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Jesse Stone #5
Sea Change
Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone faces the case of his career in the newest novel in the bestselling series.
When a woman's partially decomposed body washes ashore in Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone is forced into a case far more difficult than it initially appears. Identifying the woman is just the first step in what proves to be an emotionally charged investigation. Florence Horvath was an attractive, recently divorced heiress from Florida; she also had a penchant for steamy sex and was an enthusiastic participant in a video depicting the same. Somehow the combination of her past and present got her killed, but no one is talking-not the crew of the Lady Jane, the Fort Lauderdale yacht moored in Paradise Harbor; not her very blond, very tan twin sisters, Corliss and Claudia; and not her curiously affectless parents, living out a sterile retirement in a Miami high rise. But someone-Jesse-has to speak for the dead, even if it puts him in harm's way.
When a woman's partially decomposed body washes ashore in Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone is forced into a case far more difficult than it initially appears. Identifying the woman is just the first step in what proves to be an emotionally charged investigation. Florence Horvath was an attractive, recently divorced heiress from Florida; she also had a penchant for steamy sex and was an enthusiastic participant in a video depicting the same. Somehow the combination of her past and present got her killed, but no one is talking-not the crew of the Lady Jane, the Fort Lauderdale yacht moored in Paradise Harbor; not her very blond, very tan twin sisters, Corliss and Claudia; and not her curiously affectless parents, living out a sterile retirement in a Miami high rise. But someone-Jesse-has to speak for the dead, even if it puts him in harm's way.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2006
972 people are currently reading
1952 people want to read
About the author
Robert B. Parker
489 books2,296 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Robert B. Parker.
Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, primarily of fiction within the mystery/detective genre. His most famous works were the 40 novels written about the fictional private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the mid-1980s; a series of TV movies was also produced based on the character. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area. The Spenser novels have been cited as reviving and changing the detective genre by critics and bestselling authors including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.
Parker also wrote nine novels featuring the fictional character Jesse Stone, a Los Angeles police officer who moves to a small New England town; six novels with the fictional character Sunny Randall, a female private investigator; and four Westerns starring the duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The first was Appaloosa, made into a film starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, primarily of fiction within the mystery/detective genre. His most famous works were the 40 novels written about the fictional private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the mid-1980s; a series of TV movies was also produced based on the character. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area. The Spenser novels have been cited as reviving and changing the detective genre by critics and bestselling authors including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.
Parker also wrote nine novels featuring the fictional character Jesse Stone, a Los Angeles police officer who moves to a small New England town; six novels with the fictional character Sunny Randall, a female private investigator; and four Westerns starring the duo Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The first was Appaloosa, made into a film starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
August 25, 2015
If I’ve learned one thing from years of reading mystery novels it’s that you never want to go out on a boat with someone unless you’re 100% sure they don’t have a reason to murder you because it’s all too easy to wind up as fish food.
Police Chief Jesse Stone has his hands full dealing with all the party people that have swarmed the small town of Paradise MA as part of an annual month long series of boat races, but things get even more complicated when the decomposing body of a young woman washes up on shore. Some detective work identifies her as being Florence Horvath from a wealthy family in Florida, and Jesse suspects that she was running with a crowd of rich hedonists who treat sex about as seriously as a shaking hands. Florence’s twin sisters, who have the collective IQ of a Barbie doll, show up claiming that they want to see justice done, and Jesse also starts getting disturbing reports about local underage girls being part of the boat parties that Florence’s old gang are still having. It’s a nasty mess that will frequently leave Jesse wanting a hot shower, but he’s got a solid ally in Ft. Lauderdale Detective Kelly Cruz who helps him run down the Florida angles to the case.
This is an improvement over the last one in the series mainly because the on-going subplot of Jesse’s relationship with his ex-wife Jenn is given a lot less time. The two of them have a cautious reconciliation going, and Jesse has been sober for the better part of a year. Although the case makes Jesse question some of his own feelings about their complicated sex life, there is a lot less talk with and about Jenn here, and that’s a relief.
