He was also one of our's....I thought it was ironic, when asked if he'd ever quit writing and he said he said something like, "he'd like to die doing what he liked best" and that's how he died... He and his wife had breakfast together and she left to do her running and came back to find him at his desk....He will be missed....

Sorry, but I'm sure you can find some books of his you haven't already read. I was saddened this week when I heard Erich Segal, who wrote Love Story, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's. And he wasn't much older than me, just 59.

Wow, I'm shocked. He's a favorite of mine, too, and in fact, I have the audio version of his new Night and Day Jesse Stone book in my car right now.

I confess I've been getting impatient with him lately, wishing Jesse would get over Jen for once and for all, and rolling my eyes as Sunny Randall nibbles lettuce leaves just like Susan Silverman. And enough of the psychotherapy talk! So much of Parker's life spilled over into his writing, which is certainly not uncommon with novelists, but he seemed to driving his personal points home harder and harder as he got older.

Which is not to say I won't miss him! I really will.

I enjoyed many of his books too. Some of the remarks Spenser made were so irrevrent and funny. I did not read his westerns, however.

I think I read that he died sitting at his desk. Better than lingering in bed for years.

I'm really sorry to hear that. He was one of my favorites also. What a tremendous loss to the world of fiction. I'm glad he didn't suffer.

I always loved one of Spenser's lines, when a disgruntled potential client huffed, "I want to speak to your superior!" and Spenser replied something like, "I don't think I have one. And da*n few equals..."
:-)

Have you read Robert Crais and Michael Connelly? I have Crais' newest, "The First Rule", on order at the library and have read Connelly's most recent, "Nine Dragons".

Now I'm trying to remember the author and main character for the crime series where the crook is the main character. The thief's SO lives in a house on a lake (in Minnesota?). It's mainly a summer community. He hides loot in the deserted vacation homes around the lake. He's not a 'nice guy', but most of his victims get themselves into trouble through their own greed and double-dealing. I don't know of many crime novels where the 'bad guy' is the main character.

At least we have more to look forward to:

However, due to his notorious prolific writing habit, there is substantial Parker material still to be published. According to Chris Pepe, his longtime editor at Putnam, there are two books set for release early this year (Split Image, a mystery featuring Jesse Stone, will be out next month, while Blue-Eyed Devil, a Western, hits bookstores later this spring) as well as a couple more in the pipeline.

A UK site said the pipeline includes "some Spenser novels."

I don't know Crais and Connelly, but thanks for the tip.

When I was reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plub books, I noticed Parker's influence showing up often in her writing.

His pic on the back of one of my hardcovers shows him wearing a black leather jacket with a Doberman. He looks sooo hot! LOL

I used to read the Spenser (with an S) I loved his writing and loved the T series they made too RIP

A favorite of mine also. RIP Robert Parker. You and your alter ego(s) have brought me hours and hours of entertainment.

I know! I was so sorry to hear this. I think I've read all his books--I hope not, but I tend to find a good author and read all their stuff. Thanks for the tip about Crais--never heard of him. I'd like to recommend Lee Child if y'all have never read him. Riveting!

jasdip I don't think anyone posted this info over at the Reader's forum Why not alert them?

Here is a link that might be useful: GW Reader's Forum

Minnie, that would be this thread at RP:

Here is a link that might be useful: RP thread on Robert Parker's death

I've never read a Robert Parker novel. I had to run over to Barnes & Noble this evening to buy a gift card and they had two tables of red dot books marked down 75%. I bought tons of books and journals for myself and as gifts and a great little clip on book or laptop light. The most expensive thing in my bag was a $20 digital photography book for $4.99. Everything else was under $3.50. One of the books I found was High Profile by Robert Parker I bought it.

Jodi-

As much as we enjoyed the Robert Parker books, I refused to buy them after I realized that we were reading them in about 2 hours. They were great big books printed on the thickest paper with the largest margins and very few words per page. We used to joke about how fast we would read them. "Honey, could you flip the steak now?" "Sure, just let me read this Spenser book first." lol

My irreverent husband wondered if his obituary would be written like that, too.

All that aside, I'm sorry Robert Parker died, he wasn't very old and I'm sure his family will miss him terribly.

We did enjoy his books and the TV show with Robert Urich, he was the perfect Spenser. I recommend reading his books in the order that they were written in, when possible. They do have a progression of characters and story lines that might be helpful. (And I have to agree about the Susan Silverman eating habits and Jesse Stone's tortured love life.... I got kind of tired of both of those.)

vannie -- Thanks for the tip on Lee Child. (Let's see how long the name sticks in my mush-for-brains.)

colleenoz
Thanks for the link I sure didn't see it I expected a thread about him I don't really particpate in th forum just lurk