Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Boston private eye Spenser returns to investigate rumored cheating by Taft University's star basketball team in Parker's 19th novel, reported PW . Although enjoyable as Spenser tales always are, this resembles a long short story rather than a fully developed, substantive novel. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
With characteristic acerbic wit and impudent independence, Spenser tackles a case of alleged point shaving by Dwayne Woodcock, a famed black forward on the Taft University basketball team. Spenser discovers the truth of the allegation and ties to a New York mobster, but, because of Woodcock's illiteracy and sensible girlfriend, decides to save Woodcock's career if he can. The solution works itself out all too easily, even for Spenser; however, Parker's compressed prose, recognizable regulars, and no-nonsense action will satisfy his followers.-- REK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Which came first--the ""Spenser"" TV series or the Spenser novels that read like run-of-the-mill television scripts? In any case, this 16th outing for the Boston shamus is easy-reading, low-level fare, with virtually no mystery and very little suspense. Hired by Taft U. to check out nasty rumors about the university's ace basketball team, Spenser is soon convinced that team star Dwayne Woodcock has indeed been ""point shaving."" Moreover, Dwayne--from a Brooklyn ghetto--is an illiterate who's been faking his way through college, with tacit cooperation (or worse) from the faculty. So Spenser wants to help the kid learn how to read, and how to get free from his gambler-cronies. But Dwayne resists all such noble efforts--even after he's been benched, even after his girlfriend aligns herself with Spenser. And there'll be some violent encounters between the bad guys (a gambler-thug and his moll) and the good guys (Spenser, girlfriend Susan, sidekick Hawk) before the vaguely upbeat fade-out. Thinly plotted, including one highly extraneous murder--but fast, breezy, and with enough of the usual trimmings (fancy cooking, smart one-liners, tough-guy preening) to please undemanding fans. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
