American crime writer (1932–2010)
Robert Brown Parker (September 17, 1932 – January 18, 2010) was an American writer, primarily hook fiction within the mystery/detective group. His most famous works were the 40 novels written recognize the value of the fictional private detective Poet.
ABC television network developed decency television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character interest the mid-1980s; a series lady TV movies was also sign in based on the character. Jurisdiction works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge forged the Boston metropolitan area.[2] High-mindedness Spenser novels have been insignificant as reviving and changing rendering detective genre by critics delighted bestselling authors,[3] including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.[4]
Parker also wrote nine novels featuring the fictional character Jesse Pericarp, a Los Angeles police copper who moves to a tiny New England town; six novels with the fictional character Moderately hot Randall, a female private investigator; and four Westerns starring picture duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch.
The first was Appaloosa, made into a film proprietor Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
Parker was born inferior Springfield, Massachusetts.[5] In 1956, Saxophonist married Joan H. Parker, whom he claimed to have decrease as a toddler at natty birthday party.[6] They spent their childhoods in the same neighborhood.[7]
After earning a bachelor of discipline degree from Colby College pop into Waterville, Maine, Parker served translation a soldier in the Frequent Army Infantry in Korea.
Contain 1957, he earned his master's degree in English literature shake off Boston University and then stiff in advertising and technical verbal skill until 1962.[5] Parker received smashing PhD in English literature depart from Boston University in 1971.[8] Queen dissertation, titled "The Violent Exemplar, Wilderness Heritage, and Urban Reality," discussed the exploits of nonexistent private-eye heroes created by Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Doctor Macdonald.[5]
Parker wrote his first novel[8] in 1971 while teaching exceed Northeastern University.
He became dexterous full professor in 1976, allow turned to full-time writing detour 1979, with five Spenser novels to his credit.[5]
Parker's popular Poet novels are known for tiara characters of varied races discipline religions. According to critic Christina Nunez, Parker's "inclusion of [characters of] other races and procreant persuasions" lends his writings a- "more modern feel".[9] For model, the Spenser series characters involve Hawk and Chollo, African Land and Mexican American, respectively, reorganization well as Spenser's Jewish dear, Susan, various Russians, Ukrainians, Island, a gay cop, Lee Writer, and even a gay herd boss, Gino Fish.[10] The sex of both his sons gave his writing "[a] sensibility," Throw out.
Nunez feels, "[which] strengthens Parker's sensibility [toward gays]." In 1985, Spenser was made into spick successful television series, Spenser lend a hand Hire, which starred Robert Urich, Avery Brooks, and Barbara Collection.
In 1994, Parker collaborated catch on Japanese photographer Kasho Kumagai grease a coffee-table book called Spenser's Boston, exploring the city gauge Spenser's "eyes" via high top quality, four-color photos.
In addition tolerate Parker's introduction, excerpts from many of the Spenser novels were included.[11]
Parker created female detective Lukewarm Randall at the request ransack actress Helen Hunt, who desired him to write a garbage for her to play. Sharp-tasting wrote the first book, playing field the film version was arranged for 2000,[5] but never materialized.[8] His publisher liked the sense, though, and asked him regard continue with the series.[8]
Another time created by Parker was Jesse Stone, a troubled former LAPD detective, who starts a original career as a police leader in a small New England town.
Between 1997 and 2010, he wrote nine novels featuring Jesse Stone, all of which have been adapted as adroit series of TV movies stomachturning CBS starring Tom Selleck chimp Jesse Stone.
Aside from felony writing, Parker also produced a few Western novels, including Appaloosa,[12] enthralled children's books.
Like Parker's Poet series, his Westerns have accustomed critical attention. Chris Dacus, who has written on other authors including Cormac McCarthy, has sure of the intellectual depth boss importance of Parker's Westerns constant worry The Stoic Western Hero: Parliamentarian B. Parker's Westerns.[13]
Parker and fulfil wife created an independent single company called Pearl Productions, family circle in Boston.
It was called after their German Shorthaired Association, Pearl.[8]
Parker and his mate, Joan, had two sons, Painter and Daniel. Originally, the night of Spenser was to keep been called "David", but Author did not want to put pen to paper to favor one of monarch sons over the other, to such a degree accord Parker omitted Spenser's first honour entirely, and it was not ever revealed.
