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Walking Shadow  By  cover art

Walking Shadow

By: Robert B. Parker
Narrated by: Daniel Parker
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Publisher's summary

Spenser is investigating the Port City Theater Company, where the director claims he's being stalked. When an actor is shot dead during a performance, all clues lead to the local Chinese Mafia, whose roots run deep in this drab waterfront city. With Hawk and ex mobster Vinnie assisting, Spenser eventually triumphs in one of his most compelling adventures.
Crack another case with Spenser.
©1995 Robert B. Parker (P)2009 Phoenix

Critic reviews

"In fine form here, Parker's sardonic Boston PI Spenser, last seen in Paper Dolls , encounters danger, venality and plenty of comic material in this brisk tale spanning the worlds of experimental theater and illegal immigration." ( Publishers Weekly)
"This is a tough, cleverly plotted novel in which each character's essence is revealed as Spenser sorts through the tangle of apparent motives." ( Booklist)
"An irresistible new crime novel that will captivate both longtime and soon-to-be-devoted Spenser lovers." ( Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about Walking Shadow

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

IF YOU LIKE SPENSER, DON'T BOTHER!

I mistakenly did not listen to the sample narration before downloading, and I was bitterly disappointed. I love Robert B. Parker, and Spenser novels. This narrator is lispy and effeminate, and if you know Spenser and Hawk, it just doesn't work. It's a joke. If you love Spenser novels, you will be very upset. If this is your first, you will be cheated. Joe Mantegna is a good reader of Spenser novels-he has that tough guy voice. Choose one of those.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Where have you gone, Joe?

Please, please, give us back Joe Mantegna. While the writing is as enjoyable as ever, the narration is quite disappointing after listening to Mantegna for so many other novels. While Rudnicki is vastly better than Burt Reynolds, no one does Spenser and his friends remotely as well.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

If I could give this no stars

I would. The narrator is every bit as bad as everyone else claims. Lispy, and he sounds like he might be 11 or 12 years old.

He's not Spenser, not Hawk and not even particularly good. Do yourself a favor and buy the book, then pray they put Joe Mantegna back to work on the next one!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Narrator ruined the story

Would you try another book from Robert B. Parker and/or Daniel Parker?

Yes, I like Robert B. Parker's books but I will not listen to any more narrated by Daniel.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Typical Parker, ending with a twist.

What didn???t you like about Daniel Parker???s performance?

Made Spenser and all of the other characters sound adolescent. No inflection in his voice to help distinquish one character from another. Daniel may be more suited for books written for teenagers.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

terrible reader

Good plot but the reader is terrible. He sounds like David Sedaris, which gives a whole new interpretation to the Spenser crew. At first I thought it was a parody. It's amusing, then tiresome, and ultimately unfortunate, as this might be one of the more interesting books of the series. Yes, bring back Joe Mantegna, bring back anyone but this guy. I will say that his interpretation of Susan is better than others though.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

where is Joe Montegna when you need him?

hated the narrator, his voice, his pronunciation of simple words [ex. buffet is read as boo-fay..]. The narrator has a small, squeaky voice and cannot hold a candle to Joe Mantegna's handling of Parker's Spenser novels. heck, even Burt Reynolds reading my favorite Spenser book, Double Deuce, is better.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Really Bad Narrator

If you think David Dukes was a bad narrator wait until you listen to Daniel Parker.
He is the WORST! I hope he is not a relative to Robert B Parker, if so he needs another profession.
He makes it hard for the reader to enjoy the book and you can't tell what character is which.
If I wasn't such a big Spenser fan I would return this book. In fact I think I will anyway, that is how bad this reader is!!!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

WALKING SHADOWS

THE READER SOUNDS LIKE A KID THAT NEEDS TO BLOW HIS NOSE

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Audio narrator for this book is unlistenable!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A different narrator!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Couldn't get past the narrator to find out, but I'm sure the content is good. Will be reading it instead of listening.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I've listened or read almost all the books in this series. This narrator is terrible. Dialog undiscernable and monotone. Going to order the book. Will ask for a refund.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Plot

Definately one of the better Spenser books from a plot standpoint, but one of the worst readers. Hawk comes off sounding effeminate and Sperser is emasculated. Thank goodness for excellent writing as it saves the day.

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4 people found this helpful