Holiday Blog 2007

The question of spelling Spenser's name has arisen.  I may be the only one who has never mis-spelled it. Spenser, with an S like the English poet (who probably also spelled it right, though they were less picky about spelling in the 16th century). . . . Several have raised a question about who this "Rose" is, to whom NOW & THEN was dedicated. That would be Rosie, Joan's miniature bull terrier, who died at age 14 this past March. She was the model for Sunny Randall's dog. There is a picture of Rose on the back cover of PERISH TWICE . . . It has been suggested that the back list of my books is not available. I believe this is wrong. In paperback, to my best knowledge, all the books are out there. Great Xmas gifts! . . . on the show biz front: APPALOOSA has, I believe, wrapped. Should be ready to go in spring. After that, when it does go is pretty much a marketing decision. If you haven't been paying attention, the cast includes Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Rene Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Lance Hendrickson, and, of course, the brilliant Daniel T. Parker. Harris directs.  The new Jesse Stone movie, THIN ICE, with Tom Selleck doing his usual dandy job,  is tentatively scheduled to air on CBS in February. If that changes I'll issue a blog alert. As for my day job, STRANGER IN PARADISE (Jesse Stone) goes on sale in February. My second YA novel, THE BOXER AND THE SPY appears in May, and RESOLUTION (the sequel to APPALOOSA) comes out in June. I'll be doing a week in Texas (strating June 2) to promote the book. Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and Austen, I believe. . . .  Boston is having a particularly good year, weather's good so far. In addition to having the best baseball team in the world, again, we also have, apparently, the best football team, and, incredibly, so far, the best basketball team. It also seems that we have become Hollywood east, or Toronto south, thanks in noticeable part to Dennis Lehane (whose success, of course, I deeply resent) . . . I'll be having my right knee replaced in April.  I had my left knee replaced in 2004, and its working very well, so by the time y'all see me in Texas, you'll think I'm Fred Astaire. . . . And, of course, my annual endorsement of presidential candidates -- Except for John McCain, whom I admire but disagree with, I hope they all lose. . . . Happy Holidays.
rbp

Comments

[franni]

Mr. Parker, Since you will be in Texas promoting Resolution. Would it be possible to recall that there is a Texas below the San Antonio line. We here in the Deep south of Texas (Valley) where we have all of the modern conveniences Like Barnes & Nobel, So we do read.
I do look forward to the sequel even though you don't ever get to the boonies. McAllen,
is growing so that we have a very large reading pop.

[Bill]

You forgot Boston College...not such a bad year for them either

[Library Lady]

Does Rosie have a successor? I always feel sad when people decide not to have another animal when one dies. You can't replace them, but you can find a place for a new one. I was relieved that you wrote in a Pearl II for Spenser and Susan.

[Nancy]

My condolences on Rosie's passing. Losing a pet is devastating.

A happy holidays to you, sir.

[Richard Mabry]

Dr. Parker,
(Don't you miss getting called that since you left academics?)
Looking forward to seeing you when you're in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Best wishes with the surgery. And as for Patriots being the best team in football--How 'bout them Cowboys?

[Jim Anthony]

I have read every book you have written, except the one horse-racing book, and I too have never mis-spelled, unlike some who have mis-spelled it here on your blog, Spenser. Throughout the book series, Spenser has referred to his name in reference to the English poet, so I really don't see why the concept is so difficult. It is a name, by the way, and one may spell it anyway one wishes, right?!?!?!

Condolences to you and your wife regarding Rosie.

Happy Holidays, I anxiously await all of your new releases, both in print, and on the screen.

[Susan]

Looking forward to seeing you in Texas. When/where will a schedule of your appearances be available? June is not necessarily the best time to visit Texas but you'll love it here! Happy Holidays!

[Georgiann Kite]

Hi Mr. Parker,
I always await your next blog with anticipation of new things to come. You never diappoint me either. I hope your surgery goes well and a speedy recovery. I hope you like Texas. I have relatives there and in Oklahoma. They are currently still digging out after the horrendous ice storm. Anyway Happy Holidays to you and yours. Always look forward to new reading or viewing material. Keep them coming. I am collecting them as they appear.
Fondly, Georgiann Kite

[Ron Doble]

I am a 53 yr old new fan. Now that I'm pretty much retired, I am attempting to read all of the Spenser books. I'm keeping my wife awake at these days but not in the same old ways. I can't help it, I laugh out loud quite often in spite of myself.

Not that you need my encouragement but...keep up the great work.

[PG]

Mr. Parker....what do you think of Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD?

