Robert B. Parker

Just returned from a week in Palm Springs (more on that in a later post). I pulled out several unread Robert B. Parker mystery novels for the trip.  Does anyone else pick out their books for a trip even before thinking about packing other essentials like clothes and shoes?

If you don’t know about Robert B. Parker you are missing some great entertainment.  He wrote over 70 novels and his most popular was the Spenser series.  I’ve been a cult follower since the 1980’s, went to multiple readings and have several of his books personally autographed (I know I’m a NERD).

Mr. Parker’s novels crackle with wit and the best dialogue ever written.  (If you are an aspiring author, read Parker and learn how dialogue can and should deliver.)

These are quick reads (I once read one of his mysteries cover-to-cover during a 2 hour flight) but all are engaging and tightly written.  The chapters zoom along as you rapidly turn pages to chuckle at another slyly written escapade.  Spenser is a wonderful character — a hard boiled private eye who is evolved.  Spenser cooks, adores baseball and his long-time psychiatrist  girlfriend – Susan who is based on his wife Joan.  Go to the Robert B. Parker website to see pictures of Joan and you’ll see the muse and model.  Spenser is funny, yet serious but not anguished. Most of the scenes with his sidekick Hawk are laugh out loud fun.

Jessie Stone, star of his other well-known series, is a burned out, heavy drinking LA cop who rediscovers himself and a new life as a chief of police in a Massachusetts seaside village.  (Watch for the made-for-TV movies with Tom Selleck as Jessie Stone – they’re spot on and well-worth watching!)

No need to read Mr. Parker’s books in order but, in my opinion, the first five in the Spenser series are extraordinary.

Sadly, Mr. Parker (at 77) passed away in 2010 – a sudden heart attack while at his desk writing his next novel.

The Parker estate has recently hired a new writer to take over the series, but I can’t bring myself to read those.