Playmates

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 show more (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! show less

The author Robert B. Parker died in 2010. He was a masterful writer and with his spare style he presented dialog and action as few have. After his death somebody decided to continue his characters with other authors. It was, I think, a big mistake. The other authors as much as I have seen can't match Parker's skill with dialog or put the personality into the characters that Parker gave them. The books listed as "Robert B. Parker's" without Robert B. Parker are not worth the time to read. Parker's own works are a joy.

In Playmates Spenser is hired to look into rumors of point shaving by Tufts University basketball players. The client is the Tufts Board of Trustees. Spenser does find that the allegations of corruption are true. He also show more finds that the main culprit has a chance to be one of the best players ever if he doesn't ruin it by throwing games and that this student can not read. How has he managed to get through three years of college with a 2.3 grade point average when he can't read. Spenser enlists the aid of his closest friends Hawk and Susan along with the usually appearing police and gym managers. Playmates is #16 in the Spenser series. show less

A basketball player at Taft University, near Boston, is shaving points. Parker usually throws in something worth thinking about into what feels like a fun read; this time, it's our education system with social promotions and resulting illiteracy. Hawk and Susan are, of course, in the book.

The last Parker book I read, I can't remember the name, didn't interest me much, so I figured I'd never read another. But, this book was lying in a pile on the bedroom floor, and my spouse wants the pile sent to the church fair. Well, I should read it before recycling it, huh? So that's what I did.

I found this book to be rather engaging. Sure, there was all the annoying cutsey flippancy and wearying, adolescent sexual innuendo, which are the primary reasons I'm not much interested in Parker books in general. But the book dealt with the cesspool of college sports, specifically college basketball quite well. Hey, it's "March Madness" time, so all the more reason to be reading this. Anyway, I thought it treated the subject reasonably show more well. I may actually break down and read another Parker book one of these days. show less

Read during Summer 2006

It's been a while since I read Spenser and I really enjoy the writing style. However, the mystery wasn't much to suss out, it was mostly the relationship with Susan and Hawk that was interesting.

First line:
Vince Haller invited me to lunch at the Clarendon Club on Commonwealth Avenue with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Taft University, Haller's alma mater ~

I am working my way through all of the books that Robert B. Parker wrote, enjoying them all for the second time.

Spenser, the tough as nails, soft as a marshmallow, smart, wisecracking private eye, with a strong code of honour, continues his adventures in Boston, Mass.

This book had all the familiar characters from Susan to Hawk to Gerry Broz, and Belson and Quirk. There was some further character development, however I did not find the story to be terribly interesting. So, although the book WAS fun it certainly was not my favourite in the Spenser series.

I would show more recommend you start with Looking for Rachel Wallace even though it is not the first in the series; it is still my favourite. show less

Synopsis: 'When talent comes, can graft be far behind? Dwayne Woodcock is arguably the best power forward in all of college basketball, not only the Big East Conference. So why, wonders Spenser, is he shaving points? Leading his Taft U. team to yet another banner season, Dwayne isn't throwing games; he's just not winning them by enough to cover the spread. Which means that someone's getting rich off Woodcock's on-court lapses, and Spenser's been hired by the powers at Taft to uncover the whos, hows, and whys.
Abetted by his tough-guy buddy, Hawk and Susan Silverman, the sexy psychotherapist who is his great good friend, Spenser finds himself involved with all manner of sleaze artists - from corrupt academics to wise-guy hoods with show more graduate degrees. As his search propels him from the groves of academe into grungy bars and, finally, into a bloody confrontation and almost certain death, Spenser battles to salvage the soul of an arrogant young athlete - even if he has to go to hell and back to do it...' from the book cover.

Review: Dwayne is a real ass and Spenser comes off as a great guy for taking care of him.. The plot was interesting. show less