Robert B. Parker

Robert B. Parker

Robert B. Parker was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA on September 17th, 1932 and passed away at the age of 77 on January 18th, 2010.

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Robert B. Parker Stats: The highest rated book by Robert B. Parker on Book Notification is Chasing the Bear, the first novel in the Young Spenser series. The second-highest rated book is Gunman's Rhapsody, a Standalone novel.

The most read book by Robert B. Parker on Book Notification is The Godwulf Manuscript, the first novel in the Spenser series. The second most read book is Night Passage (Jesse Stone #1).

Below is a complete list of Robert B. Parker books in publication and chronological order, broken down by series. The most popular series by Robert B. Parker is the Spenser Series.

List of Spenser Books in Publication Order

Follows the tough private detective Spenser solving crimes in Boston with his sidekick Hawk.

# ReadTitle Avg. Year Book Link
1
7.6
The Godwulf Manuscript
1973
2
8.4
God Save the Child
1974
3
8.6
Mortal Stakes
1975
4
8.3
Promised Land
1976
5
8.8
The Judas Goat
1978
6
8
Looking for Rachel Wallace
1980
7
8.5
Early Autumn
1981
8
8.2
A Savage Place
1981
9
8.2
Ceremony
1982
10
8.9
The Widening Gyre
1983
11
8.6
Valediction
1984
12
8.9
A Catskill Eagle
1985
13
8.8
Taming a Sea-Horse
1986
14
8.6
Pale Kings and Princes
1987
15
8.7
Crimson Joy
1988
16
8.8
Playmates
1989
17
8.4
Stardust
1990
18
8.2
Pastime
1991
19
8.3
Double Deuce
1992
20
8.4
Paper Doll
1993
21
8.6
Walking Shadow
1994
22
8.5
Thin Air
1995
23
8.6
Chance
1996
24
9
Small Vices
1997
25
8.7
Sudden Mischief
1998
26
8.8
Hush Money
1999
27
8.5
Hugger Mugger
2000
28
8.6
Potshot
2001
29
8.9
Widow's Walk
2002
30
8.6
Back Story
2003
31
8.1
Bad Business
2004
32
8.1
Cold Service
2005
33
8.5
School Days
2005
34
8.6
Hundred-Dollar Baby / Dream Girl
2006
35
8.6
Now and Then
2007
36
8.2
Rough Weather
2008
37
8.1
The Professional
2009
38
8.8
Painted Ladies
2010
39
8.4
Sixkill
2011
40
9
Silent Night (With: Helen Brann)
Silent Night (With: Helen Brann)
2011
41
9.3
Lullaby (By: Ace Atkins)
2012
42
8.9
Wonderland / Spenser Confidential (By: Ace Atkins)
2013
43
8.3
Cheap Shot (By: Ace Atkins)
2014
44
8.8
Kickback (By: Ace Atkins)
2015
45
8.9
Slow Burn (By: Ace Atkins)
2016
46
8.8
Little White Lies ( By: Ace Atkins)
2017
47
9.1
Old Black Magic ( By: Ace Atkins)
2018
48
9.3
Angel Eyes (By: Ace Atkins)
2019
49
8.9
Someone to Watch Over Me (By: Ace Atkins)
2020
50
8.3
Bye Bye Baby (By: Ace Atkins)
2022
51
7.7
Broken Trust (By: Mike Lupica)
2023
52
Hot Property (By: Mike Lupica)
2024
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List of Jesse Stone Books in Publication Order

