Three stars--about what I expect from a Spenser story, without much that distinguishes it from others. Spencer's out to fix an art ransom gone awry, and has to work with his old friends in the police force to do it. Belson, Quirk and Healy all make appearances, but we don't see of his more unusual outside-the-law friends on this one. Susan, of course, is ever present, but the scenes with her became rather repetitive. He cooks, she pretends to eat, they have sex then refer to it in arch tones the rest of the scene. I thought it also odd that her 'Jewishness' wasn't brought up sooner when they were discussing Holocaust issues, since Spenser and Parker usually make a mention of it at some point, and her ethnic identity has played a role in other books. It's not a large absence, but it's small notes like that that help individual Spenser books rise to the top. The mystery wasn't too surprising--I had actually figured out the situation--but was believable. There's a charming scene with Pearl and a new friend Otto that becomes a reoccurring event, and provides a link to an expert.

Later Spenser books mostly make me miss early Spenser books, which are rich in detail and thought; Painted Ladies, like most recent Spenser stories, sometimes seems more of an outline than a full book. ( )

Fast, fun read ( )

Synopsis: 'Called upon by The Hammond Museum and renowned art scholar Dr. Ashton Prince, Spenser accepts his latest case: to provide protection during a ransom exchange—money for a stolen painting.

The case becomes personal when Spenser fails to protect his client and the valuable painting remains stolen. Convinced that Ashton Prince played a bigger role than just ransom delivery boy, Spenser enters into a daring game of cat-and-mouse with the thieves. But this is a game he might not come out of alive...'

Review: Really liked that this pulled in pictures stolen by the Nazis during the holocaust. ( )

Book 38 of the Spencer series. Joe Mantegna reads the witty Spencer so well. Listening to these always reminds me of the 1980's series, "Spencer for Hire" with Robert Urich and Avery Brooks that was based on these novels. ( )

It pains me to do this but this was my least favorite Spenser book ever. I finished it but I was not happy with it. ( )

A valuable painting is stolen and a ransom asked for so Spenser is hired to accompany the art professor who is to deliver the money. As the professor is returning with the painting under his arm, he and the painting are blown up by an explosion. Now Spenser feels he is committed to finding the killers since he failed to protect the art scholar, Dr. Ashton Prince, and the valuable painting, Lady with a Finch.

The usual repartee one expects in a Spenser novel provides the humour plus a fast moving plot with twists and turns to keep you reading and entertained. ( )

I was excited to stumble across a new Spenser novel last week!
This was finished the year before Robert Parker passed away.
It's classic Spenser. I enjoyed it a lot. Hawk was not in it but
everyone else was. Hopefully Hawk will be back in the last Spenser
book (?) which is due out next May. ( )

Every once in a while I like to read a Spenser book, just because he's such a great character and such fun to read (especially if you love hard-boiled detectives, as I do). This one does not disappoint, although knowing that it's the last one is a bit bittersweet. Definitely recommended if you enjoy this genre. ( )

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12889049

It's a good book for listening on a trip. Which is what I got it for.

Spenser is hired to protect an art scholar who is directed by a museum to pay a ransom for a stolen painting. Unfortunately, the scholar loses his life. Spenser has his pride. He can't let it go.

In his investigation, Spenser finds that it is not a simple matter of stolen art. It is a complex scheme. Is he up to it? Or will this spell the end of his career? Well, what do you think??

I find Parker's use of "said" for every conversation to be funny:

"I'm going home," Spenser said.

"I'll go with you," the other man said.

"Who invited you?" Spenser said.

etc. I think it's easier to slide over them when you read the novel yourself; less so when listening. It becomes a drumbeat of said said said.

Parker's detective, Spenser, is hard-boiled, macho. But with a side of intelligence, or maybe I should say literary knowledge. Always ready with a quotation. I wonder if a person with Spenser's apparent knowledge would speak the way he does. I suppose it's possible. ( )

One of the last Spenser novels written by Parker, and a good one! ( )

A quick, enjoyable read. It's mostly light banter vs. description or narrative, which is both good and bad. Interesting characters, revealed primarily through what they say.

This is the first Robert B. Parker book I've read; I started with the last in a series instead of at the beginning, which may affect my viewpoint.

P.S. If you're interested in art (this involves a stolen painting), don't expect much art-related and you won't be disappointed.

