Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust" by Mike Lupica is a compelling addition to the Spenser series, marking its 50th installment. In this latest narrative, Spenser, the sharp-witted Boston private investigator, delves into the murky waters of a tech billionaire's past. The client, the billionaire's wife, suspects her husband harbors dark secrets and enlists Spenser's expertise to uncover the truth.

Lupica, taking the reins from Parker, maintains the series' hallmark of tight prose and brisk pacing while introducing a modern twist to the classic detective genre. The novel's strength lies in its intricate plot, where the protagonist's investigation reveals layers of moral ambiguity. As Spenser peels back the layers, he grapples with the ethical dilemmas of wealth, power, and the price of success.

The narrative is rich with suspense, as Spenser navigates a labyrinth of corporate intrigue and personal betrayal. The billionaire, Andrew Crain, is a man whose genius has revolutionized the tech industry, but at what cost? His creation, a process for synthetic lithium, places him among the wealthiest and most influential figures. Yet, his sudden secretive behavior and paranoia hint at a troubled conscience.

Lupica's portrayal of Spenser is faithful to the character's roots—intelligent, tenacious, and unyielding in his pursuit of justice. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the Boston setting comes alive under Lupica's skilled pen. The supporting cast, including Spenser's lover Susan Silverman, adds depth and texture to the story, providing emotional stakes that elevate the narrative beyond a mere puzzle to be solved.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. At times, the multitude of subplots can feel overwhelming, diluting the central mystery's impact. Moreover, the resolution, while satisfying, unfolds through a series of confrontations that may leave readers longing for a more nuanced denouement.

In conclusion, "Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust" is a worthy successor to the Spenser legacy. It's a novel that will satisfy long-time fans and intrigue new readers, offering a fresh take on the detective story while staying true to the series' roots. Lupica's first foray into the world of Spenser is a testament to his ability to balance homage with innovation, crafting a tale that is both familiar and excitingly new.

6/10

I’m a big fan of Robert Parker and his Spencer books. I’ve been a big fan for a long time. Parker is an amazing mystery and suspense writer who creates characters you want to keep reading about. You simply don’t want to put a Parker book down.

So I was excited to read this one.

I knew who Mike Lupica is. He’s a Boston based sports writer. He’s a good sports writer. But I wasn’t sure why he was writing a Parker/Spencer novel.

Reading Lupica’s book makes me realize how good Parker really is.

The story was decent enough. A billionaire’s wife hires Spencer to find out what’s happening with her husband then shenanigans happens.

However the book just fell flat.
Spencer - one of the best mystery characters ever created - was not interesting in this book and almost a cliche of himself.

The story was delivered like it was a play by play of a Red Sox game. Sure, stuff happened, but in the end I’m not sure I cared.

It’s too bad.
I really love Parker’s writing.

#netgalley

An interesting PI in Boston is approached by a very wealthy woman wanting him to look into her husbands erratic behavior. She winds up getting murdered and the PI is determined to find out what happened to her. Interesting read, keeps the reader entertained.

As someone who named their small dog after Robert B. Parker’s detective, Spenser, I consider myself uniquely qualified to review the latest in the series.

I resisted the post-RBJ Spenser novels for years until I heard Ace Atkins interviewed on a podcast. He had the okay of the estate and a great deal of respect for the characters and material, so who was I to deprive myself? Mike Lupica picked up the mantle just as deftly.

No one ever seems to age in Spenser’s world – except Spenser, and of course, the string of Pearls. I chuckled at Spenser tossing off pop culture references like Barre workouts and TikTok when he’s old school enough to work out in a Harvard Shirt with the sleeves cut off and New Balance Sneaks.

Hawk is still as formidable as ever and Susan is still lithe and insightful. I never get tired of the Spenser-Hawk Bromance. I love Spenser and Susan’s ability to surprise one another despite their closeness. I wonder whether they will ever confront Susan’s eating disorder. She’s consumed little but air over the decades, but it’s never discussed, despite her occupation as a psychotherapist.

In Broken Trust, Spenser has moved back to his old stomping grounds on Marlborough. You can almost see the lush greenery of the Public Garden and feel the breeze off the Charles with his vivid descriptions.

Because Spenser is an analog hero in a digital world, it would be easy to make him a cartoonish boomer, rejecting all technology. Instead, he treats the offerings of the digital transformation like a buffet, choosing what suits him and leaving the rest. Like deftly Googling for background info while enjoying classic jazz on vinyl, whiskey in hand.

Spenser’s speech has always been peppered with literary references just as a reminder that he has book smarts as well as street smarts. In this book, the bon mots were less like pepper than they were confetti.

Broken Trust is the 50th (!) Spenser story. Spenser is called by the wife of a tech billionaire who is concerned about the recent changes in her husband’s behavior. Spenser gets to the bottom of the mystery – after encountering a lot of twists and turns along the way.

