Rating: 
Summary: Dull characters, sharp observations
Review: The strength of many Spenser novels lies in Parker's skill of getting you involved with at least one of the characters. This one opens with a brief look at the gal we're supposed to care about in the prologue, but we don't see her again until we're near the halfway point, and by then it's easy to have forgotten those first two pages and not recognize her. Either way, Parker somehow fails to evoke caring for the gal. He's succeeded before in getting us to care for characters we might not even like at first introduction, but not this time. Therefore, this being a fast read isn't that bad, but not that good either. If you're into the Spenser series, do read this one, but don't expect a whole lot out of it.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to find someone to care about here
Review: The strength of many Spenser novels lies in Parker's skill of getting you involved with at least one of the characters. This one opens with a brief look at the gal we're supposed to care about in the prologue, but we don't see her again until we're near the halfway point, and by then it's easy to have forgotten those first two pages and not recognize her. Either way, Parker somehow fails to evoke caring for the gal. He's succeeded before in getting us to care for characters we might not even like at first introduction, but not this time. Therefore, this being a fast read isn't that bad, but not that good either. If you're into the Spenser series, do read this one, but don't expect a whole lot out of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much unnecessary & disgusting Smart talks!
Review: This is not a thriller, this is a comedian talk show, with all the characters tried to outsmart talking one another. Get serious, don't let me always get the PARKER'S SMART TALK SYNDROME
Rating: 
Summary: Spenser in Vegas - what could be better?
Review: Usually I read Spenser for the great writing style and Boston area environment. This book has in addition great descriptions of Vegas, that City of Sin, and some behind the scenes gangster family situations. It's all handled quite well, and the characters truly get you involved in the action. It's not just a lost-girl-Spenser-finds-girl situation. There are a lot of plot twists, a lot of tracking and figuring out who double-crossed who, and why, and what he should do. Spenser figures out pretty quickly the basics of what's going on. However, it takes him longer to figure out the morally correct thing to do about it, and it's this side of the story which is so fascinating. It's also a great reunion book for people who have followed the story along. There are your criminal favorites, plus Chollo, Fast Eddie Lee, Gino, Vinnie, Tony, etc. Definitely, if you haven't read the previous books, go through them to truly enjoy this one. The story is very well written, with fun descriptions of Vegas and the whole twisted inter-relationships. Spenser's more thoughtful, willing to listen, thinking about how he does things. Maturity and age? Who knows. Susan is very tolerable, becoming more of a "Jewish American Princess". Strangely, the past two stories had doorknob troubles never heard of before. There are a number of small touches that make the story shine. Bob the Waiter was great, from Bahston. My favorite moment is when Spenser's thinking about the Russians (also moving in to the mob scene) and answers the phone with "Da?" :)
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