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pandrewpower's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
aelwood's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this as I have the first two in the series. I was glad that despite the focus of the investigation being on the Red Sox, there was a minimal amount of sports-talk, and what there was, I was able to follow easily. I thought Spenser’s character was further developed, and I was able to see even more of his genuine personality as things unfolded.
stevem0214's review against another edition
4.0
This was the one about the baseball player and his family that were being blackmailed. A good early Spenser with Susan making an apperance, but not his only interest at the time. Still waiting for Hawk to show up. Fun reading these again!
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
A Red Sox bigwig hires Spenser to investigate a pitcher who he suspects has been intentionally blowing games. Spenser's investigations take him into a web of deceit and blackmail and the pitcher's wife is caught in the middle...
Spenser is really growing on me. I have to admit I wasn't completely sold in the first two books. In this one, I think Parker started hitting on all cylinders.
Mortal Stakes is a tale of a small town girl in Boston being punished for the sins of her past and her husband, Red Sox pitcher Marty Rabb, is being blackmailed by gamblers. Spenser noses around, busts some heads, and eventually gets them in the clear, but not without a price.
While there wasn't much in the way of action, the action there was was intense and meaningful, both to the plot and the character of Spenser. Aside from being played by Robert Urich, I think the thing that sets Spenser apart from other similar characters is his philosophy. While willing to do what has to be done, he's not all that happy with it.
Highly recommended. I'll be reading the fourth volume very very soon.
Spenser is really growing on me. I have to admit I wasn't completely sold in the first two books. In this one, I think Parker started hitting on all cylinders.
Mortal Stakes is a tale of a small town girl in Boston being punished for the sins of her past and her husband, Red Sox pitcher Marty Rabb, is being blackmailed by gamblers. Spenser noses around, busts some heads, and eventually gets them in the clear, but not without a price.
While there wasn't much in the way of action, the action there was was intense and meaningful, both to the plot and the character of Spenser. Aside from being played by Robert Urich, I think the thing that sets Spenser apart from other similar characters is his philosophy. While willing to do what has to be done, he's not all that happy with it.
Highly recommended. I'll be reading the fourth volume very very soon.
gsatori's review against another edition
3.0
The first two thirds of this book stumble but the last third is pure Spenser and works hard. Excellent conclusion.
bookhawk's review
4.0
The Spenser series is older yet retains a great appeal as the classic good guy private investigator action thriller. Mortal Stakes was very good. If Parker didn’t influence writers like Robert Crais, Michael Connelly and John Sandford, he at least was similar to them in his era. This is a very good old series to casually read.
jogin1's review against another edition
dark
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
robotswithpersonality's review
As long as I remember the early books in this series were written in the '70s, there's actually interesting discussions going on, rather than just antiquated views on sex work, masculinity. Spenser has some moments of vulnerability and more of snappy wit and self-deprecation, and that also helps balance out when things get a little, well, sexist. Apparently illegal gambling and blackmail, facilitating mystery solving, are what I need to make a story grounded in the sport of baseball compelling (sorry sports fans!). Overall the series continues to deliver quick entertaining reads, a nostalgia vibe similar to rewatching somewhat problematic 80s and 90s action movies. ⚠️ Fatphobia