Close to Home

Posted 7:00 AM by Gerald So

Jacket design: Henry Sene Yee

Shopping on Independent Bookstore Day, I browsed this year's Edgar Awards nominees and bought Celadon Books' JOHNNY CARELESS, the first novel by Kevin Wade, playwright, screenwriter, and a longtime producer on CBS's Blue Bloods.

Visit SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT for my full review.

FUTURE BOY by Michael J. Fox and Nelle Fortenberry

Posted 11:30 AM by Gerald So

Published October 14 by Flatiron Books, FUTURE BOY is Fox's memoir of filming BACK TO THE FUTURE while completing Season 3 of FAMILY TIES, written with his longtime producing partner.

The 150-page book with photographs delivers in describing how Fox juggled his high-profile TV role of Alex Keaton and what would be his breakout, best-remembered movie role of Marty McFly. I'm a fan of FAMILY TIES, the first BACK TO THE FUTURE, and of Fox's writing style from his previous memoirs.

I recommend the book to anyone who wants to relive 1985 vicariously through one of Hollywood's most popular actors putting his talent, instinct, and stamina to the test.

Bond and Sensitivity

Posted 3:00 PM by Gerald So

YouTube brought up last week's episode of military thriller author Jack Carr's Danger Close podcast, "What's next for James Bond?", with guest David Zaritsky, curator of The Bond Experience:




In the clip below, Carr and Zaritsky discuss the new editions of Ian Fleming's Bond books, which have been edited for sensitivity:




Carr and Zaritsky pan the editing and yearn for the books as originally published in the 1950s and '60s. While this stance is valid, it's very narrow-minded. It denies the Bond films, books, and trappings since the '60s have outgrown Fleming.

It's valid to revere Sean Connery as the first actor to play Bond in major motion pictures, two even in Fleming's life. I wonder, though, how many of those so-called purists have refused to watch or accept George Lazenby's, Roger Moore's, Timothy Dalton's, Pierce Brosnan's, or Daniel Craig's take on Bond. Have they also refused to read the post-Fleming Bond books?

Bond persists in the public consciousness because he's been allowed to change with us. If not, the audience at large would've left him behind. A handful of superfans would be trying to make a movie, struggling with funding for lack of interest. I doubt that's really what Carr and Zaritsky would prefer.

The new editions show Bond's value is independent of Fleming's sexism and racism. Surely true fans agree.

Facing Reality with Fiction

Posted 5:30 AM by Gerald So

Getting away from the reality of the election with a story, book, or TV show seems futile in one way, but in another it's important. In fiction, good usually wins in the very end. Core principles are upheld. Yes, this may not happen in life. See Tuesday's example. But if our principles exist and justice prevails only in fiction, at least they do there, reminding us that individuals and the people at large can make crucial, good decisions. Even one person who carries this into reality makes a difference.

Advance review of ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS by Christopher Farnsworth

Posted at 4:00 PM by Gerald So

Putnam Books approved me to review a NetGalley of the next Jesse Stone sequel, due to be published February 4, 2025.

Now Hear This

© by Gerald So | 4:00 AM

I'm posting audio reads of my book blog reviews to YouTube to grow their audience. First, a reading of my review of Ace Atkins' June 25, 2024 novel, DON'T LET THE DEVIL RIDE:




Second, my review Alison Gaylin's September 10, 2024 second Sunny Randall sequel, ROBERT B. PARKER'S BUZZ KILL:




And my latest advance review, of Mike Lupica's November 26, 2024 second Spenser novel, ROBERT B. PARKER'S HOT PROPERTY:

ROBERT B. PARKER'S HOT PROPERTY by Mike Lupica

© by Gerald So | 7:00 AM

Book design by Katy Riegel

Thanks to Putnam Books, I got to advance-review a NetGalley of Mike Lupica's November 2024 second Spenser. Our hero investigates when recurring attorney Rita Fiore is shot.

I thought the book's synopsis overhyped Rita's importance to Spenser, but her being at death's door makes Spenser value their friendship more and raises her standing in the Parker canon.

