Time to address some input from blogees:
Negotiations continue on the Spenser For Hire front. The mills of Hollywood grind exceeding fine. But I have no reason to think it won't happen in awhile. . . . The response to BRIMSTONE has been gratifying. I don't know very far ahead, what I'm going to write. But I rather don't like the idea of not writing anymore about Hitch and Cole, so, probably, I will. . . . to the high school teacher who is planning to teach my books to her 10th graders (shame on you), I think you should start with some of the adult stuff (maybe EARLY AUTUMN?) and then go back to CHASING THE BEAR. However, I can report that I was once banned in Concord New Hampshire ("live free, or die") because there were swears and maybe some tasteful sex (write what you know). CHASING THE BEAR has little of either. You know your students (and their parents); you should be the final judge. . . .as for the current baseball season, we need to get Papi turned around and Jed Lowrie back at short, after that I think the Sox roll on through the season to another World Series Championship . . . As for the Celtics, wait'll Kevin Garnett comes back. . . . Several of you have asked how I can produce so many books a year. One answer would be: I am a creative giant. Another would be: I have no life. But the truth is probably more that Joan thinks I should. . . . I am currently writing a book with the working title SIXKILL in which a new character joins Spenser's world. Probably be out next year. Joan likes it. . . . time to go box with my trainer (who has promised not to hurt me).
rbp
Bob-
Spenser helped me remember the kind of man I want to be. Thanks for everything.
RIP
-Christopher P. Rockhill
Posted by: Christopher P. Rockhill | January 20, 2010 at 01:51 AM
Goodbye Robert. You will be missed.
Posted by: Steve | January 20, 2010 at 09:02 AM
My sincere condolences to Dr. Parker's family. I've been reading Spenser novels since Godwulf Manuscript -- back when only a select few of us had discovered this great series -- and have read (and bought) all of them since. I feel like I've known Spenser, Sarah, and Hawk (and Pearl -- 1 & 2) for many years. Given that our "relationship" of over 35 years, I feel an almost personal loss. And I expect I'm not alone. He will be missed by many.
Posted by: marsha | January 20, 2010 at 09:33 AM
Hey Wayne C. Rogers...
Thanks for that "heads up" on the novels in waiting. I was hoping for maybe just one last dance with our beloved RBP.
I tell ya guys and gals, I'm really having a hard time with this. Mr. Parker literally taught me to read. I'm 41 years old and I had never, ever read a book (without pictures) cover to cover in my entire life. It's not that I'm iliterate or anything, I just never found a desire to read.
Until I saw a movie with our good friend Tom Selleck titled Stone Cold. The very next day, I went to the local library and checked out the book.
Since then, I have wound up owning each and every Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall novel on paperback. I also bought a copy of All Our Yesterdays (my very favorite Parker novel) as well as Double Play. In no time at all, I discovered Cole & Hitch, and now a copy of Appaloosa and Resolution sit on my shelf. When Brimstone makes it to paper, I'll own it too.
Again...thanks Wayne for the heads up on the other novels in waiting. I can hardly wait!
Evan
Posted by: Evan Lee | January 20, 2010 at 10:40 AM
I am so sorry to hear of the Mr. Parker's passing. I only recently discovered his novels and have spent many enjoyable evenings reading his Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone novels. He will be missed. My sympathy goes out to his family.
Posted by: Kathy | January 20, 2010 at 12:56 PM
RIP, Mr. Parker. I loved Spenser for Hire. Your talent will be greatly missed.
Posted by: Cheryl Tardif | January 20, 2010 at 04:28 PM
I was so very upset when I heard on the news last night that RBP had passed away...I keep hoping that it is not true. We have lost the most innovative author of our time, way before his time should have come. His cynicism, sense of humor, authenticity, and realism of all his characters is second to none.....he will be deeply missed by us all...
Jenifer in Ohio
Posted by: Jenifer Stonum | January 20, 2010 at 05:41 PM
I was shocked when a friend told me of Mr. Parker's passing. He will be greatly missed by all, but especially anyone who had the pleasure of reading his work. They don't make 'em like that any more.
