Playmates    by Robert B. Parker Order:  USA  Can Berkley, 1990 (1989) Hardcover, Paperback, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth If you are like me – a loyal fan of Robert B. Parker – you mourn the fact that no more books are coming from this talented man. He has taken his writing elsewhere. Playmates is an older book but it stands the test of time well. Spenser, Parker's wisecracking gumshoe, is up to his subtle remarks and fine detecting skills, aided by Hawk and his loyal psychologist girlfriend Susan. By 1990, Pearl, the dog Spenser and Susan shared, had not yet hit the scene. A shame, she was my kind of dog. Spenser is asked to check into an allegation that a college's basketball team is shaving points! Which, of course, is highly illegal as well as being unsportsmanlike. Digging into the facts, he finds that point shaving is indeed happening. The trick is to find out why. Big money is involved and hints are dropped that mob personalities are involved and are not happy that Spenser is in the picture. The whole team is under investigation when Spenser happens on a fact that shocks as well as saddens him. The young man involved has been getting good grades in all his classes – all his professors overlooking a very important element that would prevent the player from getting any kind of grade. I truly enjoyed Playmates as I did all Parker's other work. He had a sense of humor that tickled my fancy. My mother had a dry wit that could have matched his any day of the week, and it always kept me with a smile on my face. I miss Mom. And I miss Robert B. Parker. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews