For Spenser, that most unorthodox of private detectives, no case is ever straightforward and the theft of a 14th-century illuminated manuscript proves no exception. His investigation soon leads him into organized crime, dope-pushing, theft, radical politics, adultery and murder.

“顾德夫手卷”，顾名思义，那是一本十四世纪的彩绘手卷，原本存放在图书馆的特藏室，结果却不翼而飞了。手卷必须存放在有温、湿度控制的特定环境中，否则就会碎裂。一旦手卷碎裂，对学者或偷书贼来说，就都一文不值了。它被某个学生组织取走，并要求学校付赎金。斯宾塞找到了反资会组织的秘书了解情况，于是展开调查……虽然斯宾塞在办案的过程中，不免儿女情长，但他侠肝义胆的硬汉风范，足以使读者折服。

罗伯特·布朗·帕克，美国冷硬派推理作家，他的推理小说受钱德勒影响甚深，让一九三○年代的冷硬派小说类型在当代重振声威。他的小说布局结构单纯，场景的描述不多铺陈，对于故事情节则刻画详尽，富于道德批判；书中人物话锋锐利、妙语如珠，更是作者的拿手绝活！小说多以波士顿私家侦探斯宾塞为主角，本书乃作家的成名作！

Robert B. Parker began writing in 1971 while teaching at Boston's Northeastern University. Now as the author of nearly 50 books, he is acknowledged as the dean of American crime fiction and was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America (2002). His novels featuring the wise-cracking, street-smart Boston private-eye Spenser have earned him a devoted following and reams of critical acclaim. The Spenser character inspired the television series Spenser: For Hire and a number of made-for-television films. He and his wife, Joan, live in the Boston area.

罗伯特·帕克长期以来，一直担任美国侦探小说协会主席。他的小说塑造了一个家喻户晓、令人难忘的中心形象——波士顿的私家侦探斯宾塞。斯宾塞有着绝世的智慧，却又不乏油滑习气。《纽约时报》书评说：“我们有幸见证了美国侦探小说史上最伟大的系列之一的诞生!” 帕克的其他作品包括1989年经典的《Poodle Springs》。这是帕克为美国历史上最著名的文学家、侦探小说巨匠雷蒙德·钱德勒晚期一部未竟手稿续写的优秀作品。该作品1998年被搬上银幕。作为钱德勒的真正传人，1994年，帕克还创作了《长眠不醒》(曾被好莱坞多次改编成电影，竟每成经典。此书已由群众出版社出版)的续篇《Perchance to Dream》。