The mystery is decent although it often seems that Jesse leaves the actual grunt work of finding information to others, but that makes a certain amount of sense since he is the guy in charge. Still, there are a lot of scenes with people bringing witnesses, suspects and victims into him or him telling someone what he needs from them, and not a lot of him going out and beating the bushes himself to learn things.
There’s one kind of odd note related to Jesse’s drinking at the end of this one.
Police Chief Jesse Stone has his hands full dealing with all the party people that have swarmed the small town of Paradise MA as part of an annual month long series of boat races, but things get even more complicated when the decomposing body of a young woman washes up on shore. Some detective work identifies her as being Florence Horvath from a wealthy family in Florida, and Jesse suspects that she was running with a crowd of rich hedonists who treat sex about as seriously as a shaking hands. Florence’s twin sisters, who have the collective IQ of a Barbie doll, show up claiming that they want to see justice done, and Jesse also starts getting disturbing reports about local underage girls being part of the boat parties that Florence’s old gang are still having. It’s a nasty mess that will frequently leave Jesse wanting a hot shower, but he’s got a solid ally in Ft. Lauderdale Detective Kelly Cruz who helps him run down the Florida angles to the case.
This is an improvement over the last one in the series mainly because the on-going subplot of Jesse’s relationship with his ex-wife Jenn is given a lot less time. The two of them have a cautious reconciliation going, and Jesse has been sober for the better part of a year. Although the case makes Jesse question some of his own feelings about their complicated sex life, there is a lot less talk with and about Jenn here, and that’s a relief.
The mystery is decent although it often seems that Jesse leaves the actual grunt work of finding information to others, but that makes a certain amount of sense since he is the guy in charge. Still, there are a lot of scenes with people bringing witnesses, suspects and victims into him or him telling someone what he needs from them, and not a lot of him going out and beating the bushes himself to learn things.
There’s one kind of odd note related to Jesse’s drinking at the end of this one.
May 12, 2018
Jesse Stone is a great character. Character really is important to me. These plots are standard- nothing too fancy. The pacing is quick, the writing excellent. It’s the characters that bring me bac.
This book deals with a weird sex ring and some kind of bizarre material, which sounds a lot more interesting than it really is. But the characters develop and change in a dynamic way that will definitely bring me back to the series to see what comes next.
This book deals with a weird sex ring and some kind of bizarre material, which sounds a lot more interesting than it really is. But the characters develop and change in a dynamic way that will definitely bring me back to the series to see what comes next.
December 27, 2023
4 Stars. Although I didn't rate this as 5, I'm always anticipating a Chief Stone novel which will blow me away, all of them have been great. I read this one in 24 hours, mostly by candle-light after the power went off during a ferocious storm that raged across Ontario and Quebec two days ago. 130 kilometre / hour winds. Felled trees everywhere and sadly, several were killed. I couldn't put the book down. The Paradise police have discovered a body in the harbour, partly consumed by crabs. It had spent some time in the water and turned out to be 30-something Florence Horvath of Fort Lauderdale who was in Paradise for Race Week - the annual extravaganza of parties, booze, and the occasional boat race! Jesse is fairly certain it's murder, especially after he discovers a sex tape featuring Flo recorded on the yacht of playboy owner Harrison Darnell, also from Florida. It's about this time that her twin sisters, Claudia and Corliss Plum, both twenty and supposedly in college, appear and giggle their way into becoming suspects. There's a big difference in this entry: Jesse and ex-wife Jenn are back together doing their best to stay committed. I love this series. (Ma2022/De2023)
November 4, 2025
Like the main character but trashy homicide victim, family, suspects. Just got sick of listening to it. I didn’t care what happened to the victim or who did it.
June 23, 2016
This is book #5 in the Jesse Stone series. I am behind a little bit on getting these read, but I am catching up. I read this book many years ago before I knew it was part of a series. So it was nice getting back to it and remembering the story. Each of the books are getting more enjoyable than the last. Since these are different cases in each book I will post the synopsis to this.
