The comparisons first came years ago and continue to come. I’m flattered and not a little pleased. Robert B. Parker was arguably the best at what he did so well for so long. This, from Publishers Weekly, May 17, says DAMAGED GOODS, evokes some of Spenser. Fast company, indeed.
“Robert Parker fans who have yet to discover Boyle will be pleasantly surprised by his suspenseful ninth crime novel set in Maine featuring former New York Times reporter Jack McMorrow. … Boyle has succeeded in creating a likable lead whose sense of responsibility is reminiscent of Spenser as well as supporting characters with depth.”
I wrote about Bob Parker and his early and generous assistance in an earlier post. Scroll down.
Next stop is RiverRun Books in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. It’s my birthday. Come by and help blow out the candles. Or at least say hi and stay a bit for a chat.














In PORT CITY SHAKEDOWN, the first Brandon Blake novel, Brandon gets a full dose of bad guys. A brawl in a funeral home introduces him to Joel Fuller, a sociopathic hustler. Fuller is fresh out of jail and determined to take Brandon out—after Fuller and his sidekick Kelvin shake him down.
Rocky isn’t a tough guy. He’s a skinny little kid with crooked glasses, and he shouldn’t be homeless in Portland, Maine. When McMorrow and Roxanne pluck him from under the stomping feet of a gang of street kids, Rocky latches onto McMorrow–and drags him into a world of murder, both old and new. Why is McMorrow protecting Rocky? The cops want to know. Why is Rocky on the run? McMorrow wants to know. Why does death follow in Rocky’s wake? Jack and Roxanne need to find out before they’re added to the list.
It was also Eliza Doolittle Day, so congrats on your very auspicious birthday
Hope your book tour went well!