Playmates

Robert B. Parker

8/29/1999

Spenser is hired by Taft University to investigate a charge of point shaving by their basketball team. The team is consistently winning so the charge seems unfounded. Spenser, though, does what he is hired to do. Is someone on the team shaving a few points to bring down the odds? That could be as beneficial to sports gamblers and completely throwing a game.

Spenser immediately starts stepping on toes as he looks into the allegations. The basketball coach is one of the best college coaches in the country. The star player has a wonderful future in the NBA. Very few of the other team members have the expertise to shave points. No one will even admit the possibility of wrong doing.

Soon Spenser finds himself threatened. Hawk was approached to hit Spenser. He instead warns and guards Spenser during the investigation. Susan is pulled in to help with the basketball star/illiterate student. Spenser learns the situation and is in a quandry. Does he expose everyone? What will happen to the university and students involved. But if he doesn't, the gambling rings involved will continue with their bribery and controlling. Is there some way to convict the gambling rings and leave the students out of it?

As usual, Parker has put together a good Spenser novel. This one is well done. It has its normal action, threats, and killing. Yet the person who is Spenser shows his humanity throughout this book. The student(s) involved are important. It is one of his shorter novels, and worth the time.

You can find more on this book at .

The Godwulf Manuscript
God Save the Child
Mortal Stakes
Promised Land
The Judas Goat
Looking for Rachel Wallace
Early Autumn
A Savage Place
Ceremony
The Widening Gyre
Valediction
A Catskill Eagle
Taming a Sea-Horse
Pale Kings and Princes
Crimson Joy
Playmates
Stardust
Pastime
Double Deuce
Paper Doll
Walking Shadow
Thin Air
Chance
Small Vices
Sudden Mischief
Hush Money
Hugger Mugger
Potshot
Widow's Walk
Back Story
Bad Business
Cold Business
School Days
Hundred-Dollar Baby
Now and Then