I honestly own every novel* that Parker wrote published (there’s a few more still in the pipeline). That he died at his desk is about the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m a little surprised at the strength of the emotional reaction I’m having to this news. I’ve been reading his stuff pretty much my entire lifespan. It feels a lot like loosing a friend I only see a couple times a year.

From Sarah Weinman

At the age of 77, “just sitting at his desk” at his home in Cambridge, Mass., according to an email sent out by a representative of his U.K. publisher Quercus, Robert B. Parker is dead. The news of Parker’s death on Monday was confirmed by Parker’s U.S publisher, Putnam; an official statement is expected later today, though on Twitter a representative wrote: “R.I.P beloved author Robert B. Parker. You were indeed a Grand Master, your legacy lives on, and you will be missed by us all.” The thriller writer Joseph Finder also confirmed the news directly with Parker’s family, said to be “in shock.”And the Bookseller quotes Parker’s UK editor, Nick Johnston: “He was a great talent who will be mourned by all his many fans.”

I’m really not sure how to process this. Not at all. I suppose it’s exactly the way the author best known for his Spenser private detective novels, who by the latter portion of his career was up to publishing three novels a year, working at a five to ten page-a-day clip, should die – doing exactly what he was doing, day in, day out.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, and his sons, David, a choreographer, and Daniel, an actor. Several more novels will be published in 2010, including SPLIT IMAGE, the newest Jesse Stone novel (out February 23) and BLUE-EYED DEVIL, an Appaloosa novel (out on May 4). As well, Parker’s literary agent, Helen Brann, told the Associated Press that a private ceremony will take place this week to remember the author, and a public memorial, a “celebration of his life and work,” is planned for mid-February in Boston.

*Novels and most books. I don’t own any of his weightlifting books.