OK. So you wound up on my website after reading about me writing the new Spenser. Your first question might be, "Who in the hell does this guy think he is?"
Well, I'm sure I'm not Bob Parker. RBP is an icon of crime writing. Most critics seat him at the table of the Big Four with Hammett, Chandler, and Ross Macdonald. He's a legend and a true hero of mine.
I got into classic crime writing by being a fan of Mr. Parker's work. He introduced me to those who influenced him. And after reading every word he wrote -- most multiple times -- I learned from him, too.
It wasn't up to me to decide if Spenser should continue. This was a decision made by Mr. Parker's family.
And if they wanted Spenser to take on more cases, I wanted to be a part of it.
The fortieth Spenser will be my tenth book. I started my career covering the crime beat for a major newspaper. I've been a full-time novelist for the last ten years with my last four books centered on famous American criminal cases -- one of my last told the true story of Dashiell Hammett's work as a Pinkerton.
Most important to Spenser fans, I'm a man who appreciates baseball, good beer and food, and dogs.
Although I'm almost finished with the new Spenser novel -- after working on it for many months -- it won't be out until next spring. Being able to write about Spenser, Susan, and Hawk is more fun than I could have ever imagined.
I can tell you this, the estate could not find another writer more passionate about Mr. Parker's work or more honored to continue this iconic series.
I know he has many more cases left. Boston needs Spenser.
And I for one wasn't ready to see him go. For now, the office light at the corner of Berkeley and Boylston remains on. I hope to keep it shining a good long while. -- Ace