Robert B. Parker is widely recognised as the dean of American crime fiction. His bestselling novels featuring the wise-cracking, street-smart Boston private eye Spenser earned him a devoted following and reams of critical acclaim. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Parker attended Colby College in Maine, served with the Army in Korea, and then completed a Ph.D. in English at Boston University. He and his wife Joan founded Pearl Productions; the independent film company was named after their short-haired pointer, Pearl, who also features in many of Parker's novels. Parker's fictional Spenser inspired the TV series Spenser: For Hire as well as several movies. The Mystery Writers of America named Parker a Grand Master, following in the footsteps of his heroes Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen. Parker died in 2010, at the age of 77.