Want to chat further? Join my public Matrix room Fans of Robert B. Parker.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BUZZ KILL by Alison Gaylin

© by Gerald So | 6:30 PM

Thanks to Putnam Books, I got to advance review Alison Gaylin's September 10 second Sunny Randall sequel.

DON'T LET THE DEVIL RIDE by Ace Atkins

© by Gerald So | 6:30 AM

Ace Atkins' move to William Morrow was announced in April 2022 with the first of a two-book deal being a suspense thriller about a woman who uncovers her husband's double life. Thanks to publicist Jessica Cozzi, I got to advance-review the book, DON'T LET THE DEVIL RIDE, going on sale June 25.

Fifty Years of Spenser

Posted 5:30 AM by Gerald So

2023 is the fiftieth anniversary of fictional Boston private eye Spenser's debut in THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT. Earlier this week the website CrimeReads marked the occasion with an essay by L. Wayne Hicks including quotes from Parker's late widow Joan, his older son David, SPENSER: FOR HIRE screenwriter John Wilder, and continuation authors Ace Atkins and Mike Lupica.

A Spenser reader since 1993, I started an online discussion of Parker's works and legacy in 2001 and moderated it until 2018. The perks have included writing a tribute to Parker for a 2007 lifetime achievement award, interviewing Ace Atkins two days after his 2011 announcement as continuation author, and advance-reviewing the Spenser sequels. Here's my look at how Spenser has weathered the years.

Logo by Gerald So

While THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT is our first glance at Spenser, the additions of psychiatrist Susan Silverman in book two and legbreaker Hawk in book four help reveal him as he endures and elevate the series like Avery Brooks elevates SPENSER: FOR HIRE.

Books two through ten test Spenser and Susan's love to a breakup that lasts through book twelve. The romantic tension a meaningful part of the series to that point, I miss it in the rest of Parker's entries. In his later years, the characters become settled and ageless, the books virtually standalone. This lets me down as a longtime fan, but lets new readers start with any book, lets Spenser live anytime.

I covered Ace Atkins' continuation run here and elsewhere at the time. Summing it up, I admire that he didn't pick the characters up in the infinite episodic state Parker left them. Instead, his sequel to Parker's final Spenser read more like Parker in his prime. Atkins didn't ride Parker's coattails. He established his own credibility and made a case for Spenser's relevance with every book.

Mike Lupica steps into Spenser this November with ROBERT B. PARKER'S BROKEN TRUST. Before the promotion, he ably emulated Parker in four Sunny Randall and three Jesse Stone sequels. His writing in Spenser's voice, though, is less flowing than Parker's or Atkins'. His Spenser is also quick to explain poetic remarks. These changes lessen my enjoyment, but they may make Spenser more accessible to people not as steeped in poetry. That might boost sales and create demand for further Spenser.

Similarly, Netflix's 2020 picture SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL didn't aim to please Spenser readers; it aimed to draw Mark Wahlberg fans. Maybe they'd read Spenser from there, maybe not. How many more books, TV shows, movies can there be? The market will decide.


Spenser author slideshow - Robert B. Parker, Ace Atkins, Mike Lupica:

Embed from Getty Images

Spenser actor slideshow - Robert Urich, Joe Mantegna, Mark Wahlberg:

Embed from Getty Images

Recent Advance Reviews

© by Gerald So | 11:00 AM

Curious about this year's Robert B. Parker continuations? Check out my advance reviews of Alison Gaylin's first Sunny Randall and Mike Lupica's first Spenser. Thanks again to Putnam and NetGalley.

Second Thoughts about First Blood

© by Gerald So | 4:30 PM

The Fifth Profession by David Morrell was the first novel I read after deciding to write commercial fiction in 1993. It was an adventure about the deep bond between a ex-Navy SEAL and a present-day samurai who work as bodyguards. The book cover touted Morrell as the author of First Blood, which factored heavily in my choice of the book as a template.

At the time I only knew First Blood as the 1972 novel that introduced Rambo, that spawned the hit movie franchise with Sylvester Stallone. I would come to learn, to my endless intrigue, Morrell killed off Rambo in the novel. Yesterday I watched the movie on 4K disc for the first time and afterward I read the novel, even more morally ambiguous—and richer for it—than I'd heard.

