Rating: 
Summary: Lost in illiteracy
Review: Actually, I found Spenser's portrayal of this college students illiteracy rather compelling. Especially his understanding that alot of the blame for illiteracy is to laid at the student's door. They know they have a problem, but do nothing to seek help and correct the problem. I find it strange that Spenser will decide on whether or not a damsel in distress is worth the effort based on her appearance. Well, actually all men do that, but I thought Parker was trying to create an extraordinary man in Spenser, not someone totally run of the mill.
Rating:
Summary: Spenser investigates college basketball point shaving
Review: After wallowing in the mind of a serial killer in the previous Spenser novel "Crimson Joy," it is something of a relief to discover "Playmates" is just about a college basketball points shaving scandal. Our hero is hired by Taft University to check into the rumors after the school paper runs a story without naming its sources. The school president was warned that Spenser would find out the truth, but then he would decide what to do about it in his own peculiar way, and to no one's surprise this is what happens. After being threatened by Coach Dixie Dunham, who is not used to deal with anybody with as unique a world view as Spenser and who does not want the teams chances for the Final Four to be hurt, our hero proceeds his merry way. Spenser then discovers that Dwayne Woodcock, arguably the best power forward in the country, has not been throwing games but has been costing his team enough points so that the team does not cover the spread. Spenser also learns that Dwayne Woodcock has made it to his senior year of college without being able to read, is owned by a hood from Brooklyn with ties to Gerry Bonz, has an annoying habit of referring to himself in the third person, and has a girlfriend named Chantel. Of all these things the one that bothers him the most is Dwayne's illiteracy and the one that makes him want to save the kid is Chantel. Now all he has to do is figure out a way to bring down the guy running the show without throwing Dwayne to the wolves. The sixteenth novel in Robert B. Parker's series, "Playmates" is another one of those quick reads perfectly suited for the commuter lifestyle, which means you can get through it in a day or two. It was also nice to get back to the wonderful world of sports for the first time since "Mortal Stakes." "Playmates" is the type of Spenser novel I think most people enjoy, where the people are more important than the case to our hero. It is ironic that the characters Parker creates for each particular novel tend to be so stereotypical (the illiterate jock from the ghetto was already old in 1989) while Spenser, Susan and Hawk continue to develop more depth with each novel (Hawk developes a new level of just looking at people to make them very nervous in this one). Speaking of Spenser and Susan, there was actually less lovemaking and more cooking this time around, harking back to the glory days of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: I've read all the Spenser books up to Playmates and have to say this one is disappointing. The characterizations of Duane and Chantel are well done, but the story truly strains the limits of credibility. And Parker seems to be stagnating with Spenser and crew -- there is little if anything here fresh or interesting, especially since an earlier book in the series already deals with gambling's influence on sports. Crimson Joy, the last book in the series before this one, was much better.
Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Review: I've read all the Spenser books up to Playmates and have to say this one is disappointing. The characterizations of Duane and Chantel are well done, but the story truly strains the limits of credibility. And Parker seems to be stagnating with Spenser and crew -- there is little if anything here fresh or interesting, especially since an earlier book in the series already deals with gambling's influence on sports. Crimson Joy, the last book in the series before this one, was much better.
Rating:
Summary: A better title: Dwayne Should Have Gone to Jail
Review: In Playmates, Spenser investigates a point shaving scheme involving Taft University basketball players. Spenser quickly deduces that Taft star player Dwayne Woodcock is involved, and sets out to undo the illiterate young man's predicament, primarily out of respect for Dwayne's girlfriend Chantel. Much like Parker's Double Deuce, Playmates delves into African American issues of self esteem and poverty. And much like Double Deuce, Parker stumbles by relying too much on trite popular press rationales for criminal conduct - all in defense of his own unsympathetic hoods. Spenser's affection for Chantel is intended to resolve this dilemma, but her character is so underdeveloped that there's no compelling motivation for Spenser's heroics. But it's easy to overlook a thin plot, because the joy of a Parker novel is really Spenser's sassy wit and his violent outings with the devastating and equally humorous Hawk. Particularly enjoyable is a scene in which Hawk chides Spenser about the low street value currently offered to have him "aced." One wonders how Parker can write Hawk so unapologetically while offering up sociologic platitudes for any other African American character involved in questionable circumstances.
