The Return

I'm back, with a new right knee, to match the previously replaced left one. Both are titanium steel (in keeping with my body type), and I set of alarms in all airports. On the other hand I can walk good. "Resolution", The second in the Appaloosa Trilogy, will be out in the first week of June. I'll be in Texas to promote it (I'm not planning to visit Crawford, or hunt with Dick Chaney). My new YA novel, "The Boxer and the Spy" is out this month. The next Jesse Stone/Tom Selleck movie will be on CBS later this year. The feature film, Appaloosa, directed by Ed Harris, starring Harris, Viggo Mortenson, Rene Zellweger, and Jeremy Irons (also featuring the great Daniel T. Parker) is in post production, don't have a release date yet.David Parker and the Bang Group will be at Joe's Pub (Public Theater) in NYC on June 6 & 7. I'm about to start the next Jesse Stone novel(tentatively titled, The Next Jesse Stone Novel).  And the beat goes on.
rbp

Comments

[Wayne C. Rogers]

Getting old sucks, doesn't it?

[Victor Meyer]

Welcome back. Wayne is right, it sucks to get old.

[Baylink]

Good to hear you keep on plugging. Still enjoying the series books -- I've always been a series guy. Not much for westerns but congrats on the film; did enjoy Double Play and concur with those who want to see a movie. Go off the reservation casting it, though, be my opinion.

Liked the returns of Crow and April, but go ye not too often to the well; it's the bane of series writers. If Tom Clancy can tank, so can you.

Oh, and don't buy any football teams.

[Baylink]

And here are an amazing number of unofficial replies to the comments on the previous blog...

@Dave Curtis: Someone, I think it was Bob Ames at Bullets and Beer, has
created a formula that explains the curve on which Spenser ages, fitting in any hard references.

@Bruce M: To the best of my knowledge, no one is admitting anywhere that Spenser has a first name. Well, except Spenser.

"She asked me my first name. I told her."

Thanks to RBP for clarifying the Rose dedication; I'm a bit embarassed I
missed that one.

@Sean: re Paul Giacomin; almost certainly, if he hasn't said it somewhere
explicitly. The other son is the inspiration for Spike, IIRC.

@Peter S: Yeah; the style sheet for comments could use a tuneup: needs more vspace between the signature and the next comment.

@Les Goins: he hates people who call him "Spense"... even if they get the
consonant right. :-)

@Steve Carruthers: Susan goes to LA in Valediction, and Hawk and Spenser have to go get her back in A Catskill Eagle, possibly the most polarizing of the Spenser novels. Critics hated it for much the same reasons fans loved it.

And for those who are Urich fans but don't get Lifetime (or cable), note that AOL TV has been running 'selected episodes' of the old series as well; I watched the pilot that way, and it really wasn't too too bad.

Finally, though I don't know that RBP comes back and reads the comments all that often, there are a *lot* of people out here champing at the bit for DVD editions of the old series. Now, unlike many people, I know a fair bit about the Rights Biz, and I realize that you haven't any especially bigger wand with more magic to wave over that topic than most of the rest of us...

but certainly *some*? Your agent no doubt knows whom to call to find out where the home video rights to the series, if any, lie, no? Enquiring minds wanna know...

[Beth]

I'm glad you are doing well. I enjoyed 'Resolution,' but Spenser is still my favorite.

[Beth]

Duh. I meant 'Stranger in Paradise.'

[Charles Foreman]

Glad to hear your surgery went okay, I too am finding age has some unpleasant surprises. I didn't see anything about the next Spenser in your comments, hopefully one will be released soon. One comment on the continuing dialogue about how TV/movies treat your work, there have been two excellent choices in casting in my mind; Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone and Avary Brooks as the original Hawk. I look forward to the Movie of Appaloosa and release of the new book, and as always to another Selleck/Jesse Stone movie. Thank you for giving Mr. Selleck an excellent platform for his talents and our viewing pleasure.

[lew ramey]

I don't know if Mr.Parker reads these comments or not, but I just wanted to thank him for all of his books. In particular I'm a fan of the Spenser novels, and have read nearly all of them, unfortunaely nearly that is. I'm sure I will evenyually find them all. Now I'm starting on the Sunny Randall books, and am enjoying them also. But I do have to admit that I am wondering if there is a new Spenser book on the horizon, and if there are or ever have been any plans for a Hawk solo adventure....THANK YOU AGAIN for the man hours of entertainment.....lew

[Conrad Judy]

Welcome back! Getting old isn't for the faint of heart!! Here's to your health!!!
Conrad

[Christina Watson]

I am trying to find out if they are going to make a movie of "Trouble In Paradise"?
Thank you,
Christina Watson

[Mary Stella]

You're back -- and you're bionic!

[Greg Bellan]

Glad to hear that you're on the mend! Should we expect a "$6 Million Spenser" Novel out shortly?!?!?!

chewie
http://www.killthecan.org/
http://forum.killthecan.org/

[kristy]

**warning: sappy comment to follow**

My father tossed me my first Spenser book when I was 12. I was a little young, sure, but we had a good rapport.

My dad was a guy's guy. A terrific athlete who also had both his knees replaced following too many years of playing too hard. Funny enough, he ended up with three daughters. Who did things like hate sports. And date early. (Poor man, my dad.)

