RIP Robert B. Parker. One of my favorites.

[Lex]

I started reading his mysteries in high school. What an accomplished author. If he wrote it, it was always a good, solid, enjoyable read.

Robert B. Parker, who is largely responsible for the rejuvenation in the 1970s of the hard-boiled genre of crime fiction, died today at his desk at his Cambridge, Mass., home, it was reported. He was 77 years old. I’m honored to say he was a mentor and an advisor when we shared an editor at G.P. Putnam.

A literary descendant of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald, Parker was best known for his series featuring the Boston-based private detective Spenser, a tough, relentless crime fighter with a tender side. Unlike his investigative predecessors, Spenser kept a house near the Boston Commons, cooked and savored his meals, and had complex relationships with the women in his life, many of whom were accomplished professionals . . .

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/01/19/robert-b-parker-an-appreciation/

Robert B. Parker, the best-selling mystery writer who created Spenser, a tough, glib, Boston private detective who was the hero of nearly 40 novels, died on Monday at home in Cambridge, Mass. He was 77.

The cause was a heart attack, said his agent of 37 years, Helen Brann. She said Mr. Parker had been thought to be in splendid health, and that he died at his desk, working on a book. He wrote every single day, she said.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/robert-b-parker-mystery-writer-has-died-at-77/


Robert B. Parker:

[abluelady]

1. Always One of My Favorites

I didn't know he died. May he rest in peace.

[Number9Dream]

2. Robert B. Parker will be missed

I just read about this too. He will be missed. There were always waiting lists for his books at the public library. I couldn't go on vacation to the beach without a Robert B. Parker book. Even his young adult novels (Edenville Owls / The Boxer and the Spy) were very good. Apparently he died doing what he loved.

[Doris32r]

3. I felt like I lost a very dear friend...

I watched the tv show when I was a kid, and then became hooked on his books when I was about 12...been reading him for over 20 years now :) His dialogue was always witty and his characters so engaging. I went to the library two days ago and found the shelf with his books almost empty - I guess a lot of people heard and went back to revisit his work. Interesting thing was...there was a paperback of one his books from 1980 there that I had never read! That was a true joy :) I plan to spend Sunday reading it!

[mvccd1000]

4. One of my favorites...

Along with John D. McDonald. I had just discovered John D. when he died, so that was a bummer. I've been reading Robert B. Parker for well over 20 years, though. It's sad to know there won't be a new Spencer book on the racks next time I stroll through an airport.

As a side note, the Spencer character was one of the few fictional characters that I thought translated well to the small screen. I used to really enjoy that show back in the 80's.

RIP, Robert B. Parker.

[ClassicLiberalRoss]

6. Hear, hear!

I loved John D. MacDonald and Robert B. Parker, also. In addition to being exciting, witty and suspenseful, their books always contain -- on virtually every page -- a kind of indefinable humanity.

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. Hawk. One of the best characters ever. nt