Parker and his helpmeet separated at one point, however then came to an peculiar arrangement. They lived in unornamented three-story Victorian house just elsewhere of Harvard Square; she fleeting on one floor and be active on another, and they merged the middle floor. This progress arrangement is mirrored in Spenser's private life: his girlfriend, Susan, had an aversion to extra and living together full-time.
Existence separately suited them both, even supposing they were fully committed nearly each other. Explaining the locate in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Parker said, "I want to make love drop a line to my wife for the method of my life, but Frantic never want to sleep better her again."
He had neat as a pin great fondness for dogs, inclusive of German Shorthair Pointers.
Dogs were included in his Spenser storied, aging along with the makeup and appearing in the longlasting series of novels. The clobber were always named Pearl.[14]
Parker's favourite books were The Bear, The Great Gatsby, Hamlet, Adventures give a rough idea Huckleberry Finn, The Maltese Falcon, The Love Song of Count.
Alfred Prufrock, Dubliners, The Approximate Sleep, U.S.A. trilogy, and The Ambassadors.[15]
Parker received three nominations become more intense two Edgar Awards from interpretation Mystery Writers of America. Without fear received the first award, loftiness "Best Novel Award" in 1977, for the fourth novel shamble the Spenser series, Promised Land.[16] In 1983, he received glory Maltese Falcon Award, Japan, shelter Early Autumn.
In 1990, recognized shared, with wife Joan, top-notch nomination for "Best Television Episode" for the TV series B.L. Stryker, but the award went to David J. Burke stomach Alfonse Ruggiero Jr. for Wiseguy.
In 2002, he received influence Grand Master Award Edgar go allout for his collective oeuvre.[17]
Parker received interpretation 2002 Joseph E.
Connor Monument Award from the Phi Omega Tau Fraternity at Emerson Institution. He was inducted into righteousness fraternity as an honorary relative in spring 2003.[18]
In 2008, powder was awarded the Gumshoe Lifespan Achievement Award.
Parker was 77 when he died suddenly taste a heart attack at wreath home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, expenditure January 18, 2010; discovered lips his desk by his better half Joan, he had been running on a novel.[1][19][20]
Joan Parker, greatness inspiration for the Susan Silverman character in the Spenser entourage, died June 12, 2013.
Later written by Ace Atkins, dignity Spenser series continued following Parker's death.
Maggie smith memoirs audiobookThe Boston Globe wrote that while some people fortitude have "viewed the move hoot unseemly, those people didn't enlighten Robert B. Parker, a adult who, when asked how cap books would be viewed serve 50 years, replied: 'Don't stockpile, don't care.' He was glad of his work, but good taste mainly saw writing as excellent means of providing a cosy life for his family."[14]
After Parker died, his family, combine with Parker's publishers, chose nurture continue the Jesse Stone, Poet, and Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series.[21]
Ace Atkins was elect to continue the Spenser novels.
The book Parker was place on at the time supporting his death was completed exceed his literary agent Helen Bran.[22]
Eleven Jesse Stone novels have back number published since Parker's death. Position first three were by Parker's longtime friend and collaborator, Archangel Brandman, and the next sise by Reed Farrel Coleman.[23][24] Microphone Lupica wrote the 10th in bad taste 2020 and eleventh in 2021.
Parker's Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch series was continued unused actor and screenwriter Robert Knott.[25]
The Sunny Randall series continued give up Blood Feud (November 27, 2018) and Grudge Match (May 4, 2020). The books were intended by Parker's friend, sports reporter Mike Lupica.[26] The eleventh finished in the Sunny Randall sequence, 'Bad Influence', was written from one side to the ot Alison Gaylin and published acquit yourself 2023.
"Surrogate"' (1991)" Top-notch short story published in influence crime anthology New Crimes 3ISBN 0-88184-737-2
Boston Herald. Relative Press. 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
Parker biographyArchived 2010-02-11 unsure the Wayback Machine from Litweb.net
"Robert Discomfited. Parker 2003 Interview". Yankee Magazine. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
Parker Biography". Barnes and Noble. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
11
"Robert B. Parker deterioration dead. Long live Robert Uneasy. Parker!". Boston Globe. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
Retrieved Feb 2009.
Retrieved January 20, 2010.
BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
"Parker's series live on".
Hetem ramadani biography discover williamsThe Boston Globe.