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Novelist Robert B. Parker dies
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Robert B. Parker, a best-selling mystery novelist and the creator of the "Spenser" series of novels, has died.Parker, 77, died Monday (Jan. 18). The cause of death isn't known yet; according to several reports, he was just "sitting at his desk" when he passed away.
Parker is probably best known for the Spenser series, which spans more than 30 books and stars a tough, worldly Boston private eye. The novels were the basis for the 1980s ABC series "Spenser: For Hire," which starred Robert Urich, and several TV movies starring Joe Mantegna.
Parker also penned the Jesse Stone novels about about a burned-out, alcoholic LAPD detective who moves to Massachusetts and becomes the chief of police in a small town. The books have been adapted for several TV movies on CBS, with Tom Selleck playing the title character. His western novel "Appaloosa" was turned into a 2008 feature film starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
His books sold millions of copies, and he won two Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America, including a Grand Master Award in 2002 for his body of work. He has at least two novels -- a Jesse Stone story called "Split Image" and the western "Blue-Eyed Devil," featuring the main characters from "Appaloosa" -- that are due for release later this year.
He's survived by his wife, Joan, and two sons, David and Daniel.
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He was one of my favorite authors. I just recently discovered him, but have read all his books. This is a huge loss to the literary world.
HUGE LOSS. Loved the jesse stone series. No one could play Spenser, like Robert Urich. I hope no one tried to 'ghost write' more novels.
I have a hard time imagining a world with no Spenser or Jesse Stone or Sunny Randall (female PI series her also wrote)in it. RIP Mr. Parker, you will always be one of the greats!
I had been rereading all of Parker's books over the past few months, and just finished the most recent Spenser a couple weeks ago. Very eerie, that. I hope if he had any books in the works that his wife will let them be completed by another author. I really would rather not see somebody else take over the series, since Parker had a unique voice that will be very difficult to emulate. How very sad.
'Sitting at his desk' when he died?
For a writer that's like a cowboy dying with his boots on. What a classy way to go for a great writer.
RIP
So sad. We lost a treasure today. Spenser, Sunny, and Chief Stone. All my favorites. Mr. Parker will be missed by so many.
I have read all of Robert Parker's books. My most recent favorite being the Jesse Stone series. Condolences to his wife and sons.