Rating:
Summary: A better title: Dwayne Should Have Gone to Jail
Review: In Playmates, Spenser investigates a point shaving scheme involving Taft University basketball players. Spenser quickly deduces that Taft star player Dwayne Woodcock is involved, and sets out to undo the illiterate young man's predicament, primarily out of respect for Dwayne's girlfriend Chantel. Much like Parker's Double Deuce, Playmates delves into African American issues of self esteem and poverty. And much like Double Deuce, Parker stumbles by relying too much on trite popular press rationales for criminal conduct - all in defense of his own unsympathetic hoods. Spenser's affection for Chantel is intended to resolve this dilemma, but her character is so underdeveloped that there's no compelling motivation for Spenser's heroics. But it's easy to overlook a thin plot, because the joy of a Parker novel is really Spenser's sassy wit and his violent outings with the devastating and equally humorous Hawk. Particularly enjoyable is a scene in which Hawk chides Spenser about the low street value currently offered to have him "aced." One wonders how Parker can write Hawk so unapologetically while offering up sociologic platitudes for any other African American character involved in questionable circumstances.
Rating: 
Summary: Basketball Follies
Review: In this edition of the exploits of Spenser and Hawk, it appears that there is a case of points shaving going on involving Tate University's basketball team. The faculty board employs Spenser to investigate the allegation and report to them. As soon as he begins to dig, he receives a warning to back off or he will be killed. Although the threat was delivered in the nicest, most charming way, it only prompts him to dig harder and this brings the ever-reliable Hawk onto the case. I was particularly amused at the outrage expressed by Spenser when he discovered the paltry sum his would-be assassins were being paid to take him out. What an insult, such a blow to the ego. You feel that Spenser and Hawk are always in control of the situation, no matter how dire or what the odds are. Not very realistic, true, but hey, it's very entertaining and that's what counts. The original sharp tongued, smooth and competent private investigator with the faithful sidekick/partner, Spenser books are always great reading and this is no exception.
Rating:
Summary: Basketball Follies
Review: In this edition of the exploits of Spenser and Hawk, it appears that there is a case of points shaving going on involving Tate University�s basketball team. The faculty board employs Spenser to investigate the allegation and report to them. As soon as he begins to dig, he receives a warning to back off or he will be killed. Although the threat was delivered in the nicest, most charming way, it only prompts him to dig harder and this brings the ever-reliable Hawk onto the case. I was particularly amused at the outrage expressed by Spenser when he discovered the paltry sum his would-be assassins were being paid to take him out. What an insult, such a blow to the ego. You feel that Spenser and Hawk are always in control of the situation, no matter how dire or what the odds are. Not very realistic, true, but hey, it�s very entertaining and that�s what counts. The original sharp tongued, smooth and competent private investigator with the faithful sidekick/partner, Spenser books are always great reading and this is no exception.
Rating:
Summary: A welcome breather after CRIMSON JOY
Review: This is a bit of a relief after the very intense predecesser. Here, you're dealing primarily with point shaving in college basketball, not with serial murderers. However, as usual in a Spenser novel, there's more here than just the primary plot. There's insight into racial relations, a theme that Parker explores deeper in the later PASTIME. There's also the very human theme concerning dealing with a person who's abilities you admire, but who is an insufferable so-and-so. It's a typical fast read and yet leaves you with a feeling that you've picked up something of value from the reading.
Rating:
Summary: A welcome breather after CRIMSON JOY
Review: This is a bit of a relief after the very intense predecesser. Here, you're dealing primarily with point shaving in college basketball, not with serial murderers. However, as usual in a Spenser novel, there's more here than just the primary plot. There's insight into racial relations, a theme that Parker explores deeper in the later PASTIME. There's also the very human theme concerning dealing with a person who's abilities you admire, but who is an insufferable so-and-so. It's a typical fast read and yet leaves you with a feeling that you've picked up something of value from the reading.
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