Synopsis
Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone faces the case of his career in the newest novel in the bestselling series.
When a woman's partially decomposed body washes ashore in Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone is forced into a case far more difficult than it initially appears. Identifying the woman is just the first step in what proves to be an emotionally charged investigation. Florence Horvath was an attractive, recently divorced heiress from Florida; she also had a penchant for steamy sex and was an enthusiastic participant in a video depicting the same. Somehow the combination of her past and present got her killed, but no one is talking-not the crew of the Lady Jane, the Fort Lauderdale yacht moored in Paradise Harbor; not her very blond, very tan twin sisters, Corliss and Claudia; and not her curiously affectless parents, living out a sterile retirement in a Miami high rise. But someone-Jesse-has to speak for the dead, even if it puts him in harm's way.
Although I did not find the plot of this one quite as exciting as the last couple, I still really enjoy the writing style of this author. He makes it easy to enjoy his books. They are so fluid, so easy to follow, none of this confusing stuff. Something else that I really like is that he always uses a lot of dialogue in his books, and that makes them flow really well.
I am really loving Jesse's character a lot. He has the feel of a Will Trent or maybe a Cormoran Strike type. Either way he is well developed and gets better with each book. The author introduces a wide array of character types in his books, a very diverse cast of characters. It makes the story more interesting and exciting too.
I recommend this series to mystery lovers. Even though the first couple are slow, it does pick up with each book. Very enjoyable series, and I look forward to the rest of them.
Synopsis
Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone faces the case of his career in the newest novel in the bestselling series.
When a woman's partially decomposed body washes ashore in Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone is forced into a case far more difficult than it initially appears. Identifying the woman is just the first step in what proves to be an emotionally charged investigation. Florence Horvath was an attractive, recently divorced heiress from Florida; she also had a penchant for steamy sex and was an enthusiastic participant in a video depicting the same. Somehow the combination of her past and present got her killed, but no one is talking-not the crew of the Lady Jane, the Fort Lauderdale yacht moored in Paradise Harbor; not her very blond, very tan twin sisters, Corliss and Claudia; and not her curiously affectless parents, living out a sterile retirement in a Miami high rise. But someone-Jesse-has to speak for the dead, even if it puts him in harm's way.
Although I did not find the plot of this one quite as exciting as the last couple, I still really enjoy the writing style of this author. He makes it easy to enjoy his books. They are so fluid, so easy to follow, none of this confusing stuff. Something else that I really like is that he always uses a lot of dialogue in his books, and that makes them flow really well.
I am really loving Jesse's character a lot. He has the feel of a Will Trent or maybe a Cormoran Strike type. Either way he is well developed and gets better with each book. The author introduces a wide array of character types in his books, a very diverse cast of characters. It makes the story more interesting and exciting too.
I recommend this series to mystery lovers. Even though the first couple are slow, it does pick up with each book. Very enjoyable series, and I look forward to the rest of them.
April 21, 2024
So I am bouncing back and forth between Spenser books and Jesse Stone books and I think I need a break from Parker for awhile.
This one was a hard read. Really depraved people.
Jenn and Jesse are trying to be together and tbh I’m not rooting for this to be successful. It’s super cringe.
Molly plays a pivotal roll in this one with some great police work along with a cop in Fort Lauderdale, Kelly Cruz.
Lots of really difficult subjects in this and really hoping everyone gets what they deserve.
Jesse at the end before the credits rolled made me wince. Drinks really?!? Ugh 😣 Jen is not good for you. Move on. I’m sure RBP won’t allow that since this is basically how his relationship with Joan was.
😣😣😣
This one was a hard read. Really depraved people.
Jenn and Jesse are trying to be together and tbh I’m not rooting for this to be successful. It’s super cringe.
Molly plays a pivotal roll in this one with some great police work along with a cop in Fort Lauderdale, Kelly Cruz.
Lots of really difficult subjects in this and really hoping everyone gets what they deserve.
