Robert Parker’s Hot Property
Robert Parker passed in, like, 2010 or so. I won’t fact check. There were close to 40 novels from just the “Spenser” franchise alone. Read a bunch of them before going back to Boston, then kept reading them, as they were short, fun, and bitter-sweet. Sly, sardonic, and the bulk of the literary estate must make its money from TV reruns, as there were at least two spin-offs that I’m aware of, plus movies, and everything else.
As a general rule, the latter novels have been a little easier to read while mimicking the style of the originals. So when a new one popped up, I was happy to give it a spin, a moment’s respite from the daily grind and doomscrolling.
Because I live in a culturally wealthy place (San Antonio, TX), I have two excellent local public libraries with full digital catalogs. Two public libraries with digital access — I’m rich! Also means that digital library copies are quick, easy to get, and fast read with the infinite scroll. No page-turning animations for me!
Robert Parker’s Hot Property
Sardonic, dry wit.
“No,” Belson said. He held up a hand. “Sorry, I meant to say ‘Fuck no.’ I think it was you who told me you didn’t believe in coincidences, because there’s no way God would leave that much shit to chance.” Page 88.
Street, but educated street.
Robert Parker’s Hot Property
There it is:
But as I made my way south toward Boston, I found myself recalling a terrific line I’d read once from the old baseball manager Buck Showalter.
“I’m not paranoid,” he said. “Just extremely alert.”
So, too, was I these days. Page 218.
Literature, then baseball. Accurate observation, too, nice to have a decent source. “Showalter has become the winningest active manager in MLB never to win a World Series.” (wikipedia)
Not paranoid, just extremely alert.
Robert Parker’s Hot Property
It’s a well-turned out book. Fun to read, quick, thoughtful, plenty of action. Bodies pile up like they do in Hamlet.
