As usual in a Spenser novel, the chief narrative technique is Spenser's witty and sardonic narrative voice, mixing allusions from popular culture, history, literature, with colloquial language and wry wit. Not only is Parker's terse and lively narrative style impressive, but his command of dialogue in Chanceis excellent, as is usually the case. Both narrative and dialogue mock the pretenses of Las Vegas, and the volcano which Spenser can view from The Mirage Hotel becomes one major focus of Spenser's ridicule.

It should be noted that one of the moral advantages given to Spenser and Hawk in their battles with the underworld is that invariably they prove to be much wittier than their antagonists, and their repartee destroys the cliches of organized crime which are supposed to be so intimidating. Similarly, their banter also mocks the cliches of political correctness in ways that suggest that their thought is...