first century.”—
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

“A brisk read. Atkins gets the important things right, from Spenser’s dark sarcasm to the gritty attitude of Mattie Sullivan, a 14-year-old Southie girl trying to solve her mother’s murder.”—Boston Daily 

“Taking on the challenge of continuing the much-loved Spenser series is a daunting task. Ace Atkins responds with a knock-out punch in round one. Parker would most definitely approve.”—
Shelf Awareness

“It's the real deal. Atkins captures Parker's distinctive voice, the sardonic, self-deprecating, sharply observant first-person narration that makes the Spenser books so compelling, and so much fun.”—Tampa Bay Times

“In Lullaby, Ace Atkins has brought back everything we love about Robert B. Parker’s Boston P.I. Spenser, and he makes it look seamless and easy....Atkins takes the reins of the Spenser series with self-assured ease. He also proves he’s the right man for the job.”—MysteryPeople.com

About the Author

Robert B. Parker was the author of seventy books, including the legendary Spenser detective series, the novels featuring police chief Jesse Stone, and the acclaimed Virgil Cole–Everett Hitch westerns, as well as the Sunny Randall novels. Winner of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award and long considered the undisputed dean of American crime fiction, he died in January 2010.
 
Ace Atkins is the New York Times bestselling author of the Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which—The Ranger and The Lost Ones—were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he also has a third Edgar nomination for his short story, “Last Fair Deal Gone Down”). In addition, he is the author of several New York Times bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times, a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and, in college, played defensive end for the undefeated Auburn University football team (for which he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated). He lives in Oxford, Mississippi.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ G.P. Putnam's Sons; Reprint edition (April 2, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0425260984
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425260982
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.26 x 1.08 x 7.36 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,910 ratings

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Ace Atkins
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One of the best crime writers working today, Ace Atkins has been nominated for every major award in crime fiction, including the Edgar three times, twice for novels about former U.S. Army Ranger Quinn Colson. He's written eleven books in the Colson series, with many more to come. He continued Robert B. Parker's iconic Spenser character after Parker's death in 2010, and has added ten best-selling novels in that series.

A former newspaper reporter and SEC football player, Ace also writes essays and investigative pieces for several national magazines including Time, Outside, and Garden & Gun.

He lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his family, where he’s friend to many dogs and several bartenders.

Find out more about Ace and his novels on his official website: aceatkins.com, on Facebook Ace Atkins, and on Twitter @aceatkins.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
2,910 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's readable plot and humor. They found the writing style witty and distinct, with a well-timed pace. The characters were described as believable and evolving. Overall, readers appreciated the author's work in continuing the Spenser series.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

146 customers mention "Readability"138 positive8 negative

Customers enjoyed the book. They found it an enjoyable read with a good storyline and authentic feel. Readers also mention that it was an excellent first Spenser novel and not a disappointment at all. The book is described as an enjoyable beach read from beginning to end with a brilliant storyline.

"...This novel was a sheer joy to read, and I certainly look forward to future "Spenser" novels by the new man coming to bat...." Read more

"...Well I was wrong. Ace Atkins has written one of the best Spenser novels and since the 39 (?)..." Read more

"...Robert B. Parker’s Lullaby” is very, very good. It’s not an homage or an imitation in any form...." Read more

"...While I found some books to be weak, all of them were worthy of reading. I happily moved into reading Parker's Jesse Stone series...." Read more

117 customers mention "Suspenseful plot"108 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful plot. They find the scenes satisfying and bring Spenser's humanity to the fore. The book is described as a good entry in the series, with thoughtful plotting and blending real people. While some felt the ending was worth it, others found the action and story vintage Spenser.

"...no, he not only captures the narrator he improves on the overall effect by plotting thoughtfully and blending some real people into this...." Read more

"...Just a thought. I will say that scenes in the book that were entirely satisfying brought Spenser's humanity to the fore once again...." Read more

"...Enjoying the story...will let you know when I finish it. Just have to grit my teeth when reading/hearing Hawk speak. CH" Read more

"...The plot is as usual a riveting one and keeps you pinned to your Kindle or book...." Read more

98 customers mention "Humor"80 positive18 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find the writing style witty and distinct, with a flow that mirrors the tone of the Spenser novels. The characters, action, and clever comments are as engaging as ever, along with literary allusions and the witty banter between Hawk and Spenser.

"...You have the witty sarcasm, the gourmet cooking, the different types of beer, the Boston Red Sox, the bantering between Spenser and Susan, Hawk,..." Read more

"...The book feels like a book. There is less white space, normal font, and 300 plus pages. Right away I started reading...." Read more

"...and found Spenser, Hawk and the rest of the characters to be in good literary hands with Ace Atkins." Read more

"...Parker had a wonderful sense of drama, suspense and humor...." Read more

67 customers mention "Pacing"49 positive18 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing. They find it well-timed and smooth, with no rushed or forced material. The relationships are quick-witted and glib. The writing speeds up as action happens, making a seamless transition. Readers describe the characters as appealing, tough, and dependable.

