I have a soft spot for Robert Parker’s Spenser books. I read one in March of 2007 and found mention of something like, Spenser’s Crimestoppers Tip #X, “Blah, blah, blah…” It made me think that I had seen that term before in his books and wondered if there was a tip in every book. So I read all of the Spenser novels and kept track of any mention of crime stopper tips. Here is a list of the ones I found, in order of the books they were found in:
One of Spenser’s Rules: When in doubt cook something and eat it. – Mortal Stakes
I read in a Dick Tracy Crime Stopper that a small change in appearance can be helpful when following someone surreptitiously. – The Judas Goat
I had a full file of Dick Tracy crime-stoppers at home, but none of them that I could remember covered this. – A Savage Place
Paragraph six of the Gumshoe’s Manual said when in doubt, follow someone. Paragraph seven said when there is time on your hands, follow someone. – The Widening Gyre
Brett had parked in the early evening and taken his overnight bag and gone into a motel. According to my collection of Dick Tracy Crime Stoppers, this was a clue that he meant to sleep there. – Pale Kings and Princes
One of Spenser’s Best Crime-Buster Tips: Never go unarmed on a murder case. – Paper Doll
One of Spenser’s Crime-stopper tips: You rarely get into trouble not saying stuff. – Walking Shadow
Spenser’s Rule: When in doubt, tell the truth. – Chance
Spenser’s Tips For Successful Gumshoe-ing #6: If nothing is happening and you haven’t any idea what you’re doing, go someplace and sit and look at something and await developments.
Subparagraph A: Most good detectives bring some coffee and a few donuts with them. – Sudden Mischief
One of Spenser’s Rules of Detection: Never poke around on an empty stomach. – Potshot
#7 from the Rules of the Inner-Directed Sleuth Operating Manual When you don’t have enough proof, learn everything you can. – Back Story
Spenser Crimestopper Rule #2: If after repeated efforts you don’t succeed, quit. – Bad Business
Spenser Crime Stopper List #6: Go with the flow. – Bad Business
Spenser’s Crime Buster Tip #31: If you have a name and no address, try looking in the phone book. – Cold Service
Spenser’s Crime Buster Rule #8: Always look.
#8a: Don’t blunder into something while you’re looking. – School Days
Spenser’s Rule #113: As a last disparate fall back position, you find someone to follow, and follow them. – School Days
One of Spenser’s Rules For Criminal Investigation: Most things have two ends. – The Professional
On the list of crime-busting techniques, talking to the nosy neighbor was always in the top five. – Little White Lies