I'm a long time reader of Robert B. Parker. I admire his crisp writing style and have read at this point all of the Spenser novels. However I'd never read the first one, this book. The mystery was quite good but more interesting for me was that this was the first incarnation of Spenser and he is quite different than the character he evolves into by book three of the series. This Spenser is much more akin to the classic hard boiled P.I.s of Chandler and Ross Mcdonald. The distinct cadence, almost spare writing style that Parker evolved with Spenser isn't there yet but you can see it emerging along with the unique character of Spenser himself as he emerges from the behind classic gumshoes that inspired him.

i herd it gets better,this first one was really out dated for me. OK writing

After re-reading Parker's first Spenser book for probably the 30th time, I am somewhat surprised at some of the reviews published in this space. Most critics agree that the first 4 or 5 books in the Spenser series are genre classics, after which the quality suffered a bit while Parker transitioned Spenser's character into an older, perhaps more mature and stable one (somewhat like when Philip Marlowe finally settled down and actually married). As an aside, everyone, including the NYT Book Review, agrees that in Parker's "Poodle Springs" in which he took the last 4 chapters that Chandler ever wrote of Marlowe and finished the novel, it is a seamless thread where Parker picks up and Chandler leaves off.

Therefor, if one likes Chandler (to my mind as true an American author as Hemingway), he will like Parker, especially early Parker. There is no romantic/relationship innuendi with Susan Silverman, their isn't the racially de-compressive commaradery with Hawk; no, this is too early in the series. Plus, it is the early 1970's after all: Spenser does sleep with both the wife and daughter of a client and is a bit rough-around-the edges. He has to in dealing with the likes of Mafia boss Joe Broz (who stayed through the series). Do people forget that Sam Spade shed barely a tear when his partner was bumped-off (and was indeed probably sleeping with his wife) - but vowed to avenge his murder. The principles and code of ethics that make Marlowe and Spenser unique men are still evident in "The Godwulf Manuscript": he can't be bought; he is rough yet attractive to women, yet respects them in a way that society doesn't - in short, gallant in a time when gallantry towards women was most definitely UN-P.C.; he is a loner and an individualist; a reader, a player of chess and a gourmet cook. He also works out, drinks hard, fights well yet can quote Yeats but can't help cracking wise.

If I ever write a letter to Mr. Parker, it would be to write one final Spenser book from when Spenser was a little rougher around the edges: pre-Susan, pre-Pearl, pre-Hawk and pre-Paul Giacomin, the boy he so lovingly basically adopted in "Early Autumn" - another one of my favorites. I want to know more of what Spenser was doing in the early 1970s and why he got kicked off the Suffolk DA's office. I want to know him before he had his support network of loyal friends; he will always consider himself alone (except maybe for Susan), but this is when Spenser was TRULY alone....

A friend lent me this book and I was skeptical back in 1985 - I picked it up on the day I was supposed to return it to him and read it in one sitting. I have read and re-read Parker's evolution of Spenser ever since. It is a constant source of enjoyment, even if one doesn't like the genre (witness it's/his popularity with women). Don't listen to some of the half-baked reviews I was disappointed to see here - pick up Spenser and he will be a friend for life...

THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT is the very first Spenser novel, and it's a fine beginning to one of the best private series ever.

The plot is simple and fun: an academic manuscript is missing, and Spenser has been hired by a University to find it. During his investigation, he uncovers a lot of mayhem that involves drug dealing and the mob. The result is a very entertaining, fast-moving story with a lot of punchy dialogue and strong writing. It's a great debut.

THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT is rather unique, because it's the only Spenser novel that doesn't feature his perennial girlfriend Susan Silverman. In this novel, Spenser is much more of a conflicted loner, very similar to Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe. He mellows out considerably (for better or for worse) in the later books.

THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT is not the best Spenser novel, but it's a great place to start. If possible, my advice is to read the Spenser series in chronological order to maximize your enjoyment.

This is where Spenser starts and it is perfect. The story, the character and the ending. If you are a Spenser or Parker fan here are the roots. Good Book.