# ReadTitle Avg. Year Book Link
1
8.4
Night Passage
1997
2
8.8
Trouble in Paradise
1998
3
8.2
Death in Paradise
2001
4
8.6
Stone Cold
2003
5
8.2
Sea Change
2005
6
8.5
High Profile
2007
7
8.8
Stranger in Paradise
2008
8
8.8
Night and Day
2009
9
8.9
Split Image
2010
10
8.6
Killing The Blues ( By: Michael Brandman)
2011
11
8.8
Fool Me Twice ( By: Michael Brandman)
2012
12
8.2
Damned If You Do ( By: Michael Brandman)
2013
13
8.8
Blind Spot ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2014
14
8.6
The Devil Wins ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2015
15
8.6
Debt to Pay ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2016
16
9.1
The Hangman's Sonnet ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2018
17
8.9
Colorblind ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2018
18
8.5
The Bitterest Pill ( By: Reed Farrel Coleman)
2019
19
8.3
Fool's Paradise ( By: Mike Lupica)
2020
20
8.3
Stone's Throw (By: Mike Lupica)
2021
21
9.3
Fallout (By: Mike Lupica)
2022
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List of Sunny Randall Books in Publication Order

# ReadTitle Avg. Year Book Link
1
8.9
Family Honor
1999
2
8.2
Perish Twice
2000
3
8
Shrink Rap
2002
4
7.8
Melancholy Baby
2004
5
7.8
Blue Screen
2006
6
8
Spare Change
2007
7
9
Blood Feud ( By: Mike Lupica)
2018
8
8.8
Grudge Match ( By: Mike Lupica)
2020
9
8.8
Payback ( By: Mike Lupica)
2021
10
7
Revenge Tour (By: Mike Lupica)
2022
11
5.8
Bad Influence (By: Alison Gaylin)
2023
12
Buzz Kill (By: Alison Gaylin)
2024
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List of Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch Books in Publication Order

# ReadTitle Avg. Year Book Link
1
8.2
Appaloosa
2005
2
8.5
Resolution
2008
3
8.6
Brimstone
2009
4
8.4
Blue-Eyed Devil
2010
5
7.9
Ironhorse ( By: Robert Knott)
2013
6
8.8
Bull River ( By: Robert Knott)
2014
7
8.6
The Bridge ( By: Robert Knott)
2014
8
8.7
Blackjack ( By: Robert Knott)
2016
9
8.8
Revelation ( By: Robert Knott)
2017
10
8.3
Buckskin ( By: Robert Knott)
2019
11
Opium Rose ( By: Robert Knott)
2026
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List of Standalone Novels in Publication Order

List of Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order

List of Philip Marlowe Books in Publication Order

# ReadTitle Avg. Year Book Link
1
7.6
The Big Sleep ( By: Raymond Chandler)
1939
2
6.9
Farewell, My Lovely ( By: Raymond Chandler)
1940
3
8
The High Window ( By: Raymond Chandler)
1942
4
8
The Lady in the Lake ( By: Raymond Chandler)
1943
5
7
The Little Sister ( By: Raymond Chandler)
1949
6
8
The Long Goodbye ( By: Raymond Chandler)
1953
7
10
Playback ( By: Raymond Chandler)
1958
8
8.8
Poodle Springs (With: Raymond Chandler)
1989
9
7.3
Perchance to Dream
1991
10
7.4
The Black-Eyed Blonde (By: Benjamin Black)
2014
11
6
Only to Sleep ( By: Lawrence Osborne)
2018
12
6.2
The Goodbye Coast (By: Joe Ide)
2022
13
9
The Second Murderer (By: Denise Mina)
2023
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List of Young Spenser Books in Publication Order

List of Mysterious Profiles Books in Publication Order

The Mysterious Profiles series offers brief biographies of iconic mystery writers, providing insights into their lives, works, and the creation of their most famous characters.

