Rating: 
Summary: Minimalism meets the Magnificent Seven
Review: Parker has another page turner in Potshot. He rounds up many of the big guns he has had a working relationship with over the years, including Hawk. That crime is never cut and dried, black and white, is evident in the duplicitness woven throughout the plot. However, there is little indepthness in this work. Lots is left for the reader to fill in the blanks. Character development is practically nonexistent. Parker does mention attire and good food, albeit in brief snipets, unlike his earlier novels in which he could devote pages to his clothing as well as meals he prepared. The book ended a bit abruptly as well. I also wish he would go back to Boston. Yet, I enjoyed Potshot, and I am happy to have read it.
Rating:
Summary: It's certainly easy to take potshots at this Spenser novel..
Review: This is the Spenser novel where a woman comes to our hero's office with a problem, Spenser has to go to another town to ask questions that nobody wants to answer, where women come on to him but he does not cheat on Susan, where the local cop may or may not be crooked, and where the problem is such that Spenser has to round up his colleagues to solve the problem. His colleagues want to just show up and shoot the bad guys but Spenser has other ideas because there is more to this case than meets the eye, especially after a mobster puts out a hit on our hero and then personally warns him to back off from the case. In the end Spenser uncovers enough of the truth for him to figure out what to do, which is not what Hawk or anybody else expects. If you read Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels you probably recognize the above story line, even if you have not read his latest book, "Potshot," which is the one I just finished reading. It is all pretty much been there, done that in this novel. The only things that distinguish it from its predecessors is that the town of Potshot is out in the Arizona desert so it is very hot and when Spenser rounds up colleagues he rounds ALL of them up. As soon as it became clear our hero was putting together a gang to take on the 40 thieves that were tormenting the town, I just knew there would end up being seven of them. "Potshot" will definitely remind you of "The Magnificent Seven" with elements from "Once Upon a Time in the West" thrown in for good measure. Between this book and Parker's Jesse Stone novels it is clear he is more enamored of the western genre than detective novels at this time. Maybe if I had not spent the last couple of months reading all of the Spenser novels in chronological order the fact that "Potshot" is so redundant and repetitive of earlier works would not be so glaring. The best Spenser novels are usually those in which one of the new characters, the client or the villain, are interesting enough to bring out the best in our hero. We do not have that here. The only part of the book that rises to the expected level of a Parker novel is when Hawk makes the observation that for Spenser, how something is done is as important as getting it done. At that point I was finally happy I had taken the time to read this book, but I am sure glad I checked it out from the library instead of buying it in hardback. But I have grave concerns about Parker's next novel in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: Spenser, Hawk, and Tedy are at it again!
Review: I love Robert Parker and even when he's not in top form, he's still better than most. This time out Spenser brings justice to Potshot, Arizona where his client hires him to find out who killed her hubby. (The widow is of course blonde and beautiful) I'm happy to say that 'Potshot' is full of the people we love the best in the Spenser series. Hawk, Susan, Tedy and even Lt. Quirk. This isn't a five star Parker but it is lots of fun and full of insights. A must for Spenser fans!
Rating:
Summary: SPENSER'S MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Review: Spenser is not at his best when he's faced with the task of cleaning up a gang (see Double Deuce, Thin Air)-the book reads a lot like an A-Team episode. But it's still Spenser. That counts for something. That said, Parker's latest is still worthwhile for fans of the series but may come off as a little far-fetched to new readers. The characters are well done, even though their main purpose is to reinforce to the reader how different Spenser is from each of them. A little too much of that is made in this book, with all of them commenting ad naseum on Spenser's "rules" and Hawk reminding everyone "that's what makes him different from us" Not a lot of new ground is covered here, but it is still a worthwhile read for Parker fans!
