On the whole, however, you would be ill advised to go to a Spenser novel for the sake of the plot.

Being a recollection of his childhood, this novel doesn't necessarily fall in the same timeline as the other Spenser novels.

He became a full professor in 1976, and turned to full-time writing in 1979 with five Spenser novels to his credit.

Parker's popular Spenser novels are known for his characters of varied races and religions.

In addition to Parker's introduction, excerpts from several of the Spenser novels were included.

Paul Giacomin goes on to appear in several later Spenser novels, usually as a minor character.

The other major character in the Spenser novels is his close friend Hawk.

This is a departure from every other previous Spenser novel.

Wilderness is not a Spenser novel.

The characters and dialogue in the case could have come from a Spenser novel.