The heist was legendary, still talked about twenty years after the priceless paintings disappeared from one of Boston's premier art museums. Most thought the art was lost forever, buried deep, sold off overseas, or, worse, destroyed as incriminating evidence. But when paint chips from the most valuable piece stolen, Gentlemen in Black by a Spanish master, arrives at the desk of a Boston journalist, the museum finds hope and enlists Spenser's help.

Soon the cold art case thrusts Spenser into the shady world of black market art dealers, aged Mafia bosses, and old vendettas. A five-million-dollar-reward by the museum's top benefactor, an aged, unlikable Boston socialite, sets Spenser and pals Vinnie Morris and Hawk onto a trail of hidden secrets, jailhouse confessions, and decades-old murders.

Set against the high-society art scene and the low-life back alleys of Boston, this is classic Spenser doing what he does best. This is highly recommended.

I've always enjoyed the Spenser books and am so glad that Ace Atkins has been able to keep him alive and well in the literary world. This is another great RBP book.

Spencer is approached by a dying gentleman, Mr. Locke who is also a Private Investigator who was hired twenty years ago by The Winthrop museum to recover three pieces of art that seem to have vanished off the face of the earth. This heist wasn’t a professional hit by any means, it was sloppy and one of the pieces were torn. Mr. Locke has been all over the world and back looking for these three pieces, one is a small Picasso, Goya but the prize is an El Greco, “The Gentleman in Black”. The El Greco had a bit of a shady history behind it as well, but it was Winthrop’s main concern. Mr. Locke’s dying wish is that these pieces would be recovered to the museum before he passes on. Spencer agrees to meet with the board of Winthrop, it seems they are getting a lot of activity regarding these pieces since the statute of limitations has run out on the theft itself, plus there is still is a hefty award awaiting anyone who recovers these pieces Spencer, of course, clashes with the board immediately, they are a snobby lot, but he does help them up to a point, but there is only so much pretentiousness he’ll take. They are not too impressed with him either, but he’s used to being underestimated. After one failed attempt, where he takes all the blame and deserves none, he’s fired off the case. This is where the fun begins, he’s flying solo on this caper no Hawk or Z for back up, but he can always count on Vinnie Morris. I love what Ace Atkins has done with this series, he’s done a great job and they are still a pleasure to read. Spencer hasn’t lost his acerbic wit and he’s still a force to reckoned with. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion expressed above.

Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on May 1, 2018

Technically, the title of this book is Robert B. Parker’s Old Black Magic, but since Parker (1932-2010) is dead and buried, it isn’t really his, even if it continues the Spenser stories that Parker created. At least G.P. Putnam’s Sons put Ace Atkins’ name on the cover shown above in a font that is noticeable, although not as large as the font used for Parker’s name. (Another version of the cover rather shamefully puts Atkins' name in much smaller font.) Read the Amazon reviews in a couple of months and I assure you that some readers will have purchased this book in the belief that Parker wrote it.

Spenser is hired to find an El Greco that was stolen from the Winthrop twenty years ago, along with a Picasso sketch and another painting. He makes inquiries among his aging connections in the police as well as the Boston underworld, and dutifully accompanies the woman who hired him as she prepares to pay a ransom for the return of the Picasso. One thing leads to another before Spenser is fired by the snooty museum Board and replaced by a snooty British investigator who specializes in art theft.

Of course, being fired won’t deter Spenser. His continued investigation leads him into old underworld feuds, including a closed case involving a mob murder that may or may not be related to the art theft. The El Greco seems to have changed hands more than once, making Spenser feel like he’s playing a game of “Mafia musical chairs.” More murders ensue, giving Spenser reason to wonder who will try to kill him next.

Atkins captures the banter and wisecracks that Parker employed to make Spenser a popular character, even if the series was getting a bit stale by the time of Parker’s death. I don’t know that Atkins has refreshed it — taking the series in a new direction would probably violate his contract, since books about beloved characters whose creators have died are meant to give readers more of the same — but he certainly hasn’t harmed the franchise. Spenser’s girlfriend Susan, his dog Pearl, and a variety of cops and mobsters have the opportunity to listen to Spenser’s irreverent wit. Nor has Atkins diminished Spenser’s love of good food (that he prepares in his kitchen or orders in restaurants) and pastries (that he buys from Boston bakeries or bums from his cop buddies).

