Robert B. Parker - One of the Greats

This week I had promised myself I would get caught up on my reviews. I'd write at least one each night after work and get back on track. But sometimes life happens; it gets in the way. This time death happened, and it's time to step back and pay tribute, reviews can wait until tomorrow.

I don't know that there is much I can say that hasn't been said - very well - already. Dave White was extremely eloquent in his tribute and fond words peppered Twitter, among them this and this. Robert B. Parker influenced the crime fiction genre in monumental ways. I grew up watching Spenser for Hire on television and didn't know until later in life that it was based on Parker's series. It was love at first word when I did finally discover them. I haven't made my way through the entire series yet, because I discovered it late. Now I will relish every book, every chapter, every sentence even more - if that is possible.

I also know that because of his influence on the genre, he will live on. Yes, his books will be his legacy, but echos of his style will live through other writers who have been drawn into the genre because of his work. I think he can be extremely proud of ALL that he has accomplished and left behind.

Robert B. Parker died sitting at his desk, working on his next novel. How perfect an end, too soon though it was. The crime fiction world mourns you today, Robert B. Parker. We salute you and thank you. May you rest in peace.

Must Read Novels

O.k., so I always read these lists, but I never really like them...those "books everyone must read before they die" lists. One of the main reasons I don't ever like these lists is because for some Godforsaken reason Ulysses ALWAYS ends up on the list. If I were making a list of books I think people should stay far, far away from, Ulysses would be at the top of the list followed immediately by Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man. Now granted, I had to read it for a class in college and the professor was so incredibly horrible that I dreaded going to class - only lit class I ever dreaded. But even if I hadn't had that bad experience I still would not have liked the book - I think Joyce is cut out more for the "ole boys network." The point of all this rambling is that reading is a personal experience. And what I should read before I die isn't necessarily the same thing that EVERY person should read before they die. I think the idea is ludicrous. However, I still end up reading the lists. Here is one from The Guardian. I looked at the section that highlighted Crime Fiction - there's three parts to it. It's actually kind of interesting to look at; they try to span all sub-genres of crime fiction. There are a handful on the list I've read, but far more that I haven't. Some, I have no interest in ever reading (Stephen King), some I've had on my TBR list now for awhile (Raymond Chandler). I was kind of surprised not to see any Ross Macdonald...maybe I overlooked him. I also didn't notice any Conan Doyle; kind of strange. Mark Twain and William Faulker appear but Edgar Allen Poe does not. Again, a little odd. Of course I have a personal bias for Robert Crais and believe L.A. Requiem should be on any list of crime fiction, but that's my "personal experience." I was, however, a little shocked not to see Robert Parker on the list. And again, my personal experience coming in to play here, I think James Lee Burke is one of the greatest living American writers, period, so I would definitely have him on my list of recommended crime fiction reading.

But again, I don't think any one list suits every person. So, I thought maybe you all could help me to build MY list. You've been reading my reviews, and getting an idea of what I appreciate and what I'm not so thrilled with. What would YOU recommend I put on my list and why do you think I'd find it worthwhile to read before I die? I'll try to put together a list of 100 that I need to read before I die.

Alright, you're turn...tell me what you think!

Two Smooth Operators

Did you check out Harlan Coben's trailer video for his book, Hold Tight, coming out April 15th? Looks like a pretty time-appropriate thriller, doesn't it? I keep saying that we need to throw his books in a time capsule because they truly are imitations of life as we know it now. I mean, come on, his first seven books are Myron the sports agent, and this culture is definitely obsessed with professional sports! In Back Spin, my latest read by Coben, Myron and Esperanza are watching Wheel of Fortune. And Myron ponders the question, "why do people who obviously know the answer to a puzzle buy a vowel?" I've always wondered that myself. I had to laugh and cheer during that part because when I use to watch the show I'd yell at the TV when people did that! Definitely imitating life!

So, in Back Spin, Myron is making the rounds on the golf course this time. If nothing else, he's a well sports-rounded agent, isn't he? He's at the U.S. Open when the leader's son is kidnapped. Now of course, the leader is NOT Tiger Woods. The leader is Jack Coldren, who happens to be married to a cousin of Win, a cousin Win will have nothing to do with. So, while Myron agrees to try to help find the boy, Win refuses to be involved.

Back Spin is the fourth installment of the Myron Bolitar series, and again here we see a focus on family relationships. These relationships revolve more around Win's family this time, and some interesting background on his character is revealed. This just adds to the depth and dynamics of Win. Despite all the dysfunction throughout the various family links, those links count for something in the end.

As is par for the course (pardon the pun), Coben leads you in circles before the mystery is solved. He always give you just enough to start making hypotheses, and then a new detail throws a hitch in the whole guess. You often find yourself coming back to possible culprits only to question your theory yet again. It's so much fun. And it's a load of laughs.

I wasn't laughing quite as much in the fifth Spenser novel, The Judas Goat. Which is not to say it wasn't good. It was excellent, but Parker changed the tone of the novel a bit this time. It's nice to see an author throwing some changes in and not becoming formulaic.

In The Judas Goat, Spenser travels to London to track down the people who killed a wealthy businessman's family. When the heat is turned up, Spenser calls on Hawk to join him and the two of them track down the vigilante group.

Besides having a change of scenery, as I previously mentioned, there seems to be a change of tone in this novel. It's a more solemn, more introspective novel. I really enjoyed this novel because it reflected the sincerity of Spenser. I appreciate that he battles with his use of violence in his job. It isn't an "easy answer" for him and he doesn't easily resort to it. The Spenser vs. himself conflict is often the more intriguing plot to follow in Parker's books.

The interaction of Hawk and Spenser continues to add depth and dimension to both characters. They seem to be complements to one another, and at the same time function as each other's foil as well. The use of the character Kathie created some questions for me about Hawk. I look forward to seeing how his character develops and if I'm able to answer those questions about Hawk...or is he just meant to be an enigma?

The one criticism I had with Judas Goat was that I didn't feel the whole plot was resolved for me. I wanted to know WHO they were trying to assassinate and WHY. Was it just an arbitrary person? If not, how did they know the person would be a medal winner? And what was the ultimate point? Just to cause chaos? Why? I needed some strings tied together on that one. But overall, it was another great caper with Spenser.