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posies23's review
4.0
Another strong entry in the Parker series. I've heard some people say that this one of the weaker entries, but I liked it quite a bit. Westlake/Stark uses some intersting narrative and structural choices that make it a fun read.
As usual, complications ensue as Parker is asked to help some foreign nationals steal some diamonds. Parker becomes a little more personally involved than usual, and it leads to a compelling denoument. There are a few rough spots here and there, particularly when it steers a little close to MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and MAN FROM UNCLE territory, which is not a comfortable fit for Parker.
Well worth your time, as usual.
As usual, complications ensue as Parker is asked to help some foreign nationals steal some diamonds. Parker becomes a little more personally involved than usual, and it leads to a compelling denoument. There are a few rough spots here and there, particularly when it steers a little close to MISSION IMPOSSIBLE and MAN FROM UNCLE territory, which is not a comfortable fit for Parker.
Well worth your time, as usual.
jeansbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
duparker's review
3.0
Not sure this one really stands out. It was more pedestrian than some of the other Parker novels.
ogreart's review
4.0
This is a tight little heist book. The twists and turns kept me guessing. The body count was impressive. I enjoy this series and enjoyed this book. I would suggest reading the Parker books in order. Currently the whole series is "Included" in Audible.
dantastic's review
3.0
Nationals from a tiny African country want Parker to plan a heist for them in an effort to steal back a fortune in diamonds. Parker has misgivings but Claire urges him to take the job. Parker plans the heist and things go smoothly until mistakes the Africans made before contacting Parker come back to bite them all in the ass...
Reading one of Parker's exploits is like visiting an old friend. Parker is himself in this one, although maybe Claire's making him a little soft. The heist was well-planned, as usual. Parker's quip that no one is an expert on people rings true, especially when things start falling apart. With two parties after the diamonds, as well as Hoskins, the plot has a lot of twists and turns. Parker goes about his business as only he can.
Any gripes? Besides Claire softening Parker a bit, The Black Ice Score is pretty short, an easy three hour read. Other than that, it's the same Parker we all know and love.
Reading one of Parker's exploits is like visiting an old friend. Parker is himself in this one, although maybe Claire's making him a little soft. The heist was well-planned, as usual. Parker's quip that no one is an expert on people rings true, especially when things start falling apart. With two parties after the diamonds, as well as Hoskins, the plot has a lot of twists and turns. Parker goes about his business as only he can.
Any gripes? Besides Claire softening Parker a bit, The Black Ice Score is pretty short, an easy three hour read. Other than that, it's the same Parker we all know and love.
sandin954's review
3.0
This series is consistently good. While Parker had a bit of a different role as a consultant to a group wanting to steal back their small African nation's wealth, I enjoyed the audio version and the narration by Stephen Thorne was well done.
remlezar's review
3.0
Like all the Parker novels I've read so far, I enjoyed this one, but it's lower on my personal list. Stark's writing is usually direct, clean, and intense, but The Black Ice Score felt a little convoluted and sloppy. Possibly too many threads running at the same time for a book of this length.
Maybe one of the most interesting things about reading this series is seeing the change in how Stark writes women. In the earliest books, published in the early 60's, the women were largely sexual objects for the men to use and abuse. In less than ten years (The Black Ice Score, the eleventh book in the Parker series, was published in the late 60's), you can already see a shift in the way that women are portrayed in Stark's writing. By today's standards, it's still largely misogynistic (this book does have some "damsel in distress" stuff going on), but the women are generally stronger, more capable, and more three dimensional.
Maybe one of the most interesting things about reading this series is seeing the change in how Stark writes women. In the earliest books, published in the early 60's, the women were largely sexual objects for the men to use and abuse. In less than ten years (The Black Ice Score, the eleventh book in the Parker series, was published in the late 60's), you can already see a shift in the way that women are portrayed in Stark's writing. By today's standards, it's still largely misogynistic (this book does have some "damsel in distress" stuff going on), but the women are generally stronger, more capable, and more three dimensional.
zwrobertson's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
matt4hire's review
4.0
A fun, solid Parker book. Seeing the heist go off is great, and the way Parker gets involved with everything is fantastic. Great, great stuff.
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
The worst Parker yet, but that’s probably because it only contains 30% Parker. I’ll admit I was very worried at how racist this was going to be seeing as Parker aligns himself with some African rebels but incredibly there wasn’t an n-word to be seen/heard anywhere. !phew!