The plot of Old Black Magic is more believable than is common in most modern crime novels. It makes enough detours to keep Spenser (and the story) moving, including a visit to Memphis, where the BBQ ribs are hard to beat. Meeting all the shady characters who might have some knowledge of the painting is enjoyable, and if the plot isn’t particularly exciting, it has the virtue of making sense — something that can’t always be said about modern crime novels. And there’s a shootout near the end of the story, proving that Spenser is in capable hands with Atkins.

RECOMMENDED

4.5 Stars

Three precious works of art were stolen from the Winthrop Museum in Boston and never recovered. It's now 20 years later and the statute of limitations is up. Now, someone wants to sell these works of art. Who has them and what's the mystery behind all of this?

I loved this book. I never read Robert Parker before (I know, my loss), however, this is the second book using his PI Spenser character written by Ace Atkins. I love the nostalgia of these books seeming like an old time PI noir. There was so much nostalgia written in, such as, "Jonathan Winters doing Maude Frickert". I remember the character but not the name. So, a little bit more trivia to add to this brain of mine. HA!!

The strange adages throughout were hilarious. "My new coffeemaker spit out the coffee faster than Usain Bolt in the hundred meter". These were used over and over again and truly added to my reading enjoyment while giving a sense of humor to the book.

Spenser is racing all over the place to try to find these works of art, behind him a trail of death is left, but not by Spenser. Someone is out to kill anyone with any knowledge of these paintings. And Spenser is under a deadline due to the museum hiring some British PI who was certainly most annoying. His biggest part in the finding of anything was following Spenser. (rolling of eyes). Ha!!

An excellent read that I just sped through and enjoyed every minute.

Huge thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Robert B Parker’s Spencer series is a classic and I am thrilled that Ace Atkins is carrying forward the writing. Atkins does an excellent job of recreating the feel and dialogue of the writing style of Robert Parker.
The story starts out with an old friend asking a favor of Spenser as he is ill and dying. Locke, the friend, has been working a case for the past twenty years. A heist from the Winthrop museum of 2 paintings and a sketch which Locke has not been able to solve (and neither has the FBI or local police). Spenser takes on the case and starts with his contacts in the police and underworld of thieves and mob.
This story seemed to focus more on Spenser and the mob ties to the theft. I would have thought this avenue would have been investigated years ago. But if you suspend belief, the story is a lot of fun. I did miss not having Hawk in the book. But the details of Boston and the moments focusing on Spenser’s relationship with Susan and his dog Pearl, more than made up for that absence.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I received a free advance copy from NetGalley for review.

I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like. And I like books by Ace Atkins.

Spenser is asked to look into a famous unsolved art heist, but since it occurred twenty years ago the trail is very cold and the museum people he’d be working for are couple of overbearing snobs guaranteed to be a pain in the ass. The only reasons to take the case are a five million dollar reward for the return of one particular painting, and that Spenser has been asked to finish the job by another private investigator who is dying from cancer. Spenser greatly respects this detective who spent years trying to track down the lost art, and if you know anything about Spenser you can probably guess that he cares a lot more about fulfilling this guy’s last request than the money.

While the heist was successful it was the work of clumsy smash-and-grab thieves, not a highly skilled Ocean’s 11 kind of crew, and there are rumors that the painting has been floating around Boston’s organized crime underworld for two decades. As Spenser looks for the long lost Gentlemen in Black he’ll find that the painting has left a bloody trail in its wake since it was taken off a museum wall. He’s also got competition in the form of another unscrupulous investigator trying to get the reward.

This is the seventh Spenser novel that Ace Atkins has done since taken over the series after the death of Robert B. Parker, and Atkins has long since proven that the he was the right writer for the job. He still has Spenser behaving very much like the guy fans have known and loved for years with the detective trying to solve the case while cracking wise as well as cracking heads, and there is plenty of eating and drinking and general banter along the way. Atkins has kept all those familiar elements while subtly refreshing the series by not being afraid to incorporate some changes in the lives of Spenser and his supporting cast.

Most of that updating this time comes in the form of Vinnie Morris. Vinnie has long been one of Spenser’s ‘good’ criminals who is an occasional ally, and as he’s done for others in the series Atkins adds some depth and personality that makes Vinnie more of a unique character than just another version of Spenser with a few differing surface traits. While Hawk is off in South America on one of his secret missions (And I really want a spin-off series about Hawk’s adventures.) Vinnie more than fills the role of Spenser’s back-up buddy here. Atkins also now has the confidence to add some Southern touches with Spenser making his versions of a few country style dishes as well as taking a trip to Memphis where he gets some barbecue and works in some Elvis references along the way.

