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Double
Play by Robert B. Parker Rating: ••• (Recommended) |
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title or picture to buy from amazon.com |
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Healing Robert B. Parker has taken a brief pause from his mystery writing to
offer a fine novel set in 1947, titled Double Play.
Joseph Burke returns from World War II in need of healing. He finds a
restoration of his feelings following his service as a bodyguard for Jackie Robinson.
Parker adds to the interest of the story by including chapters titled “Bobby”
that offer his personal reminiscences of that transitional time. As readers
have come to expect, there are few excess words in a Parker novel. The taut
writing increases the dynamic tension in all the complicated relationships
described in Double Play.
Here’s an excerpt, all of
Chapter 7, pp. 44-46 Lauren thought he looked like some kind of
football player with his thick neck. But she knew he wasn’t. He was
something else entirely. Though she didn’t know what. “This
is Joseph Burke,” her father said. “And
a fine figure of American manhood he is,” Lauren said. Burke
said, “How do you do.” “And
what do you do, Mr. Burke?” Burke
smiled and nodded at her father. “Ask
him,” Burke said. Lauren
looked at her father. “I’ve asked Mr. Burke to look out for
you during this nasty business with Louis.” “Look out for me?” “Look out for your safety,” Roach said.
She stared at her father. “You’ve hired a fucking bodyguard?” she
said. “Watch your mouth,” Roach said, “when
you speak to me.” Lauren looked at Burke. “You mean this . . . I’m expected to let this, this unwashed
thug along everywhere I go?” “1 washed this morning,” Burke said. “1 do mean
that,” Roach said. “And if I say no?” “As long as you live here and spend my
money you’ll do as I say.” Lauren took a cigarette out of a box on
the coffee table behind her. She put it in her mouth and looked at Burke.
Burke didn’t move. “Do you have a match?” Lauren said. Burke took a packet of matches from his
shirt pocket and offered them to Lauren. She stared at him for a moment and
then took the matches peevishly and lit her own cigarette. When she had
finished she dropped the matchbook on the coffee table. “How do you feel about this?” Lauren
said to Burke. Burke picked the matches up and put
them in his pocket. “Fine with me,” Burke said. “You’re prepared to spend every day
with me even though I can’t stand your presence?” “I am,” Burke said. “Doesn’t that bother you?” “Not enough,” Burke said. “What would bother you enough?” Burke
almost smiled. “If you paid me more than your father.” “Oh God,” she said. “Another flunky. My
father buys them by the carton.” She set her cigarette into a big
abalone shell ashtray and let
it burn. “Mr. Burke will be here at nine in the
morning,” Roach said, “to take you where you want to go.” Lauren looked Burke up and down slowly.
“At least,” she said, “get rid of that suit.” She turned and walked from the
room. There’s
more to the relationship between Burke and Lauren, and plenty more of this
pitch perfect dialogue, especially from the stoic Burke. Parker has taken his
writing talent to a new place, and readers are well rewarded with his efforts
on the pages of Double
Play. Steve
Hopkins, October 25, 2004 |
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ã 2004 Hopkins and Company, LLC The recommendation rating for
this book appeared in the November 2004
issue of Executive Times URL for this review: http://www.hopkinsandcompany.com/Books/Double
Play.htm For Reprint Permission,
Contact: Hopkins & Company, LLC • E-mail: books@hopkinsandcompany.com |
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