Rocketgirl's Full Review: Robert B. Parker - Potshot: A Spencer Novel
I have reviewed several novels by Robert B. Parker, particularly the Spenser series. Sometimes I wonder why I keep reading them. None of them have a particularly complicated plot, the bad guy is usually known, and the ending is never in doubt. I guess I do enjoy Parker's skillful characterization of his hero and his hero's girlfriend Susan and sidekick Hawk. Their witty dialogue, the humor, and their interaction is skillfully written and keeps you reading. Much of the time you don't even notice that you've just ready 50 pages and absolutely nothing has happened to advance the plot. This book is a bit atypical from most Spenser novels, a bit more enjoyable because of it.
Spenser is hired by Mary Lou Brockman of Potshot, Arizona. She got Spenser's name from a cop in L.A. that Spenser knows. It seems Mary Lou's husband was mysteriously killed. She knows that this gang that set up outside of town is responsible for the death, but she can't prove it. The gang basically has taken over the town and forces local businesses to pay protection money. The gang is led by a self-proclaimed preacher who directs their actions. In addition, the city fathers hire him too because the reputation of the gang is chasing potential homebuyers and tourists away, which is hurting their economy.
This isn't a job Spenser can do alone, however, there are just too many of them. He returns home to recruit Hawk and six other tough guys from other parts of the country. They return to Potshot to see what they can do to roust this gang of bad guys and free the town.
One of the main things I liked about this particular Spenser story was that it was set somewhere else besides Boston. It brings a new dimension to the story because Spenser is out of his territory and he does not have his safety nets to rely on.
There is also more plot than usual because Spenser is doing something besides just mentally puzzling something out, followed by beating up someone. He is running around the country recruiting his army. Then he has to talk to people in Los Angeles where Mary Lou originally lived to get background on her. He discovers she has former connections between the Potshot police chief and a Potshot filmmaker. So he actually has to do more legwork than usual.
The Spenser character is always enjoyable because of his soft-spoken sarcasm, which is always humorous. His relationship with Susan and his friendship with Hawk are very well described. The dialogue is funny and realistic. I enjoyed having others along too, though, because sometimes the Spenser novels have too few characters to keep my interest. With the six other enforcers it also made Spenser's solution to the problem more realistic.
As usual though, the bad guys are already pre-identified, which takes a lot out of any kind of possible surprise ending. And when you have a fanatic such as a preacher to take out, you know you can do that and the rest will scatter at the loss of their leader. It is also a sure bet that the followers aren't the smartest of men and are easy to outwit either with smart remarks or with skillful fighting that is done by thinking and not by reacting. The predictability of this, as well, as other Spenser novels, is what brings its rating down.
Still, it is an entertaining novel with its fast pace, its interesting characters, and relative lack of violence. There is also little profanity or sexual content as well. Adults and teenagers could probably enjoy this book without worrying too much about shocking content. The paperback version runs about 330 pages, just enough to enjoy on a rainy afternoon. It's not earthmoving, but satisfying to finish nonetheless.
Murderous marauders lay siege to the small town of Potshot, Arizona, and the law is helpless to stop them. But when Boston P.I. Spenser comes to town,...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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