Jesse at the end before the credits rolled made me wince. Drinks really?!? Ugh 😣 Jen is not good for you. Move on. I’m sure RBP won’t allow that since this is basically how his relationship with Joan was.
😣😣😣
November 28, 2024
After reading five consecutive novels in this series, I have concluded that Jesse was a more interesting and complex character before he and Jenn, his ex, reconciled. At least then, Parker provided us with the hope, no matter how slim, that he’d finally get over her and move forward with someone else.
In this book, the murder mystery is the only part that contains any suspense, and not all that much of it either.
I have enjoyed this series and Jesse is a pretty good character, but now seems too one dimensional. Oh well, at least Jenn is slightly more tolerable than Susan Silverman! Fans of the series might disagree, but the series seems to have lost some mojo.
In this book, the murder mystery is the only part that contains any suspense, and not all that much of it either.
I have enjoyed this series and Jesse is a pretty good character, but now seems too one dimensional. Oh well, at least Jenn is slightly more tolerable than Susan Silverman! Fans of the series might disagree, but the series seems to have lost some mojo.
September 27, 2017
Warning: Not sure what's going on with Parker at the time of writing these first 5 books, but four of them contain child sexual abuse.
This story starts out pretty well, with some complexity and a seemingly intractable mystery. The banter is very sharp here, some of the best of the Jesse Stone series, but note that all of those bantering seem to have the same two voices: Parker (Stone) and his wife Joan (other banterers).
Sadly, the story stalls about halfway through, becomes plodding, and also becomes involved (WARNING) with child abuse, mostly in the past, but still upsetting to me.
I enjoyed much of this book, so I award a solid 3 stars, but it could have been much better.
Notes & Quotes:
9.0% ... Parker and Joan really were terrific at banter. I'm sure that, along with true love, it was the most important "glue" that held their reconstructed marriage together.
14.0% ... I agree. Stone/Parker should calm down more. Many, many relationships fail because they are badly over-thought:
"Jenn said. "Christ, you're getting like whatsisname, Hamlet. You think too much. We are much more than the damn missionary position and we both know it."
34.0% ... lots of fun, sharp banter. Nice to read this again. I miss Parker.
45% .... other than the dead girl, this is pretty lighthearted stuff...
64.0% .... I'm so happy that Jesse and Jenn are happy again. Parker and Joan are on top form with the banter in this book
67.0% ...lots of oblique but fun references to Spenser et al in this book, mostly from Rita Fiore
75% ... Parker nails it, perhaps from first-hand experience?
"This is the most important thing I'll do today," Mrs. Plum said.
Kelly Cruz didn't say anything.
"The money, you know. The money guts you. After a while all you have left to do is look nice, and drink."
91.0% ... the pacing in the last half of the book is pretty slow. Yawns. Also, watch out for some upsetting scenes with children.
This story starts out pretty well, with some complexity and a seemingly intractable mystery. The banter is very sharp here, some of the best of the Jesse Stone series, but note that all of those bantering seem to have the same two voices: Parker (Stone) and his wife Joan (other banterers).
Sadly, the story stalls about halfway through, becomes plodding, and also becomes involved (WARNING) with child abuse, mostly in the past, but still upsetting to me.
I enjoyed much of this book, so I award a solid 3 stars, but it could have been much better.
Notes & Quotes:
9.0% ... Parker and Joan really were terrific at banter. I'm sure that, along with true love, it was the most important "glue" that held their reconstructed marriage together.
14.0% ... I agree. Stone/Parker should calm down more. Many, many relationships fail because they are badly over-thought:
"Jenn said. "Christ, you're getting like whatsisname, Hamlet. You think too much. We are much more than the damn missionary position and we both know it."
34.0% ... lots of fun, sharp banter. Nice to read this again. I miss Parker.
45% .... other than the dead girl, this is pretty lighthearted stuff...
64.0% .... I'm so happy that Jesse and Jenn are happy again. Parker and Joan are on top form with the banter in this book
67.0% ...lots of oblique but fun references to Spenser et al in this book, mostly from Rita Fiore
75% ... Parker nails it, perhaps from first-hand experience?
