Thanks, C.T., for the referral to "Eyes on Books." It was interesting to hear Robert Parker's voice and the way he handled the interview. I was reminded that I had an opportunity to go hear him speak at the University of Hartford a few months ago but my motivation just didn't quite seem to reach the threshold needed to go out on a "school night." I guess there is a little parochialism in my taste for Parker's books, since they're usually set in Eastern and often Western Massachusetts, not far from where I live (in CT).
As for Hawk's development, what you say may be true--he's mellowed somewhat, due to his being included as "family" by Spenser and Susan. On the other hand, I've been more inclined to attribute his becoming milder and less sinister in manner to the deepening and mellowing of Parker himself as he ages.
Coincidentally, since my last posting, perhaps you've seen the made-for-TV movie starring and executive produced by Tom Selleck on Sunday evening, the 20th? It was, I thought, a pretty darn good translation of his Jesse Stone novel, _Stone Cold_, to the small screen. While, at first view, I definitely didn't think Tom Selleck fit the image of Jesse Stone in the book (my sense was Jesse's in his early 40's or so and Selleck is 60 and looks it), I did think that the older Selleck's style slipped very convincingly into the world-weariness and big city cop in a small town savvy of Stone's character.
I saw an interview earlier today on the 'net somewhere in which Selleck indicated he hoped something would develop from the movie, but he sounded like there were no definite offers yet. It sure had the ring of a pilot program.