Three favorite veteran mystery writers land on the charts this week. In the #4 slot is Robert B. Parker's 30th Spenser book, Back Story. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of The Godwulf Manuscript, the first Spenser. The author is touring his and Spenser's home state, Massachusetts (visiting eight cities), through the end of March. Putnam has 166,500 copies in print after two trips to press. A regular on the national charts, Parker debuts in a higher position than any of his previous hardcovers.
Jeffery Deaver, author of 18 novels, is also doing very well with his latest, The Vanished Man. Simon & Schuster reports 244,000 copies in print. His March 17 interview on The CBS Early Show was his first national appearance. An earlier novel, The Bone Collector, was a movie hit and several more of his books are under development for TV movies.
Philip Margolin hits the charts with his ninth national bestseller, The Ties That Bind. HarperCollins reports more than 115,000 copies in print after three trips to press. Margolin will be on the road through April 28 promoting his new book, visiting at least 15 states.
