What do you think?
Robert B. Parker's Lockdown
Not yet published
Expected 9 Feb 27Police Chief Jesse Stone faces off against a team of trained killers in this latest installment of Robert B. Parker’s beloved series.
Just before midnight, Jesse Stone is called to the local ER by his girlfriend, Dr. Rachel Lowenthal, to see the victim of a gunshot wound. Jesse thinks it’s more or less a routine crime — until he arrives at the hospital to find Wilson Cromartie, AKA Crow, one of the deadliest hit men alive, and Jesse’s sometime friend and ally.
Crow is tight-lipped about how he got the wound, but he has one warning for Jesse before he passes out on his way into “You better get ready. They’re coming.”
Jesse calls every available cop in Paradise because he knows Crow is always serious. Just as he gets back-up from his loyal officers Molly Crane and Luther “Suitcase” Simpson, the hospital is cut off by a group of armed men in black vehicles.
Over the next six hours, Jesse is forced to defend Crow and every patient in the hospital from a force of smart, highly trained killers — without knowing who they are or what they want. He’s trapped and outgunned. The killers think they’re dealing with just another small town cop. They think this is going to be easy.
Jesse is about to prove them wrong.
Just before midnight, Jesse Stone is called to the local ER by his girlfriend, Dr. Rachel Lowenthal, to see the victim of a gunshot wound. Jesse thinks it’s more or less a routine crime — until he arrives at the hospital to find Wilson Cromartie, AKA Crow, one of the deadliest hit men alive, and Jesse’s sometime friend and ally.
Crow is tight-lipped about how he got the wound, but he has one warning for Jesse before he passes out on his way into “You better get ready. They’re coming.”
Jesse calls every available cop in Paradise because he knows Crow is always serious. Just as he gets back-up from his loyal officers Molly Crane and Luther “Suitcase” Simpson, the hospital is cut off by a group of armed men in black vehicles.
Over the next six hours, Jesse is forced to defend Crow and every patient in the hospital from a force of smart, highly trained killers — without knowing who they are or what they want. He’s trapped and outgunned. The killers think they’re dealing with just another small town cop. They think this is going to be easy.
Jesse is about to prove them wrong.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 9, 2027
About the author
Christopher Farnsworth
24 books1,251 followersChristopher Farnsworth is the author of ten books, including FLASHMOB, KILLFILE, and the PRESIDENT'S VAMPIRE series. He is currently writing the Jesse Stone books for the Estate of Robert B. Parker. His work has been translated into ten languages, published in a dozen territories worldwide, and optioned for film and television.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you haven’t read Robert Parker’s twenty-four book-long Jesse Stone series, you're in for a treat. This one by Christopher Farnsworth (Robert Parker has passed), called Robert Parkers Lockdown, is an excellent addition to a series that focuses on the ins and outs of small town law enforcement that works as it should and usually prevails. In this story, Paradise Police Chief Jesse Stone is headed to the hospital with an injured and hand-cuffed criminal it took more than the usual "stop you’re under arrest" to get under control and finds an old friend also there. This man has been shot multiple times, is in a coma which makes it difficult for Jesse to determine who he needs to arrest, but leaves a message before passing out--"They’re coming." Jesse doesn’t know who "they" are or where they're coming from or for, but knows if his friend crashed into the hospital in Jesse's home town, he could guess about the "where" and the "why". Jesse begins frantic preparations and with a few more odd occurrences in the town of Paradise, realizes that whoever it is, is here. The "who" is a vicious multifaceted group that attacks from many directions which is what makes it too interesting to stop reading.
As with all Jesse Stone books, there is no shortage of action, intermixed plots, clever problem solving, and likeable characters. While I rarely find a writer who can replace the original author, Farnsworth does a good job of being Parker, only losing a step here and there in clever twists that were Parker’s foundation and zinging dialogue that made me want to live in Paradise under the law enforcement umbrella of Chief Jesse Stone. Highly recommended for those who like enjoyable reads you can get lost in.
As with all Jesse Stone books, there is no shortage of action, intermixed plots, clever problem solving, and likeable characters. While I rarely find a writer who can replace the original author, Farnsworth does a good job of being Parker, only losing a step here and there in clever twists that were Parker’s foundation and zinging dialogue that made me want to live in Paradise under the law enforcement umbrella of Chief Jesse Stone. Highly recommended for those who like enjoyable reads you can get lost in.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Robert B. Parker's Lockdown is the twenty-fourth book in the Jesse Stone series. This is written by Christopher Farnsworth (Robert Parker has passed away.)
