 First Edition | |
| Author | Robert B. Parker |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Spenser |
| Genre | Detective novel |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
Publication date | 1975 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 172 pp |
| ISBN | 0-395-21969-8 |
| OCLC | 1530701 |
| 813/.5/4 | |
| LC Class | PZ4.P244 Mo PS3566.A686 |
| Preceded by | God Save the Child |
| Followed by | Promised 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.