The Judas Goat (The Spenser Series Book 5)

Spenser, if only he could live forever, wonderful full color characters and terrific plotting. Fair warning , though, if you once sample Parker' s genius you'll almost certainly be hooked for life- happily.

Taking Spenser and one of his most regular collaborators out of their beloved Boston and putting them into a globe-trotting adventure that culminates on a true world stage, makes for a fun and funny read in Spenser #5.The banter seems pithier and the observations even more acerbic as I think Parker was finding a good stride in this one. While some of the barbs traded between Spenser and Hawk aren't the greatest by the standards of modern culture, the duo manages to set each other up for success in virtually every other regard.The setting is fresh and fun, Spenser and Hawk are written well, and the story is paced with the best of Parker's stuff.

Still have this paperback I purchased in the late 80s. I have read the entire Spenser series more than twice. (I don't like tv sometimes) This has always been one of my favorites.

In this original piece, Spenser is hired to track down the bombing murderers (terrorists?) of a very wealthy US citizen who barely escaped with his life when the rest of his family were blown to pieces in front of his eyes. First place to look will be England, and with a very healthy retainer, the clock starts ticking and (by definition) the bad guys are doomed. But along the way, Spenser has a lot to learn.One chapter in, and the reader is treated with some classic Spenser dialogue. For example:"... You can't judge a house by its portico ..."" ...His voice was like his face, flat and accurate and inhuman. There was a stillness in him that only his eyes denied...""... I don't know. I know what I've told you. I suppose you should start in London. That's where they killed us." I don't think the pronoun was a mistake. He was mostly dead too..."These three quotes were taken from the opening chapter of this book and manage to exemplify perfectly the narrative quality and tone of the novel right from the start. When Mr Parker is in top form, we know therefore that Spenser will be in top form, so the reader had better buckle in nice and tight and be ready for a wild ride.The story moves along at a terrific pace. There is not a dull moment and before you realise what has happened, Spenser is in England, hot on the trail of the murderers masquerading as political activists. The writing style for THE JUDAS GOAT is vastly different from your standard Spenser novel. Heck, the book itself is vastly different. This one is on a par with any tale of international espionage ever written by the likes of John Le Carre, Daniel Silva et al. Getting back on the bad guys for killing a family for no better reason other than sheer bad luck. Well guess what, guys... Spenser is coming for you!In summary I give this one five stars. It is not funny, entertaining and witty like the ones we normally get (and love) but that is because it stands head and shoulders above them. Truly great stuff.PS THE ENDING IS AWESOME! TRULY BRILLIANT ACTION SCENES WITH HEART STOPPING FINALE WHICH WILL HAVE YOU IN STITCHES LAUGHING AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME!!!BFN Greggorio!

One of Parker’s better efforts with an international twist. Spenser and Hawk take on a group of terrorists and Spenser’s relationship with Susan deepens.

Spenser's back at it again. And this is his biggest case, both finance wise as well as scope, so far. Spenser is hired to find some bad people over in Jolly Old England but the task is too great for the P.I so he enlists the help of his long time friend, Hawk. Great character developments, exciting chases across Europe.What's not to love.In addition to enjoying the book over all, there are a few things that stand out exceptionally to me.(No spoilers):(1) The fish out of water setting. We've gotten use to seeing our Boston PI in his wheel house. So to see him as a tourist adapting his skills to a new environment is quite refreshing.(2) Hawk-By now we all know Hawk and Spenser have a mutual respect for one another but there's one scene in particular where you really see that respect shine through. Also, it was quite interesting to see how Hawk approaches a situation different to Spenser.(3) I've always found Spenser's skills for surveillance and patience quite impressive. Only he could make standing still not boring.My only con again unfortunately comes from Susan. I know she's not your typical run of the mill girlfriend but the way she handles hearing about Spenser's interaction with a certain person makes her character seem a bit less grounded. Sure she works with people for a living so she understands people better than most but nothing is wrong with her being a bit flawed when dealing with Spenser's particular scene in this book. It would have made the character seem more human. She isn't involved for most of the story but she is an important recurring person in Spenser's life and I just haven't totally warmed up to her as yet.

I have started reading and re-reading the Spenser books in order and I think this is where he hits his stride. Spenser starts out as a lone gun in London searching for the bombers who killed his client's family but after 3 bodies he calls in Hawk to help and this is the start of a beautiful friendship. Spenser is also loved up with Susan. The plot is exciting moving from London to Copenhagen then Amsterdam and Montreal, the banter is amusing and Spenser, despite his propensity to violence, is a character you can warm to. The historical detail (how I hate to say that as I was a teenager in the 70s) about guns in the UK is fascinating as I'm so used to them being illegal now. I really recommend this as a fun read.

I am reading all the Spenser novels again from the beginning. Some are going to be new to me, but after buying this one i realised i had read it before. I reckon the Spenser novels get better with each one, and you can feel that Parker is getting into his stride with this one. I didn't like the fact that Spenser is out of his comfort zone coming to the UK. But i did like the fact that Hawk and Susan now make more of an appearance, and we get this wonderful dialogue between them and Spenser. Not a 5 star novel, but close.

Great read holds you at every turn, exciting funny very well written can't wait to get started on the next book in the series.

classic spenser and hawk, with all the proper ingredients in all the right amounts, well written and well paced...riding to the rescue, avenging evil deeds and righting wrongs...the fashion notes are charming, but i do worry about incipient alcoholism...i do not want our heroes to slow down, etc...they should probably lay off the booze...for spencer devotees a must...recommended!

Spenser is his usual self-assured and laid back detective. I think it's compulsive reading.