Rating:
Summary: Spenser Sleepwalking
Review: Robert Parker seems tired of Spenser; maybe that's why he's introducing other series, and maybe that's why he rounded up every thug Spenser's ever worked with in "Potshot." While I operate under the notion that a mediocre Spenser novel is still better than a great novel of someone else, "Potshot" was a letdown. Formulaic and lazy...and what's with the whole gang talking the same, making wry observations and clever remarks. Hawk does his AMos and Andy, Horse does the Redman stuff, Sapp does the gay talk. The territory was too familiar. I long for Spenser to return to Boston and, like another reviewer suggested, maybe have that long awaited mid-life crisis or reveal more about that mysterious childhood. Paul Giacomo hasn't been mentioned in ages, I'd love to see him again too. I miss Quark and Belson. And please, get rid of Joe Montagna as Spenser on the A&E channel. he couldn't beat up a Leila Ali. Robert Parker is a fantastic writer but he seems like he's just lost interest. And that makes me sad.
Rating: 
Summary: Parker does it again
Review: Recently, Parker has been a letdown. From Thin Air on, his books have lost a lot of their luster, but then Hugger Mugger (his last Spencer) came along and I had hopes that the series was coming back. Potshot goes a long way to undoing the damage done by the few bad books in the series. In this book, Spenser finds himself out of Boston and in the middle of a town in the desert used as a getaway by rich people. His client wants him to chase out a gang of toughs that have apparently killed her husband. To deal with the militant group, Spenser calls forth a whole rogues gallery of people that he has run across in previous books: From his affable sidekick Hawk, or the silent mob gunman Vinnie, and the dangerous hispanic Chollo, to the gay bouncer, Tedy, from Hugger Mugger, the gang's all here. Spencer quickly ascertains that not everything is as it seems and continues to poke his nose in every place that it is not welcome. Fans of the Susan Silverman character might be disappointed as she is not in the book much. To those critics who feel that this rogue's gallery of characters is a selling ploy, I can only shrug. Some of the best points in this book came from the scenes where this mishmash of thugs were just trying to get along. Parker's wit is as sharp as ever and his descriptions are concise and powerful. He is in top form. My only gripe, if this can even be called a gripe, is that this is an incredibly quick read. I finished it the day that I received it. Although I generally recommend that people start at the beginning of the series so they can get a full grasp of all the characters and relationships involved, but I can see no reason why newcomers wouldn't enjoy this novel. A must!
Rating:
Summary: Travelhopping with Spenser
Review: The latest Spenser novel, "Potshot," has about what you might expect: gunplay, the occasional physical confrontation, and a climactic "Here's what I think ..." confrontation. In between, however, is sort of a "Greatest Hits Collection" -- literally. Spenser, in trying to solve a murder out in Arizona, collects a number of various thugs, ex-cops, and others to help against The Dell, a collection of ne'er-do-wells who hit up merchants in the town of Potshot, Ariz., for protection money. The list of allies recalls previous novels: Tedy Sapp (the ex-cop from Hugger Mugger), Chollo and Bobby Horse (from Thin Air), along with Bernard Fortunato, Vinnie Morris, and, making a welcome visit, The Man Called Hawk. I thought Parker might start giving more insight into Spenser's character, as he did a few years back when he started opening up about himself and his boyhood. I also thought he might have aged Spenser a little bit (i.e., more Joe Mantegna than Robert Urich); after all, the hard-boiled detective should be in his 60s if the books paralleled actual time. However, it is clear that Spenser is still an action man. And, there is still the customary wit and references to literature. It is clear that this is meant to be an out-of-495 adventure, as Spenser traipses from Arizona to Los Angeles to Georgia to Las Vegas; only a handful of chapters deal with Boston, and there aren't prominent roles for Belsen, Quirk, or Rita Fiori (though, of course, there is the obligatory trip to Henry Cimoli's gym). However, there is plenty for Susan Silverman fans, as she accompanies him for a good 60 percent of the novel. The text does not pretend to deal with existential issues or deal with social problems like in some previous Spenser books; this one is old-fashioned fun.
