By Robert B. Parker
Over the course of 28 Spenser novels, Parker has unleashed some formidable tough guys. There's Spenser himself, of course, detectivedom's most charmingly literate lout, and pal Hawk, who makes Shaft look like a wuss. In a move sure to tickle loyal Spenserians, Potshot adds five memorable supporting characters from earlier books to the mix, including buff gay bartender Tedy Sapp and Chicano sure shot Chollo. The plot, rustled from The Magnificent Seven (itself a replay of Japan's Seven Samurai), sends Spenser and his multicultural mercenaries to aid a southwestern town terrorized by a local gang. One-liners and testosterone flow freely as the seven hole up in a house and, miraculously, get along famously (although Hawk and Sapp have to match each other push-up for pushup). The book isn't Parker's best: Its flabby midsection merely fills the space that sets up the gripping final showdown. But Spenser and his entertaining bunch of second bananas still have plenty of appeal. (Putnam, $23.95)
Bottom Line: Hardly magnificent, but meets recommended daily allowance of machismo
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