title: In Pursuit of Spenser: Mystery Writers on Robert B. Parker and the Creation of an American Hero
author:  Otto Penzler 
description: <div>&#147;A close and revealing examination of Robert B. Parker&#151;the author, the man, and the husband&#151;brought to life by the observations and insights of fellow authors who knew him and his work. Extraordinary!&#8221;<BR>&#151;<B>Joan Parker</B><BR><BR>"Robert B. Parker, the man widely credited with reviving the hardboiled PI genre, gets the respect he amply deserves in this anthology. Editor Penzler . . . provides a thoughtful introduction that sets the stage for insights into a wide range of topics, including the role of food in the Spenser books, TV adaptations, and the series' Boston setting. Every piece is worthwhile."<BR>&#151;<I>Publishers Weekly</I><BR><BR>"The fourteen essays here examine Spenser&#8217;s place in the literary genre and anatomize the aims, techniques, and achievements of his creator . . . Included, too, are commentaries on Spenser&#8217;s accepting&#151;but never self-abasing&#151;attitudes toward race and sexuality."<BR>&#151;<I>ForeWord Reviews</I><BR><BR>"A festschrift in honor of the iconic Parker, who died in 2010 . . . the collection delves into all things Spenser and Parker, with side trips for Parker's westerns and Jesse Stone series. Susan Silverman, Hawk and Boston also get their due."<BR>&#151;Shelf-Awareness.com<BR><BR>"A baker&#8217;s dozen of crime and mystery writers&#151;including Loren D. Estleman, Lyndsay Faye, Gary Phillips, Max Allan Collins and S.J. Rozan&#151;who look back on the author&#8217;s award-winning body of work, his Boston milieu, his continuing players and any influences his fiction had on their own."<BR>&#151;<I>Kirkus Reviews</I><BR><BR>&#147;<I>In Pursuit of Spenser</I> is written by fans of Robert Parker for fans of Robert Parker. It&#8217;s a fun read that brings back wonderful memories of the man who created Spenser and so many other characters.</I>"<BR>&#151;ReviewJournal.com<BR></div>
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/Park_9780307874269_epub_cvi_r1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Raves for Robert B. Parker’s  
  CEREMONY
  
  
  
  
  
  “Spenser is Boston’s answer to James Bond. With a little Sam Spade and Nero
  Wolfe thrown in …. Irreverent, witty, and worldly…. His first-person recital
  of his detective work makes for fast, amusing reading…. Parker dishes up an
  adventure story that is spicy and sizzling enough to keep most readers glued
  to the book until the last page.” — _The Pittsburg Press_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “The toughest, funniest, wisest private eye in the field these days.” — _The
  Houston Post_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Spenser and Susan make ‘the wittiest man-woman talk since Nick and Nora
  Charles.’” — _Newsweek_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “One of the most engaging characters in contemporary American fiction. Parker
  writes exciting, genuinely witty stories populated by wacky characters….
  Delightful.” — _The Grand Rapids Press_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Pick of the crop, this one…. A genuinely involving plot.” — _The Plain
  Dealer_ (Cleveland)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “For those 