My dad was an avid reader and a huge RBP fan and while he was always a bit uneasy about how to deal with his oldest, adolescent daughter, he thought maybe I'd "get" it. Him. You. Spenser.

I did.

I loved my dad for sharing his book-world with me, and we bonded over it. Er, not like we said a whole lot about any of the books. But I like to think we shared interest in them the way Guys could share a baseball game. You don't have to say a lot to know you both enjoy it for the same reasons.

Anyway, his birthday's coming up. I am 32 now, and he would have been 66. He died two years ago and I miss him every day.

I was never the kind of kid who could share a baseball game with my dad, but I can still pick up a Spenser book any ol' time I want and feel connected to him.

Thanks, RBP, for that.

[sue janisch]

so glad you are back. was worried when didn't know why you dropped out. looking forward to more of your blogs.

as we age it seems we go from 'age is a frame of mind' to 'age is a frame of body'. hope you are feeling better and have a good frame of body.

skj

[Jerry]

Loved the first chapter and a half of Resolution! Can't wait to read the rest! I'm guessin' Virgil ain't far behind Everett. :-) When is/did "Thin Ice" show on CBS? Never did see it in the past few months...did I miss it? Glad to hear you're back on your feet and going again!

Jerry

[Ed Stubbs]

There are so many fans here who care about you and your family. When I see pictures of Joan, I understand why you have Jesse and Spenser in love with the same women all their life even though it makes no sense in Jesse's life. It would make even less sense for Sunny to love a married husband who is going to have a baby. But I have not read the latest Sunny novel.

Robert.........I have read all of your books until recently..........even including an autographed book on writing that my late wife got me. You have given me so much pleasure through the years.

At the same time, when Jesse and Sunny split because of their love for there ex'es, I did not get it and I stopped reading. I buy the books and they sit there. I own the books but they sit there. I will buy the new book and hopefully it will draw me back to the characters I love so much.

With Fondest Regards,
ed

PS

My eighty pound Boxer, Spenser sends his love to your female dog.

[Richard]

Hi Mr. Parker...Welcome back and I am glad to hear your knee is all fixed up. Been there, done that....
I am all up to date with the Spenser/Stone/Randall series and hungry for more. I too am looking and waiting for the tv epsiodes and moves to go to DVD. I agree with others that Avery Brooks is the right Hawk, and Mantegna was a very good Spenser in the movies for A&E... Looking forward to more books...Keep up the great work

[Chris Adams]

My name is Chris Adams. I am the Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach at the Univ. Of Northwestern Ohio, located in Lima, Ohio
I just wanted you to know that I have read and collected all but three of your books. My personal favorite is Love and Glory. One would have to know you (from a fan's/reader’s perspective) to know why I would choose Love and Glory...it sets the tone for your entire collection in my opinion. Your last two, Now and Then and Stranger in Paradise have been outstanding. My son Drew, who just graduated from the Univ. Of Chicago, has read every book as well. He played 4 years of basketball at U of C and was captain his senior year. He admires you as well. What really intrigues me are your views on commitments and love mixed in w/ your understanding of "race" and the human condition in general. I wish I could listen to you speak somewhere. I think my son and I would travel to great lengths to hear you. I need you to sign my copy of Love and Glory!
Sincerely,
Chris Adams
P.S- Do any of you know where I can find: Three weeks in Spring,A Year at the Races, and Trainig n With Weights????

[Pat Milliord]

To Chris Adams:
All three books are available at Amazon.com. They have a market like ebay. Go Sox.

[Bill]

Last night, RBP spoke in Fort Worth to help push his new book. It was a wonderful hour and Parker is as witty and nice and I had hoped for. Thanks for a very enjoyable experience.

[Georgiann Kite]

Hi Mr. Parker,
I am glad you are back and doing well. We were all concerned about you. I am glad to hear that surgery and everything was ok. I am looking forward to more from Jesse Stone and Spencer..
Sincerely,
Georgiann Kite

[Sal Militello]

Mr. Parker,

I enjoy your work very much. Quick question I just finished Blue Screen (love it) and I liked the crossover of Sunny & Jesse. Is there ever going to be a Spenser & Jesse crossover? Keep up the great work.

Thanks,
Sal Militello

[Joe]

I believe that there has been a Stone/Spenser crossover. Although it was a brief meeting.

I seem to recall Spenser and Hawk meeting the Paradise Police Chief while they were working on a case. Off hand, I don't remember the specific title.

Maybe someone else with a better memory can recall the specifics.

Joe

BTW - I enjoy all of RBP’s books immensely!

[Wayne C. Rogers]

There was a brief crossover in one of the earlier "Stone" novels between him and Spenser. I don't remember Hawk being there, but then again I don't remember the title of the book, either. I believe it was the one where the teenage girl was found floating in the lake after the rope around her ankle had come free of the cinder block. They made a TV movie from it, but left out Spenser. I think what most fans are hoping for is a full-blown novel with Jesse and Spenser and Hawk. Imagine those three taking on the mob or tracking down a serial killer who killed Jesse's ex-wife, Jenn. Hey, that's one way to get rid of her!!!

[Sal Militello]

Yes, I do remember there is a brief mention of Spenser but it's through Rita Fiori in the earlier Stone novels. I'm liking the full blown Jesse/Spenser/Hawk idea. I think that would be a top notch novel!!!!