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17th out of 79 books
—
58 voters
A Savage Place (Spenser #8)
TV reporter Candy Sloan has eyes the color of cornflowers and legs that stretch all the way to heaven. She also has somebody threatening to rearrange her lovely face if she keeps on snooping into charges of Hollywood racketeering.
Spenser's job is to keep Candy healthy until she breaks the biggest story of her career. But her star witness has just bowed out with three bulle...more
Spenser's job is to keep Candy healthy until she breaks the biggest story of her career. But her star witness has just bowed out with three bulle...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
October 3rd 1992
by Dell
(first published 1981)
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As those young kids on The Internets would say: Spenser FAIL!
One of my complaints about the later Spenser books was that he stopped making mistakes somewhere along the line. Errors in judgment made him much more interesting, especially in how he dealt with the aftermath of life-and-death decisions that went sour on him. Re-reading the earlier books, I’ve been reminded how often Spenser screwed up, and in this one, he fucks up catastrophically on a couple of levels, professionally and personally....more
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This was probably my least favorite book of the Spenser
series. He was on location in Hollywood to protect a TV
reporter investigating corruption and racketeering in the
movie industry. I didn't like the reporter, Candy Sloan,
but thought Spenser liked her too much.
A classic Spenser line was "I'm a romantic. Agreements are
useless with romantics."
There was a good description of Los Angeles: "But L.A. was
like nothing I'd ever seen. I didn't know any place like it for sprall, for the apparently idosy...more
series. He was on location in Hollywood to protect a TV
reporter investigating corruption and racketeering in the
movie industry. I didn't like the reporter, Candy Sloan,
but thought Spenser liked her too much.
A classic Spenser line was "I'm a romantic. Agreements are
useless with romantics."
There was a good description of Los Angeles: "But L.A. was
like nothing I'd ever seen. I didn't know any place like it for sprall, for the apparently idosy...more
This has got to be the worst private eye novel ever written.
Spenser is even more arrogant and conceited than ever. He tells the girl that nobody can kill him... Really?
Parker pretends to know L.A. I thought he messed up a bit by mentioning Marineland. My recollection was that Marineland had already gone bankrupt and been closed for several years in 1981, but apparently that was not the case, apparently they lasted until 1987. Parker describes some L.A. places like he visited once or twice, eve...more
Spenser is even more arrogant and conceited than ever. He tells the girl that nobody can kill him... Really?
Parker pretends to know L.A. I thought he messed up a bit by mentioning Marineland. My recollection was that Marineland had already gone bankrupt and been closed for several years in 1981, but apparently that was not the case, apparently they lasted until 1987. Parker describes some L.A. places like he visited once or twice, eve...more
1 like · like · see review
This is set in LA. Spenser is the private eye for Candy, a tv reporter. They have a liaison despite Spenser's ongoing relationship with Susan back in Boston. This shocked me given Spenser's feminist inclinations but after debriefing with my Dad I learned this affair comes back to haunt Spenser in later novels. Candy, trying to prove that she's more than just a broad hired to pretty up the airwaves, tries to sniff out a Hollywood studio owner's connection to the mob.
A few things stood out for me...more
A few things stood out for me...more
ok, was well written, and kept me hanging on, like his other books. i have 2 complaints, tho. #1, i do NOT like how he take "charge" or guardianship over a 15 year old boy in the previous book, and then we do not hear about him again. so, is he ignorning the boy just like the boy's own parents do/did? #2, the main character's whole logic on what is and is not cheating, or is ok cheating, is total B.S. cheating is cheating, end of discussion, and NONE of it is NOT ok!!!
Just finished the 8th in The Spenser series – and I like them more with each book—Why I wonder—I think it is because you really at this point ( 8 books in) know Spenser well – his antics – his hard side and his romantic side as well—
In this one he is more of a smart aleck than he has s been (which is saying something). The plot is predictable, but the writing is what the Spenser readers expect and enjoy and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint-- A Savage Place is a portrait of Los Angeles in th...more
In this one he is more of a smart aleck than he has s been (which is saying something). The plot is predictable, but the writing is what the Spenser readers expect and enjoy and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint-- A Savage Place is a portrait of Los Angeles in th...more
Dec 16, 2011
Cathy DuPont
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Parker (or Spenser) followers
Ok, I'm spoiled.
After the likes of The Judas Goat and The Promised Land, I want more of the same caliber from Spenser, from Parker.
A Savage Place takes place not in Boston (I can handle that) but in LA, not really outside Spenser's comfort zone. But I miss Hawk, a lot, since he adds levity to Spenser. I miss Susan, too, since I adore her give and take with Spenser. All my selfish personal likes, just as I said above, I'm spoiled.
It was good, better than good, with surprises throughout.
I just...more
After the likes of The Judas Goat and The Promised Land, I want more of the same caliber from Spenser, from Parker.
A Savage Place takes place not in Boston (I can handle that) but in LA, not really outside Spenser's comfort zone. But I miss Hawk, a lot, since he adds levity to Spenser. I miss Susan, too, since I adore her give and take with Spenser. All my selfish personal likes, just as I said above, I'm spoiled.
It was good, better than good, with surprises throughout.
I just...more
Spenser is hired by a news reporter (linking back to Rachel Wallace, from an earlier adventure) who fears for her life and he flies out to LA to take care of her. The plot is thin, but the interplay - as is usual for Parker - is very good. Time, however, has not been as kind to this as the others and the sexual activity (this was written in 1981) seems very dated and cheap now. This also suffers with an ending that, whilst right for the emotion of the book, doesn’t really flow with Spenser himse...more
I love Robert B Parker's writing and have read just about all the Spenser novels and many of his other works as well. I admit that some are a bit formulaic.
