Mortal Stakes

With this third entry in the Spenser series, Parker creates his first thoroughly superior mystery. What makes this a first class yarn is the presence of four individualized, essentially admirable women. Now, how many hard-boiled detective novels can claim that? Don't get me wrong. This is not a girly......more

Floating this one to marvel in the glory and wonder of what a difference a few years can make to a sports franchise. Spenser is hired by an executive of the Boston Red Sox to investigate a rumor that their star pitcher, Marty Rabb, has been throwing some games, and the executive makes it clear from t......more

I was late to the Spenser party. I can't remember exactly what Spenser tale I read first, but it was somewhere around book 25 or so. Parker's style of writing: short, quick sentences, fast-paced, clothing and food descriptions galore, sprinkled with literary references was pretty much solidified by......more

I’m a sucker for simple things. While I’ll never deny that a nice passage like “Murky, storm-damp sky, shifting liquescence of indigo & slate, boiling clouds rayed with spokes of light . . . ” or the sweetness of the “heaving gloss of a gardenia bush”* makes my knees weak with literary ebullience, m......more

An intriguing mystery. Well written, believable, and sympathetic characters. A tough, witty, smart ass, private eye as the main character. The Spenser books keep improving with each entry.......more