Rating:
Summary: SPENCER'S BACK...BETTER THAN EVER
Review: Spencer is back-this time investigating a murder in the rich man's haven of Potshot, Arizona. Mary Lou Buckman enters Spencer's office with one thing on her mind, she wants her husband's killer brought to justice, and Spencer is just the man to do it. Once Spencer hits the high road to find the killer, he encounters a nasty gang of low-life's, that may be responsible for the killing. The gang's leader, known as Preacher, is a ruthless thug capable of murder, but as Spencer dig's deeper, he finds this high society community may not be what they seem, for behind the facade lurks lies, corruption, and a killer. Teaming with his own posse of crime fighters-Hawk, Vinnie Morris, and Bobby Horse, among others-Spencer plans to bring a killer to justice, even if it means bringing down the whole town. "Potshot" is another exciting entry in the Spencer series. After many years, Spencer is still a tough talking, no-nonsense guy, out to catch the bad guys. Robert Parker never disappoints, even after writing for many, many years, he still manages to come up with fresh, suspensful novels, and with "Potshot" he proves that there is still life in the Spencer series. Readers get what they deserve, an enjoyable, fast-paced romp that is totally entertaining. Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: The Magnificent Seven
Review: When Spencer first talks to Mary Lou Buckman about investigating the death of her husband he knew it would be a tough job. After all, the suspects were a gang of 40 ne'er-do-wells living in the hills around Potshot, Arizona. These western gangsters had recently been organized by a sociopath known as 'The Preacher,' and were terrorizing the town. A visit to Potshot Spencer that there is something rotten going one. The town, nestled in the mountains was a Mecca for those suffering from urban flight syndrome. Aside from the Preacher and his 40 thieves Potshot's resident population includes a suspiciously inactive police force, a non-productive film producer and a real estate salesman with a way oversexed wife. Spencer quickly discovers that it isn't just Bebe the real estate women who is oversexed. It's seems that almost all the cast has had some history with each other. Realizing this was far more than a one-man job Spencer heads back to Boston to assemble a militia of tough guys that reads like the Robert B. Parker hall of fame. Naturally Hawk is included, and Vinnie, another Boston professional, Tedy Sapp from Georgia, Bernard J. Fortunato, and finally Chollo and Bobby Horse from Los Angeles. This adds up to seven, and if you are getting the feeling that Parker is parodying The Magnificent Seven a bit, you might not be wrong. In addition, while investigating Mary Lou in Los Angeles Spencer is menaced by two employees of Morris Tannenbaum, one of the big West Coast gangster chiefs. It's pretty clear that all is not what it seems, but Spencer is unable to resolve his suspicions. Before he does so, we will be treated to star-crossed lovers, a menacing cartel, and, lest we forget, the gunfight at the not-quite-OK Corral Parker specializes in terse, pithy dialogue and plenty of often violent action. Spencer, whose heritage includes Marlowe and Travis McGee, is at his best as the in-your-face, wisecracking detective who is also perfectly capable of quoting poetry and maintaining a tender relationship with Susan, his psychologist girlfriend. In "Potshot" the continuous by-play between the seven heroes adds sparkle to an already exceptional story. I've read all of Parker's Spencer novels, and this will rank as one of the most memorable. Certainly it's one of the most entertaining. Parker has again managed to write a rich and compelling novel in a genre noted more for its excesses than its quality of writing.
Rating:
Summary: THIS READING HITS THE TARGET!
Review: Few books are as eagerly awaited as a new Spenser thriller, and here it is read by the inimitable Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna. The West becomes even wilder when Boston based P.I. Spenser heads in that direction - to Potshot, Arizona, a defunct mining town reborn as a mecca for the rich, a playground for California's bored wealthy. Problem is such overt wealth attracts thieves like flies to honey. Headed by a fiery type known only as The Preacher, a band of homegrown hoodlums soon threatens the residents' gold plated existence. The police are powerless. It falls to Spenser to thwart the gang and build a police force capable of keeping crime at bay. Whichever part he plays Joe Mantegna renders a stellar performance.
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