Of course, everyone loves Hawk. Hawk is Hawk. But I also like some of Spenser's other pals we haven't seen in a while. Wayne Cosgrove, the reporter for The Globe. Lennie Seltzer, the bookie who runs the Tennessee Tavern. Wonderful characters I want to revisit.
A book just with Hawk. I agree, that would be pretty cool. But pretty short. Hawk would kill everyone in chapter 1.
What was the hardest part of switching from your voice to that of Robert Parker? Or did you even think of in those terms of being Parker as opposed to thinking like Spenser?
The latter is correct. I work and think like Spenser. No writer can ever replace Robert B. Parker. But I do feel I can be and write as Spenser. Again, I get inspiration from the way Bob brought back Philip Marlowe — I thought his work was masterful for those Marlowe novels.
Have you started writing the second book in the series? If so, can you give a tease as to what it will be about?
Hmmm. Good question. And yes. I'm about halfway into the 41st Spenser now. I can tell you the next novel revolves around Spenser's relationship with Henry Cimoli and the casinos coming to Massachusetts. I'm so honored and thrilled to have a chance to do this. I thank the Parker family often for entrusting Spenser with me.
Article comments
1 - johnsons
I read Lullaby, I enjoyed the book. You could be Robert Parker.
2 - Scott Butki
Glad you liked it. I'm not Parker - is that what you meant? Or do you mean Atkins is as good as Parker?