"...Everything is captured perfectly by Ace Atkins...." Read more

"...Spenser’s advisories are very real, and very dangerous. But so can be Spenser, Hawks, and their colleagues...." Read more

"...There was one little place in the middle that felt a little slow but the ending was worth it...." Read more

"...Boy was I wrong! Mr. Atkins writes in such a way, that, at times, I forgot I was not reading Mr. Parker's own words!..." Read more

56 customers mention "Character development"51 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the book's characters. They find the dialogue, personalities, and history of the characters realistic and believable. The Mattie character seems pretty believable for an adolescent. Readers appreciate the plot structure, references to the characters' history, and blending real people into the story.

"...He has captured Spenser and the supporting characters perfectly. For me, it was just like reading the novels by Robert Parker...." Read more

"...on the overall effect by plotting thoughtfully and blending some real people into this. Mattie Sullivan is a very well-drawn character...." Read more

"...You handled Spenser's character, his relationship with Susan, and his relationship with Hawk so well that I thought that I was reading my dear Mr...." Read more

"...Just crazy to have so many of the best characters in one book. Definatetely not over done. It was like a reunion!..." Read more

38 customers mention "Spenser life"38 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's continuation of the Spenser series. They appreciate the writing style and the author's ability to capture the spirit of the character. While some reviewers mention it's a bit rough around the edges, they consider it a valiant effort that shows good promise.

"...The humor is there, the food is there, Susan worship is kept to tolerable levels and Hawk is more three dimensional than I've ever seen him or at..." Read more

"...Spenser’s advisories are very real, and very dangerous. But so can be Spenser, Hawks, and their colleagues...." Read more

"So far this is a valiant try by Mr. Atkins...." Read more

"...These characters may not be exactly right, but they are true in spirit and stout of heart...." Read more

33 customers mention "Dialogue quality"27 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the dialogue in the book. They find it entertaining, with a good tone and speech patterns similar to the original novels. The dialogue is clipped, but not as snappy as the originals. Readers appreciate the author's job of keeping Spenser in Parker's voice, including his sense of humor. The dialogue feels fresh rather than recycled routines.

"...Parker had a wonderful, unique voice and writing style and the history of these types of series continuations have not always worked well to say the..." Read more

"...It's small things really. The conversation is good, but not as snappy as it used to be with Parker's Spenser and he totally doesn't get Hawk's..." Read more

"...So i gave it a try and am glad I did. Atkins got the voice right, not an easy task. Parker was an original...." Read more

"...Bonus points for the dialogue... for the first time in I don't know how long, the only character in the book who talked like Spenser...was..." Read more

29 customers mention "Style"25 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's style. They find it similar to Robert B. Parker's and describe it as charming. The story is witty and captures the characters well.

"...It's touching, and we get the return of Hawk, who had been absent for a couple of installments...." Read more

"...The form is there-a good imitation, but Ace never quite got the characters or just can't capture their subtleties on the page...." Read more

"...It felt very Parker-esque, but it wasn't exactly Parker. In recent years, Parker has become more and more formulaic, though never boring...." Read more

"...to food, drink , history and relationships were just right and very Parker like...Aside from some subtle differences in the writing, this was a..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2012
    I'm in the middle of so many writing projects right now that I'm going to have to make this a short review. I know some people are going, Thank God! Otherwise, I'd be writing about the new "Spenser" novel for at least four-or-five pages. It's that GOOD!

    Suffice it to say Ace Atkins has hit the nail squarely on the head with his new book, Robert B. Parker's Lullaby: A Spenser Novel. He has captured Spenser and the supporting characters perfectly. For me, it was just like reading the novels by Robert Parker. The only difference here is that there's more reading for your buck. You get a full 300 pages of Spenser without the publisher having to pad the space and make the novel seem longer than it actually is.

    This time around, Spenser is hired by a fourteen-year-old girl, Mattie Sullivan, who believes the wrong man was sent to prison for the murder of her mother four years previously. On the night Mattie's mom was killed, she saw two men (Red and Moody) shove her mom into a car and take off. Her mother was found stabbed and run over a few hours later. No one even talked to the two guys who had been with her mom. The police simply settled for the fall guy who was found washing blood off of his car the next day...a car that had been used by Red and Moody. Because Mattie is struggling to help her grandmother raise her two youngest siblings, Spenser agrees to take the case for a box of sugar-coated donuts. As Spenser investigates the four-year-old case, he starts sensing that Mattie may be telling the truth. People attempt to warn Spenser off, but that just makes him more determined to solve the case, especially when he finds out that Moody is giant of a man who likes to beat up on people and Red is a shooter who might just be better than Vinnie Morris. With Hawk's help, Spenser soon finds out that the FEDs have a stake in this, too. They don't appreciate Spenser screwing everything up and try to set him up for a crime he didn't do. Thank God for Rita Fiore! What the FEDs end up doing is letting Spenser know he's onto something. Before long, however, both Spenser and Hawk learn that the real boss behind the boss may be the most dangerous man either of them has ever encountered. He's a person so mean and deadly that even the two of them together might not be able to take him down. That doesn't scare Mattie. If they can't bring the guy down, she'll do it herself come hell or high water and that worries Spenser.

