R.I.P. ROBERT B PARKER

Monday I lost a frequent and enjoyable bed partner. This man has put me heavy eyed to sleep more times than any other writer has. He will be greatly missed. Robert B Parker, the author, passed as one report has it, writing at his desk. I would like to think that.

He was not much older that I am and still cranking out several books a year. Usually when a celebrity dies, unless they are Marilyn Monroe or James Dean, they seem to slip quietly from our lives as they age and retire. We remember their past volume of work but Robert was still productively working. There are two new books now waiting to hit the stores. I will own them.

His last book, The Professional, was my first Kindle purchase this year as it climbed to the top ten best seller list. In my opinion, it was not his best, but it was pure Parker. Robert has written about 60 books, 40 of those based on a private eye named Spencer.

I never watched the "Spencer for Hire" series he created for those were my party years. For me at that time, TV was mainly for weather reports and news. He also wrote a western series of books, one of which was made into the recent movie "Appaloosa". Got to admit, I loved the westerns.

What I liked best about his writing was his humor. His characters were tough but his fast paced, funny dialog made for quick and enjoyable reading. I know one shouldn't but I tended to think he was much like his characters. Tough, competent, fiercely loyal to his woman (singular) and friends, sharp of wit and a great cook. Yep, his former boxer main character was a man with educated taste buds. Parker was once asked to write a cook book. To me, one of the sexiest men in the world is one in an apron.

One of his soon to be released books this year is based on the Jesse Stone series. If you have seen that recent TV series with Tom Selleck, then you have seen his work. Jesse was one of my favorite characters he wrote about but he also wrote a series of books about a female private eye named Sunny Randall that was equally engaging.

Robert has also written young adult books which I haven't read yet. The only good thing for me is that I have only read about 20 of his 60 books so he has not left me with out much future enjoyment.

Robert had a blog that he occasionally wrote for. He was once asked how he could put out so many books and his reply was...."Several of you have asked how I can produce so many books a year. One answer would be: I am a creative giant. Another would be: I have no life. But the truth is probably more that Joan thinks I should. . . ." Joan being his wife that he was devoted to.

Will his writing cause you to ponder great thoughts and change your life?? No. Will it give you an delightful escape, a realization that decent guys do win, and a good chuckle... you bet! He was definitely on my list of people I would love to have lunch with (especially if he were cooking) and now I must sadly add him to my list of people "living or dead".

RIP Robert and sincerest condolences to your wife and sons. You will be missed big guy.