I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Broken Trust from PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Andrew Crain, once a brilliant scientist, became a wealthy businessman following his development of lithium products. On the surface, he was admired and well respected. He had it all but maybe not. His wife sought out Spenser with her concerns about his recent behavior. He had become secretive, paranoid and had episodes of angry outbursts. She was hoping Spenser could find out what was going on in his life that was causing this behavior.
Spenser investigates Crain’s past and finds that he is not the adored and admired man that he is thought to be. I found the ending a bit confusing. I was never able to figure out what it was that Crain was guilty of. However, the book was full of twists and turns and was an enjoyable read.

I am of the age that I remember the "Spenser For Hire" television show, and this book took me right back to those enjoyable hours. I heard the characters in the voices of the actors and was carried along with the wit and references to current culture that draws you in to the story. I read several books in this series years ago, but I felt right back in the series while reading this. Thank you for continuing on.

Classic Robert B Parker by Mike Lupica. Spenser is always on the case and delivering results and retribution when necessary. Seamless transition from Ace Atkins to Mike and in keeping with tradition the sarcasm and dialogue between characters is flawless. Broken Trust is a treat for everyone.

Things aren't quite what they seem, friendships are tested and secrets are revealed in this latest Spenser novel written by Mike Lupica.

It’s been a while since I last picked up a Spenser novel. I certainly hadn't read one since the passing of Robert B Parker. I'm thrilled to say Mike Lupica picked up the mantle and ran with it. The characters were just as I remembered them. Spenser was still the same sarcastic wise guy he's always been and Hawk is still the snarky best friend. The writing had the same sharp, pithy language I remember. The story was fast moving, the central characters unique and compelling The answers to the mystery were always just out of reach, keeping me guessing until the unexpected ending. I quickly became absorbed in the story; reminding me of all the reasons I so enjoyed the previous novels. There's no question I'll be back for more.

Robert B. Parker's infamous private investigator hero, Spenser, is in very safe hands with his latest caretaker, Mike Lupica. Lupica does a brilliant job of mimicking Parker's prose style when telling Spenser's story. It involves a client who is married to the 6th richest man in the world, big tech, violence against women, philanthropy, murder, and betrayal. This book is part crime novel, part philosophical reflection as Spenser is getting older, and Lupica is rich to acknowledge this in the protagonist's development. The solution is easy to anticipate, but that is not necessarily a flaw. I eagerly look forward to the next installment.

Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust is the 50th book in the Spenser series. It was my first one to read in the series. I didn't feel as if I was missing a lot of back story, so this can be a stand-alone read. But this is an established series and deserves to be read in its entirety.

Spenser's gets a call to speak with Laura Crain, the wife of the world's sixth richest man which also happens to be an acquaintance of Spenser's longtime partner, psychologist Susan Silverman. Laura would like Spenser to find out what it is going on with her husband. The marriage is fine, but he is acting different and needs Spenser to help her. Andrew's partner, Ethan Lowe, at their company is working on a merger. Everything Spenser hears in his investigation has him going in many directions and no solid clues, until Laura is murdered as well as another employee's death which is made to look like suicide.

There are many characters in this story. There is also a lot of quick-witted bantering going on as well that moves the story along. Most of the investigation goes nowhere which has Spenser circling back to what they know as opposed to what they don't which gives them a bigger picture to look at.

I thought that this was a great story and was well written. The characters have great depth and are people you might want to have as friends. This felt more of an intellectual story since we are following Spenser around as he is thinking out loud to us. I highly recommend this book.

I’m no stranger to jumping into a series on the newest book just to see if I like it. With Robert B. Parker’s Broken Trust, this was a particularly interesting book to jump in on (it is number 50 in the Spenser series originally by Robert B. Parker and now penned by different authors) because it is also the first penned by author Mike Lupica.

Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series began in 1973 and has gone on to include not only 50 books, but tv series and tv movie adaptations. It’s a series I knew of but hadn’t ever read before, but when the audiobook for Broken Trust became available, I thought the premise sounded good and decided to give it a try.

Spenser is an ex-boxer, an ex-cop, and a current private investigator who lives in Boston. In Broken Trust, Spenser is enlisted to help a woman named Laura Crain, who is the wife of the 6th wealthiest man in the United States and a friend of his girlfriend (though it is never explicitly stated their relationship is defined this way, but I’m inferring) Susan Silverman’s. Laura says her husband Andrew has been acting strangely and neither Laura nor Andrew’s business partner Ethan Lowe know why. Andrew and Ethan’s company is on the verge of completing a merger with a Canadian company that will make them even more successful and wealthy.