A SAVAGE PLACE is, IMHO, the best of the Spenser novels. The plot is terrific, the pacing perfect and there is plenty of witty dialog. At the same time the Spenser's 'human-ness' shows, and this fallibility adds additional depth to the story.
A SAVAGE PLACE is, IMHO, the best of the Spenser novels. The plot is terrific, the pacing perfect and there is plenty of witty dialog. At the same time the Spenser's 'human-ness' shows, and this fallibility adds additional depth to the story.
A Savage Place (Spenser Book #8) by Robert B. Parker (Delacorte Press 1981)(fiction - mystery) has Spenser in L.A. as a bodyguard for tv reporter Candy Sloane who is investigating mob payoffs in a movie studio. Candy Sloane is the first (and last?) woman with whom Spenser sleeps after becoming involved with Susan Silverman, and Candy Sloan is murdered despite Spenser's efforts. 4/10, finished 8/14/11.
I didn't like this one as much because Spenser has an affair which in my opinion is disrespecting Susan. Eventhough he says he'll tell her, it seemed so cheap. I did like it for the fact that it makes Spenser human in that he couldn't protect Candy Sloan from being murdered. Spenser always wins and this time, even his best effort wasn't good enough. Made him totally human and mortal.
Robert B. Parker's "Spenser" novels are essentially my escapist "beach reads." I read the bulk of this on my return trip from this summer's vacation in Montana.
This novel takes Spenser from his typical Boston setting to L.A. to deal with corruption in the movie industry. As always, fun dialogue, but a noticeable increase of colorful language over past Spenser novels.
This novel takes Spenser from his typical Boston setting to L.A. to deal with corruption in the movie industry. As always, fun dialogue, but a noticeable increase of colorful language over past Spenser novels.
I love Spenser, but this novel was only OK. Spenser himself was in top form, sarcastic, clever, self-deprecating and wise. The setting, LA, was also well done - clear and detailed. But I thought the plot was dull. Maybe I just don't relate to racketeers? Also, I heartily disliked Candy Sloan. She was dishonest and insincere. She didn't have Spenser's or her own best interests at heart.
The problem with reading books in a series out of sequence is that it sometimes it ruins things for you. Spencer refers to this case in several of the later novels so I pretty much knew how things were going to turn out very early on. That notwithstanding, it was still a fun way to spend a couple of evenings. Kind of made up for the bowl games this year being so meaningless.
I always enjoy Parker's Spencer novels. I somehow missed it as I read through the series he wrote featuring Spencer. It's set in Hollywood not in Boston as most of his other stories. He solves a complicated scam run by movie executives and brings them to justice. It's a shorter story easily read in one sitting. As always it was an enjoyable read.
The book in which Robert B. Parker shows that he knows L.A. streets as well as he knows Boston streets. I just didn't like this one as much. I didn't like some of the things that Spenser did in this book and I didn't like some of the things that happened and I didn't really like how it ended.
Not a good Spenser by any means. Susan and hawk are barely mentioned and Spenser's fling with Candy is out of character and never dealt with between Spense and Susan at the end. Poorer dialogue in this Spenser compared to the rest. I think he rushed this one.
Spenser travels to L.A. to protect a news personality bumping up against the Mob. I have always enjoyed the way Parker describes Boston -- he does the same great job with the City of Angels. Another essential Spenser read.
(# 8 of the Spenser series)-I did not like this one at all. It may be a pivotal book in the series but it did not impress me like some of the others. Spenser goes out to California to protect Candy, a news reporter. There is a scam going on (possibly involving the mob) that she has uncovered and she is trying to get more information so she can expose it thru the press. So there are guys after her. They kill her friend who is the only witness. Anyway, Spenser sleeps with her which pisses me off b...more
New vocab learned: "vig," short for "vigorish" referring to an extortionate rate of interest, as in what the mob or a bookie may charge. Hopefully I will never be able to work this word into my everyday conversation.
Spenser gets a protection gig for a TV investigative reporter, starts the process that will wreck his relationship with Susan and is half ass at best in getting the bad guys. One of Parker's weaker Spenser's
In this book we learn that things are different in LA. The mob is bad. Rules for the rich are different than rules for you and me. Sex can be a weapon. Good quick Spencer book
Not my cup of tea. Mysteries aren't my thing to begin with, but this had stilted dialogue and far too much detail about what people were wearing.
Good book, great series, loved the way Robert Parker told his stories and loved the Spenser character along with all his exploits.
This was not one of Spenser's better stories. Parker started to switch his writing style which is fine, but the story was lacking.
For my review please see my blog: Martin's View: A Savage Place.
Sep 07, 2011
Jayw
added it
Spenser is hired by beautiful LA TV reporter working to expose mob influence in the movie business. She needs all the help she can get
I just finished reading this after reading Parker's latest and last book. It's amazing how much his style has evolved since 1981.
This one is a typical Spenser story: not much new except a small twist at the end. These are terrific for a relaxing and quick read.
Very Good; Continuing character: Spenser; he serves as a bodyguard for an LA reporter trying to figure out a Mob-Studio connection.
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Robert B. Parker.
Robert Brown Parker was an American crime writer. His most famous works were the novels about the private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the late 1980s; a series of TV movies based on the character were also produced....more
More about Robert B. Parker...
Robert Brown Parker was an American crime writer. His most famous works were the novels about the private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the late 1980s; a series of TV movies based on the character were also produced....more
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