Joe Mantegna portrayed Robert B. Parker's detective "Spenser" in three TV films on the A&E cable network between 1999 and 2001.

Robert B. Parker had a significant role in the development of the TV movies (all three films were adapted by Parker, with his wife co-authoring Walking Shadow) as opposed to the earlier Spenser: For Hire.

Nonetheless, he felt that the movies didn't get it right, not because of the performances but because of the limited budget.

Spenser's ally, Hawk, was played by Sheik Mahmud-Bey in "Small Vices", and returns in "Walking Shadow" portrayed by Ernie Hudson.

In this movie, Spenser searches for the wife of his longtime associate, Sgt.