You ever feel like you've met a character before, even when you’re only ten pages in? That’s Sunny Randall. She’s Robert B. Parker’s "other" Boston P.I., the one who isn't Spenser but definitely shops at the same metaphorical grocery store.
Basically, back in the late 90s, Academy Award winner Helen Hunt sat down with Parker and said she wanted a role. She wanted a franchise. Parker, being the "Dean of American Crime Fiction," didn't just write a script; he built a world. He gave Sunny a miniature bull terrier named Rosie, a dad who’s a retired cop, and an ex-husband she’s hopelessly, frustratingly still in love with.
The sunny randall novels in order are a weird, beautiful mix of hard-boiled action and genuine therapy sessions. Unlike Spenser, who is basically a brick wall with a sense of humor, Sunny is vulnerable. She’s a painter. She’s messy. Honestly, she’s one of the most human characters Parker ever breathed life into.
The Robert B. Parker Era: Where It All Started
Parker wrote the first six books himself. These are the "pure" Sunny stories. If you want to understand why people are still obsessed with her in 2026, you start here.
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- Family Honor (1999): This is the big introduction. Sunny is hired to find a runaway named Caroline. It’s gritty, but it’s really about Sunny finding her own feet after her divorce.
- Perish Twice (2000): A feminist activist hires Sunny, and things get... complicated. It’s a deeper look at the female dynamics Parker was trying to master.
- Shrink Rap (2002): Sunny protects a therapist from an ex-husband. This is where the dialogue really starts to snap.
- Melancholy Baby (2004): Sunny digs into a cold case involving a young woman’s parents. The "baby" in the title isn't a kid; it’s the mood.
- Blue Screen (2006): This is a fun one because Jesse Stone (Parker's other famous lead) shows up. They have chemistry. It’s undeniable.
- Spare Change (2007): Sunny’s dad, Phil, is at the center of this one. A serial killer from his past resurfaces, and Sunny has to handle the fallout.
The Gap and the Revival: Lupica and Gaylin
After Parker passed away in 2010, Sunny went quiet. For a decade, fans thought Spare Change was the end. Then Mike Lupica, a longtime friend of Parker’s, stepped in. He didn't just copy Parker; he brought a bit more of a modern thriller edge to the series.
Later, Alison Gaylin took the reins, and honestly? She might be the best thing to happen to Sunny since Parker’s wife, Joan, used to help him "female-ize" the early manuscripts. Gaylin brings a psychological depth that’s sharp as a razor.
- Robert B. Parker's Blood Feud (2018): Lupica brings Sunny back. Her ex, Richie, is shot, and she’s dragged into the Burke family mob drama.
- Robert B. Parker's Grudge Match (2020): Tony Marcus, a name every Parker fan knows, is back. Sunny has to find a missing girl while navigating the underworld.
- Robert B. Parker's Payback (2021): This one deals with a "me too" style scandal in the Boston elite. It feels very current.
- Robert B. Parker's Revenge Tour (2022): Sunny is hired to protect a world-class novelist. It’s meta, it’s fast, and it’s classic Lupica.
- Robert B. Parker's Bad Influence (2023): Alison Gaylin’s debut. She tackles social media, influencers, and the dark side of "going viral." It’s a total shift in tone but keeps Sunny’s soul intact.
- Robert B. Parker's Buzz Kill (2024): Gaylin again. Sunny deals with a billionaire's "suicide" that definitely wasn't a suicide.
- Robert B. Parker's Booked (Expected May 2026): The newest entry. Gaylin is taking Sunny into the world of high-stakes publishing and secrets that stay buried—until they don't.
Why the Order Actually Matters
You could technically jump in anywhere. Each book is a self-contained mystery. But if you do that, you miss the "Richie Problem."
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Sunny’s relationship with Richie Burke is the heartbeat of the series. They’re divorced, but they’re still sleeping together. Then they aren't. Then he’s dating someone else. Then she’s with Jesse Stone. If you read the sunny randall novels in order, you see Sunny grow from a woman who is defined by her marriage to a woman who is defined by her own choices.
Also, the Spike evolution. Spike is Sunny’s best friend—a gay, blonde, highly dangerous waiter who could probably kill a man with a cocktail stirrer. Their friendship is the most stable thing in Sunny’s life. Seeing their bond strengthen over twenty-five years of books is half the fun.
Common Misconceptions About Sunny
A lot of people think she’s just "Female Spenser." That’s a mistake. Spenser is a philosopher-king in a t-shirt. Sunny is a professional who is constantly questioning if she’s doing the right thing.
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She paints. She eats better than Spenser (less steak, more sushi). She’s also much more likely to call her therapist than Spenser ever would be. Parker used Sunny to explore the things a man like Spenser simply couldn't—vulnerability, the fear of being alone, and the specific danger women face in the PI world.
How to Tackle the Series Now
If you're looking to dive in, don't overthink it. Grab a copy of Family Honor. It’s short. Parker’s chapters are legendary for being like three pages long. You can finish it in an afternoon.
Once you’re through the first six, you’ll know if you’re a "Sunny Person." If you are, the transition to Lupica and then Gaylin is fascinating. It’s like watching a character grow up and then adapt to a world of smartphones and TikTok while still carrying that classic 90s Boston grit.
Your Sunny Randall Action Plan:
- Start with "Family Honor" to establish the foundation of Sunny, Richie, and her dog Rosie.
- Don't skip "Blue Screen" if you're a fan of Jesse Stone; the crossover is essential for both series.
- Pay attention to the author change at book seven. Lupica's prose is slightly different, but the "voice" remains consistent.
- Pre-order "Booked" if you’re catching up in early 2026, as Gaylin's run is currently the gold standard for the character's modern era.