Robert B. Parker

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Robert B. Parker

photo from Manchester Library
Born Robert Brown Parker
September 17, 1932(1932-09-17)
Springfield, Massachusetts,
United States
Died January 18, 2010(2010-01-18) (aged 77)[1]
Cambridge, Massachusetts,
United States
Occupation Novelist
Nationality American
Period 1974–2010
Genres Detective fiction, Western fiction
Spouse(s) Joan Hall Parker (1956-his death)[2]
Children 2 sons



robertbparker.net

Robert Brown Parker (September 17, 1932 – January 18, 2010) was an American crime writer. His most famous works were the novels about the private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the late 1980s; a series of TV movies based on the character were also produced. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area.[6] Parker was 77 when he died of a heart attack at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts; discovered at his desk by his wife Joan, he had been working on a novel.[1][7][8] The Spenser novels have been cited by critics and bestselling authors such as Robert Crais, Harlan Coben and Dennis Lehane[9] as not only influencing their own work but reviving and changing the detective genre.[10]

Contents

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[edit] Early life

Parker was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.[11] On August 26, 1957, Parker married Joan H. Parker, whom he claimed to have met as a toddler at a birthday party.[12] They spent their childhoods in the same neighborhood.[13]

After earning a BA degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, Parker served in the US Army in Korea. In 1957, he earned his Master's degree in English literature from Boston University and then worked in advertising and technical writing until 1962.[11] Parker received a PhD in English literature from Boston University in 1971.[14] His dissertation, titled "The Violent Hero, Wilderness Heritage and Urban Reality," discussed the exploits of fictional private-eye heroes created by Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross Macdonald.[11]

[edit] Career

Parker wrote his first novel[14] in 1971 while at Northeastern University. He became a full professor in 1976, and turned to full-time writing in 1979 with five Spenser novels to his credit.[11]

Parker's popular Spenser novels are known for his characters of varied races and religions. According to critic Christina Nunez, Parker's "inclusion of [characters of] other races and sexual persuasions" lends his writings a "more modern feel".[15] For example, the Spenser series characters include Hawk and Chollo, African-American and Mexican-American, respectively, as well as his Jewish girlfiend, Susan, various Russians, Ukrainians, Chinese, a gay cop, Lee Farrell, and even a gay mob boss, Gino Fish.[16] The homosexuality of both his sons gives his writing "[a] sensibility," Ms. Nunez feels, "[which] strengthens Parker's sensibility [toward gays]." In 1985 Spenser was made into a successful television series, Spenser for Hire which starred Robert Urich, Avery Brooks and Barbara Stock.

Parker created female detective Sunny Randall at the request of actress Helen Hunt, who wanted him to write a part for her to play. He wrote the first book, and the film version was planned for 2000,[11] but never materialized.[14] However, his publisher liked the character and asked him to continue with the series.[14]

Another figure created by Parker is Jesse Stone, a troubled former LAPD detective, who starts a new career as a police chief in a small New England town. Between 1997 and 2010, he wrote nine novels featuring Jesse Stone, many of which have been adapted as TV movies by CBS starring Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone.

Aside from crime writing, Parker also produced several Western novels, including Appaloosa,[17] and children's books. In 1994 he collaborated with Japanese photographer Kasho Kumagai on a coffee table book called Spenser's Boston, exploring the city through Spenser's "eyes" via high quality, 4-color photos. In addition to Parker's introduction, excerpts from several of the Spenser novels were included.[18]

Parker and his wife created an independent film company called Pearl Productions, based in Boston. It is named after their German short-haired pointer, Pearl.[14]

[edit] Personal life

Parker and his wife had two sons, David and Daniel T. Originally, the character of Spenser was to have been called "David," but Parker didn't want to appear to favor one of his sons over the other. Parker therefore omitted Spenser's first name entirely, and, to this day, the first name of the fictional Spenser remains unknown.[19] Parker had an unusual living arrangement with his wife Joan; they separated at one point but then came to an arrangement: she lived on one floor of a large townhouse, he on another, and they shared the others. This living arrangement is mirrored in Spenser's private life: he could not stand to live with his girlfriend, Susan, full time, but was committed to her otherwise.

[edit] Awards

Parker received three nominations and two Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America. He received the first award, the "Best Novel Award" in 1977, for the fourth novel in the Spenser series, Promised Land.[20] In 1990 he shared, with wife Joan, a nomination for "Best Television Episode" for the TV series B.L. Stryker; however, the award went to David J. Burke and Alfonse Ruggiero Jr. for Wiseguy.

