Remembering A Crime Writer's Wife And Muse

04:57

June 17, 2013

Joan Parker sitting on her late husband's desk. Behind Joan is a teddy bear that her husband, author Robert Parker, had since childhood. (Anna Miller/Here & Now)

Joan Parker, longtime philanthropist and the widow of mystery writer Robert B. Parker, died last Tuesday.

After Robert's death in 2010, Joan and her sons were determined to carry on his literary legacy, so they selected mystery writer Ace Atkins to write more books featuring Parker's detective Spenser.

In 2011, we spoke to Joan Parker about her husband's writing and about the fact that she was the inspiration for Spenser's longtime love, Susan Silverman.

Today we revisit that conversation, and talk to Ace Atkins about his memories of working with Joan.

Hear the original interview with Joan Parker, June 1, 2011

Guests:

Ace Atkins, author of "Wonderland."

This segment aired on June 17, 2013.