Dysfunctional families, art theft, art stolen during the Holocaust, people getting killed and the usual Spenser and friends repartee. ( )

Robert Parker may be dead, but his beloved Boston PI, Spenser, will live pretty much forever.
This was one of the last Spenser novels. I'm still trying to come to grips with that fact. ( )

One of Robert B's last novels before he popped off. We listened to it on a trip to the mountains. Fun Spenser. There were some slightly different tones in this one, and a new champagne for us to explore: Iron Horse. ( )

It's like reading a parody of a Spenser novel. It's tropapalooza out there, and the cliches are coming down fast and hard. Come prepared!

I gotta go back to [a:Lawrence Block|17613|Lawrence Block|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1303856083p2/17613.jpg]'s Matthew Scudder series and see if my memory, that they were much better, in terms of each book exploring something relatively different, is accurate, because there's nothing intrinsically flawed about this one; it's just...boring. It's the same book that Parker had been writing for at least the last twenty years if not longer. ( )

As usual Parker writes an entertaining page turner of a book, this time surrounding art theft and the holocaust. Parker was one of the greatest mystery writers who ever lived. ( )

Some very funny things in this one, like "Molly Pitcher's" reaction to Spenser's "charm". ( )

Spenser is hired by the Hammond Museum to protect Dr. Ashton Prince as he attempts to exchange money in return for a recently stolen painting. However, when the exchange goes awry, Spenser sets out to personally find the stolen painting and bring the thieves to justice. ( )

Another great Spenser book with guest appearence by Hawk. ( )

Absolutely loved the repartee. Author, Robert Parker, had such a gift for dialogue and clean crisp story lines. I am truly sorry that he has passed, and will be even sorrier when I finish reading all of his works. Painted Ladies is the perfect reading escape for an evening of leisure reading. ( )

Robert B. Parker was arguably the wittiest and most intelligent American writer of his time – no doubt paving the way for other luminaries such as Harlan Coban and Dennis Lehane – but of all his many creations Spenser, subject of his first and last books and very many in-between, is surely the character readers love best.

Painted Ladies is the penultimate book Parker wrote before a heart attack killed him at his desk last year so it is fitting that it features the tough Boston-based private eye Spenser [first name never disclosed in over 30 books], his adored long-term girlfriend Susan Silverman, and their beloved German short-haired pointer Pearl, in an art world adventure with roots in the Holocaust and paintings stolen from Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe.

Kidnapping, forgery, theft, murder, snappy dialogue, literary references, fast pace and clever plotting – the only thing missing from this almost-ultimate adventure is Spencer’s inimitable and immaculate sidekick Hawk, who is allegedly somewhere in Central; Asia on a mission for the CIA.

All the other regulars are here though, like Martin Quirk, Spenser’s police contact Captain Healy, and the sexy Rita Fiore, always waiting to scoop him up should he break up with the queen of his heart, Susan. And as an added attraction for his canine fans, Parker even creates a love interest for Pearl in the form of a yellow Labrador called Otto, and the book ends with the two of them gamboling away into the sunset, watched fondly by their proud ‘parents’. ( )

Painted Ladies is another solid Spenser Series story, which is unfortunately one of the last in this long running and successful series. In Painted Ladies, our dear Spenser enters the realm of the art world. When a much sought after painting is stolen from a local museum, Spenser is hired to guard a curator during a ransom trade-off. The trade-off doesn't go as planned, and the curator is killed, now as a matter of pride Spenser vows to track down the killers. This vow may be his last if he isn't careful. Spenser quickly finds out that he isn't dealing with armatures, and must be at his best to avoid becoming another casualty in this case.
Although I enjoyed the storyline, I didn’t find Spenser to be quite as witty as he usually is. I am not sure if Parker was growing weary of writing the series, or if it was just a lull. In any case, any true Spenser fan will still enjoy their favorite gumshoe’s tales. ( )

I came to Spenser years ago when Parker was putting far more effort and time into creating plots for the books. As the years progressed, the plots became Thinner, the action had fewer consequences, and the books began to exist in a sealed world where you knew Spenser and the few main characters would survive.

That said, I loved each new Spenser book, if only for the chance to get a bit of literary comfort food, so I find it sad to think the Spenser series is coming to a close with another by the numbers effort from Robert B. Parker.

Painted Ladies involves Spenser investigating an art theft with ties to the Holocaust. Spenser works the case mostly solo, tracking down leads among academia and a Jewish organization, spewing typical Parker dialogue with a bit of action along the way. It's strictly pain by numbers, but not as bad as some of his more recent efforts. ( )

The Holocaust was bad; Susan is perfect - that is pretty much the entire story here. I'm assuming Parker was starting to be in bad health with this one, or that he was just bored with the Spencer books too. ( )

A good finish to a series that was always fun to read with little squibs of information tucked in. ( )