An Harbinger of Spring

As the swallows return to Capistrano (usually), I am back, in the spring, with a commercial message. As you may have noticed NIGHT & DAY (the most recent Jesse Stone novel) had a 5 week run on the NYTimes best seller list, and the paperback of STRANGER IN PARADISE had some face time there too.  APPALOOSA, the movie, is now available on DVD. Since I had nothing to do with it once they bought the book, I can say without false modesty, that it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. And Daniel Parker's performance as Bragg's lawyer, while brief, is penetrating. I am both amazed and annoyed that the movie didn't get some awards. BRIMSTONE, the third in what has now become The APPALOOSA Trilogy, will be out on May 5, and the second book in The Trilogy, RESOLUTION comes out in paper the same day. Also appearing in May is CHASING THE BEAR , a novel of Spenser's beginnings, which will appear on May 14 (talk about saturation marketing). It's been designated a Young Adult novel; but it is a book for anyone of any age interested in Spenser. Wolverine isn't the only one with a past. The next Spenser novel, THE PROFESSIONAL will go on sale October 5 of this year. The next Jesse Stone movie will be on CBS sometime later this year (its done and waiting) and Jesse Stone movie #7 will start shooting in Nova Scotia on , I am told, September 8. And, interestingly, we are in negotiation for a remake of the SPENSER: FOR HIRE series to be produced by SONY/DREAMWORKS, and shown on TNT. There is often a slip twixt cup and lip in Los Angeles, but so far things are promising. Son David (the choreographer,  who turned fifty this month -- how did that happen?) has accepted a position at Juiliard for next year. He also teaches at Columbia. Son Dan (the actor) has a recurring role in a show on Turner called "Ten Items or Less." Sox are on a roll. Pitching is impressive. Papi is starting to hit. Yankees are floundering (what  shame). Here at home Joan has finally chosen a new puppy to replace Rose who died two years ago. Another miniature bull terrier, this one named Emma. She is only a week or so  old at the moment, she will come home in July. . . YAY!

I'm boxing, and typing. Go Celtics.

Bob the Blogger

Comments

[Daddy Scratches]

Thanks for the update, Mr. Parker. Big fan of everything you've written. I've read them all. Started with the Spenser series when I was in the 8th grade. I turn 40 next January. Thanks for all the entertainment.

[Shawn]

Awesome news about Spenser: For Hire! Fingers-crossed. Avery Brooks available to play Hawk again?! Maybe they'll finally release the old serious on DVD.

[Shawn]

And, of course, I meant old "series".

[Kim Hess]

No mention of Sunny Randall...I'm feeling a withdrawal! Is there a possibility you can write a Sunny Randall story soon?

[iuchewie]

Wow! So much info from the Parker universe. Absolutely can't wait for the next Spenser and Stone novels.

I know that you're not a big "review" fan but I have been re-reading the Spenser stuff from the beginning and have been posting my thoughts to my blog: http://406northlane.com/blog/?tag=robert-b-parker

The ONLY thing I have issue with is the whole "Go Celtics" -- GO CAVS!!!

chewie

[Wayne C. Rogers]

Mr. Parker,

I see that you have a Hard Crime paperback (Passport to Peril) coming out at the end of June. As it stands right now, I can't seem to find out anything about the book and its plot. Is it a reprint of an older novel and what does the story deal with? Why no mention of it on your website?

[B from PA]

Hi to Robert B. and fellow fans. I buy every book the day it comes out...and then I have to wait. Hmmm. Can you become even more prolific? Saturation marketing is ok with me!

Tom Selleck (and I like Tom) is just not Jesse Stone. Not enough swagger and mystery.

Remaking Spenser for Hire works for me---please let me help you cast the series!
Now that would be fun.

Not a baseball fan...but Go Steelers!

[Henry Pelaez]

yeah ... great news about spenser coming back on TV ... but I would really love to see it on the big screen ... your characters are great and the big screen would allow you to showcase them all. How about George Cloony as Spenser? Would love Avery to play Hawk again (went to College with Avery at Oberlin knew he was destined for great things.)Well cant wait till the next book comes out. Thank you for all the hours of great pleasure reading Spenser ... Henry

[Ruth]

AN HARGINGER? It's cute but you can't make that joke. Why? Because it's you doing the joshing. A lot of people will believe A HARGINGER is incorrect because you eschewed it and you are, so rightly, their master of the language--or PhD or whatever. OK, A HARBINGER is incorrect if you speak with a Cockney accent, I guess. But I bet you don't speak with a Cockney accent. I bet you don't drop the H on HARGINBER. And I bet a lot of your readers don't either. Forgive me if I err. Your work is in my view tops. Main point: Thank you for it.

[Sheila]

I too would like another Sunny Randall book.

don't know if we use them here so just in case
spoiler alert.....

I was saddened to hear about Rosie in Night and Day although I was glad Sunny and Jesse seem to be getting back together. I just hope this doesn't mean an end to the Sunny series,since she'll probably be a regular in Paradise.