The investigation is difficult from the start, both because the mission is somewhat vague and because everyone Spenser tries to speak with including Andrew Crain is being tightlipped. It appears that Andrew is paranoid, having outbursts that are uncharacteristic, and is being somewhat volatile. Not long after, Laura is found strangled in Brookline Park and Andrew fires Spenser (whom he never actually hired). Spenser feels obligated to continue his investigation anyways, because he feels he owes it to Laura.

I mentioned that it was important that not only was I new to the series, but Lupica is new to writing it. It was clear that he knew the series well, and I felt like he leaned into every trope and characteristic unique to the series in one book to showcase his familiarity with the series. I find this is common when writers take over a beloved series—they need to build their credibility with the long-time fans and one of the most important ways of doing this is showing that they understand the characters.

Even as a new reader to the series, it was clear that Lupica was filing his credentials by building out the characters. For instance, the banter between Spenser and his girlfriend Susan, their frequent lovemaking, his comments on her bright intellect and lack of cooking skills—this all felt intentional to the point of bluntness. It was clear these are based on long-running themes of her character in the series. I would say the same regarding the relationship between Spenser and Hawk, and the way they interact with one another. This was overdone to an extent that I could tell this was an important relationship for longtime fans.

While this was helpful since I was also new to the series, I hope that if Lupica continues to write the Spenser books, he doesn’t feel the need to continue to put so much effort into this. The problem for me was that as a new reader, these almost felt like caricatures that flattened out side characters. Perhaps there is nothing left to explore, but I wanted to see more of Susan and Spenser’s relationship outside of him just poking fun at her cooking and making constant sexually charged banter. Susan is a Harvard-trained psychologist, and I wanted to see her be explored as an intellectual and accomplished woman.

All of that aside, the mystery itself was simple (at first), but engaging. From the first meeting with Laura and Spenser, I was intrigued by what was going on. The Crains (Andrew and Laura) were interesting characters for the book. Going in knowing they are some of the wealthiest in the country and that Laura is exceptionally beautiful, the reader would expect that Andrew is cheating, doing something underhanded, or will be a largely unlikable and ruthless character.

However, Andrew and Laura have a very loving marriage from what Spenser can see. Susan’s friendship with them lends credibility to that. In addition, Crain’s desire to move forward with the merger isn’t merely to increase his personal wealth. The Crains are depicted as highly philanthropic. Andrew’s behavior veers more towards paranoia than it does underhandedness. This makes it all the more interesting that he pushes Spenser away. Is he worried that Spenser will uncover something he doesn’t want known, or can he not trust anyone including his own wife?

While I can’t be certain, it seems that several characters from the series were brought in for small (or sometimes larger) roles in this mystery. I liked that Lupica made an effort to give some context to who they were (this is how I was able to infer they had been in prior books), because it would be insurmountable to start at book 1. I like being able to join a series later and choose to go back to prior works if I’m interested (in this case, I am).

Hawk was definitely my favorite supporting character, and the one that interested me the most. He had a unique voice and perspective as a character that narrator Joe Montagne brought to life in the audiobook. I can’t speak to the authenticity of their relationship and Hawk as a character relative to prior books, but as a new reader he was the welcome investigative partner that was needed.

The case itself has more layers than are apparent at first, and Spenser has to go to great lengths to put the pieces together. The ending was satisfying for me. I liked this book overall, though I do think this was a more challenging series than normal to jump into because the characters are so well-fleshed out from prior books, a new author coming in will hesitate to develop or change them in any substantial way. I suspect that as Lupica continues the series, this will become less of an issue.

An interesting fun-filled caper of a thriller that harkens the classic Spencer vibes with the modern era. I immensely enjoyed the tone of the story and how it all fit together for an intriguing full picture.

I'm a little torn as to how I feel about this book. On one hand, I think that the story was pretty good. It took a little longer to grab ahold of me, though, than I would have liked. To me, the plot wasn't especially compelling until just over the 20% mark of it. From there on, things started to get better.

What frustrated me most in 'Broken Trust' were the depictions of Spenser and Hawk. They seemed a little bit 'off' to me. I give writer Mike Lupica a lot of credit for taking over the Spenser series and I think that he did a very good job on this book. However, his Spenser and Hawk didn't feel exactly like the Spenser and Hawk I loved from the original Spenser stories written by Robert B. Parker. At times here, Spenser was a little too silly with the jokes he made to others and he came off, at least to me, as being more arrogant than he had been in Parker's books. Not to say that Spenser didn't have a healthy ego back then, but it was different here.

As for Hawk in this new book, I thought he was a little too crude-sounding at times. Maybe I'm remembering the original books incorrectly, but I don't recall Hawk cursing as much in them as he does in this one. Also, I think sometimes Hawk sounded a little too 'street.' I know he often sounded that way in Parker's books, and it was often an act the character put on for others around him, but there were times here I thought it was amped up a little too much.

