This is the 3rd novel in the Stanley Hastings series by Parnell Hall. When I was looking for a lighter book to read following a heavier read (Dracula), my husband suggested I read a book from this series.
Stanley Hastings is a licensed private detective in Manhattan, but he has no office nor does he plan to do any detecting. What he does is pursue leads for an ambulance chaser lawyer. So when Sergeant MacAullif of the New York Police Department wants to hire Stanley to look into his son-in-law, Stanley refuses. MacAullif doesn't give up because he is really worried about his daughter. Stanley ends up agreeing to do some investigating as a favor to MacAullif and takes leave from his regular job to pursue leads in Atlantic City. Stanley's wife supports him in this decision.
My thoughts:
- These mysteries are not exactly cozies, but they are light in tone and told in a humorous way. They are often about serious subjects: prostitution, drug dealing, blackmail.
- Favor was published in 1988, thus the protagonist does not have the advantages of current investigators. And that is exactly what I like about books written in the 1980s and 1990s. No cell phones and no internet to look things up instantaneously.
- This is a fast-paced story, which I enjoy, but it is Stanley's character I keep coming back for. The story is told in first person, which I like. Stanley has a lot of good luck, but he also has a lot more skill than he realizes. He is a dedicated family man, with a wife and a young son. His relationship with his wife is a strong point in the series, although she does not show up much in this story. She is always supportive and has more faith in Stanley than he does in himself.
My husband is a huge fan of this series and has read 12 of the books at this point. Here is Glen's review of Favor at Goodreads:
Stanley Hastings is a lowly-paid leg man for an ambulance chasing lawyer, a wannabe sort of private eye and writer, a self-deprecating and loving family man. In this, the third of Parnell Hall's series, we find Stanley off to Atlantic City to do a quick favor for someone who's not really even a friend. Before too long, he finds himself charged with grand larceny (the way he tries to get out of that is elegant) and in the frame for two murders. The characters are all sharply drawn, the pace is swift, the plot is complex in a good way, and there is a light tone throughout. There are nearly 20 in the series and I can't wait to get to the next one.
-----------------------------
Publisher: Donald I. Fine, 1988.
Length: 249 pages
Format: Hardcover
Series: Stanley Hastings, #3
Setting: Manhattan and Atlantic City, New York
Genre: Mystery
Source: Borrowed from my husband.
18 comments:
Good review, and a nice cameo from your husband! Sounds a bit like Gregory Macdonald FLETCH (and FLYNN) series, which, while uneven, are better than even the better film adaptations might indicate. Certainly the lighter tone, set aside at times to deal with more serious matters, resonates...among other crime fiction which takes this tack.
Thanks, Todd. I think I may have read one or two Fletch novels a long time ago, but if so I remember nothing about the stories, and I have thought of trying them now. I had thought of comparing this series to Lawrence Block's Burglar novels, at least the tone; there are some similarities.
I like reading books set in the 1980s; this series sounds like a fun one. :D
Lark, It is a fun series. A mystery without too much angst and definitely low on the gore and violence.
For more on (and links to) Joanna Russ's work: https://socialistjazz.blogspot.com/search/label/Joanna%20Russ (forgot to put an explicit link in my post!)
I've been wanting to try this series for a while, Tracy, and you've reminded me (for which thank you) that I haven't started it yet. I do like that balance between lighter, but not quite a cozy. I will definitely have to get started on these novels.
I'm unfamiliar with this series, but you mention a point about books from those years that I really like, too. No cell phones, GPS tracking, Google, etc. that made effective detecting such a rare skill, as well as upping the danger level and intensity of the climax by a multitude of notches.
Oh...also strongly agree with Todd on the Fletch books, especially about the comparison between the Fletch movies and the Fletch novels.
Always looking for recommendations. Thanks for this; I'll add it to my never-ending list and see what Saskatchewan libraries' lending system has on hand.
Thanks for that link, Todd. I will look around on Abebooks and possibly at the archives for some short stories.
Margot, I think you will enjoy a Stanley Hastings book. I would love to know what you think of it, when you do try one.
Parnell Hall wrote two other series, a short legal mystery series, and the Puzzle Lady books. He also wrote one standalone and five books with Stuart Woods (from 2016 - 2020). I had not read any of his mysteries until Glen discovered this series, and he has read over half of the books in the series plus one of the legal mysteries.
Very interesting about the Fletch books vs films. Maybe I can find some Fletch books at the book sale next year.
Stubblejumpers Cafe, Thanks for commenting. I have a long list of books I want to checkout too. Hope you find a book for this series. I have read some books set in Saskatchewan.
It appears Stanley is being set up. I hope he can get out of all those charges. Glad you found this series.
At first I was thinking that Stanley Hastings is kind of a Matthew Scudder character, NYC investigator and all. But the happy family wasn't there for Scudder in the 1980's. I would like to give this series a try.
Susan, Stanley does seem to get into trouble frequently. I am glad Glen and I discovered this series too, and I hope I can keep up with it more frequently.
Kathy, you are reminding me that the Matthew Scudder series is one I need to get back to. I did finally read the 2nd book in the series earlier this year, but I want to read them more frequently.
I've never read this series but now I am intrigued!
Constance, I had not read any of his books either until Glen got interested in this one. I am still far behind him on reading it. We are both interested in the legal mystery series and I want to try the Puzzle Lady mysteries.
Post a Comment