DWD's Reviews

Strong start. Best Spenser novel in a while. Robert B. Parker  (1932-2010) By my count Rough Weather may be the 35th Spenser novel. As others have noted, the traditional elements of a Spenser novel are here - Susan and Spenser's deep discussions about Spenser's code of honor, Spenser and Hawk trading witty banter, Spenser pulling at the loose ends of the case until someone tries to kill him. It's a formula, but I like the formula. The book starts out differently and with much more action than is normal in a Spenser book and I'd give the first half 5 stars. But it eventually slows down to the point that I'd give the last half a mere 3 stars. Thus, the average score is the final score - 4 stars. Interestingly, Rough Weather is the only Spenser book that I can remember that actually mentions time passing as the series progresses. Spenser notes to Rita Fiore that she's been pursuing him for 20 years. Hawk and Susan also make some sort of

A cover band version that makes me wonder why not buy the real thing? When someone remakes a band's song I have to ask myself, "Why?" If the remake is a true remake (by that I mean that they re-interpreted the song, used different types of instruments, etc.) than I'm fine with a re-make. If it is just a cover of the same song - same instruments, same style of everything than I have to wonder why you'd bother to put it on a CD? This Tribute to John Mellencamp is basically a bar band's nicely done set of covers of most of Mellencamp's better-known hits. If this band was playing at my local bar I'd be happy with the quality of the singing and performing and be happy to spend the evening listening to some good covers and thinking about the real songs and singer. But, this is not an evening at a bar. Others have done re-makes of Mellencamp's work over the years. I happily own String Quartet Tribute to John Cougar Mellencamp a

Kinky Friedman "on the road again" with Willie Nelson Kinky Friedman and Willie Nelson Read by Kinky Friedman. Duration: about 3 hours. Abridged. Kinky, feeling like he has to get out of New York City for a change of pace, jumps at the chance to ride with Willie Nelson for part of his tour. However, Willie is not acting like himself and soon one of Willie's roadies is shot. Kinky looks into it and crazy characters from Willie's life spill into Kinky's seriously odd world of friends. The mystery in Roadkill is not too hard, but it is worth the listen just to hear Friedman's odd twists of phrase. Lots of fun. An audiobook note: I was disappointed to discover that Willie Nelson did not read his own parts in the book. He has read audiobooks before and this seemed like a natural fit. I give this one 4 stars out of 5 and it can be found on Amazon.com here: Roadkill by Kinky Friedman. Reviewed on May 7, 2006.

A good beginning to a new series Ron Shade is a Chicago-based PI in the vein of Robert B. Parker's Spenser. However, he is not a clone in any stretch of the imagination. Since A Killing Frost is one of Michael A. Black 's first fiction books, it is expected for there to be a few hiccups along the way. However, Black's effort was well-done with less problems than many established authors have exhibited. The plot involves the disappearance of an illegal alien. Shade is hired to find him. Along the way, his car is stolen and he finds romance and romantic difficulties. Like a Spenser novel, it is not the suspense of finding out whodunnit that keeps the reader turning pages. Rather, it is the interest in finding out how the hero will stick it to the bad guys. Solid read. I rate this one 4 stars out of 5 and I'll be looking for the sequels. This book can be found on Amazon.com here: A Killing Frost by Michael A. Black . Reviewed on May 7, 2006.

Good history - for 4th to 8th graders Martin Luther (1483-1546) I am reviewing this as a high school world history teacher who is looking for high-quality historical fiction of all skill levels that I can add to my classroom library. While Spy for the Night Riders: Martin Luther is too easy for the average high school student, it would be a good fit for the 'reluctant reader' or the student interested in the Reformation. The plot moves along pretty quickly and does a good job of telling about Martin Luther's big moment at the Diet of Worms and his travels immediately before and after his hearing. Some previous knowledge of the Reformation would be helpful. I give this one 4 stars out of 5. This book can be found on Amazon here:  Spy for the Night Riders (Trailblazer Books Book 3) Reviewed on May 6, 2006.

A fitting end to a series With the publication of Sixkill , Robert B. Parker 's last completed Spenser novel is on the shelves and Spenser's tale is done. It is tempting to make this review a review of the entire series, and I may fall into that temptation a little bit because Spenser and Parker have been part of my life for the better part of twenty years. But, most importantly, Sixkill is Robert B. Parker ending the series on a high note. As any fan of the series knows, half of any Spenser book is already written - witty back and forth of a non-PC nature, annoying psycho-babble with Susan talking about why Spenser does what he does ("And, I suspect, if you didn't do what you do, you'd become someone else..."- p. 191), a rundown of all of the people that Spenser could contact to help, if needed (because Hawk is not in this one - he is still off in Central Asia), and eventually Spenser annoys enough people with his nosing around that they send someone