I've read most of the Spenser novels, and I thought BACK STORY was a relatively weak entry in the series.

The plot of BACK STORY involves Spenser investigating a murder committed during a 30-year old bank robbery. Parker has constructed an intricate plot here, but I felt the storyline was a bit too convoluted, with Spenser rushing from place to place to place (San Diego, LA, Maine, etc.) almost non-stop. Most of the scenes are too short and not well developed enough. Most of the supporting characters are also quite thin. As a result, I didn't find this book particularly suspenseful or engaging in the end.

Still, BACK STORY is mildly enjoyable because Parker's writing style is enjoyable. The dialogue is sharp and funny, and the plot interested me enough to complete the book. Parker doesn't write a great book every time, but his novels are almost always entertaining.

So BACK STORY isn't bad, but don't make it your first Spenser novel. My advice is to start with the earlier ones first, starting with the GODWULF MANUSCRIPT and GOD SAVE THE CHILD.

Paul Giacomin brings one of his friends to Spenser, a young woman named Daryl. Her mother was killed in a bank robbery 28 years ago - blame was accepted by a revolutionary group calling themselves the Dread Scott Brigade, although no one ever discovered who it was that pulled the trigger and killed Emily Gordan. When Spenser begins to dig, he finds some puzzling inconsistencies in the police file - and almost immediately receives a threat from two dark-suited men claiming to be from the government, acting in the interests of national security. The deeper Spenser digs, the weirder things become.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. Jesse Stone makes a brief appearance. Vinnie, Ty-Bop and even Junior show up to help with guard duties, which I found immensely amusing. I'm not certain how surprising other people will find the twists in the book - I never saw them coming, but I can be kind of stupid about things like that. Willful suspension of belief and all that, I suppose. Not to be missed by the Spenser fan!

This is the first Robert Parker that I've tried and I have to admit I am kicking myself for not trying the Spencer series sooner. I was avoiding this books for years (despite many recommendations) because of the old TV series which featured Robert Urich. I just couldn't picture that actor playing what I knew of Parker's alter ego Spencer. It just didn't mesh in my mind.

The dialog is crisp and funny, the story moves and the book reads quickly. It took me a little over two hours to finish it (yes I read quickly) and was amused throughout.

This is by no mean the best book of the century, it doesn't pretend to be. But for what it is, the descendent of pulp mysteries designed to entertain, it is wonderful.

My one thought, and maybe by reading more of the series this will be less obvious, but every character seems to have the same speech pattern. (and no I don't mean a Boston accent) Everyone from Spencer to Susan to every cop or sherrif, all speak in the same clipped and sardonic fashion. Don't get me wrong, the sarcasm was witty, but everyone the same? It almost as if they are all shades of Spencer the central wiseass.

Bottom line: I'm going to try more of this series and would recommend this one for others to try.

Parker came upon a unique and clever idea when he befan writing the Spenser series. The characters were of interest and the plots well tailored. Although this series would never be confused with great, or even good literature, it was always good for a fast and harmless read. It seems as if the writer is going to the well far too often. The story is more miss than mysyery and the story becomes tedious at times. The story is rather predictable and this entry lacks the snappy writing style that was so evident in the earlier books of this series. The characters are like oft-used stereotypes andthere is little development of them. It was a good run yet appears to be time to give this character a rest.

I recently discovered Robert B. Parker and have quickly turned into a fan. His novels are a pleasure to read. I am an avid mystery reader and particularly enjoy those that contain humor. Parker fits the mold for me. "Back Story" was a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the interaction between Spenser and Hawk, and enjoyed the banter once I got over the stereotypical African-American language Parker employed for Hawk. If yo enjoy novels with decent plotting and amusing style, you will enjoy "Back Story".