G.P. Putnam and Sons / Penguin Random House provided an early galley for review.

This is the fifty-first book in the Spenser series and the thirty-seventh I've read. To say I am a fan of Parker's Boston detective would a valid statement. Once more Lupica is behind the wheel (after a nine book run by Ace Atkins following Parker's passing in 2010).

There are some standard formula elements that readers come to expect in the series, and Lupica hits them all with ease. He is clearly at home playing in Parker's sandboxes (also dipping into a bit with Parker's Jesse Stone series for which Lupica has also penned a few novels as well). After over fifty years (the series started in 1973), this is very much comfort food.

The chapters tend to be short which keeps the pacing ever moving forward. The dialogue is sharp and snappy with an often sarcastic hint as well. It all fits the genre, the characters and the Boston locale. It all goes down quite easily.

I have loved Spenser books since the very beginning. I was not sure other authors would be able to capture that special way of writing dialogue that Robert B. Parker had in every book, especially the Susan and Spenser ones. Mike Lupica has accomplished the dialogue, the pacing and the storylines. Hot Property is another great addition, this time with government corruption and bringing characters back in that we have come to know and love. Can’t wait for the next Spenser entry.

Spenser’s back with a vengeance in Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property, a thrilling story filled with suspense, violence, corruption and witty one-liners. Mike Lupica delivers a new Spenser tale with a classic feel containing heart, virtue and an abundance of Hawk. Everything a long-time fan of this series could ever want.

Rita Fiore, one of Boston’s top defense attorneys and Spenser’s long-time flirtatious friend, has been shot and left fighting for her life. Spenser is infuriated that someone would take a shot at someone he considers family and won’t rest until those behind this plot are brought to justice…or put six feet under. Along with Hawk, their friends in the Boston Police Department and a few other old acquaintances, Spenser conducts an investigation that puts him, his colleagues and his sources in the crosshairs of powerful people who will do anything to avoid their secrets being exposed.

Hot Property is a modern story with a nostalgic feel. The case involving politics, gun violence and urban development feels like something we would read in today’s news. But the nostalgia hits you in waves as Spenser and his old pals use old-fashioned sleuthing, dogged determination and a bevy of sarcastic quips to get to the bottom of things. They show unapologetic toughness and a whatever it takes attitude balanced with unconditional caring and protectiveness for the ones they love. The story is engaging, the characters perfectly depicted, and the dialogue is on point. Robert B. Parker would be proud to include this book in his impressive canon.

I am grateful to Mike Lupica for keeping these characters alive and thriving. The Spenser series is a big reason I love reading thrillers, having read and enjoyed these books for decades. Keeping Spenser, Hawk, Susan, Rita and the others in our lives is something for which I will be forever grateful. Here’s to more adventures for this esteemed crew.

After attorney Rita Fiore enlists Spenser and Hawk to recover nude photos from an ex-lover threatening to publish them, she is shot and seriously wounded. As Rita recovers, Spenser and Hawk set out to find her would-be killer, starting with the most obvious suspect. However, Spenser's investigation soon uncovers a deeper, more sinister connection involving one of Rita's lovers and the corrupt underbelly of local politics.

While the post-Robert B. Parker novels have sometimes fallen short of the original author’s work, Hot Property stands as an exception. Mike Lupica takes readers through familiar Boston territory, capturing their attention from the outset.

One of the novel's strengths is Lupica's skillful integration of characters from the Spenser universe, as well as from other Parker series. Their presence enhances the plot without overcrowding it, a balance that even Parker and his series successors occasionally struggled to maintain.

All these elements combine to create an outstanding addition to the Spenser series. With Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property, it’s clear that the series is in adept hands with Lupica.

Rita Fiore, a fiery and successful defense attorney who would like to be more than friends with our dear Spencer, is shot. Spencer, Hawk and various friends/lovers come to her aid while she fights for her life. Spencer and Hawk (with even Jesse Stone stepping in to help) investigate as only they can. With their friends on the force, they follow the clues to decide who can be trusted and who wants Rita dead. Was the shooting from a grudge, an ex-lover, or does Rita know something that can't be made public? Spencer and Hawk also have to wonder who else is in danger and what past /present crimes need to be investigated that are connected to Rita's shooting.

With quirky/refreshing humor and an entertaining story line, this is a solid read.

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

I'm absolutely hooked on this latest addition to the Spenser series! The continuation from Robert B. Parker is seamless, and the storyline is captivating right from the start. I was immediately drawn into the world of Spenser as he was confronted with the shooting of longtime friend, Rita Fiore. Rita's character has always been intriguing, and the dynamics within Spenser's circle add depth to the story.

As Spenser delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers more secrets and potential threats. I loved the addition of Al of our favorite characters, especially Jesse Stone. This book has definitely left me eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series—I'm already looking forward to the next thrilling adventure with Spenser!

I recently had the chance to read an advance copy of "Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property" by Mike Lupica, thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group. This was my introduction to the Spenser novels, and I found it to be an enjoyable read. The story revolves around Rita Fiore, who is shot and left in a precarious situation, which is a fairly typical plotline for this genre.

Although I found this book a bit more challenging to engage with compared to other works by Mike Lupica, it was still a solid read. I particularly liked the dynamic between Rita and Spenser and appreciated Rita's strong character presence throughout the story. Since I dove into this series without prior knowledge of the main characters, I would recommend new readers start with some of the earlier books to gain better context, but it's still a manageable standalone read.