The story was obviously inspired by the real heist of Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990, and it’s a juicy concept of a case with plenty of good twists and turns. We also get a lot of fun interactions of Spenser irritating all kinds of unpleasant people from an angry police captain to a murderous mobster to a snooty stuffed shirt on the museum board. Overall, it’s another remarkably solid outing that most fans of Spenser and PI novels in general would enjoy.

Robert B. Parker’s Old Black Magic is the 46th installment in Robert Parker's Spencer series, written by Ace Atkins. I’ve always enjoyed this series, but this book seemed to be lacking some of the aspects that drew me to the series. There has always been a lot of strong adult language in this series, but this book seemed to have even more. The writing wasn’t as hard hitting as other books in this series and got a little boring for me and I found myself skimming through several parts.

Boston PI Spenser is contacted by an old acquaintance, Locke, who is ill and dying, asking him to take on a twenty-year-old art heist from the Winthrop museum. Spenser visits Marjorie Ward Phillips, a/k/a Large Marj and Topper Townsend of the Winthrop Museum. Large Marj is the museum’s director and Topper is the head of the museum’s board. Topper is against hiring Spenser, but Large Marj overrules him. The museum has recently begun receiving letters about the possibility of the artwork being returned for a large fee. Topper employs a British investigator, Paul Marston, who follows Spenser. Spenser is fired, but continues his search; visiting various authorities and criminal contacts, but gets little information about the identity of the three thieves. One of the pieces is returned and he’s able to trace the movement of the most expensive painting, The Gentleman in Black, and even believes he saw it. His contact, Alan Garner, who was the personal secretary/gatekeeper for the late Gino Fish and now a local antiques dealer, is murdered before Spenser and the museum can arrange for its return.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I have always loved Robert Parker's books and I always look forward to his next book. This one did not disappoint. The story, the characters, everything was intriguing and the story just wrote itself. His writing makes the book come alive in my imagination and I feel like there is a movie in my head. Amazing book once again by Robert Parker!

Thanks to netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’ve always enjoyed the Spenser books, even after Ace Atkins took over the series – I think he has been faithful to the tone and style that Robert B. Parker established. However, this one made me think he may be running out of steam.

First, I found the basic plot unconvincing – a 20 year old art heist, that nobody could quite sort out, but that Spenser is able to figure out within a few days of getting involved. And, it’s only because he has so many underworld acquaintances that he’s able to get numerous people to spill their guts to him. Really? Nobody over the last 20 years could figure this out? And, I won’t include spoilers, but I really was not convinced by the resolution and why this turned out as it did and who was responsible toward the end.

Second, I thought that it seemed like a rehash of all Spenser’s past underworld connections, dead or alive. Really, does this case have to involve every bad guy he’s ever known? And I was not at all convinced by the teaming up with Vinnie Morris.

Third, we had no Hawk, very little Susan. Instead, the teaming up with Vinnie. And the random insertion of the British detective, who seemed to have no real point other than to irritate Spenser.

Finally, this seemed to lack the slightly harder edge that has been in previous books. Yes, there are plenty of deaths, but Spenser is never really in any convincing danger himself and he stays out of it when Vinnie does the “interrogation.”

It’s an easy read, moves fast, has the Spenser sarcasm. But, not terribly interesting and it seems like a fairly weak addition to the series.

I have been a big fan of Robert B. Parker's books for many years. I am so happy Ace Atkins is continuing the Spenser series. Old Black Magic was another terrific Spenser book. Keep on writing and thank you!

I really enjoyed this Spenser. Ace has gotten back to the original story telling of Parker's early Spenser books. More story versus a lot of dialogue. I would highly recommend.

I’ve been a Spenser fan for many years. I enjoy his quick witted sarcasm, his cooking, choices of music and drinks and his true loyal nature. He takes on cases that matter to him sometimes just for the fact that he doesn’t like to see an underdog taken advantage of. His personal relationship with the lady in his life, Susan has always been entertaining to me as he is fiercely loyal to her their dog Pearl, and seems satisfied with their close relationship, sans marriage. Susan and Pearl are mentioned a couple of times but mostly this is just Spenser trying to solve an old mystery of some very valuable paintings stolen many years prior, and his efforts in recovering them for the museum from where they were stolen. It got a bit boring for me and I found myself skimming through several parts.

In my opinion this novel is missing most of those factors that have kept me interested through the years. Being written now by Ace Atkins, who has in fact still captured the character of Spenser quite well in previous novels, somehow this one lacked what it takes to draw me in and keep me interested or even caring about whether or not he accomplished his goal. These Spenser novels are all beginning to sound a lot alike. He enlists aid from the same thugs with the same bad language. I didn’t mind it much before but I think it may be time for this reader to part ways with Spenser.

My thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for my complimentary e-copy of this ARC for my honest and unbiased review. This novel will be released May 01, 2018.

ARC/E-book/Mystery: I have read other books from the Spenser for Hire series, but this is the first one I've read that the late Robert B. Parker didn't write. Ace Atkins is the author and he does get Spenser's personality and wit. I would like to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy in lieu of an honest review. This book does not come out for another two months, so no spoilers here. I will spoil that the book does not contain Hawk. I love Hawk. (He will cap your ass, make you dig out the bullet, and hand it to him so there's no evidence). Hawk was replaced with Vinnie this time for Spenser's back-up.

The book begins with a 20 year-old mystery of a stolen painting. I was immediately drawn into Boston, Spenser, Susan, and Pearl. There are no bodies dropping at Spenser's feet and the book still kept my interest. The only problem I had was there were too many suspects and gangsters. It did get confusing at times and I had to remember who was what. Other than that, it was a pretty good read. Spenser kept my imagination going with me picturing scenery and guessing the ending.

Ace Atkins once again captures Parker’s Spenser. The reader feels like Robert Parker is back again writing his novels. Spenser’s smart mouthiness is there along with his determinateness in finding the lost painting despite its’ disastrous reputation. In his attempt to solving this 20 year robbery, Spenser is faced with a complicated code of ethics existing among the old and new police force and the older and younger members of the Mafia and with his own code of ethics.

Spencer novels are always entertaining and Atkins has done a terrific job of keeping up the Parker tradition. Unlike many series, the Spencer novels are fresh and nuanced even 46 novels into the series. In this installment, Spencer and Vinnie hunt for three paintings stolen 20 years prior.

Ace Atkins did a great job again with this newest Spenser book. Parker would be proud with his characters and the stories they are telling.

Reading a Robert B Parker book is like sitting on the porch trading stories with an old friend. My whole family loves Spenser! This story line did not disappoint. It's rare to find loyalty and integrity in the world these days, thank God we can still find it with Spenser!

4 stars

Locke is an old acquaintance of Spenser’s. He comes to him asking Spenser if he’ll take on a twenty-year old case. It’s a stolen art work. One of the paintings stolen was El Greco’s “The Gentleman in Black.” Deciding whether or not he’ll take the case, he goes to visit the intimidating “Large Marj” and her sidekick, Mr. Topper of the Winthrop Museum. Topper is against hiring Spenser because his fee is too high. Marj overrules him. The museum has been getting cryptic notes about the painting. People mostly feel that the painting is still in the Boston area and that the job was done by local talent.

Spenser visits various people, including old friend Vinnie Morris, but gets little information. The robbery was committed by two men dressed as policemen who overtook three guards. An inside job? And there must have been a driver, too. Spenser then meets with his old pal, Martin Quirk who is the assistant superintendent of the Boston Police.

Spenser travels about town, chasing clues and talking to more people. Large Marj gets a message to meet in a park and for $500,000.00 the thief would turn over the Picasso that was also stolen at the same time as the El Greco. Only it’s a set up. But Spenser had already gotten the claim ticket from the go-between thief – or so he said he was.

Going to the place of business, Spenser recognizes the person who picked up the item on the security tapes. He can’t wait to pay Alan Garner a visit. But he is summoned to the Winthrop Museum, only to get fired. Large Marj denies any part in their plan to secure the Picasso. Topper takes much delight in firing Spenser. He hires instead a British fop called Marston.

But Spenser doesn’t quit. There is still a five million dollar reward for the paintings. As Spenser begins to follow the clues to the whereabouts of “The Gentleman in Black,” he is followed, he is harassed and he gets some help from old friends and acquaintances. He begins to put the pieces together and runs into the Boston mob and other likewise ne’r-do-wells. In usual Spenser style, he is wisecracking all the way.

The book has a surprise in the story for the reader at the end. But, I’m sure we’ll hear more about that at a later date.

This book is well written and plotted. I don’t believe Mr. Atkins’ writing is a hard hitting as Mr. Parker’s was. Or, perhaps Spenser is mellowing with age? The tension in the story began immediately with Locke’s discussion with Spenser about the missing El Greco. It continued throughout the story until the denouement when all heck breaks loose. I enjoyed this book; it read well and was easy to follow.

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for forwarding to me a copy of this good book to read and enjoy.

I hope Ace Atkins writes Spenser for a long time. He is true to Robert Parker and these characters. Love the book..