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A review by brianlokker
Playmates by Robert B. Parker
4.0
Among the best Spenser books, I think, are those in which Spenser comes up with an "outside the box" solution to the case he's working on. Those cases often involve a young person who Spenser sees as vulnerable and a victim of circumstances beyond his or her control, whether family circumstances or broader societal ones. Playmates is one such book.
When Taft University hires Spenser to investigate rumors of point-shaving on the school's excellent basketball team, Spenser figures out who's responsible fairly quickly. Unfortunately, the culprit is the star of the team and a surefire pro prospect. He's also arrogant, irritating, and immature. But rather than blowing the whistle on him, Spenser takes the time to learn more about him. He soon learns that the player has been lured into the scheme by a mob-connected criminal and someone in the school administration who is supposed to be looking out for him. Of course, this doesn't sit well with Spenser, and he becomes determined to find a way out for the player.
He meets anticipated resistance from the mob-connected guy, who tries to buy him off, and when that fails, kill him. But he also meets surprisingly strong resistance from the player, whose misplaced sense of loyalty won't allow him to rat anyone out. Fortunately, the player's girlfriend sees the situation differently and takes Spenser's side.
One nice aspect of Playmates is the extent to which both Hawk and Susan Silverman work with Spenser to get the right result. Hawk is more than a sidekick, and Susan is more than Spenser's main squeeze (which, in my opinion, is why she's less annoying than she often is). Lieutenant Marty Quirk also makes a key decision that helps Spenser.
Like the other books in the Spenser series, this is a nice quick read. It also raises some interesting moral questions about the insidious and cynical exploitation of talented young people from impoverished backgrounds. Recommended for Spenser fans and newcomers alike.
When Taft University hires Spenser to investigate rumors of point-shaving on the school's excellent basketball team, Spenser figures out who's responsible fairly quickly. Unfortunately, the culprit is the star of the team and a surefire pro prospect. He's also arrogant, irritating, and immature. But rather than blowing the whistle on him, Spenser takes the time to learn more about him. He soon learns that the player has been lured into the scheme by a mob-connected criminal and someone in the school administration who is supposed to be looking out for him. Of course, this doesn't sit well with Spenser, and he becomes determined to find a way out for the player.
He meets anticipated resistance from the mob-connected guy, who tries to buy him off, and when that fails, kill him. But he also meets surprisingly strong resistance from the player, whose misplaced sense of loyalty won't allow him to rat anyone out. Fortunately, the player's girlfriend sees the situation differently and takes Spenser's side.
One nice aspect of Playmates is the extent to which both Hawk and Susan Silverman work with Spenser to get the right result. Hawk is more than a sidekick, and Susan is more than Spenser's main squeeze (which, in my opinion, is why she's less annoying than she often is). Lieutenant Marty Quirk also makes a key decision that helps Spenser.
Like the other books in the Spenser series, this is a nice quick read. It also raises some interesting moral questions about the insidious and cynical exploitation of talented young people from impoverished backgrounds. Recommended for Spenser fans and newcomers alike.