"This is the most important thing I'll do today," Mrs. Plum said.
Kelly Cruz didn't say anything.
"The money, you know. The money guts you. After a while all you have left to do is look nice, and drink."
91.0% ... the pacing in the last half of the book is pretty slow. Yawns. Also, watch out for some upsetting scenes with children.
October 27, 2009
This is a mystery novel in which very little happens. Who killed the woman found floating in the lagoon, and is the protagonist ready to live with his ex-wife? Series character Jesse Stone speaks to a lot of people to find out both of these things, but even he and the author realize that not much happens, and that is one reason they evoke Hamlet. Film director/actor Laurence Olivier misconceived of Hamlet as a man who could not make up his mind, and that concept has influenced the reception of the character in popular culture. In a conversation on pages 40-1, Jesse’s ex-wife tells him that he thinks too much, like Hamlet, and calls him “Hamlet-boy.” Later, as Jesse is lost in thought, the novelistic equivalent of a soliloquy, one of Jesse’s thoughts misquotes Hamlet, “Ah, there’s the rub” (3.1.64, p. 161), and the context is like Hamlet’s in that Jesse also wonders about the consequences of being wrong. Jesse is with his ex-wife again on pages 173-4. She encourages him to make love to her, saying, “Yeah, act. That too much for you Hamlet?” The final reference comes late in the book, just as it does in the play. Jesse and his psychologist discuss his ex. Jesse is encouraged not to hold back with her. He replies, “all you’ve done is get me ready.” His shrink says, “Readiness is all” (5.2.222).
January 5, 2018
I don't know what is making me pick out the creepy, icky books lately. Sea Change left me feeling unsettled at the end with the multiple cases of child sexual abuse.
In this novel, the city of Paradise is filled with tourists that are attending the month long boat races. A dead woman is found washed up on the shore and is later found out to be Florence Horvath. Florence had been known to party and experiment sexually on one of the luxury yachts. Jesse Stone has to figure out what happened to Florence and who is behind her death.
This novel was better in the relationship between Jesse and Jenn. Or maybe I'm just better at skipping over the chapters that they talk! At least in this book, they are living together and kind of taking another go at their relationship. It's not the best, but it's better than the previous novels where they wouldn't commit to each other.
The mystery was good and I wasn't expecting what happened. Like I mentioned earlier, I did finish the book feeling uncomfortable at what happened in the novel. I didn't love that feeling, especially from a series that I normally to find to be not so serious and easy going.
In this novel, the city of Paradise is filled with tourists that are attending the month long boat races. A dead woman is found washed up on the shore and is later found out to be Florence Horvath. Florence had been known to party and experiment sexually on one of the luxury yachts. Jesse Stone has to figure out what happened to Florence and who is behind her death.
This novel was better in the relationship between Jesse and Jenn. Or maybe I'm just better at skipping over the chapters that they talk! At least in this book, they are living together and kind of taking another go at their relationship. It's not the best, but it's better than the previous novels where they wouldn't commit to each other.
The mystery was good and I wasn't expecting what happened. Like I mentioned earlier, I did finish the book feeling uncomfortable at what happened in the novel. I didn't love that feeling, especially from a series that I normally to find to be not so serious and easy going.
September 23, 2011
What I really enjoy about the Jesse Stone series especially, is the way Stone interviews potential perps. He weaves this nifty little web for them into which they inevitably fall. I like the relationship he has with Molly and Suit, although the on-again off-again “affair” with his ex-wife, Jen, I find totally unsatisfactory. I also think Parker has never quite resolved how he feels about women, and it shows in his relationship with Susan in the Spenser novels. There’s something artificial about it, almost as if he’s trying to be sensitive and modern, but can’t quite pull it off.
The investigation is interesting, the plot believable, the villains suitably despicable. One of the best Stone novels.
The investigation is interesting, the plot believable, the villains suitably despicable. One of the best Stone novels.