Posted by: Terri | January 20, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Joan, Daniel and David:
Robert was my favorite fiction writer. I first read a Spenser novel as a teenager, when a friend gave me a copy of A Savage Place. Over time, I started at the beginning and read all of them, each of them enjoyable. Most of all, I loved his ear for dialogue, particularly Hawk and Spenser. Whenever those two characters talked, you couldn't help but smile, not only at the rapid-fire wit, but also at the efficiency of the prose. Nary a word wasted.
I always had this image in my mind that I would run into him one day in Cambridge, and that he would be a regular guy, gracious with a few minutes of his time to indulge a nice fan of his work.
He was a fine writer, and he sounded like a fine guy. My prayers are with you all. I am so sorry for our loss.
Posted by: GM | January 20, 2010 at 09:02 PM
RIP Robert B. Parker
You will be sorely missed.
Posted by: Kevin Marousek | January 20, 2010 at 09:43 PM
I add my voice to the chorus here. I loved Dr. Parker's books. I read all I could get my hands on, starting with Spenser: Godwulf Manuscript. I read all of them in order, and have reread them several times over the years. His unique voice will be sorely missed in the coming years.
I, too, hope that he had several laid away waiting for publication; I read an interview where he said something about it, but whether it is 2 or 10 books left, I will buy every one and read it in memory of the last of the good ones.
My sincere condolences to his family. He died too young, but it was apparently his time.
Thank you for everything, sir.
Posted by: Lisa | January 21, 2010 at 01:07 AM
All of us who are Robert B Parker fans and admirers are grieving over his passing. His legacy lives on. It's hard to put into words what he has meant to all of us but I believe he knew how much all of us loved his work-and him.
Our sincere sympathy to his family. Rest in peace dear Robert and may your soul be placed where the just and the righteous repose. Memory eternal!
Posted by: Admirer and fan from Texas | January 21, 2010 at 09:57 PM
Attn: Mrs Joan Parker
Some years ago your husband and I began corresponding (1997) and he was very encouraging regarding my ambitions as a crime writer. He helped me through a very hard time in my life in the mid 90's. Over the last 12 years he has passed comments on my Oscar Phelps series of novels and in a note of 2005 he told me that when he died (his phrase was actually, when he gets off the bus...)then SPENSER will get off with him. It seems apt and I agreed with him. I had offered to carry on the series as he had done with Chandler and he said it was unseemly a possibility and I again agreed.
Joan, your husband has played a very big and significant part in my life and I will be forever grateful to him... and to you.
Please accept my deepest commiserations and sympathy and from an English expatriate who found SPENSER while in Spain and then in Canada and now in Dubai, yours is a great loss not only to myself a devoted reader, but to the literary world.
He was a great storyteller...
Deepest Sympathy,
David B. Green
IHIConsulting@shaw.ca
Niagara on the Lake, ON. Canada
Posted by: David B. Green | January 23, 2010 at 01:31 AM
The first time I heard about Spenser was, when the tv show aired in Germany. I loved it. One day I found a Spenser novel at the local book store. It was in german and the translation was simply awfull. I read the book, put it aside and wanted no more. Ten years later, in the mid 90´s, I found another Spenser novel in english at the university in Gießen (Germany) where I studied at this time. I remembered the show, bought the book, read it and read every other novel in the Spenser universe since then. As did my wife. I lived with your characters and your stories for more then 20 years. It realy made an impact in my life. Thank you very much and RIP.
Posted by: Matthias from germany | January 24, 2010 at 01:31 PM
I discovered Robert Parker’s work because of the Spenser for Hire TV show. I quickly ran through all the books I could find and read them as they were published. I was thrilled when he started writing Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall novels. I’ve not read his westerns but after watching Appaloosa, I added it to my “to be read” list.
Mr. Parker has given me hours of entertainment. I’m glad to hear that he left us several novels. I will treasure each new release. I mourn his passing and grieve for his family. We fans have lost a favorite writer but they’ve lost a father and a husband. Sending them prayers and well wishes.
Posted by: Jesse Jackson | January 24, 2010 at 05:08 PM
Thank you for the books you wrote. You made me smile, you made me laugh, you made me sit up and read fast so that I could turn the page and find out what happened next.
Thank you - you are legend.