[Chris in PA]

Great news about the new Spenser series. This brings up one of the toughest Hollywood questions. Who can be cast to play Spenser. None of the younger (mid 30's to 40 somethings)actors fit the bill. There all too small and lack credibility when it comes to playing a tough guy.
I grew up with Robert Urich, so I always picture him, to this day. The other actor I thought could play the role was Treat Williams. But, he's too old, now.
But I did have a thought that proved to be a bit coincidental. When watching the new ABC series 'Castle', I thought Nathan Fillion would be an interesting choice. I later read that he tries to channel Mr Parker's Spenser when acting as the smart aleck author. But, he's a bit over the top in that role.
Anyone else have any thoughts? This question has stumped me for years.

[Wayne C. Rogers]

For those of you who enjoyed the "Jesse Stone" TV movie, Thin Ice, it will out on DVD come June 16th.

[Lloyd]

Please make it a precondition that they film the new series in Boston. It's one of the primary ingredients that makes Spenser different.

[Bob Fredericks]

I read Spenser novles in the bathroom.

It's what I do, and I do what I do. Because it's what I do.

Reading "Now and Then," it's a good thing I do what I do. Because Susan Silverman makes me wanna puke. The more I read about her, the more I wanna puke.

So I'll do what I do. Because that's what I do. What I do, I mean.

[Dan Spurling]

He has played a cop or on cop shows a bunch, but I vote for J. K. Simmons (The Closer, Juno, Law and Order, ...)as Spenser. I bet he could deliver the dialog. And he's a big guy, isn't he? Not too good lookin, but close enough!

[Chris in PA]

J. Jonah Jamison? Sorry, you lost me on that one.

[Bonnie Buckley]

I am so thrilled to have found your website and the ability to leave my comments. Here I am at age 50,just beginning to be a fan of yours. My husband has been a fan for years and now I understand why. Since I have started reading the spenser series it has without a doubt improvedour relationship and given me a deeper insight to my husband's sense of humor,which he has evidently model after you. Your existence has made ours a better place to be!!!! Thank you

[Pete Nofel]

My belated condolencea on the death of Rose. As the owner of a standard Bull Terrier I politely urge you to post some photos of Emma once she arrives home.

[Roger Padgett]

May 7th, I only discovered "Spenser" this past winter while laid off at a resort in N.E. WI. I have read every Spenser novel and they have impacted my life (in a positive way). I just left the bookstore with "Chasing The Bear" and looking forward to the Profissional. Thank You Ace!!

Had your books not been published, do you think you would have made a good PI ?

[Jeffrey McGraw]

I feel remiss innot posting my seasonal blog comment sooner but I was scouring the minor leagues for catcher for my beloved Yankees. Dr.Parker,you are the Mariano Rivera of writers (save for tonight).

Having finished Brimstone a few moments ago, I felt compelled to write. Since it has been labeled a trilogy, I can only hope it will not end at three. Seems to me there are plenty of stories to still be told about Virgil, Everett and the expanding family. Anyway, I loved the continuity and the fact that quantity has not soiled the quality of your writing.

The characters were sharply drawn and perhaps we haven't seen thelast of Brother Percival. I liked the complete circle of the horse at the end of Brimstone. You hit every hot button I have and look for when either reading fiction or writing it. Honor and standing up for one's own ideals never goes out of style.

Another vote for Nathan Fillion as Spenser. The singer Seal might make a good Hawk.

I certainly look forward to seeing Chasing the Bear. I certainly enjoyed Edenville Owls, The Boxer and the Spy.

Continued success.

[Don Worsham]

I hope Brimstone is made into a movie with the same actors from Appaloosa. Almost finished reading Brimstone -- what a great story and story telling!

[Helen Budd]

Mr. Parker - Would you please write a cookbook?! I love reading about the meals Spenser lovingly prepares for Susan, (and Pearl! I've tried to re-create a couple of them, with limited success. If you don't have time to write a full-size book, maybe just add a Recipe section on the website!! I so enjoy your books, and especially now that Ed McBain has gone to the great Precinct in the sky, I rely on you to keep 'em coming every year. Cheers, HB

[pecunium]

Nice to know things are going well.

I am, of course, making the quasi-obligatory thanks post; having just found that you keep a blog. I could go on about the whys, but I suspect that gets tiresome.

The roundedness of Spenser was the selling point (lo, those many years ago), and the sub-threads of constancy (baseball, cookery, poetry, freindship) were what kept me coming back.

I'm glad to see the blog is much the same.

[Josh Jasper]

Hi Mr. Parker. Thanks for blogging. I've been a fan since college, and one of the things I've enjoyed about Spenser is his love of good food. I don't remember a comparison in any of the books between Spenser and Nero Wolfe but I do think of them a great detectives who love food.

Have you read the Nero Wolfe cook book? It's one of those "sure fire" cookbooks in our home. Nothing we've made from those recipes has ever failed to be amazing.

[Rick Reynolds]

I've been a fan since my 20's (the 1980's)so thanks for so many good reads.
Count me in on the "Double Play" business; that HAS to be a movie--why can't Hollywood make it happen? Can it be done independently?