Crime Fiction Will Never Be the Same
Today, Robert B. Parker, best known for his Spenser detective novels, died at the age of 77. Several novels are still in the process of being released this year, including Split Image, a new Jesse Stone novel. Let’s take a look at some of his titles available on audiobook.
The Spenser Novels
Parker featured Spenser in 38 detective novels spanning from 1973 to 2009. Some may recognize the name of the television series (Spenser: For Hire) which was based on the books. Spenser is a private eye in the classic sense: tough with an undertone of caring.
Author Robert B. Parker
The Godwulf Manuscript, narrated by Michael Prichard is the first novel to introduce Spenser. Most recently, Parker presented Chasing the Bear: A Young Spenser Novel (narrated by Daniel Parker), geared toward YA readers. The book introduces Spenser as a young man. Whether this was a springboard to a new series is uncertain.
The Jesse Stone Novels
Jesse Stone is a more complex character than Spenser. After he is fired from his job as a detective for LAPD for drinking, he is hired as the police chief for a small town in Massachusetts. This character was also recruited for television. A series of movies, starring Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone, have been produced.
Night Passage, narrated by Richard Masur, is the first of the novels to feature Stone. As he settles in to his new job, he finds that his new jurisdiction is going to be more difficult than he imagined. The most recent entry in the Stone series, Split Image, will be available in late February 2010.
The Sunny Randall Novels
Parker’s first female detective, Sunny Randall, is a former cop who is currently a private investigator in Boston. She has been featured in 6 titles, beginning with Family Honor, read by Andrea Thompson.
Old West
Three novels set in the American Old West feature Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, two itinerant lawmen bent on getting rid of opportunistic thieves.
Other Works
Parker did not limit himself to his series. He wrote 4 non-fiction titles and several other stand alone novels.
Robert B. Parker will be sorely missed by family, friends, and readers everywhere.
By Dorothy Distefano
Popularity: 2%
Loading ...