Chance

A Spenser Novel

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Burt Reynolds

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Big-time Boston hoodlum Julius Ventura wants to find his only daughter's missing husband—at least that's how he puts it to Spenser and Hawk, even though its pretty clear that Julius isn't telling the whole truth. Or maybe not any part of the truth. Something about the case appeals to Spenser's passion for justice, and he launches an odyssey that takes the tough-but-tender duo with their penchant for literary allusions into the netherworld of organized crime.

From the throne room of crime lords to the Vegas strip, from two-bit wiseguys with a genius for dangerous liasions to gangster's molls in jeopardy, from larceny to homicide, Spenser and Hawk soon discover that what's at stake in this game is not an ardent groom and her blushing bride, but control of gangland Boston. Against the bright lights and seamy side streets of Las Vegas, they find themselves dead center in a circus of violence whose shadowy ringmaster is all too familiar.

Crack another case with Spenser.

©1997 Robert B. Parker (P)2009 Phoenix

Burt Reynolds

I've listened to several Spenser novels and Burt Reynolds is the best narrator. He adds character to the story.

Slow Moving for Spenser

The characters were very well described but the story dragged in places. Burt Reynolds narration was good. A little more action would have been nice.

A pleasure from start to finish

Would you listen to Chance again? Why?

Burt Reynolds performance. He seems to understand the cadence of Parker's writing in a way other audiobook readers don't.

Which character ??? as performed by Burt Reynolds ??? was your favorite?

Spenser.

Any additional comments?

What a pity the publisher decided to go with Joe M. as the reader on the majority of the series. Reynolds reading Parker is a true treat.

Best narration of the series

The languid pace of the read and the pleasure the narrator seems to take from Parkers creations gives me the feeling that he enjoys the Spencer series as much as I do.

Mr. Reynolds seems the savor every sentence and I feel akin to him as we journey together. He also tips a glimpse of sublime talent that shows through despite Parkers spartan fare.

I cant help but wonder what he might be like, had he a little more to work with.

I wish the whole series was available with this reader.

The best reading ever of a Spenser novel.

What made the experience of listening to Chance the most enjoyable?

I dissed Burt Reynolds for his other readings, and this one makes me sorry.The ones I heard before sounded as if he were severely medicated, but this is Burt on his game, and it makes me wish he'd do more. You know, he never was just a pretty face.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not a very intricate story, but for me character is what I like best about Parkers' work.

Have you listened to any of Burt Reynolds’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the best one I've heard.

Burt Reynolds should narrate every Spenser novel.

Would you listen to Chance again? Why?

Perhaps someday. Rarely listen twice.

Any additional comments?

I felt that the narrator made the book real for me - all the voices perfect. I could see the entire story unfold in my mind's eye.

Good book, laughable performance...

I STILL enjoyed the book...Parker is a master at this sort of thing, and, like all Spenser novels, the book itself is a pleasure.
Burt Reynolds? That's more complicated. On the plus side, his voice has the sort of gravitas required to make a crime novel into a successful audiobook. Then there's the minus side; Reynolds continually, destroys the meaning of sentences by not understanding the syntax. He pronounces "moot", as in "it's a moot point", as "mute". All of this sort of stuff is annoying, especially in someone who is ostensibly an actor....but the voices are the worst...any blue collar character is invested with an accent that sounds straight from Alabama or Mississippi, which would be fine, except for the fact that the book is set in Boston. Occasionally, a character WILL start out with a Boston accent, but it always becomes a southern accent within 30 seconds or so. White collar characters all sound like the worst parody of an effete ivy leaguer. Hawk comes off okay, and Spenser, most erudite of PIs, is okay aside from often mispronouncing words.
In short, the reading is almost bad enough to destroy the enjoyment of the book, but not quite...still, given a choice, I'd much prefer listening to Joe Mantegna or Michael Pritchard, both of whom do Spenser justice.

Burt Reynolds is amazing 👏 😍 ❤❤

I couldn't figure out what was going on until the very end! WTG Mr. Reynolds on the terrific narration! Holy cow 🐄! This was the BEST listen I've had in a long time. ❤❤❤

Burt Reynolds did a pretty good job as narrator

What made the experience of listening to Chance the most enjoyable?

Burt Reynolds was very good at the character voices. I was not expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Good plot. I am currently addicted to listening to my pal Spenser when i go walking. This kept me entertained.

Which scene was your favorite?

Did not have a favorite

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

These books are 'mind candy' for me. Fun, good writing, some suspense, entertaining. I laughed out loud at some of Spenser's cracks, but 'moved'?

Love Burt Reynolds

Great parker story read by a great reader. Reynolds does great impressions for the many unique characters in the story. Top notch.