February 27, 2022
I was disappointed. Could have done without all the sex, actually porn. It wasn’t too hard to figure out who done it. I do like Jesse Stone and Molly, Stone’s desk Cop. She had a major role in this book. Not my favorite but I won’t give up on the series. Maybe take a while before the next one.
May 30, 2020
Jesse Stone investigates the death of a young woman in a harbour.
Parker's mastery of dialogue and character make the first half of this highly enjoyable, but the thin plot doesn't really hold out to the end and I started to lose interest. There are better books by the author than this - I've recently read 'Death In Paradise' and 'Brimstone,' both of which I'd recommend over this.
Parker's mastery of dialogue and character make the first half of this highly enjoyable, but the thin plot doesn't really hold out to the end and I started to lose interest. There are better books by the author than this - I've recently read 'Death In Paradise' and 'Brimstone,' both of which I'd recommend over this.
April 13, 2019
A good police procedural with no suspense but a good plot and characters.
September 3, 2016
Sordid tale overwhelms our regular likable cast...
“Sea” is the fifth in Parker’s nine-book Jesse Stone series, with now three more written for the estate by Michael Brandon. We find Stone a likable character almost in the mold of Dick Francis’ leading men. As Police Chief of small-town Boston seacoast suburb “Paradise Mass.”, Jesse relies more upon wits and persistence than upon classic police procedures to solve crimes and catch his villains.
In this entry typical of the set, a “floater” washes up on shore and is relatively quickly identified as a young woman from Florida. She appears to have been an integral part of an amoral, yacht-club-set, sex swapping scheme; and between the videos and so on of the goings-on, the basic story was rather too lurid for our taste. When pedophilia and incest are further added to the mix, we were mostly just glad to get to the end. Jesse’s cleverness, his fun interactions with ex-wife Jenn and co-worker Molly, as well as with a Florida policewoman who helps him out considerably, only temper the sordid plot to a minor degree.
Certainly this novel won’t deter us an iota from continuing to knock off the entire set, but we surely prefer the story lines in all the other books so far.
“Sea” is the fifth in Parker’s nine-book Jesse Stone series, with now three more written for the estate by Michael Brandon. We find Stone a likable character almost in the mold of Dick Francis’ leading men. As Police Chief of small-town Boston seacoast suburb “Paradise Mass.”, Jesse relies more upon wits and persistence than upon classic police procedures to solve crimes and catch his villains.
In this entry typical of the set, a “floater” washes up on shore and is relatively quickly identified as a young woman from Florida. She appears to have been an integral part of an amoral, yacht-club-set, sex swapping scheme; and between the videos and so on of the goings-on, the basic story was rather too lurid for our taste. When pedophilia and incest are further added to the mix, we were mostly just glad to get to the end. Jesse’s cleverness, his fun interactions with ex-wife Jenn and co-worker Molly, as well as with a Florida policewoman who helps him out considerably, only temper the sordid plot to a minor degree.
Certainly this novel won’t deter us an iota from continuing to knock off the entire set, but we surely prefer the story lines in all the other books so far.
January 2, 2022
I liked seeing Jesse Stone in action, and how his department is evolving, especially Molly. Nice, too, to see crossover with Spencer series as well, in the person of Rita Fiori.
A washed-up corpse during "race week" (it's a month) leads to luxury yachts, some of which are fully equipped for video surveillance, the better to watch (and record) sex by various denizens aboard. The sex tapes lead Molly to say "yick" (and the men in the department as well). Although this feels like a diversion en route to finding the murderer, it's part and parcel of the solution, which also led me to say "ick." That should not detract, however, from a snappy procedural.
A washed-up corpse during "race week" (it's a month) leads to luxury yachts, some of which are fully equipped for video surveillance, the better to watch (and record) sex by various denizens aboard. The sex tapes lead Molly to say "yick" (and the men in the department as well). Although this feels like a diversion en route to finding the murderer, it's part and parcel of the solution, which also led me to say "ick." That should not detract, however, from a snappy procedural.
July 16, 2016
This Plum family is truly horrible. The father sleeping with his daughters and the mother drinking herself crazy and allowing it to happen because Mr. plum has money.
