Helpful Score: 4
This is the first Spenser novel! It's fun & a quick read. Parker does a great job describing his characters - particularly their clothing - and since this one was written in 1973, it's a real flashback for me!
Helpful Score: 2
I CAN ONLY SAY THAT ALL PAKKERS BOOKS AE A GREAT JOY TO READ . I HAVE THEM ALL
Helpful Score: 1
The first Spenser book. As Spenser is an old friend by now, it was interesting to go back. The man really hasn't changed. No Hawk, No Susan but the same quick dialogue and action.
Helpful Score: 1
I love reading the Spenser books out of order. I've read more than half of them and finally got around to this, the first in the series. Spenser is still Spenser, but it's nice to be able to go back to a time before Susan Silverman. It breaks the monotony and adds another dimension to the Spenser character.
Helpful Score: 1
Pretty good first book in the Spenser series.
Just think, if the bullet fired on page 150 had gone an inch either way, no one would be reading the other 37 Spenser novels.
Richard G. (rgray-numbersense) -
The classic that started the series that lasted 30+ years. A must read, along with nearly all of the other 35 (and counting).
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
An interesting read, but low brow. I gave it two and one-half stars, but only because there were no vampires or zombies in it.
Some years ago I decided to search out Book 1 of several series I enjoy. Here is a fine example of Spenser's first time out.
He is all alone - and likes it like that - as the fringe and supporting characters have not appeared yet.
Mr. Parker started it right and kept at it. Enjoy the read.
He is all alone - and likes it like that - as the fringe and supporting characters have not appeared yet.
Mr. Parker started it right and kept at it. Enjoy the read.
Electra M. (BobbieMasterson) reviewed The Godwulf Manuscript (Spenser, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
A good quick read. Not as good as his later books but still good. It was a good intro to Spenser and I can definitely see how it led to other books in the series.
This is a good read. It has a solid protagonist and snappy dialogue. The story moves along and doesn't get bogged down in any spots. I recommend it for anyone who likes a good detective story.
Wonderful read -- it was great to see where Spenser started. A little rougher and cruder than now, before SuSan and Hawk. This is where he started with Belson and Quirk. Spenser is great anytime - but I just finished this (his first book) and it filled in some blanks. Super!
Fast Read.
This book wound up being a really fun read in its "retro-ness." It was written in the 70's, and every time the author described a scene it included people clad in bell bottoms, platform shoes, vinyl thigh high boots, tie dye, etc. They're supposed to be very fashionable but it's good for a chuckle now. As for the story line, it isn't bad, but the Spenser books surely do get better as the series progresses. Still and all a kick to read... and it's a short book at that.
Spenser is ready when a Boston university hires him to recover a rare, stolen manuscript. He is hardly surpised that his only clue is a radical student with four bullets in his chest.
The cops are ready to throw the book at the pretty blond coed whose prints are all over the murder weapon but Spenser knows there are no easy answers. He tackles some very heavy homework and knows that if he doesn't finish his assignment soon, he could end up marked "D" -- for dead.
The cops are ready to throw the book at the pretty blond coed whose prints are all over the murder weapon but Spenser knows there are no easy answers. He tackles some very heavy homework and knows that if he doesn't finish his assignment soon, he could end up marked "D" -- for dead.
It was a great read, typical Robert B. Parker. Does not disappoint.
Winston C. (Crabby-doctor) reviewed The Godwulf Manuscript (Spenser, Bk 1) on + 296 more book reviews
This is one of the earliest Spencer books. I have enjoyed them all, though I think the early ones are better.
Typical Spenser, fasr reading and witty.
I THINK THIS THE FRIST OF THE SERIES IF NOT THE 2ND BUT THIS IS A YOUNG SPENSER BUT THIS IS A GREAT BOOK ,READING IT YOU WILL SEE WHY THIS SERIES IS STILL GOING TODAY!
A friend recommended Robert B. Parker's SPENCER series to me, and all I can say is 'How come I didn't learn of this neat mystery writer until now?!!' THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT is really good who-dunnit which introduces a gumshoe (private eye) like no other.
From back cover: Spenser had earned his degree in the school of hard knocks, so he was ready when a Boston university hired him to recover a rare, stolen manuscript. He was hardly surprised that his only clue was a radical student with four bullets in his chest.
The cops were ready to throw the book at the pretty blonde coed whose prints were all over the murder weapon but Spenser wasn't there for easy answers. The lovely lady offered a cram course in campus love--but first there was the question of who had splashed blood on the ivory tower, some very heavy homework, and the grim possibility that, if he didn't finish his assignment soon, he could end up marked 'D'--for dead.
From back cover: Spenser had earned his degree in the school of hard knocks, so he was ready when a Boston university hired him to recover a rare, stolen manuscript. He was hardly surprised that his only clue was a radical student with four bullets in his chest.
The cops were ready to throw the book at the pretty blonde coed whose prints were all over the murder weapon but Spenser wasn't there for easy answers. The lovely lady offered a cram course in campus love--but first there was the question of who had splashed blood on the ivory tower, some very heavy homework, and the grim possibility that, if he didn't finish his assignment soon, he could end up marked 'D'--for dead.
Spenser had earned his degree in the school of hard knocks, so he was ready when a Boston university hired him to recover a rare, stolen manuscript, and hardly surprised that his only clue was a radical student with four bullets in his chest. The cops were ready to throw the book at the pretty blond coed whose prints were all over the murder weapon, but Spenser wasn't there for the easy answers.
Another Spencer book to enjoy.
I have been a fan of hard boiled detectives ever since I discovered "I The Jury" when I was about 13 or 14 years old. Spenser doesn't disappoint. He is big, tough, smart and never breaks the rules he lives by. They don't come any better.
One of Paarker's early stories about Spenser.
ANDRE' E. J. (Expeditious) -
It's Spencer by Parker - what else need be said?!!
