Crime Author Parker Dead

Popular U.S. crime novelist ROBERT B. PARKER has died at the age of 77.

The author was found dead at his home in Boston, Massachusetts by his wife Joan on Monday (18Jan10). The cause of death is currently unknown.

Best known for his Spenser series of detective novels, Parker penned more than 50 books. His last, The Professional, was published last year (09).

His tough-guy Spenser character was brought to life for the small screen in 1980s U.S. TV series, Spenser: For Hire, which starred Robert Urich as the title character. The show ran for three years.

Parker won two Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America and a Grand Master Edgar in 2002 for lifetime achievement. More than four million copies of his books have sold globally.