Florence Plum floats upon shore dead and there are no witnesses, no way to know how she was killed and who may be responsible.
This murder took place in Paradise, MA.....Jesse Stone territory. Nothing will stop his determination to resolve what happened.
I won't divulge the whole story but I will say it's worth reading but a little slow in starting.
Florence Plum floats upon shore dead and there are no witnesses, no way to know how she was killed and who may be responsible.
This murder took place in Paradise, MA.....Jesse Stone territory. Nothing will stop his determination to resolve what happened.
I won't divulge the whole story but I will say it's worth reading but a little slow in starting.
August 31, 2020
I bought this book at a used book store for $1.50. I suppose it was worth that much. Not a very good story. Very sleazy subject matter. I haven't read his books before. I also bought another Parker book of a different series, so maybe I'll like it better. This one was #5 so I didn't know the history of the characters. In the beginning, I wasn't sure who Jesse was and was Jesse male or female. And how did Jenn fit in? It was a fast one day read, so I didn't waste much time.on it.
August 2, 2021
Full disclosure, I thought this was another Spencer novel. So I may have higher expectations than I should have. Jesse stone isn’t a terrible character. Unfortunately that’s about the highest praise I can give him. He’s an OK sheriff. And the writing is still very good. But I had a very difficult time getting into him as a hero. The fact that the story was about the porn industry and young women probably didn’t help my position.
I can’t really recommend the series or this particular novel
I can’t really recommend the series or this particular novel
May 26, 2019
Another great Stone book. I’m actually reading them too fast, only four left now actually written by McDonald. The development of Stone and the other main characters of the series is one of the best aspects. The crimes are layered and disturbing as they should be.
October 24, 2020
Boat week hijinks
Interleaves a sex crime case with personal psychology and cop sensibilities. Spenser is alluded to. Healy and Rita Fiore have cameos. It’s enough to drive an AA member to a very good drink..
Interleaves a sex crime case with personal psychology and cop sensibilities. Spenser is alluded to. Healy and Rita Fiore have cameos. It’s enough to drive an AA member to a very good drink..
March 16, 2017
A little slow for this author. Good ending.
February 5, 2025
Another very good Jesse Stone book.
Ditto that in 2025
Ditto that in 2025
January 3, 2021
Rich people with too much time on their hands acquire twisted proclivities.
October 15, 2021
Bad bad bad
This book was a totally boring inundation in repetitive sex I could do without. He has done much better before and after.
This book was a totally boring inundation in repetitive sex I could do without. He has done much better before and after.
April 28, 2017
It's Boat Race week in Paradise, MA, USA, and it lasts for a drunken, drugged, sex laden month. Along with his staff, Chief of Police Jesse Stone loathes it. This Boat Week is particularly notable when a
'floater' arrives on the shores. It's difficult to decide cause of death after the time in the water, but Jesse has a feeling and he follows it. After he identifies the young woman as Flo Horvath, trust fund baby and star of home made porn, he engages others all the way down to Miami to assist him in unravelling the mystery of not only why this woman was murdered but why she became a victim in the first place.
During the process Jesse and his ex-wife, Jenn, move further into the process of reconciliation. She moves in and they agree to live monogamously. The case adds to his struggles as he attempts to work through the relationship difficulties he has previously drowned with drink. In contrast to the complex relationship he has with Jenn, he has delightful relationships with the female officer on his team, Molly, and with Detective Kelly Cruise in Miami.
There is a lot of sex in this novel, some of it intimate and a lot not. The questions are what do real men think about sex and how it relates to intimacy? Where is the line between good fun and abuse and does it matter if the 'victims' don't appear to know that they have been victimised? And how is it that some people think they can get away with anything forever?
This, the fifth book in the series but first I have read, is a very readable book with a great opening 'scene'. It manages confronting crimes well, while also doing a good job of showing us Jesse struggling with his demons.
I definitely recommend it and will read more of the series.
