The Godwulf Manuscript
Robert B. Parker
ISBN 9780440129615
eISBN 9780307569561
ASIN B00309SD02
Recently I read the Mysterious Profiles series piece Spenser. And now I am planning to read or read again many of Parker’s novels. I read many in my late teens and early 20’s but that was before I kept a list of everything I read, and even longer before I started reviewing. I can admit I have been a long time spencer fan. My Father loved the TV show and I have fond memories of watching the series as a youth. I even enjoyed the updated Mark Wahlberg Spencer Confidential movie and had hoped they would release more. In my youth I read a lot of Robert B. Parker books. A roommate and I bought them read, traded and swapped at the used book store. That was a few years before I started keeping a list of everything I read, or started writing reviews. Recently I watched the Jesse Stone movies and decided to look into the books. It led down a rabbit hole. I believe Parker published 71 works during his lifetime. A few of his series have been continued by others, both before he passed and since his passing. There appears to be about half as many books as he wrote in his series now written by others. I believe Parker wrote 40 novels in this series and 17 more have been penned by others, including one finished by his long time agent.
But back to the volume at hand. The description of this volume states:
“Spenser earned his degree in the school of hard knocks, so he is ready when a Boston university hires him to recover a rare, stolen manuscript. He is hardly surprised 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. From the Paperback edition.”
I do not believe this was one I previously read. And I was surprised that Spenser bedded a mother then her daughter. Based on reading this and having read all the Reacher novels, Spenser was a precursor or architype that Reacher took to the next level. It starts with Spenser at the office of a Dean and being tasked with tracking down a stolen manuscript that is being ransomed back to the university. During the case Spenser has a few encounters with the police, a very rich family and some key players on campus. He also has a brush with the mob. He has a pretty good idea what is really happening and by who, but he needs to find the proof. And after taking a second retainer even though he believes the two are linked he will have divided loyalties. How many bodies will pile up as Spenser unravels the case.
For anyone who has read others of the books or watch the old TV show that ran from 1985 to 1988 with 65 episodes. There were also 4 made for TV movies set later that aired between 1093 and 1995.
While researching a previous review I discovered that Parker was a lapsed Catholic, much like the character Spenser. Based on what I had read of his works, I had just assumed he was a Catholic with some concerns. I even read that spencer’s morality and philosophy was mirroring Parker’s. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. Even though I read many when younger with all the Parker books out there I have a lot I just added to my ‘to be read’ pile!
I am glad I picked this up as my second foray back into the works of Parker after about 30 years. It was fun to return to the character Spenser. It was quick, dark, witty, and leaves you wanting more. It is a good volume in a great series. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to other offerings from Parker’s pen.
Books by Robert B. Parker:
Spenser Series:
1. The Godwulf Manuscript (1973)
2. God Save the Child (1974)
3. Mortal Stakes (1975)
4. Promised Land (1976)
5. The Judas Goat (1978)
6. Looking for Rachel Wallace (1980)
7. Early Autumn (1980)
8. A Savage Place (1981)
9. Ceremony (1982)
10. The Widening Gyre (1983)
11. Valediction (1984)
12. A Catskill Eagle (1985)
13. Taming a Sea-Horse (1986)
14. Pale Kings and Princes (1987)
15. Crimson Joy (1988)
16. Playmates (1989)
17. Stardust (1990)
18. Pastime (1991)
19. Double Deuce (1991)
20. Paper Doll (1993)
21. Walking Shadow (1994)
22. Thin Air (1995)
23. Chance (1996)
24. Small Vices (1997)
25. Sudden Mischief (1998)
26. Hush Money (1999)
27. Hugger Mugger (2000)
28. Potshot (2001)
29. Widow's Walk (2002)
30. Back Story (2003)
31. Bad Business (2004)
32. Cold Service (2005)
33. School Days (2005)
34. Hundred-Dollar Baby (2006) aka Dream Girl
35. Now and Then (2007)
36. Rough Weather (2008)
36.5. Chasing the Bear (2009)
37. The Professional (2009)
38. Painted Ladies (2010)
39. Sixkill (2011)
42. Silent Night (2013) (with Helen Brann)
…
Jesse Stone Series:
1. Night Passage (1997)
2. Trouble in Paradise (1998)
3. Death In Paradise (2001)
4. Stone Cold (2003)
5. Sea Change (2005)
6. High Profile (2007)
7. Stranger in Paradise (2008)
8. Night and Day (2009)
9. Split Image (2010)
…
Sunny Randall Series:
1. Family Honor (1999)
2. Perish Twice (2000)
3. Shrink Rap (2002)
4. Melancholy Baby (2004)
5. Blue Screen (2006)
6. Spare Change (2007)
…
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch Series:
1. Appaloosa (2005)
2. Resolution (2008)
3. Brimstone (2009)
4. Blue-Eyed Devil (2010)
…
Philip Marlowe Series:
Poodle Springs (1989)
Perchance to Dream (1991)
…
Novels:
Wilderness (1979)
Love and Glory (1983)
All Our Yesterdays (1994)
Gunman's Rhapsody (2001)
Double Play (2004)
Edenville Owls (2007)
The Boxer and the Spy (2008)
Surrogate (1982)
...
