Robert B Parker,R.I.P.

On Monday, my favorite author passed away. Crime novelist extraordinaire Robert B Parker died  of an apparent heart attack while working at home. Although he was 77, Mr Parker’s death was something of a surprise since he seemed in good health.

He was the author of more than 60 books; sales of which have exceeded 4 million. (Would have thought his sales were higher than that.) He did several series along with some western novels. But for my money  it was his literary creation of the wise-cracking private eye, Spenser, like the poet, that set apart from all the rest. Spenser seemed almost to be Parker’s alter ego. Both were gourmet cooks, quite literate and well read, fans of German short-haired pointer named Pearl and of course Bostonian to the core.

The Spenser series began with The Godwulf Manuscript and has at its latest installment The Professional. I can say latest since  his editor at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Chris Pepe, says there are some Spenser books in the pipeline. That is good for those who are  his readers but will not lessen the sense of loss for his wife and 2 sons.

Condolences to his family who have suffered by far the greater loss.

I feel it somehow appropriate to close with one of my favorite Spenser quotes and they are many. At the beginning of one book, he is approached by a prospective client and asked if he is indeed Spenser the private detective. ” Yes, and proud of it.” Thank you Mr Parker for your literary gift   and you could justifiably be proud of it.

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