Mortal Stakes (The Spenser Series Book 3)

That's what comes out of Spenser's latest case. Spenser is hired by a representative of the league to investigate Red Sox pitcher, Marty Rabb. He goes undercover as a writer, so not draw suspicion to his investigation. He comes across Bucky Maynard, who does the play-by-play and his "driver" Lester whose hobbies include chewing bubble gum and Tae-known-do. He something doesn't add up, he digs deeper into Linda Rabb, Marty's wife. The deeper he digs, the more dangerous things get for our sly sleuth because Linda Rabb isn't the only one worried about her secret. Two goons who decide to pay Spenser a visit at his office might have a reason for keeping Linda's secret a secret. But to uncover Linda's secret, Spenser will have to travel out into the sticks of Illinois to the concrete jungles of New York City. Tensions will rise, threats will be made and our Goodhearted Gumshoe just might have to get his hands dirty in the end.The details are perfectly layered. You learn so much about Linda Rabb and she isn't even present for most of the time. The crooks are as crooked and shameless as Joe Barboza. They blackmail, they cheat and some are not afraid to kill. And the other halves are pimps. By the time you finish reading this book, Spenser will have committed an act that makes him question his moral code and really bothers him in the last few chapters. It is refreshing to read something where our witty wise-cracking hero doesn't feel so heroic and you see him as a struggling self-doubting human being.If you're reading detective novels, mystery novels or any Spenser novels for that matter; then make sure that your pick up this one. You won't regret it.

Rereading the original Spencer books reveals the characters developing through their experiences. Introducing Spencer's code and how many good men have to work around life & their codes coincides with the rise of feminism in America in the 1970s reflected in the women & their strength and toughness. Anyone who enjoys intelligent detective stories with a sophisticated progressive point of view will want to read this book

I'm a big fan of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels. Nobody does detective - private eye novels better than Parker. I liked the television show "Spenser For Hire", loosely based on the books, but the books are much better. Most of the main characters are a little different than the TV show, except for Hawk. Avery Brooks nailed it. His Hawk is exactly like Hawk in the novels. I've bought the first 15 from The Godwulf Manuscript through Crimson Joy and have been reading them it order. I'm currently on the 13th, Taming A Sea-Horse, Once you start they are hard to put down. What you might call, "A page turner". Very entertaining.

For most of the book the main character can get any information he wants out of any official or other character he runs into, is tougher than anyone he runs into, and can quickly figure out what secrets are behind people's actions. Many of the characters are well beyond realistic. On the other hand, there are some insightful comments in the last chapter about life in general and what motivates people.

Another great Spenser novel by RBP. There's a steady increase in likability of the books since the first.Pros:I loved the setting, atmosphere and overall plot. The subtle twist in Spenser's investigation was a great element for a detective novel. Most characters were well developed and they played their part well to the story.Cons:My only gripe was a lack of dynamic with Spenser's love interests. It would've been a great subplot to Spenser's life but instead that part felt a bit rushed which resulted in the women in his life, especially Susan, coming across as one dimensional.However, overall still a great read and would highly recommend it.

In Mortal Stakes, a popular, all-American baseball star is quietly questioned on his ability - or willingness - to throw the true ball on the field. Our man Spenser is called in by the owners of the franchise to obtain the truth.But the truth - just like life - is never straightforward and he soon finds himself in a quagmire of blackmail, pornography, prostitution and deadly violence which threatens to tear a family apart and destroy a wonderful sporting career.In the end, Spenser wins out against the bad guys but along the way he is forced to stop and think his way through the maze. Did he break the rules to save the good guys in a way that is unforgiveable? It is a good thing for him - and the reader - that his girlfriend is a highly qualified psychologist. She breaks it down for him - and us - in a brilliant and touching final chapter that gives him - and us - full closure as well as a happy ending.The multi-faceted genius of Robert B Parker shines in this book, just like his many others. Once more he uses Spenser to not only find and ferret out the bad buys but helps us to stop and think about who we - the readers - really are.Truly great stuff.

Bought this yesterday. Read it yesterday. This time the story is about baseball an american sport about which I know nothing so I found the first section of the book which is setting the scene rather slow and not very interesting. However it picked up and really was full of blood and guts. Very well done... but I think I will have a break and read something more soothing. There are plenty more Robert B Parker 'Spenser' stories to read.....

Mortal Stakes is the third book in the Spenser canon. First published in 1975 (and very much of its era) it will be of great interest to Parker devotees. There are times when it is almost as though the author is growing his idea chapter by chapter. The early pace is slow and it is only about a third of the way though (the picnic with Brenda Loring) that there is the first example of the smart dialogue that became a Parker trademark. Throughout, there is an excess of descriptive detail - of people and of their apparel; later books would not remove it entirely but simply pare it down to a telling element or two. There is a sex scene more prolonged and explicit than would sit comfortably in later novels.Then there are the characters Spenser encounters when he is commissioned to investigate the possibility that something is amiss inside the Red Sox baseball club. Bucky - the commentator - and his bubblegum chewing henchman are well drawn, but a whole cast of Red Sox players and managmeent is fleetingly introduced never to reappear. Susan Silverman is curiously only sparely acknowledged until the closing chapters. But there is no Pearl the wonder dog, Cimoli's gym gets a single mention. On the police side Mathhew Quirk and Frank Belson are already fully established. But crucially, there is no Hawk. Spenser without Hawk is only half the wise-cracking tough but sensitive private eye he will become.Interestingly, at the end there is a signpost towards the subsequent books when Spenser and Susan conduct a long discussion about the principles by which he lives.There are better - - much better - Spenser tales to follow but Mortal Stakes is not negliginle.

Yet another triumph for Mr Parker - the usual array of characters all bent on destroying the ungodly while being no angels themselves. None of the main people are those you would want to meet on a dark night, or in daylight for that matter.The story bowls along with various twists and turns; sometimes they don't achieve exactly what they want to do, but it's always a possibility that some of the unconquered will pop up again.In a word - brilliant.

Set in the sixties or early seventies I think but don't let this put you off, No sign of "Hawke" and his relationship with Susan Silverman has yet to develop. The plot, which initially revolves around American Baseball meant absolutely nothing to me but soon Spencer is on familiar territory, sorting out the bad guys and ensuring a more or less happy ending!Not one of his best but still a good read!!!!

but i miss hawk...i want to be hawk's lady...oh well...this is good spenser..enough agony and moral dilemmas to justify the violence and murders...good plot, good characters..fun..recommended!

A good quick read for a wet afternoon. No great matter needed to enjoy.

Spenser is starting to come alive. He cooks, reads, exercises and has a moral code which allows murder. Interesting enough to move on to the next in the series. I just hope it has nothing to do with baseball...

Another for my husband to read

One of his early books. Very good read.

Good read

Usual captivating story from Parker.

Excellent read, one of the better ones although they are all so far.

Very good read

One of the early Spenser books I hadn't read. I'm so pleased to have it on Kindle.

An early Spenser mystery from Robert Parker, but clear signs of just how great these books were to become.