Chance, Audio Version

Chance, Audio Version (1996/1997) Robert B. Parker narrated by Burt Reynolds

And I’ve reached Burt Reynolds narrating, and almost the book where I entered this series.

The criminals in Boston are in a bit of an upheaval, and some of it is Spenser’s fault: He and Hawk took out Tony Marcus several years earlier, and Joe Broz realized his son was never going to be take over his business.

“Broz retired?”

“Not really, but his kid’s a bust, and Vinnie left him, and he’s about seventy, and his heart’s not in it anymore.”

Mind you, Vinnie hasn’t aged even if Joe has.

No more mention of Korea, no more mention of fighting Joe Wolcott.

I think this is the book where he gives in to the idea of Spenser (and Hawk) not aging. Take this passage:

(T)his time when I went into his white office he was an old man. The changes weren’t so much physical as attitudinal. As if he had decided to be old.

Spenser has “decided” not to get old, and so he shan’t for the rest of the series.

I was amused by this passage with and about Hawk.

“How do you know Hawk, Lester?” Susan said. I smiled. I knew she wasn’t making conversation. Susan actually wanted to know.

“Knew Hawk in Cuba,” Lester said.

Susan looked at Hawk.

“Cuba?” she said.

Hawk shrugged. Behind us a maroon Buick Regal pulled away from a pickup zone and fell in behind us.

“What were you doing in Cuba, Lester?”

“Little of this, little of that,” Lester said.

“Oh.”

Susan turned to look at Hawk. The maroon Buick passed us on an open stretch. Usually when that happens the car keeps going and leaves you behind. The Regal pulled in two cars ahead of us and stayed there.

“And you?”

“Same thing,” Hawk said.

I really enjoyed this book, as we’re finally seeing the consequences of actions Spenser and Hawk had taken earlier (ie, Joe Broz and Tony Marcus).

I also liked the fact that almost none of the people Spenser and Hawk interact with are very likable. Even Joe Broz, who is portrayed at least somewhat sympathetically, isn’t particularly likable.

It’s a good mystery and a good story, and I very much enjoyed both it and Burt Reynolds narration.
Rating: 8.5/10

Publisher: Phoenix Books

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