# ReadTitle Avg. Year Book Link
1
8.5
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (By: Robert Crais)
2022
2
Jack Taylor (By: Ken Bruen)
2022
3
Jack Reacher (By: Lee Child)
2022
4
Charlie Parker (By: John Connolly)
2022
5
9.3
Hieronymus Bosch (By: Michael Connelly)
2022
6
Lincoln Rhyme (By: Jeffery Deaver)
2022
7
10
Alex Delaware (By: Jonathan Kellerman)
2022
8
Tess Monaghan (By: Laura Lippman)
2022
9
Charlie Resnick (By: John Harvey)
2022
10
Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus (By: Faye Kellerman)
2022
11
10
Inspector Morse (By: Colin Dexter)
2022
12
Dismas Hardy (By: John Lescroart)
2022
13
Bob Lee Swagger (By: Stephen Hunter)
2022
14
10
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast (By: Douglas Preston)
2022
15
Lou Boldt (By: Ridley Pearson)
2022
16
Spenser
2022
17
Charlotte and Thomas Pitt (By: Anne Perry)
2022
18
John Rebus (By: Ian Rankin)
2022
19
Mallory (By: Carol O'Connell)
2022
20
Jane Whitefield (By: Thomas Perry)
2022
21
Ian Rutledge: A Mysterious Profile ( By: Charles Todd)
2022
22
Amos Walker (By: Loren D. Estleman)
2022
23
10
Precious Ramotswe (By: Alexander McCall Smith)
2022
24
8.1
Maisie Dobbs (By: Jacqueline Winspear)
2022
25
8.4
The Lincoln Lawyer (By: Michael Connelly)
2022
26
Ben Kincaid ( By: William Bernhardt)
2023
27
Repairman Jack (By: F. Paul Wilson)
2023
Show All Books in this Series

List of Robert B. Parker Anthologies in Publication Order

Robert B. Parker: Biography

Robert B. Parker (Robert Brown Parker) was born on September 17th, 1932. Robert B. passed away January 18th, 2010 at 77 years old. Robert B. Parker was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Parker attended Colby College Waterville, Maine where he received a Bachelor of Arts, Boston University where he received an M.A. English Literature and Boston University where he received a Ph.D English Literature.

Robert B. Parker was the author of the Spenser series which consists of 52 novels. The Spenser series started in 1973 with the novel The Godwulf Manuscript. The most recently released novel in the Spenser series was Broken Trust which was released in 2023. There is an upcoming novel for the Spenser series entitled Hot Property which is being released on November 26th, 2024.

Robert B. Parker (Robert Brown Parker) also wrote the Jesse Stone series which has 21 books including Night Passage and Trouble in Paradise .

Robert B. Parker: Awards & Accolades

Robert B. Parker has won multiple awards including: The Edgar Award, Grand Master, in 2002 and the Gumshoe Award, Lifetime Achievement, in 2007.

Parker's books have also won multiple awards, Promised Land won the Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1977. Early Autumn won the Maltese Falcon Society, Falcon Award, in 1983.

Robert B. Parker books have also been nominated for multiple awards, Early Autumn was nominated for the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 1982. Ceremony was nominated for the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 1983. The Widening Gyre was nominated for the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 1984. A Catskill Eagle was nominated for the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 1986.

Related Authors

The most common authors followed by users who also follow Robert B. Parker are:

  1. Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
  2. Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
  3. David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker Series.
  4. James Patterson, author of the Women's Murder Club Series.
  5. Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.

Robert B. Parker: F.A.Q

When was Robert B. Parker Born?

Robert B. Parker was born on September 17th, 1932.

When did Robert B. Parker die?

Robert B. Parker died on January 18th, 2010 at 77 years old.

Where was Robert B. Parker Born?

Robert B. Parker was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

What awards has Robert B. Parker won?

Robert B. Parker has won the following awards: Grand Master at the Edgar Award (2002) and the Lifetime Achievement at the Gumshoe Award (2007).

What book awards has Robert B. Parker won?

Promised Land: Edgar Award Best Mystery Novel (1977).
Early Autumn : Maltese Falcon Society Falcon Award (1983).

What was the first book Robert B. Parker wrote?

The first novel written by Robert B. Parker was The Godwulf Manuscript, published in 1973.

What was the most recent book Robert B. Parker wrote?

His most recently released work was Spenser on May 25th, 2022.

How many books has Robert B. Parker written?

Robert B. Parker has written 75 books. 40 books in the Spenser Series, 9 books in the Jesse Stone Series, 6 books in the Sunny Randall Series, 4 books in the Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch Series, 8 Standalone Novels, 4 books in the Non-Fiction Books, 2 books in the Philip Marlowe Series, 1 book in the Young Spenser Series, 1 book in the Mysterious Profiles Series.