In the movie, Brian Dennehy's Sheriff Teasle pegs Rambo for a vagrant and drives him to the town limits. Rambo walks back two or three times. The novel gives Rambo a prior record of trouble with the law. Rambo mouths off to Teasle more. both pushing each other, not so much Teasle pushing Rambo. The novel offers both characters' conflicted thoughts. Rambo doesn't want to hurt anyone at first. He knows he must control himself, but he's fed up with prejudice toward his generation. Teasle wants to keep the status quo. He's afraid that showing leniency would change the town's makeup and lessen the people's respect for the law, for him.

Speaking of generation, many characters in the novel call Rambo a kid. I imagined him half Teasle's age, not the eleven years between Stallone and Dennehy. The novel also establishes the character Orval, who owns the dogs used to track Rambo, as a father figure to Teasle. Teasle resents Orval the way Rambo resents Teasle, but the analogy never occurs to Teasle. The novel paints neither Rambo nor Teasle as heroic. They are two unyielding characters headed for their appointments in Samarra.

Under the Wire

© by Gerald So | 6:30 PM

Yesterday Putnam Books approved my Netgalley request for Ace Atkins' final Spenser continuation, Robert B. Parker's Bye Bye Baby, and today I posted my review. What better way to end a year?

ROBERT B. PARKER'S SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME by Ace Atkins

© by Gerald So | 4:30 AM

Atkins' ninth Spenser continuation novel was originally scheduled to be published next Tuesday, the 17th, but printing and distribution issues delayed it to January 12, 2021. Fortunately, Putnam Books publicist Nicole Biton sent me an advance ebook, which I reviewed yesterday at So Much to Talk About.

LEADERSHIP STRATEGY AND TACTICS FIELD MANUAL by Jocko Willink

© by Gerald So | 3:00 PM

A few weeks ago, I found a YouTube video of a TED Talk by retired Navy SEAL Lt. Cmdr. John Gretton "Jocko" Willink Jr. He recounts a mission gone awry that resulted in friendly-fire casualties. As commanding officer of Task Unit Bruiser, he took responsibility for the errors of his men, as he calls it, "Extreme Ownership." He went on to explain that every shortfall can be traced to a failure of leadership.

Most impressive to me, though, Willink's concept of leadership wasn't stereotypical super-macho "me first." Instead, it came from true concern for the welfare and success of his team and their missions. I knew the SEALs were really team-oriented, not the lone wolves of fiction, but even with the spirit of teamwork drilled in, Willink has written and said in his Jocko Podcast, it's hard to detach from ego to the point of accepting that much responsibility.

Having read and benefited from a similar philosophy espoused by the late George "Rhino" Thompson III's Verbal Judo, I bought this latest of Willink's books and two earlier ones he wrote with his fellow SEAL Leif Babin. In 300 pages of to-the-point prose, Willink sets a standard of doing the right things for the right reasons and explains how--by checking your ego--you can gain trust and influence with bosses and peers and achieve greater success for all. To me, the book is about improving rapport not only at work, but anywhere else, too.

Close-reading the Spenser Confidential synopsis

© by Gerald So | 4:00 AM

Following my trailer reaction, it interests me as a former English prof to analyze the official movie synopsis:

Spenser (Mark Wahlberg) — an ex-cop better known for making trouble than solving it — just got out of prison and is leaving Boston for good. But first he gets roped into helping his old boxing coach and mentor, Henry (Alan Arkin), with a promising amateur. That’s Hawk (Winston Duke), a brash, no-nonsense MMA fighter convinced he’ll be a tougher opponent than Spenser ever was. When two of Spenser’s former colleagues turn up murdered, he recruits Hawk and his foul-mouthed ex-girlfriend, Cissy (Iliza Shlesinger), to help him investigate and bring the culprits to justice. From director Peter Berg, SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL is an action-comedy co-starring Bokeem Woodbine, Marc Maron, and Post Malone. Inspired by Robert B. Parker's Wonderland, a best-selling novel by Ace Atkins.

better known for making trouble than solving it - Well, the Spenser of the books was fired for insubordination.