Another great continuation of this series. I was sad when RBP passed away because I had always enjoyed this series and his others but the authors that have taken them over have done so well with them. Spenser still has his quirky sense of humor that makes him such a lovable character and the storylines continue just as they had. Thanks to the publisher for this copy for read and review

As a dedicated Spenser fan, I find it hard to believe this is book #51 in the series. Each title in this excellent series always seems fresh and original to me as I eagerly wait for them to be released. The Boston communiity in which Spenser lives and works seems familiar even though I've never been there. The characters are old friends or extensions of my literary family. In HOT PROPERTY, Rita Flores is shot and almost killed. As a well known lawyer who battles for her clients, she has acquired a few enemies along the way, but Spenser will make they sorry they chose Rita as their target. As always, the story line is great, the clues are there, the surprise at the end.....guaranteed.

In Robert B. Parker's : Hot Property by Mike Lupica Spenser is once again going all out for a friend. With the help of his usual core group of allies, and others from the Robert B. Parker universe, he discovers there is more involved than just an unprovoked attack on one of them.

This latest edition in the Spenser series will not disappoint fans.

Good continuation of the Spencer series. It is nice that there are authors that can write in the Parker style to keep this great series alive.

Lupica does such a good job with Spenser I sometimes can not tell that Parker didn't write the novels. Keep it up

The ghost of Robert Parker is alive and well in Hot Property. In this latest installment of Robert B. Parker's beloved series, Spenser investigates a case that hits far too close to home for his comfort. Spenser is waiting out the latest Boston snowstorm when he gets word that Rita Fiore's been shot. Rita's always been a tricky one: nudging Spenser for years, she's an ever-present figure that transcends friendship in Spenser's circle. Like many of them, at the end of the day, Rita is family. And family will always be protected. Both a pit bull in the courtroom and provocateur outside it, though, Rita is no stranger to controversy. But as one of the city's toughest lawyers, Spenser knows there's no short list of suspects who might want to enact revenge. With Rita's life hanging in the balance, it's up to him to get to the bottom of things, even if it means unearthing some savory secrets. The stakes are higher than ever as Spenser navigates a maze of intrigue, danger, and betrayal, determined to find out who’s responsible and bring them to justice. Along the way, he must confront his own feelings and the lengths he’s willing to go to protect those he cares about. It’s a gripping, emotional rollercoaster that showcases Parker’s talent for crafting suspenseful, character-driven stories.

“Robert B. Parker’s Hot Property” by Mike Lupica was another terrific book in the Spencer series. I am a huge fan of this series and this book has all our favorite characters back. Spencer is on the lookout for his next case when dear friend and colleague Rita Fiore is shot and almost killed. What seems at first to be an unsolvable crime leads Spencer & Hawk into the criminal world of Boston politics and its shady villains. A fun read!

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In Mike Lupica's latest Robert Parker Spenser novel, Hot Property, readers are treated to another excellent rendition of Robert Parker's voice  through Mike Lupica's pen. Spenser is as usual looking for his next case, but not stressing over it, enjoying his time with his significant other, Susan, and his partner and best friend, Hawk. They live a good life in Boston, Mass, interrupted at times by detective cases only Spenser can unravel such as finding lost people or solving unsolvable crimes. This one is more personal. Spenser's good friend, Rita, is almost killed for no apparent reason and Spenser won’t let it go until he can figure out who did it. Untangling this one takes unexpected turns that don’t even slow Spenser down despite being a few more murders and an attempt in his own life. All of this--no surprise--Spenser takes in stride.

Besides being a well paced book with likable characters, Spenser has a sense of humor that never fails to spice up the story. For example:

“We were going for elegant here, champ,” she said. “Not to mention swellegant,”

“You’re a pretty funny guy,” he said. “Yeah,” I said, “but I’m trying to quit.”

The original author of the Spenser character, Robert Parker, is dead but this continuation of the series is the unusual example of a new author (Mike Lupica) able to take on original author's persona and writing style almost perfectly. If you liked the early Spenser stories, you will still love this one.

No Spenser novel would be complete without his loyal ride or die Hawk who like Spenser can relate to how it feels to be a gunshot victim when attorney Rita Fiore is shot and left to die. In Parker style, lots of twists and turns, a revisit to even characters from the past like Joe Broz, and interconnectivity of worlds that collide.

Although it was not as much of a page turner as previous installments in the series, having been a fan of Parker's different series since the beginning, always enjoy when there is a crossover in this latest Spenser novel of his Paradise cop, Jesse Stone and mention of fellow private investigator Sunny Randall.

One surprise is what may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between two people that you would never see coming.

This is another book in the Spencer series, Been reading the Spencer series forever! Love every new addition Hawk and Susan help in this story and we’re trying to figure out who shot Rita. The storyline bobs and weaves and has all kinds of characters some new and some old. A great read!
The new characters are a great addition to the series!

Another great Mike Lupica book. Took me a few chapters to get into it, but definitely enjoyed the storytelling.

This is another book in the Spencer series, Susan and Hawk help in this story and we’re trying to figure out who shot Rita. The storyline bobs and weaves and has all kinds of characters some new and some old. A great read!

This eARC was given to me by Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

Where do I start with this one? Well, if you remember from the 1980's, there was a television show called Spenser For Hire starring Robert Urich as a private detective in Boston named Spenser. I did not know then, this was based on the first books Robert Parker had put out, but I grew up loving that show. As an adult, I went back and through the library read pretty much the whole series, and some off-shoots as well. This is around/about book 52 in the Spenser series, with the last dozen (guessing) written by a few different authors.

I always love getting back into the character lives of a large series like this one. I have written a few reviews on other books by Lupica, including a Spenser book or two. He has well-mastered the writing style Parker had created and used for his stories, and it just helps (in my mind) how I play the story out in my imagination as I read it. One of the things I really liked about this story, is the connection to many of the other series that Parker had created (Jesse Stone, Sunny Randall). Both of those characters either made an appearance, or were mentioned, at some point in the tale. This series has always been one of my favorites, and would like to see more, but not sure where the story can go after this many books.