'floater' arrives on the shores. It's difficult to decide cause of death after the time in the water, but Jesse has a feeling and he follows it. After he identifies the young woman as Flo Horvath, trust fund baby and star of home made porn, he engages others all the way down to Miami to assist him in unravelling the mystery of not only why this woman was murdered but why she became a victim in the first place.
During the process Jesse and his ex-wife, Jenn, move further into the process of reconciliation. She moves in and they agree to live monogamously. The case adds to his struggles as he attempts to work through the relationship difficulties he has previously drowned with drink. In contrast to the complex relationship he has with Jenn, he has delightful relationships with the female officer on his team, Molly, and with Detective Kelly Cruise in Miami.
There is a lot of sex in this novel, some of it intimate and a lot not. The questions are what do real men think about sex and how it relates to intimacy? Where is the line between good fun and abuse and does it matter if the 'victims' don't appear to know that they have been victimised? And how is it that some people think they can get away with anything forever?
This, the fifth book in the series but first I have read, is a very readable book with a great opening 'scene'. It manages confronting crimes well, while also doing a good job of showing us Jesse struggling with his demons.
I definitely recommend it and will read more of the series.
September 7, 2017
I see that I have read this before, but didn't remember much of the story and didn't write any review(*).
I enjoyed it. It's a rather standard Robert Parker/Jesse Stone story. Easy read and kept my interest.
Although I didn't say so at the time, I'm sure these comments apply to the paperback version, too(**).
As it is "Read a book" day today, this was the book I read.
* - Actually, I hadn't read it before, merely marked the paperback version as "Want to Read". Goodreads' handling of different book versions is too confusing.
** - I just hate when my goofy comments turn out to be irrelevant.
I enjoyed it. It's a rather standard Robert Parker/Jesse Stone story. Easy read and kept my interest.
Although I didn't say so at the time, I'm sure these comments apply to the paperback version, too(**).
As it is "Read a book" day today, this was the book I read.
* - Actually, I hadn't read it before, merely marked the paperback version as "Want to Read". Goodreads' handling of different book versions is too confusing.
** - I just hate when my goofy comments turn out to be irrelevant.
November 5, 2025
Jesse Stone is back at all of it: Chief of Paradise and smooth in life. I really enjoy his character and how Robert B Parker has told the story. However, it would have been far better without the use of foul language and taking the Lord's Name in vain. Also I must say there are some shocking discoveries that affect the sensibilities. Things happen in this life and Parker has written realistically in his novels.
June 29, 2017
As always, Robert Parker writes crisply and cleanly. Jesse Stone is so direct - no BS here.
Even though I saw the movie of this book - I did not remember it at all. The plot on this is a bit convoluted, and It's rare that I haven't figured out "who done it" in the first one-third of a mystery. Parker really kept me guessing, and eventually, I figured it out but not before I was two-thirds done.
Parker is masterful at keeping you from remembering he has a formula for his books and I don't mind being fooled in his case.
This story is a bit raunchy so not for the delicate, easily-shocked reader. But, if you can take it - it's a delightful cruise!!
Even though I saw the movie of this book - I did not remember it at all. The plot on this is a bit convoluted, and It's rare that I haven't figured out "who done it" in the first one-third of a mystery. Parker really kept me guessing, and eventually, I figured it out but not before I was two-thirds done.
Parker is masterful at keeping you from remembering he has a formula for his books and I don't mind being fooled in his case.
This story is a bit raunchy so not for the delicate, easily-shocked reader. But, if you can take it - it's a delightful cruise!!
April 25, 2018
Each book that I finish in the Jesse Stone series is another exclamation point in my satisfaction with this series.
The world lost a great writer with his passing. Despite several of his series having new books come out (written by other authors), there can be only one Highlander and only one Robert Parker. It's sad to think there is only a finite number of books left to read by one of the greats.
The world lost a great writer with his passing. Despite several of his series having new books come out (written by other authors), there can be only one Highlander and only one Robert Parker. It's sad to think there is only a finite number of books left to read by one of the greats.
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