Hawk...a brash, no-nonsense MMA fighter - This version of Hawk is analogous to Parker's character Z(ebulon) Sixkill, created to be Spenser's apprentice in an aborted TNT reboot as the TV rights to Hawk were tied up elsewhere.

Parker brought Z to the books with his 2011 final Spenser novel, Sixkill, and Atkins continued his arc with Wonderland. In the books, Spenser brings Sixkill to Henry to improve his endurance and fighting skill. In the movie, Henry brings Hawk to Spenser to learn boxing, improving his MMA repertoire.

Contrasting Hawk's MMA and Spenser's boxing nods to Duke being fifteen years younger than Wahlberg, better handling than A&E's 1999 movie Small Vices without explanation presenting the similarly younger Shiek Mahmud-Bey as Hawk to Joe Mantegna's Spenser:



foul-mouthed ex-girlfriend - Cissy may be analogous to the books' foul-mouthed Susan Silverman. We see Cissy put up with Spenser, Hawk, and Henry as Susan would. Then again, she could be a lawyer girlfriend before Susan, explaining her helping Spenser investigate.

action-comedy - Seems about the right tone for Spenser. Urich's and Mantegna's portrayals seldom if ever brought the books' humor. Spenser is hard-boiled, not as bleak as noir. If you think Spenser too good a fighter in the books, you may enjoy seeing him knocked down in the trailer. And what movie hero today isn't constantly outnumbered?:



Finally, Inspired by has a looser connotation than "based on," hinting how far Spenser Confidential departs from Robert B. Parker's Wonderland.

Robert B. Parker's Angel Eyes by Ace Atkins

Book design by Katy Riegel

© by Gerald So | 3:30 AM

On Friday the 13th I was lucky enough to receive a galley of Ace Atkins' eighth Spenser continuation from G.P. Putnam's Sons.

On sale November 19, it sees Spenser searching L.A. for a model-actress linked to a powerful studio executive and a shady empowerment group, clearly based on the downfalls of Smallville actress Allison Mack and Warner Bros. chairman Kevin Tsujihara.

Today, the anniversary of Robert Parker's birth, read my review at So, You Want to Chat?

THE MALTESE JORDANS by Seth Harwood

© by Gerald So | 11:00 AM

Seth Harwood, Bostonian, basketballer, Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate, had one of the first crime fiction podcasts, CrimeWAV, through which he introduced series protagonist one-hit wonder action movie star Jack Palms.

Back when I published The Lineup: Poems on Crime chapbook series, I had a hunch Seth would enjoy it and spread the word on CrimeWAV. Not only did he in three episodes, he also posted Amazon reviews of my own poetry and short fiction ebooks. He sent me the ebook of his latest Jack Palms novel in advance of a May 14 signing at New York City's Mysterious Bookshop.

Disclaimer done, I heartily recommend The Maltese Jordans, a contemporary riff on Hammett's classic wild goose chase that sees sneakerhead Jack tracking bail jumper Meyer Mody and a fabled pair of gold sneakers from the Bay Area to Hawaii to New York. Harwood delivers the sensibilities of characters who revere NBA history and love sneakers to the point of staying in a globe-trotting hunt because he shares these sensibilities.

I'm happy to see this book released through Seth's own imprint to be enjoyed by thriller fans, basketball fans, sneakerheads, or all of the above.

Damn Fine Story by Chuck Wendig

© by Gerald So | 11:00 AM

Very early, Chuck Wendig states his 2017 Writer's Digest book is not a book of writing advice or answers. It might more accurately be characterized as an interrogation of how storytelling works across all media. How does it enthrall an audience? Of course, with each story told, these questions and more may be asked anew.

The book itself unfolds in a humorous, attention-holding style using such pop culture touchstones as the Star Wars movies, Die Hard, The Princess Bride, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to take a fresh look at traditional writing advice, asking what it means at heart, and when necessary, rightfully debunking it.

Robert B. Parker's Old Black Magic by Ace Atkins

© by Gerald So | 4:00 a.m.

Thanks to Katie McKee Clay of G.P. Putnam's Sons, I received a galley of Ace Atkins' May 2018 Spenser continuation.

My review is up today at So, You Want to Chat?

I like how that particular blog of mine shows off what's known as the "hero post" on the front page.