[Dave Curtis]

RBP,
Having just finished "Now and Then," I thought it time to return to Spenser's roots, so I paid a visit to the library for a copy of "The Godwulf Manuscript." On page 4, Spenser discloses that he's 37 years of age. Now, I'm not any better at math than Spenser is, but I can figure that if he was 37 in 1973, then he must be around 71 today. I think it's time he cut back on his drinking, started watching his diet, and gave some serious thought to getting married.
Regards,
Dave Curtis
Bloomfield Hills, MI

[Dave Grady]

Mr Parker,

I enjoy reading your periodic updates here, and I have only one quick question, something that occurred to me the other day: any idea why last year's Spenser, HUNDRED DOLLAR BABY, was retitled DREAM GIRL here in the UK? So far as I know all your previous novels kept their original titles. Anyway, happy holidays to you, and I look forward to STRANGER IN PARADISE and THIN ICE in a couple of months.

Dave G

[anne]

I cannot wait for "Stranger in Paradise" to come out in February. I am addicted to your Jesse Stone series (and the movies airing on CBS). I love this character...definitely one of my favorites! I know you're the busiest guy on earth, but I would love to see more of these than just one or two a year! That's just not enough! You're the best!

[Lisa]

I'm so glad to hear that both movies are coming soon; my husband and I loved Appaloosa and we've also tremendously enjoyed the Jesse Stone movies. And a sequel to Appaloosa; how wonderful!

You might possibly be interested in an event that I and another food blogger started this year; it's called Novel Food and it celebrates the meals found in works of fiction. For the winter edition of the event, I chose to feature the first meal Spenser made for Susan Silverman, from God Save the Child. Here's the link, in case you'd like to look at the post:

http://champaign-taste.blogspot.com/2007/12/novel-food-winter-2007-edition-pork.html

Thank you for the great books and movies, and happy holidays.

[Gretchen]

I discovered you when I was planning a trip earlier this year (2007) to Boston, and wanted to read some fiction based there. Your wonderful descriptions of places, streets, etc, added to the enjoyment of my trip. I've read most of your books now, and am impatiently waiting for your new ones. I'm now looking forward to your upcoming visit to Houston.

[sharon miller]

Boy, do I wish I lived in Houston. Any chance you'll come to Baltimore, home of (lately) the worst football team in the world and a really lousy baseball team, too?
I read your books with reverence--as an English teacher and a lover of the written word, I respect your skill more than that of anyone writing today in any genre. The problem is that I can only make a book last a day or two. Thanks!

[bruce m]

If memory serves me right, and it may not, Mr. Parker during a TV interview some years ago, revealed Spenser's first name: Joe.

Has this ever been expanded upon?

[Reese Lloyd]

Please, please kill Jenn. Think of the tragic possiblilities, the emotional trial for Jesse, etc.
Oh, and by the way, make her death painful. Real painful.

[kdip]

To my shame, I discovered Spenser, Stone and Randall only two years ago when I became a librarian. I had known about the Parker mysteries and remembered Spenser For Hire only because of Robert Uhrich. I read every book we had (about a shelf and a half) in two months and recommend the books constantly. I am starting the new year out right by rereading all the Stones and Randalls and watching the 3 Stone videos I have. I learned here on your blog about Ed Harris and Viggo Mortenson starring in Appaloosa and can't wait for the video to come out. I was also comforted to know Joan was still with you, as I have been touched by your dedications to her, and was little concerned about a couple of recent dedications. You, Steve Hamilton, Lee Child, and Harlan Coban are at the top of my reader's advisory list for patrons, but you are definitely Leader of the Pack. More, more, more!

[Mike Adams]

Thanks for making hundreds of business flights tolerable. Was Robert Urich your choice for Spenser?? He was great in the part.. was he as nice in real life??

[Scot Collins (Guidance Counselor Carroll H.S. Indiana)]

Robert:
We started a silent reading program here at our school. I was forced to read, so I started reading L'Amour. Caught a Jesse Stone video so thought I would try those books. Now I'm through all of them and NEED MORE!! Do we have a date for the follow up to "High Profile"?
I also traveled to Tombstone this summer with my family and enjoyed reading your account of the Gunfight at the OK Corral.
I'm thinking about starting the Spenser (with an "S")series. Is there a "reading order" that you would recommend?
Thanks for some great reading!
(Sorry, not a big baseball fan, but....
GO PACKERS!!)
Scot

[Sean]

Was your son the inpiration behind the character Paul Giacomin in Early Autumn?

Thank you so much for the wonderful novels...I have enjoyed them sooo much for many years. Spenser is like a part of the family!

[Betsy]

It's January in central PA -- the Steelers lost and those boring Patriots just keep winning. The very best news is that Robert B. has two books coming out this spring--the only downside is that I read them the day in the first few days they're out and then....I have to wait for the next ones. Keep writing! We'll all keep reading.

[Wayne C. Rogers]

Jesse Stone: Sea Change will be out on DVD on February 26th. You can order it through Amazon. It's probably timed to coincide with the new Jesse Stone movie, Stranger in Paradise, on CBS television.

[Richard MacLemale]

Awesome news on the Hollywood front. Appaloosa was an absolutely fantastic book - if the movie comes anywhere near close, it will be outstanding. And I have to ditto what Sean wrote - when I get one of your books, I read it in a day or two. You've been my fave author for the past ten years - all I can say is "Thank You."