Rest In Peace
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 24, 2010 at 10:48 PM
http://oppao.net/n-ona/
http://oppao.net/navi/
http://oppao.net/new-d2/
http://oppao.net/fd3/
http://oppao.net/soap2/
http://oppao.net/bg2/
http://oppao.net/host2/
http://oppao.net/lesson2/
http://oppao.net/op2/
http://oppao.net/fl3/
http://oppao.net/bb2/
http://oppao.net/s-este/
http://oppao.net/rd2/
http://oppao.net/kawa/
http://oppao.net/n-club2/
http://s-auc.net/
Posted by: オテモヤン | January 25, 2010 at 03:10 AM
I'll miss you Mr. Parker. I had started to write a story in your literary style. I don't think I could ever measure up to you. Godspeed
Posted by: Suzanne Greene | January 26, 2010 at 06:44 PM
Dear Joan, David and Daniel,
I am saddened by the loss of Robert B. Parker. He was and will remain my favorite author. I own and have read all his books so far. The next two are pre-ordered. Thankfully, I met RBP twice and he was very nice. I will miss him!!
You all will remain in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Cindy Swift
Posted by: Cindy Swift | January 31, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Mr. Parker, I was compelled to write this comment. I love your books! Mostly the series of Spenser, Sunny and Jesse. Your command of the language is outstanding. I love your play on words and everything else you do with word. I don't ever find a dull moment in my reading of any of your novels. Your characterization is just wonderful. Keep up the good work! May God keep you 'til your 150 yrs young so you can keep entertaining us with your wit. Love, A Fan
Posted by: Vy Hinojos | February 01, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Someone didn't get the memo, it seems.
Posted by: Lisa | February 08, 2010 at 12:51 AM
In memory of Robert B Parker, my favorite author. Losing you, is like losing a large portion of my family: Spenser, Susan, Hawk, Jesse, and Sunny. I wasn't sure where to express my sympathy to his friends and family, so if this remains unread, I tried. Keep your dukes up Mr. Parker, and thank you for the hundreds of hours of entertainment you have given me.
Posted by: Bonnie Bertchinger | February 09, 2010 at 01:35 PM
Has anyone else wondered why Mr. Parker didn't write on his blog last October when his newest "Spenser" novel came out? He always wrote something when a new book was published, except for the last time. I guess the answer will always remain a mystery.
Posted by: Wayne C. Rogers | February 10, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Rest in peace Mr Parker
Posted by: gary dobbs/jack martin | February 10, 2010 at 07:17 AM
To the Parker Family, and to his loyal readers,
It is a snowy day on Long Island, and I was thinking of a good way to pass it and decided on reading a Spenser book I hadn't had time to get to yet..., then I remembered, I hadn't had a chance to grieve the loss of a dear friend I never met, Dr. Robert Parker.
Finding Spenser for me was like finding a road map. I've read each book in order, (and the new series too though I am a Spenser fan first and foremost). I was still in college when I read the first book. I immediately recognized my Alma Mater as the setting, and I was hooked.
In the beginning, it was about the characters and the places. I knew the people. Some were based on people I knew and places I had been when I was a "reporter" for WMFO at Tufts. Some I had been to in my myriad of odd jobs in and around Boston.
As time went on however, it was the "code" Spenser and Hawk and Susan and many of the others lived by that caught my attention. I lived that code too, and often found myself the odd man out because I would stick to my guns. Spenser helped me do that.
I raised my two boys to live by that code, and thankfully they do. The results have been quite astounding,as they both enter adulthood.
I have used the books in counseling kids I work with in becoming better adults. Often the adults they belong to (not always a parent) do not get or like that code, but the kids sign on right away. They get the sense of duty, and loyalty, hard work and persistence, fidelity and self reliance that is at the heart of Spenser and his friends.
The most important lesson is that real men don't have to tell people how manly they are, they just are, and others notice it. They exist for themselves; not to teach others and not to impress others. They live the way they live to make themselves happy with their efforts, and if others emulate them, well that is a good thing.
Many men and women have been influenced by the work of Dr. Parker. I miss him. I wanted you to know, just what he meant to me. Thank you for the sacrifices you made, so he could share his gifts with the rest of us.
Yours
Anthony Colleluori
Posted by: Tony Colleluori | February 10, 2010 at 05:01 PM