Playmates Review

For my summer reading novel I choose to read Playmates, which is a mystery novel written by Robert B. Parker. Playmates kept me wanting to read more and more as detective Spencer investigated an allegation of point shaving of the Taft University basketball team. The plot line for Playmates was so enticing that I wanted the novel to just go on and on and never stop. I would give this book a nine out of ten because I loved how this book was written and all of the characters involved, but I wished that the novel would continue on.
My favorite character in Playmates is Dwayne Woodcock because is his the best play on the Taft University basketball team. Dwayne has that jock persona and he also has a very colorful personality that really appeals to me. Dwayne Woodcock is educationally challenged because he came from a very poor background and is relying on making it big in the NBA for money. During detective Spencer’s investigation he goes through a lot of trouble for trying to help out Dwayne because of his poor situation.
I cannot name a favorite part of this book for me because there was not that big moment in the in the book that made me say, “Wow”. I also do not have a least favorite part of this book because I found the book to stay at a good consistent level. However I do wish that there would have been a little more detail or action going on through the novel.

This is my first Robert B Parker book, and by far the most entertaining private detective/ mystery novel I have read in years. I used to read mysteries extensively, but tapered off as the genre seemed increasingly formulaic. But Spenser (Parker's detective protagonist) is a different kind of private detective -- independent and tough, yes, but quirky, smart, well - read, and even cultured. He's also monogamous (unlike most of his counterparts in fiction, who seem to be living the fantasies of their authors). What's more, while on a case, Spenser often doesn't know what's going on -- he's a complex human being doing his best to do the right thing in a messy complicated world.

Playmates is highly entertaining -- unpredictable, and even (at times) gripping. It's a book I found hard to put down, and was glad to pick up again once I had. This is my first RB Parker novel, but not my last; I'll probably wind up reading all 40+ of them! ( )