In 2002 he received the Grand Master Award Edgar for his collective oeuvre.[21]

In 2008 he was awarded the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award.

[edit] Death

Parker died suddenly of a heart attack, sitting at his desk in Cambridge, Massachusetts on January 18, 2010. He was 77.[1][7][22]


[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Novels

Title↓ Year↓ ISBN↓ Series↓ Notes
The Godwulf Manuscript 1973 0-395-18011-2 Spenser
God Save the Child 1974 0-395-19955-7 Spenser
Mortal Stakes 1975 0-395-21969-8 Spenser
Promised Land 1976 0-395-24771-3 Spenser Edgar Award, Best Novel
The Judas Goat 1978 0-395-26682-3 Spenser
Wilderness 1979 0-385-29108-6
Looking for Rachel Wallace 1980 0-385-28558-2 Spenser
Early Autumn 1980 0-385-28242-7 Spenser
A Savage Place 1981 0-385-28951-0 Spenser
Ceremony 1982 0-385-28127-7 Spenser
The Widening Gyre 1983 0-385-29220-1 Spenser
Love and Glory 1983 0-385-29261-9 Set at Taft University
Valediction 1984 0-385-29330-5 Spenser
A Catskill Eagle 1985 0-385-29385-2 Spenser
Taming a Sea Horse 1986 0-385-29461-1 Spenser
Pale Kings and Princes 1987 0-385-29538-3 Spenser
Crimson Joy 1988 0-385-29668-1 Spenser
Playmates 1989 0-399-13463-8 Spenser Set at Taft University
Poodle Springs 1989 0-399-13482-4 Philip Marlowe With Raymond Chandler
Stardust 1990 0-399-13537-5 Spenser
Pastime 1991 0-399-13630-4 Spenser
Perchance to Dream 1991 0-399-13580-4 Philip Marlowe Sequel to The Big Sleep
Double Deuce 1992 0-399-13754-8 Spenser
Paper Doll 1993 0-399-13818-8 Spenser
Walking Shadow 1994 0-399-13961-3 Spenser
All Our Yesterdays 1994 0-385-30437-4
Thin Air 1995 0-399-14063-8 Spenser
Chance 1996 0-399-14688-1 Spenser
Small Vices 1997 0-399-14547-8 Spenser
Night Passage 1997 0-399-14304-1 Jesse Stone
Trouble in Paradise 1998 0-399-14433-1 Jesse Stone
Sudden Mischief 1998 0-399-14696-2 Spenser
Hush Money 1999 0-399-14458-7 Spenser
Family Honor 1999 0-399-14566-4 Sunny Randall
Perish Twice 2000 0-399-14668-7 Sunny Randall
Hugger Mugger 2000 0-399-14587-7 Spenser
Gunman's Rhapsody 2001 0-399-14762-4 Wyatt Earp in 1879
Death in Paradise 2001 0-399-14779-9 Jesse Stone
Potshot 2001 0-399-14710-1 Spenser
Widow's Walk 2002 0-399-14845-0 Spenser
Shrink Rap 2002 0-399-14930-9 Sunny Randall
Back Story 2003 0-399-14977-5 Spenser Includes Jesse Stone
Stone Cold 2003 0-399-15087-0 Jesse Stone
Bad Business 2004 0-399-15145-1 Spenser
Melancholy Baby 2004 0-399-15218-0 Sunny Randall
Double Play 2004 0-399-15188-5
Cold Service 2005 0-399-15240-7 Spenser
Appaloosa 2005 0-399-15277-6 Cole & Hitch
School Days 2005 0-399-15323-3 Spenser
Hundred-Dollar Baby 2006 0-399-15376-4 Spenser
Sea Change 2006 0-399-15267-9 Jesse Stone
Blue Screen 2006 0-399-15351-9 Sunny Randall Includes Jesse Stone
High Profile 2007 0-399-15404-3 Jesse Stone Includes Sunny Randall
Spare Change 2007 0-399-15425-6 Sunny Randall Includes Jesse Stone
Now and Then 2007 0-399-15441-8 Spenser
Edenville Owls 2007 0-399-24656-8
Stranger In Paradise 2008 0-399-15460-4 Jesse Stone
The Boxer and the Spy 2008 0-399-24775-0
Rough Weather 2008 0-399-15519-8 Spenser
Resolution 2008 0-399-15504-X Cole & Hitch
Brimstone 2009 0-399-15571-6 Cole & Hitch
Chasing the Bear 2009 0-399-24776-9 Spenser "Young Spenser"
The Professional 2009 0-399-15594-5 Spenser
Night and Day 2009 0-399-15541-4 Jesse Stone
Split Image 2010 0-399-15623-2 Jesse Stone
Blue-Eyed Devil 2010 0-399-15648-8 Cole & Hitch
Painted Ladies 2010 0-399-15685-2 Spenser
Sixkill 2011 0-399-15726-3 Spenser Published posthumously
Killing the Blues 2011 0-399-15784-0 Jesse Stone By Michael Brandman


