I have read all the Spenser books, and was heartbroken when the inevitable happened losing Mr. Parker. What a loss. So when I purchased "Lullaby", I had a lot of mixed feelings. I'd already read the author who picked up the Virgil Cole series, and it was truly awful, I was disappointed. It took me a long, long time to get around to finally giving Ace Atkins a chance. And, Oh Boy Howdy (to quote another favorite character), what a revelation. I swear Ace did his homework, because it wasn't just the story line being so so Spenser, it wasn't just the way he had the characters interact, and their dialogue, it was the nuances. Spenser the chef. Spenser the smart ass. Spenser the thug with a heart of gold. Spenser the detective who will take on a case for a dozen donuts and a coffee. It all felt so genuine. I can only hope Ace keeps Spenser living for a long time, I totally, 100% loved this book. And Joe Mantegna's reading is just so perfect. I also loved the fact that Ace added some nuances to Spensers' character; he tweaked him ever so slightly. See if you can spot them - I think Ace did it to put his own signature on the character, but not substantially point him in a new direction, which would have turned off Spenser followers. Way to go, Ace, you did, indeed, ace it!

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