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    Austin D.
    Austin D.
    2 years ago

    Robert B Parker wrote some fantastic hardboiled detective novels.

    Playmates is a novel, from the Spenser series, that is about college basketball, and the scenes discussing the game of hoops are about as compelling as anything with fists or guns.

    Another good one is an earlier book called The Judas Goat, where Spenser actually takes a working vacation in Europe. The waiting that Spenser has to do outside his own hotel room in London, just wondering if there’s a hitman in there, is a funny and dramatic moment in the book. And it is actually a relief when the bullets start flying.

    Edgar A.
    Edgar A.
    2 years ago

    The Spenser novels are hands down some of the best detective crime novels out there.
    Spenser the private detective in the series is something of a Sherlock Holmes character who works in Boston though unlike the serious and contemplative Holmes I find him to be more of a wisecracker.
    Appaloosa the first novel of the Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch series has always been one of my favorite novels by Robert B Parker. I found the film version of the novel that featured Ed Harris quite entertaining.
    Still, the Spenser novels have to be the best series he has ever written to date and make for interesting reading as Spenser the private eye evolves over the course of the series to become a badass.

    Andrew M.
    Andrew M.
    2 years ago

    I’ve been so curious to read the Spenser series, and I can now see what I have been missing all along.
    Godwulf Manuscript is fast-paced and fun, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Parker’s work.
    The book is set in the 1970s, and I laughed out loud at the clothes descriptions worn by the college students.
    Spenser is my new favorite character in Robert B. Parker’s work. He has everything I expect of a private detective.
    It seems to being a PI those days was a lot of work since there were no internet or cellphones.
    I also liked the Jesse Stone series where the main character’s biggest weakness is his obsessive love of a woman.
    But to be honest, I liked the TV series more as it’s fascinating than the books.

    Kyler F
    Kyler F
    2 years ago

    I watched the Robert Urich led series Spencer for Hire that was based on Robert Parker’s series, but didn’t realize at the time that it was based on the books. Once I found that out, I picked up a couple and was quickly hooked on them. Parker’s no-nonsense writing, coupled with the formidable main characters, makes for some great reading. I have so far read almost the whole series and am not looking forward to reaching the end, but thankfully Parker has some other series to try out, and with his influence on the genre there are plenty of writers inspired by him to keep readers  occupied. 

    Teddy B.
    Teddy B.
    2 years ago

    A popular author of western fiction and detective fiction, Robert B. Parker’s name is always held high for his contribution to American literature.

    I have enjoyed reading his novels featuring a private detective named Spenser.

    Robert wrote 40 novels based on this character, which were later adapted into a TV series by ABC. He is known for incorporating encyclopedic knowledge in his work, which tends to keep readers like me glued to his books.

    Another popular creation of Rober B. Parker that has intrigued readers like me is Jesse Stone. One of the 4 Western novels featuring the lead characters, Everett Hitch and Virgil Cole, has been made into a movie starring Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris in titular roles.

    Though Robert has left this world, his books entertain readers even today and serve as an inspiration to numerous authors across the world.

    Michael K.
    Michael K.
    2 years ago

    Robert B. Parker has been dead for quite a while now. But I found myself thinking about him when a friend mentioned his obituary during a random conversation. I felt a strong urge to re-read The Godwulf Manuscript.

    It was published in 1973, but it aged well. Yes, you can tell that it comes from a different era. But Spenser is no less compelling. This was a great introduction to the character. You could tell that he wasn’t quite the meathead you expected when you met him.

    You can see his wit in every line of dialog. Many modern authors praised Parker for reviving the detective genre. Even though he’s gone, his legacy will persist for generations.

    Cindy M
    Cindy M
    6 months ago

    Another author with intriguing books that are a quick read. Love the Spenser series as my favorite.

    cpottsy71
    cpottsy71
    3 months ago

    Mr Parker writes with a flair! His books are full of action and the wittiness of his characters are legendary. Appaloosa remains one of my favorite westerns movies based on book. Both were outstanding.

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