In April 2011, the Parker Estate—his widow Joan, and sons Dan & David—decided together with Parker's publishers, to continue two series of his books.[23][24]

[edit] Non-fiction

[edit] Short fiction

"Surrogate"' (1991)" A short story published in the crime magazine New Crimes 3 ISBN 0-8818-4737-2

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "'Spenser' novelist Robert Parker dies in Cambridge". Boston Herald. Associated Press. 2010-01-19. http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/books/view.bg?articleid=1226710&pos=breaking. Retrieved 2010-01-19. 
  2. ^ See Discussion Page
  3. ^ David, Peter (2006-06-20). ""What’cha wanna know?" peterdavid.net; June 20, 2006". Peterdavid.malibulist.com. http://peterdavid.malibulist.com/archives/004131.html. Retrieved 2009-09-10. 
  4. ^ Faerber, Jay. "Under the Influence", Dynamo 5 #16 (September 2008), Image Comics, Page 23
  5. ^ Faerber, Jay. "Under the Influence", Dynamo 5 #22 (June 2009), Image Comics, Page 23
  6. ^ Geherin, David (c1980). Sons of Sam Spade: the private-eye novel in the 70s: Robert B. Parker, Roger L. Simon, Andrew Bergman. Ungar. ISBN 0804422311. 
  7. ^ a b Bryan Marquard (January 19, 2010). "Mystery novelist Robert Parker dies at 77". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/01/mystery_novelis.html. Retrieved January 20, 2010. 
  8. ^ Patricia Sullivan (January 20, 2010). "Crime novelist, Spenser creator Robert B. Parker dies at 77". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/19/AR2010011902195.html. Retrieved January 20, 2010. 
  9. ^ "His Spenser Novels Saved Detective Fiction" by Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal [1]
  10. ^ "Robert B. Parker left a mark on the detective novel" by Sarah Weinman, Los Angeles Times [2]
  11. ^ a b c d e Robert B. Parker biography from Litweb.net
  12. ^ Bruce Weber (January 20, 2010). "Robert B. Parker, the Prolific Writer Who Created Spenser, Is Dead at 77". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/books/20parker.html. Retrieved January 20, 2010. 
  13. ^ Jules Older (October 2003). "Robert B. Parker 2003 Interview". Yankee Magazine. http://www.yankeemagazine.com/issues/2003-10/robert-parker. Retrieved 2010-02-23. 
  14. ^ a b c d e Author Profile: Robert B. Parker from BookReporter.com
  15. ^ Christina Nunez. "Robert B. Parker Biography". Barnes and Noble. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/writers/writerdetails.asp?cid=802368. Retrieved 2010-02-23. 
  16. ^ See nearly the entire Spenser series for Hawk, whose prominence in the plots increases with each book; for Chollo, Stardust, Pot Shot, and Now and Then; Cold Service features Ukrainian and Russian mobsters; and Walking Shadow, which explores Chinese tongs and includes a Chinese-American translator named Mei Ling who has a relationship with Hawk; see Chance for Gino Fish, who also crosses over into the first Jesse Stone novel.
  17. ^ This was adapted to film in 2008 by Ed Harris, starring Harris (who also directed and co-wrote the screenplay), Viggo Mortensen and Jeremy Irons
  18. ^ The Tennessean, 8 March 2009, Arts & Entertainment, p. 11
  19. ^ Robert B. Parker FAQ Bullets and Beer
  20. ^ "Edgars" database search for "Grand Master" award at the Mystery Writers of America's website . Retrieved February 2009.
  21. ^ theedgars.com database [3]. Retrieved February 2009.
  22. ^ Bryan Marquard (January 20, 2010). "'Spenser' novelist Parker dead at 77". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2010/01/20/spenser_novelist_parker_dead_at_77/. Retrieved February 20, 2010. 
  23. ^ Estate of Robert B. Parker (27 April 2011). "The Putnam Press Release". http://www.facebook.com/notes/robert-b-parker/the-putnam-press-release/210748698944997. 
  24. ^ Shanahan, Mark; Meredith Goldstein (28 April 2011). "Parker’s series live on". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2011/04/28/parkers_series_live_on/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Latest+celebrity+headlines. 

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