Just another GR refugee. Other than that, I had a stroke in 2004, and read almost anything I can get my hands on, though I have a particular weakness for history, mystery, and historical fiction.
This is a re-read; I think I originally read Promised Land in the early 80s, when my father introduced me to Spenser. (He is a huge fan.)
This is therefore an early one, published in 1976, and it really does have the 1970s all over it - not in any good or bad way, but it does very much read as a period piece now. A little trip down memory lane.
That said, it is also an important book in the series - because it sees the introduction of Hawk. (For me, any Spenser novel is more fun with Hawk in it. Susan Silverman I can take or leave, but Hawk I must have.)
Actual rating between 3.5 and 4 stars, bumped to 4 due to its importance in the series.