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Fans often feel uneasy when the creator of a popular character ventures into new turf, and sometimes their trepidation is justified. But readers of Robert B. Parker's immensely popular Spenser series can breathe a sigh of relief: whileNight Passagedoesn't feature Spenser, his usual gang of associates, or a Boston setting, it's vintage Parker--fast, witty, suspenseful, and engaging. Told in short, crisp chapters, it's the story of Jesse Stone, a 34-year-old ex-cop who just lost his L.A. policeman's job and his marriage due to a drinking problem. The book opens as Stone leaves California for his new job as chief of police in the picturesque town of Paradise, Massachusetts.
But Paradise isn't as placid as it seems--in fact, it's a festering mass of petty corruption, right-wing militia, sexual scandal, and bad guys who favor strong-arm tactics.Night Passageboasts a delicious, classic setup: the lone lawman, new in town, must make his stand to clean the place up. Stone has been picked for the job because the town fathers figured he'd be weak and malleable; as he gradually pulls himself together, it turns out they have a surprise in store. Stone's qualities may remind you of Spenser's--he's taciturn, fearless, good-looking, and compassionate--and in the end the plot's pleasing complexities get resolved a bit simply. But Robert B. Parker is in fine form inNight Passage,with his smart-aleck wit under control and his prose at its economical best. Spenser fans and Parker neophytes alike will find plenty to enjoy here. And the setting is, after all, not far from Boston--dare we hope for a Spenser-Stone meeting in future books?
Spenser v. Stone Excellent book. I am a Spencer fan, but it is truly refreshing to be introduced to Jesse Stone. It is amazing how he shares the traits of machismo, experience and instinct with Spenser, yet he is his own character. It is a simple, yet interesting story from his athletic background, LA experience and vulnerability to women to transplatation to Paradise, Massachusetts which make me wonder how a Jesse Stone character is going to fit in. Of course, I came to realize that Robert Parker's characters do not fit in. Rather, they stand out and make a difference from LA to Boston. Great introduction to the Jesse Stone character.
Jesse Stone is a flawed hero ... And that's why I love him so much. This is the first novel in the Jesse Stone series by Robert B. Parker. I've read quite a few of Parker's Spenser novels and I've enjoyed them, but I haven't really gone out of my way to find them. This series, though, is one I plan to follow closely.
I saw the movie before I read the book, so I had Tom Selleck in mind as I read. That's not a bad thing, though. It's like this character was written just for him. It's strange, though, what changes they make to a story when they put it on screen. There is a whole sub plot in the film that isn't in the book and a whole subplot in the book not in the film. The character of Hathaway is much more sympathetic in the film - he's a real nut job in the book. And it's just the opposite with the character of Jo-Jo - he's more likable in the book.
Anyway, Jesse Stone used to be a homicide detective in Los Angeles, but he was fired for drinking on the job. He's an alcoholic - started drinking when his wife left him. Well, now, he has been hired as the new Police Chief in a little town in Massachusetts called Paradise. Thing is, he was drunk at the interview, so why did they hire him at all? That question gets Jesse digging into activities in town and especially those of the town selectman, Hasty Hathaway, who hired him in the first place.
There are lots of strange things going on in the little town of Paradise - not the least of which are three homicides within a month of Jesse's arrival - in a town that hasn't seen a single homicide in years! Jesse is not sure just what he's gotten into and he's not sure who he can trust, but he gets through it all in his easy going, quiet spoken way.
I do like the character of Jesse Stone, but he is really crazy when it comes to his ex-wife, Jenn. The end of Stone Cold, which I think is the fourth book in the series, really kind of ticked me off, but that's another story entirely.Typical Parker.. except I always shake my head and smile when I read Robert B. Parker's novels. That I keep reading them is evidence of his talent as a writer. Even so, after about the first 20 pages, I could not help but notice that Jesse Stone is simply a re-working of the Spenser character. I still hold out the hope that someday, Parker will get over his hangups about conservatives, organized religion, the concept of man and wife, and surburbia. The sub-plot about the right-wing militia was laughable! In Massachusetts of all places?? Parker's blind faith in The Professional Therapist as the god-given solution to all of man's problems is passing out of the annoying phase and is now in the realm of nauseating. Its sad that a man of such talent has such a stunted, fatalistic view of Man. If only Parker can overcome this handicap, he will possibly make the leap from fair to good.