Christopher Farnsworth does a wonderful job writing in the same voice we have come to love. A storm is headed for the town of Paradise. Actually, several. The first one is a winter storm that cripples the town. Roads close, people get stranded, and dangerous people are about to arrive.
Paradise Police Chief Jesse Stone heads to the hospital with an injured man who didn't take no for an answer. Jesse's soft-spoken, no-nonsense demeanor often catches people by surprise. Meanwhile, an old friend of his drove himself to the hospital with a dead body in the trunk. Once he arrives, he leaves Jesse a message. "They're coming." Taken to surgery, he is unable to elaborate. It doesn't take long for a crew hired to kill 'Crowe' to arrive in the ER and take over. Before they can find Crowe, the hospital is put on lockdown. No one can enter or leave.
This fast-paced story is full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. I watched Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, and the other characters in the Jesse Stone series. As I read, I could easily picture them repeating the dialogue. I hope this is not the last book in the series. This is a very enjoyable series with characters that are easy to love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Christopher Farnsworth does a wonderful job writing in the same voice we have come to love. A storm is headed for the town of Paradise. Actually, several. The first one is a winter storm that cripples the town. Roads close, people get stranded, and dangerous people are about to arrive.
Paradise Police Chief Jesse Stone heads to the hospital with an injured man who didn't take no for an answer. Jesse's soft-spoken, no-nonsense demeanor often catches people by surprise. Meanwhile, an old friend of his drove himself to the hospital with a dead body in the trunk. Once he arrives, he leaves Jesse a message. "They're coming." Taken to surgery, he is unable to elaborate. It doesn't take long for a crew hired to kill 'Crowe' to arrive in the ER and take over. Before they can find Crowe, the hospital is put on lockdown. No one can enter or leave.
This fast-paced story is full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. I watched Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, and the other characters in the Jesse Stone series. As I read, I could easily picture them repeating the dialogue. I hope this is not the last book in the series. This is a very enjoyable series with characters that are easy to love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Robert B. Parker’s Lockdown” is the 24th book in the Jesse Stone series. Christopher Farnsworth has done an excellent job of continuing the story of Parker’s creation. I love how he doesn’t try to mimic the writing style of Parker (a mistake others have made) but instead focuses on the immolating Parker’s vision of the beloved characters.
Farnsworth’s books don’t read like they were written by Robert B. Parker, thank God. But you feel like this is the same character just told a different way, if that makes sense. Others focused on the writing style, but the characters felt foreign to me.
“Lockdown” is peak Jesse Stone but allows some of the other characters to shine. Stone’s crew felt like true heroes in this novel. Molly and Suitcase are great in this book. Both of them have a personal stake in what is going on with the hospital being held hostage.
And once again, our flawed hero, Jesse, proves why he is one of the best characters in all of fiction. Plus, it never hurts when we get to see Crow. The dynamic of Crow and others is so well written in this book.
I will always miss Mr. Parker. But never fear, Jesse Stone is in great hands.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Farnsworth’s books don’t read like they were written by Robert B. Parker, thank God. But you feel like this is the same character just told a different way, if that makes sense. Others focused on the writing style, but the characters felt foreign to me.
“Lockdown” is peak Jesse Stone but allows some of the other characters to shine. Stone’s crew felt like true heroes in this novel. Molly and Suitcase are great in this book. Both of them have a personal stake in what is going on with the hospital being held hostage.
And once again, our flawed hero, Jesse, proves why he is one of the best characters in all of fiction. Plus, it never hurts when we get to see Crow. The dynamic of Crow and others is so well written in this book.
I will always miss Mr. Parker. But never fear, Jesse Stone is in great hands.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The latest installment in the Jesse Stone series is an exciting and remarkable thriller with all of the usual characters. . It is akin to reading about friends you have known for years. The plot centers on a severe snowstorm, an attempted murder and a lockdown of a local hospital with several patients—-including a pregnant woman in labor—- all of whom are in danger. I found the book to be riveting and impossible to put down and totally appreciated the great dialogue between many of the characters. It is easy to recommend this novel to anyone and thank NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to its publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Could not put it down! Read it one sitting! Jesse Stone was a sure bet. How he manages it, and who else makes it to the end, keeps you turning the pages.. Very interesting story line. There were characters with limited definition of their background which was confusing.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC of this book. Jesse, Suit, Molly and Crow are in this book about a snowstorm and people trying to get to Crow. Crow is in the hospital when things break loose and there is a lockdown. Can Jesse save the day? Fun quick read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fast paced Jesse Stone book where Suit is in charge? Nail biter with both Jesse and Suit's other halves in with the bad guys. Also happy to see Crow return!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews