Mortal Stakes

1975 novel by Robert B. Parker
0-395-21969-8OCLC1530701
Dewey Decimal
813/.5/4LC ClassPZ4.P244 Mo PS3566.A686Preceded byGod Save the Child Followed byPromised Land 

Mortal Stakes is the third Spenser novel by Robert B. Parker, first published in 1975. The story centers on the Boston private eye being hired by the Red Sox to find out if their lead pitcher, Marty Rabb, is on the take. The investigation quickly takes him into a deeper, and more dangerous, blackmail plot involving pimps, a high class madam, and a vicious shylock.

Marty Rabb's wife, Linda Rabb, lived a secret life as a prostitute and made a pornographic film that is the backbone of the blackmail issue. Spenser must deal with the shylock, Frank Doerr, and his huge bodyguard before he can deal with the actual blackmailer (which turns out to be the Red Sox broadcaster, Bucky Maynard).

This book explains why Susan Silverman became his primary love interest instead of Brenda Loring. Spenser explains that he can talk to Susan about hard problems in a way that he can't with Brenda.

Literary significance and criticism

"Despite appearances at the beginning, this tense and well-plotted story is not about baseball. Spenser ... finds two couples -- a blackmailer and his parasite and a man and wife (the ballplayer ménage) with whom he becomes friendly. These four principals are admirably done; the slut's transgression is not treated in the routine manner that might have been expected; and the final, violent settlement of accounts by Spenser is first-rate."[1]

References

  1. ^ Barzun, Jacques and Taylor, Wendell Hertig. A Catalogue of Crime. New York: Harper & Row. 1971, revised and enlarged edition 1989. ISBN 0-06-015796-8
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Novels by Robert B. Parker
Spenser novels
Novels
  • The Godwulf Manuscript (1973)
  • God Save the Child (1974)
  • Mortal Stakes (1975)
  • Promised Land (1976)
  • The Judas Goat (1978)
  • Looking for Rachel Wallace (1980)
  • Early Autumn (1981)
  • A Savage Place (1981)
  • Ceremony (1982)
  • The Widening Gyre (1983)
  • Valediction (1984)
  • A Catskill Eagle (1985)
  • Taming a Sea-Horse (1986)
  • Pale Kings and Princes (1987)
  • Crimson Joy (1988)
  • Playmates (1989)
  • Stardust (1990)
  • Pastime (1991)
  • Double Deuce (1992)
  • Paper Doll (1993)
  • Walking Shadow (1994)
  • Thin Air (1995)
  • Chance (1996)
  • Small Vices (1997)
  • Sudden Mischief (1998)
  • Hush Money (1999)
  • Hugger Mugger (2000)
  • Potshot (2001)
  • Widow's Walk (2002)
  • Back Story (2003)
  • Bad Business (2004)
  • Cold Service (2005)
  • School Days (2005)
  • Hundred-Dollar Baby (2006)
  • Now and Then (2006)
  • Rough Weather (2008)
  • Chasing the Bear: A Young Spenser Novel (2009)
  • The Professional (2009)
  • Painted Ladies (2010)
  • Sixkill (2011)
Adaptations
Jesse Stone novels
  • Night Passage (1997)
  • Trouble in Paradise (1998)
  • Death in Paradise (2001)
  • Stone Cold (2003)
  • Sea Change (2006)
  • High Profile (2007)
  • Stranger in Paradise (2008)
  • Night and Day (2009)
  • Split Image (2010)
Other
  • Wilderness (1979)
  • Love and Glory (1983)
  • Poodle Springs (1989)
  • Stardust (1990)
  • Perchance to Dream (1991)
  • All Our Yesterdays (1994)
  • Family Honor (1999)
  • Perish Twice (2000)
  • Gunman's Rhapsody (2001)
  • Shrink Rap (2002)
  • Melancholy Baby (2004)
  • Double Play (2004)
  • Appaloosa (2005)
  • Blue Screen (2006)
  • Spare Change (2007)
  • Now and Then (2007)
  • Edenville Owls (2007)
  • The Boxer and the Spy (2008)
  • Resolution (2008)
  • Brimstone (2009)
  • Blue-Eyed Devil (2010)


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