
The Professional
A Spenser Novel
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Narrated by:
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Joe Mantegna
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By:
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Robert B. Parker
About this listen
As matters become more complicated, Spenser's longtime love, Susan, begins offering some input by analyzing Eisenhower's behavior patterns in hopes of opening up a new avenue of investigation. It seems that not all of Gary's women are rich. So if he's not using them for blackmail, then what is his purpose? Spenser switches tactics to focus on the husbands, only to find that innocence and guilt may be two sides of the same coin.
With its eloquently spare prose and some of the best supporting characters to grace the printed page, The Professional is further proof that "[t]here's hardly an author in the crime novel business like Parker" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
©2009 Robert B. Parker (P)2009 Random HouseListeners also enjoyed...
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I would not normally have reviewed this book since I have not reviewed any of the previous Audible Spencer books I have listened to, but was convinced to do so by some of the negative reviews I saw. Robert B Parker was a master of the short sentence and short chapter. His books are full of "He said" and "She said", but they are at the core of his writing style and, over time, I have become so wrapped up in the story and the characters that I no longer even notice. Rather it is the regular characters in the book, their relationships with each other and the underlying humor that have made these books so enjoyable, at least for me. Add to that an interesting story, the process of unraveling what actually happened and who did it and the masterful reading of Joe Mantegna and you have a pleasant couple of days of listening.
I enjoy these books so much that I often listen to them again when I want to spend a couple of days just relaxing. For me, the pleasure is in the listening and light humor more than in the "who-dun-it". If you are looking for the Maltese Falcon, you are not going to find it here. I, for one, am truly going to miss seeing more of these books since Mr. Parker recently died and I assume there is no one to continue the series.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who just wants a pleasant relaxed read, but I would also recommend that they start with some of the earlier books since much of the pleasure from the book involves the relations between the characters and that is something that you need some history to understand.
Another wonderful Spencer book
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Lots of twists
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Reader does a great job
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Would you consider the audio edition of The Professional to be better than the print version?
I got into listening to this story on XM Book Radio. Unfortunately they only played an hour at a time and I was missing chapters. I like the way Joe Montagna reads the story. I agree with some of the others about theHeard Parts of this on XM Book Radio
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Just What I Was Looking For
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Would you consider the audio edition of The Professional to be better than the print version?
The narrator made this book great, especially in his voice characterizations. His voice for the muscle, Boo, for example, is worth the price of the book, in my opinion. The one problem with the audio version is really caused by Parker's writing style: the number of the times the phrase "he said" and "she said" appears in this book is in the hundreds; and that number is obvious when the book is read aloud. Mantenga's performance, however, outweighs the aggravation caused by the "he said/she said" issue, in my opinion.Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
Yes. This is the third of Parker's books that I have read or listened two, and I have enjoyed the plots of all of them. I haven't finished this book yet, and I still don't know "who done it."Which scene was your favorite?
Any scene with the mobster Boo... :). Also, the character Hawk has some funny lines, as always.Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I laughed out loud on a few occasions, and often listened with a smile on my face and an occasional chuckle. Very enjoyable book!Mantegna's great!
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Parker pleaser
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Some positive feedback
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What did you love best about The Professional?
I love anything Spenser.If you’ve listened to books by Robert B. Parker before, how does this one compare?
I like Joe Mantegna as the narratorWhat does Joe Mantegna bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Joe brings each character to life. He changes inflections appropriately.Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Not reallyAny additional comments?
I always love the relationship with Spenser and Susan. I like that she had a more prominant role in this book. Since Mr. Parker is gone, we have to savor what he's left us.Classic Spenser!
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If you could sum up The Professional in three words, what would they be?
Blackmail, sex, and mysteryWhat did you like best about this story?
I am a Spencer fan. The stories are good, they move along, the characters are interesting.Which character – as performed by Joe Mantegna – was your favorite?
Spenser and Hawk vie for my favoriteWas this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
no. I listen while I commuteGood story, good voice, great for listening.
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