Rating: 
Summary: Well-spun suspenful and well-concepted plots
Review: I am a big Robert Parker fan and have enjoyed his creating new characters. After all, Spenser has been around the ring for a lot of rounds.I have read all Spenser and now Stone novels and continue to welcome a Parker Penning. This story was very human, exceptionally interesting and gratifying (to me) on one plot and on another plot, a sad-but-true consequence of life and our times. I like Jesse Stone but think he should ditch his ex-wife.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner by Parker
Review: I am a long time fan of Robert B. Parker and found this new book to be no execption. Jesse Stone deals with a pair of serial killers, his ex-wife and various other females (pure Parker), and a teen gang-raped by other high school students. As usual the testosterone levels are high, and there is no lack of adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Stone Cold Disgusted
Review: I hate to ruin a book for someone before they've even read it but this is the worst Robert B Parker book I've ever read.There is a serial killer(s) on the loose in Paradise. That should tell you something right there. Okay and they kill someone Jesse has had a relationship with. Good idea? Yes, but they don't kill the self-centered, ladder climbing, sorry, the very lovely Jenn. Parker really missed his chance to give Jesse a life. I won't be reading Jesse Stone novels until Jenn is gone!
Rating: 
Summary: Two thumbs down
Review: I have been following Jessie Stone since his creation and was delighted to see another book come out. After reading it I would be delighted if I don't see another book come out. The book ran parallel plots which did not intersect except in time frame. A rape and a serial killer. I don't have a problem with that. I like Ed McBain's method of doing that in his 87th novels. Here is just seemed as if neither plot got fleshed out and took off. One bounced off the other until you reached the end leaving a "Thank God that is done" feeling not the satisfied feeling I expect when I close a book. Did I care about anyone? No not even Jess who I rathered liked in previous stories and Jenn managed to really get on my nerves. Jenn was one dimensional. Jess almost made it to two dimensional and everyone else were caricatures of people. They like the plots never fleshed out. Jess is still obsessing about Jenn. [Yawn Jess hint get a life. You might be more interesting. I really don't care at this point] He's still denying his drinking. Anyone who is pouring himself a third drink and getting smashed who says "Maybe I should just give it all up and be a drunk to make the little woman happy" needs a detox asap. Even when he appears to be making progress [or regression in Jenn's case] I couldn't bring myself to care.
If he had been a friend telling me this I would have responded 'yeah right blah blah blah.' Call me when you get real. That was the problem he was never real in this book. The serial killers were a laugh a second. I just couldn't buy this sex crazed couple killing people to get off. They looked like crazed bunny rabbits compared to the real thing. Shake Serial killers shake. Here comes the fluffy yuppie killers. I didn't buy the reasoning. I didn't buy Dix's diagnosis. I didn't buy Dix period. The rape didn't make it either. The scenes that should have moved me left me yawning. The scenes that should have been bitter were reduced to an oh yeah so sad too bad. The diagnosis of rape read like a male authors concept who doesn't understand the emotions involved or the fears. What the author thought would be the fears of the majority of women alive today was projected. why do I say this? I worked a rape hot line. I was almost insulted by what he wrote. Don't get me wrong. I really like Parker. I like Stone. I like Spenser. I like some of his other works. This is simply a badly written disappointing book. If you feel you must read it check out your local library. I have all the other Stone books on my library shelves but on this one? I pass. It doesn't even get houseroom. As Ms Dorothy Parker said "This is not a book to be put aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force."
Rating:
Summary: Stone Cold Fun
Review: I have to say that I am very impressed with my first Jesse Stone novel. I picked up this book after reading some favorable reviews and was not disappointed at all. Stone Cold is a brisk read that is just plain fun. The novel is a study of three story lines that each bring out unique qualities in Parker's main character, Jesse Stone. Stone investigates a series of serial murders conducted by a yuppie couple in his hometown. This plotline illustrates Stone's exceptional investigating skills and attention to detail. Concurrently, a young high school student is gang raped by three classmates. This sensitive situation shows Jesse's heart, compassion, and skill in bringing the boys to justice while protecting the victim. Lastly, Stone must deal with the varied emotions of his personal relationships as he lives with the pain of still loving his ex-wife who is still very much in his life. I very much enjoyed Stone Cold. If I did have a complaint at all I would have to say that I wish there were a bit more development and background as to why the serial killers pursued their victims. While a general explanation is offered, I would have liked to have seen a little more.
Rating:
Summary: Spenser: Make Room For Stone
Review: I like Robert Parker's way of writing, view of life and knack for weaving interesting stories about as much as anyone writing today. I am totally captivated by Spenser but find myself growing more and more fond of the Jesse Stone novels.
In this case, a couple that is entirely ruthless and gets their kicks from killing strangers has moved into Stone's small town. As police chief, Stone is faced with tracking down very smart people who have developed a method for identifying and killing people that does not require them to make any significant mistakes or leave any evidence.
The couple begins to be fascinated with the idea of killing Stone; the plot thickens.
In the middle of all this, Stone continues to long for his ex-wife and continues to date without the ability to commit. He struggles with the amount of alcohol he uses to compensate for the emptiness he feels from living without his ex-wife. Parker has written a number of times about the power of being committed so deeply to someone that you have no choice but to live it out (most powerfully in Love and Glory). Stone Cold takes a deep step into that territory and does it while spinning a very good mystery story.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: I love reading Robert B. Parker novels because of his good imagination and fast paced writing. If you're a big Rober B. Parker fan then buy this book, otherwise try a Spenser novel first. Jesse Stone is a worthy character, but his strengths aren't utilized enough in this novel. And like so many other Parker books, the end comes too suddenly leaving you somewhat disappointed. Parker needs to concentrate all of his efforts on writing as many more "Spenser" novels as he can before that character becomes too old.
Rating:
Summary: Not so hot
Review: I pride myself on having read the original Spenser-The Godwulf Manuscript-while it was a HB in the stores, and I've gotten lots of pleasure from all that's followed. But this one's a stinker, folks. Jesse Stone, who began life as a character distinct from Spenser, becomes in this one merely a clone of him, hewing to a rather tedious version of Spenser's philosophy of life. There are a lot of ponderous looks and deep, anguished sighs shared with various females, too. Overdone.
Rating:
Summary: Jesse Stone...Spenser in Paradise?
Review: I really enjoyed this one. The first few Stone novels were a mixed bag, but Parker pulled it togther in this effort. Jesse is definitely not a one dimensional guy. He's complex, introspective and can be tough one moment and vulnerable the next. Did I say "vulnerable"? Oh no! Now I sound like one of Parker's interesting female characters, of whom there are a bunch in this book. Best Stone novel yet.
Rating:
Summary: More fun in Paradise
Review: I should probably have gone for five stars, but I'm a tough grader. I have found the Spenser series to be very good, but after so many years I wonder if it's run its course. The new character of Jesse Stone has much in common with Spenser while remaining an individual. My only quibble with the book, and it's much the same as my feelings about his novel "Shrink Rap," is that there's a bit too much psych-babble. That may not be entirely fair, but the scenes where his characters are undergoing psychotherapy are too neat, too contrived. It is a minor aggravation, though, as the book succeeds extremely well. The plot is clever, I love the dialogue and the manner in which he developes new characters. Do women like Rita Fiore really exist? Now that Jesse's and Spenser's world are intermingling, I cannot wait to read the next Spenser (already ordered from Amazon) where they finally meet!
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