Potshot - Robert B. Parker

Potshot

By Robert B. Parker

  • Release Date: 2001-03-19
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4
4
From 206 Ratings

Description

Boston P.I. Spenser returns—heading west to the rich man’s haven of Potshot, Arizona, a former mining town reborn as a paradise for Los Angeles millionaires looking for a place to escape the pressures of their high-flying lifestyles.

Potshot overcame its rough reputation as a rendezvous for old-time mountain men who lived off the land, thanks to a healthy infusion of new blood and even newer money. But when this western idyll is threatened by a local gang—a twenty-first-century posse of desert rats, misfits, drunks, and scavengers—the local police seem powerless. Led by a charismatic individual known only as The Preacher, this motley band of thieves selectively exploits the town, nurturing it as a source of wealth while systematically robbing the residents blind.

Enter Spenser, who has been hired by the comely Mary Lou Buckman to investigate the murder of her husband. The Buckmans, a pair of  L.A. transplants, moved to Potshot and started a modest outdoor tour service. It is Mary Lou’s belief that when her husband refused to pay The Preacher and his men protection money he was killed. Without any witnesses, Spenser has little to go on, and it’s clear the local police chief won’t be doing much to help. Calling on his own cadre of tried-and-true cohorts, including Vinnie Morris, Bobby Horse, Chollo, Bernard J. Fortunato, Tedy Sapp and the redoubtable Hawk, Spenser must find a way to beat the gang at their own dangerous game.

Reviews

  • Thugs united …

    5
    By PelicanFreak
    Detective Samuelson who you might remember from past Spenser novels (originally: Candy Sloan’s book) referred a newly widowed client to Spenser … so we’re going back toward the west After the usual—he irritates the wrong bad guys and proves himself in a fight—some of the locals proposition him … this makes things very interesting. (They want him to take out the local crime gang, which he agrees to take on, in addition to his other case, which is solving a murder.) Spenser of course brings in Hawk, and Vinnie (with Gino Fish’s blessing), Teddy Sap (who we met in Hugger Mugger), Bernard (from Las Vegas), Chollo from L.A., Bobby Horse from L.A., (as well as cooperation from / with Del Rio). They all rent a house together and it makes for a really entertaining read at times. Potshot may be one of my faves in this series just for this reason. Henry’s gym seems to continue to get even trendier, if that’s possible. Pearl is said to be aging, and described to have some physical issues and a gray muzzle. Overall an extremely fun read, more so than others, because all the collaboration going on makes for even more wit than usual. 5 stars. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
  • Potshot

    5
    By Teddy gameboy
    Had me going to the end. Typical Spencer.
  • Book was disappointing

    2
    By gramsrz
    Very disappointed in this book and it’s conclusion. Why would Lou go to see Spenser to investigate her husband’s murder when it would point to her. So much of this book did not live up to the Spenser series I love.
  • My favorite Spenser novel of all time!

    5
    By jaromad
    Great cast of bad guys and good guys who are bad guys.