Rating: 
Summary: I won't buy another
Review: I like good mysteries, but this wasn't one of them. The guy can write, but this was way too predictable and the characters were too shallow. He's certainly no Patricia Cornwell or James Patterson. I gave this two stars for his use of the English language. This took about three hours to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Fast Easy Read
Review: I liked the new character, Jesse Stone. As with all of Parker's novels, the dialog is the star. The story itself is a little lightweight but well plotted with a very satisfying conclusion. I'm anxious to see how or if Parker will develop this new character.
Rating:
Summary: Jesse Stone is no Spenser !!
Review: I love Spenser (even 'Spenser for Hire'). His strength, indomitability, intelligence, wit and integrity are in short supply in this world, and a well written story (and Parker CAN write) that showcases these character traits makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.Stone is smart and competent, and his heart is in the right place. But he's entirely without humor, alone (no Hawk for backup and witty repartee), and spends all of his non-working time feeling sorry for himself because of his recent divorce. And there's no worthy protagonist! Only a couple of spineless, loony bozos. (Vinnie Morris, a frequent and interesting Spenser opponent is here in a very minor role, but as I recall he and Stone never meet.) There is one constant in this comparison of the two. Stone's ex-wife is also sans any worthwhile qualities (Stone loves her primarily because she's 'quirky'). Susan, Spenser's main squeeze is similarly unendowed, but redeemed herself somewhat in later books. So, as is the wont of such heroes, both Stone and Spenser are true-blue to their self-absorbed partners. Overall, the story is just OK. Stone's character is just OK. Parker's narrative talents as usual are terrific. But what is missing is our hero's frequent manipulation of the characters and the system to provide an unexpected ending that matches his unusual sense of justice and unity. These conclusions may not at first satisfy the reader, but after some thought can be appreciated nonetheless. For those who would rate Parker's talents having read only 'Night Passage', don't! Read Spenser. Some of my favorites (in no particular order): 'Early Autumn', 'Small Vices', 'Ceremony', 'Paper Doll', 'Valediction', 'Looking for Rachel Wallace', 'Pastime'.
Rating: 
Summary: Jesse is quiet, Spenser without the smartmouth
Review: I spent 40 pages waiting for Spenser to show up. I am glad that he didn't. Jesse is a quiet troubled man who does what is right and keeps his opinions to himself. I hope that Parker writes many more stories about this character.
Rating: 
Summary: Night Passage
Review: I too am an avid fan of Robert Parker and Spenser, and was sure a book without Spenser would be a disappointment - How wrong I was!! Mr. Parker does it again and gives us a page-turner that you won't want to put down. Can't wait for his next one!
Rating:
Summary: Quick page turner that was a fun read.
Review: I was hooked from the first page. Night Passage is a colorful look at small town life gone awry. I look forward to the continuation of the series.
Rating:
Summary: He wrote this one for the money
Review: I write this only because I like Parker so much and, if you're reading this, you do too. I read this book in about three nights-- twice the time I suspect it took Parker to write it. I'm surprised by all the glowing reviews, since Parker obviously only wrote this one for the money. Yes, there's a new character and a new setting, but beyond that not much. Jesse Stone is a one-dimensional hero with problems that he doesn't really confront or overcome--they just sort of go away (his alcoholism, for example: midway through the book he just kinda forgets to keep drinking or something). His plot offers up inept bad guys (a pathetic wannabe militia who--in the days of Waco, OK City, and the Freemans-- aren't much more menacing than the local Elk's Lodge), and Jesse actually doesn't do much detecting. Mostly he just sort of hangs around places and people confess to him. The dialogue between Jesse and vitually everyone else seems to consist solely of one-sentence phrases that read like they've been written by Ernest Hemingway--if he'd suffered from Attention Defecit Disorder. If you want a quick, easy, shallow read this is it. If you're looking for a smart, compelling page-turner with real characters battling real demons (internal and external) skip this one and read anything by James Lee Burke.
Rating:
Summary: never thought spenser could be replaced.
Review: I've been a fan of Robert Parker for so many years,that I was appalled to think that Spenser had been left behind!!! Lo and behold, here comes another fascinating, vulnerable, and sensitive character and of course I'm hooked again and can't wait for the next books--and with the great,prolific Robert Parker, there will always be more to look forward to reading.
Rating:
Summary: Say hi to Jesse Stone. You'll be glad you did! :D
Review: I've just recently been fortunate enough to stumble across Robert B. Parker's work, and I must say I'm truly sorry it's taken so long! I have yet to read any of the Spencer books (I seem to be going in reverse order somehow), and even though this is the first Jesse Stone book, it's the second one I've read. I made the comment after reading Trouble In Paradise that even though it was second in the series, the reader didn't feel lost in Paradise, as it were. That feeling still stands, but I have to admit the background of exactly how Jesse found Paradise does put the second book in a somewhat better perspective. Even though, as another reviewer mentioned, the ending sort of seemed rushed, as if time was up and the pencils had to be put down, in retrospect, it really does set the stage for the next Jesse Stone book. I can't put my hands on it, but for some reason I felt this book was not written quite as well as the other Parker books I've read, yet it was still very interesting, compelling, and filled with in depth characterizations of the many personalities in Paradise even though while reading it, sometimes it didn't seem that way. OK, breathe, Michael ;) One of the things I enjoyed about the book were the very short chapters; of course, it didn't stop me from reading the book in a couple of days, since it IS very fast reading, but it's nice to know that if you're reading this at bedtime you can get to a natural break without going 30 pages to finish a chapter. I'm very much looking forward to reading many more books by Mr. Parker. I hope this review helps you come to the same decision!
Rating:
Summary: One of Parker's Best
Review: I've read all the Parker books, even those that aren't Spenser books, and this is the best yet. Excellent, well defined characters, wonderful spare writing. You know right away who done it. The thing of it is, you don't mind knowing because it's so interesting to see how the characters handle it.
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