    You have the witty sarcasm, the gourmet cooking, the different types of beer, the Boston Red Sox, the bantering between Spenser and Susan, Hawk, Quirk, Belson, Rita Fiore, Vinnie Morris, and, of course, Mattie Sullivan, who Spenser sees a lot of himself in. Everything is captured perfectly by Ace Atkins. This novel was a sheer joy to read, and I certainly look forward to future "Spenser" novels by the new man coming to bat. I hope Robert B. Parker, wherever he is, is grinning with pure delight that his main creation will continue at the hands of a very talented writer.

    Robert B. Parker's Lullaby: A Spenser Novel by Ace Atkins is highly recommended to all the fans of this Boston P.I., and who are excited at seeing the series moving forward after the death of its author. Great stuff!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2012
    Okay, I was skeptical. It's no surprise that a new Spenser novel was written even though Spenser's creator is dead; this is business, after all. But I had my doubts that it could be done well. I was prepared to read _Lullaby_ and have it be the last Spenser novel I would ever read.

    Actually, I confess I also thought the name "Ace Atkins" sounded like a hack writer's disguise.

    Well I was wrong. Ace Atkins has written one of the best Spenser novels and since the 39 (?) previous efforts were written by Parker that means that Atkins' freshman work beats some of Parker's. I'm a Spenser fan since the early `80s and while Parker never phoned one in some of his stuff felt like first drafts or undeveloped ideas. Understandably Atkins had something to prove and he surely succeeds here. Based on _Lullaby_ Ace Atkins is very capable of picking up the Spenser legacy. Whatever individual or committee selected him--kudos. Atkins scores a direct hit.

    It's easy enough for anyone who can write to emulate the Spenser voice so I'm not giving him undue credit for that, although he does sound exactly like we expect to Spenser to sound, no, he not only captures the narrator he improves on the overall effect by plotting thoughtfully and blending some real people into this. Mattie Sullivan is a very well-drawn character. While there is Parker imitation here (Atkins has to do that, people read Spenser for the voice not the mystery) he brings a freshness to the familiar environment that was much needed.

    For one thing Spenser makes mistakes in this one. What a relief. Parker's Spenser had reached a sort of insufferable infallibility that reduced the tension levels and diminished the overall reading experience.

    The humor is there, the food is there, Susan worship is kept to tolerable levels and Hawk is more three dimensional than I've ever seen him or at least remember him.

    So, whether you are a skeptical fan or a virgin, you can't go wrong with this one. Atkins gets it right. I'm paying him the best compliment as far as the business side of literature. I'm going to buy something else he wrote.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • sg708
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spencer Books.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 29, 2019
    Great read.
  • Geoff Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it - maybe biased - I love everything Spenser
    Reviewed in Australia on July 27, 2020
    Just one more fabulous book in the series. I love them.
  • y
    5.0 out of 5 stars Yes !
    Reviewed in Germany on August 28, 2014
    After all the disapointments with other coauthoring I wasn't very optimistic that Spenser could survive the move from R.B.Parker to Ace Atkins. Well, I don't know how they did it, but at least Lullaby and Wonderland fell authentic. In both books there were maybe 1 or 2 places where I thought that I felt a difference, but nothing really outrageous. Sometimes a little to many sentences start with "I", also Ace Atkins' language is not as rich as Parkers. It's not much that's missing, but I always enjoyed Parkers choice of words and he came up with some really rare ones from time to time. Ace Atkins' language is rich enough, no doubt, it's just that I miss the surprise and fun of finding a new word or two in Parkers books (me not being a native speaker may have an influence here). So to sum this up: Yes, Spenser survives at least so far, one can read the new books without feeling cheated or tricked ... all the bases covered, character personalities kept, language and style astonishingly equal. Hope it remains that way.

    The action itself ... Yes, good work too. I usually don't like hard stories where smaller kinds are main actors, but Mattie (14yrs) was not annoying :-). The story of the novel well integrates with the tales of older books of the series, continues several strands and I'm happy to say that the Susan factor has beed dimmed a bit so we got less stupid shrink talk and endless philosophical analysis of everything and more real-life ... more like the first Spenser books which where the best in my opinion. OK, I agree Parker had to say something usefull about life from time to time, obviously studied philosophy a lot and thought much about the world, and I might miss some of it if Atkins can't deliver on that track, but recently Parker just overdid that a little (in my opinion) and it was refreshing to read a Spenser novel without too much of this.
  • Spenser
    5.0 out of 5 stars The King is dead long live the King
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2012
    The death of Robert B Parker could also have been the end of Spenser. However Ace Atkins, based on 'Lullaby', has shown that Spenser is very much still with us. A very enjoyable read and a worthy addition to the Spenser canon.
  • 安心してください。個人の感想です。
    4.0 out of 5 stars いつものストリーを
    Reviewed in Japan on March 7, 2016
    早川書房が見切りをつけたようで翻訳が出なくなりました。しかし、Kindleで、お手軽に読めます。英語は簡単ですから。いつもの軽口と無駄口、Spenserの雰囲気をよく出していると思います。