I'm not saying that Mike Lupica didn't do a good job on the characters. He mostly captured them very well. I just think there were several times in the book when they didn't seem like 'my' Spenser and Hawk, if that makes sense. I really can't fault the author for that, though. After all, he's a completely different writer than the one who wrote the dozens of earlier books I read and loved that featured these characters.

As for the story in 'Broken Trust,' it was compelling enough for me to keep turning the pages and I was mostly satisfied with how it ended. I think that Mike Lupica, overall, did a very good job on the book. There were multiple scenes in it that I thought were exceptionally written.

While I didn't love the book as much as I wanted to, I'm still glad I read it. If Mike Lupica writes another Spenser book, I'd definitely give it a chance.

NOTE: I received an advanced reading copy of this novel from the publisher.

Thank you, Mike Lupica and the Robert B. Parker estate for bringing us back an old friend in Broken Trust.

It’s been more than a decade, maybe even two since I last visited Boston via a Spenser novel, featuring the rough and tumble private eye with the heart of a poet, his sidekick, Hawk (don’t tell Hawk I called him that ;), and his lady love, Harvard-trained psychologist Susan Silverman.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed the trio, their banter, the literary references (lots of Red Sox references too) and, of course, the case Spenser must solve.

In Broken Trust, we meet Spenser moving into a new apartment in his old neighborhood, a good way for someone new to the books, a longtime Parker fan or someone who remembers the 1980s tv series Spenser for Hire, based on the novels.

This particular mystery revolves around a science nerd turned philanthropist-billionaire acting out, his concerned wife, his business partner, assistant and everyone involved in a gazillion dollar merger in the sixth-richest man in the world’s synthetic lithium company.

The New York Times bestselling novelist, Mike Lupica, did an outstanding job of giving readers Spenser’s voice in this 50th Spenser novel, with as much depth and clarity as the late Parker himself.

I highly recommend Broken Trust and look forward to going back and reading more of my favorite Beantown PI. I received this advance reader copy from G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House, courtesy NetGalley.

Private investigator Spenser, just Spenser, is asked to investigate tech giant Andrew Crain. His wife, Laura, is concerned about his recent paranoid behavior. Is he suffering from events in his past or overwhelmed by his present responsibilities? He and his partner have a huge expansion planned, could this be the problem? Spenser contacts his friends Hawk and others as well as those at the police department. A sudden unexpected death places his case in jeopardy, but he continues to do what he always does, question and insult those who believe he can be forced to stop the investigation. As always, he has the support of the love of his life Susan and wonder dog Pearl. Those who try to go through Spenser, soon learn that he doesn’t move out of the way, but forges straight ahead right at them. A captivating and complicated mystery as Spenser slowly peels away the layers to solve the case. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Mike Lupica has grabbed the baton from Ace Atkins in continuing the late Robert B. Parker's beloved series. It’s just like old times, with the ageless Spenser and all the regulars teaming up in this installment to figure out why Susan’s friend (who was also Spenser’s new client) was murdered. The author does a great job of continuing things seamlessly, allowing the reader to enjoy the characters and plot instead of spending the whole book being distracted that this wasn’t written by Parker. Great fun as always, and old Spenser fans are in good hands with Mike Lupica.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a digital advance review copy.

Book #50 in Robert B Parker's Spenser series. It really does not seem possible that this is book #50. I've read Spencer books for too many years to count them all and watched the Spenser For Hire television series when both of us were much younger. But Spenser definitely feels like an old friend in BROKEN TRUST. Parker first developed Spenser and his cast of supporting characters into people we would trust to do business with and nothing in that world has changed. After Parker's death, the series continued under the skillful writing of Ace Adkins, a man used to series characters and communities.....Quinn Colson series....that he used to continue in Parker's vein. Now Mike Lupica has taken over the series, but he's staying true to Spenser's fans too.

Spenser is hired to investigate a billionaire's sudden change of attitude and different habits. What was assumed to be an easy job, is not. We will meet again with all of our old Spenser team and follow him into that rabbit hole that he so often finds when looking for an answer.

Robert B Parker's Broken Trust by Mike Lupica is another great installment of the Spenser books. Thie mystery unfolds at a fast pace and readers are left eager for more.

Thank you for the review copy, I welcome being able to reunite with these characters, Mike Lupica brought them all back to life!

In Robert B. Parker's Broken Trust, Laura Crane hires Spenser to investigate why her billionaire husband is acting oddly. As Spenser's investigate Andrew, his company and those in his 'circle', Laura is murdered. Spenser now makes his former client his mission to uncover what happened to her. Danger awaits Spenser and those willing to help him.

Author Mike Lupica offers a well-paced story about corporate intrigue, secrets and hidden abuse/trauma. He delivers with wit and an interesting murder mystery. Even though, I wanted a more detailed ending, it was a satisfying read.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam, Mike Lupica and NetGalley for this ARC.