Great to learn that LULLABY debuts #6 on the New York Times bestseller list this week alongside John Grisham, Stephen King, David Baldacci and Charlaine Harris. I'm so grateful for all the support while out on the road these last couple weeks. Don't forget THE LOST ONES hits stores on May 31. And check out the latest tour dates for June! If I didn't see you on the last tour, I'll probably see you on this one. -- Ace

A nice reminder of a former life in Minneapolis.

Books, books, books.

Gary and Pat at Once Upon a Crime in Minneapolis. They presented me with a terrific edition of "Looking for Rachel Wallace!"

Richard Katz -- new pal and owner of Mystery One -- with me at the Harley museum in Milwaukee.

Outside one of the best bookstores in the U.S.

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The infamous Richard Katz. Yep, he's related to the NYC deli people.

Enjoyed meeting a terrific Spenser crowd in Milwaukee.

A Milwaukee health platter, I'm told.

With Joan Parker in Harvard Stadium. This is where Spenser runs the steps.

"Mattie" donuts provided by Joanne Chang, owner of Flour -- the best bakery in Boston.

Bob's office.

At Boston University reading through the RBP's personal papers.

With author Gary Goshgarian and Joan taping a segment for NPR's "Here and Now." It will be airing nationwide Monday.

Lobster roll at Legal Seafood in Cambridge. Sam Adams on the way.

The true relationship between author and publicist. On train from NYC to Boston.

Happier times the day before. Here I am with Michael "Mikey" Barson and  my editor, Chris Pepe.

At Fenway last night. Mikey had a bad feeling about the game.

The Sox lose to the A's.

Beer solves everything. The day ends well.

It's that time of year again -- I've hit the road for annual book tour. This time, I'm promoting the brand-new Spenser novel with the great Joan Parker. I'll be in TriBeCa -- yep, that's how it's really spelled -- tonight at the Mysterious Bookshop. Tomorrow, it's onto Boston. I'll try and update the blog as much as possible. But just in case, join my facebook page for more photos and updates from the road. Also go to the PRESS page here for a complete list of tour cities. I appreciate all the messages and emails I've gotten in the last several weeks. I apologize in advance for not answering them in a speedy manner. But these next few weeks are going to be busy. Not to mention, a SECOND tour kicks off on May 31 for THE LOST ONES -- the latest in the Quinn Colson saga.

A lot of Spenser fans have been asking me lately if Zebulon Sixkill -- the Cree Indian badass we met in RPB's last completed work -- would ever show up again. For anyone who read the novel, they know Bob left us with another great ally in the Spenser universe and a tough who had just started as Spenser's apprentice. I've been digging into a bit more background for Z. Sixkill has a strong role in the 41st Spenser -- in production now -- and that had me touching base with his reservation in Montana and perhaps learning more about his formation. As luck had it, a buddy of mine recently commented one of the last great Native American football players was Sonny Sixkilller -- a Cherokee who played for University of Washington in the early 1970s. As Bob Parker was a great aficionado of American sports, the connection makes absolutely sense. Whether the connection was conscious or unconscious, only Bob knew for sure.