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Summary: Trouble in Paradise
Review: "Trouble in Paradise" is the second Jesse Stone novel by Robert B. Parker, who, in my opinion, is one of the finest novelists working today. The book alternates chapters with Jesse and his job and personal life, and James Macklin, a criminal who plans to loot Stiles Island by stealing from its rich residents. He hires 4 other criminals to help him pull it off. The two storylines meet at the end of the book. Jesse is quite different from Spenser, Parker's more famous character, but I really like him. I also enjoyed his relationship with Jenn, his ex-wife. "Trouble in Paradise" is a very good read.
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Summary: Trouble in Paradise
Review: "Trouble in Paradise" is the second Jesse Stone novel by Robert B. Parker. Stone is police chief of Paradise, Massachusetts, and a former Los Angeles cop. James Macklin, along with his girlfriend, Faye, plan to loot Stiles Island and steal from the rich people there. He hires 5 tough guys to help him pull off the crime. Chapters alternate from the crooks to Jesse, who re-kindles a romance with his ex-wife, Jenn. Stone also solves an arson case. As the crime on Stiles Island unfolds, the 2 storylines come together. I really like the character of Jesse Stone, and I really enjoyed reading this novel. Robert B. Parker is at the top of his form with "Trouble in Paradise."
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Summary: The Spenser/Stone comparison is inescapable, but...
Review: ...I like the fact that with a little wilfull suspension of disbelief, I can resume my love of Spenser through a new character. I can't help but think that each time I read a new Spenser that he's getting too old to do the stuff that he does. I also like Stone's ability to be "human" without resenting Susan (who can't make up her mind about her relationship with Spenser after 20-some-odd years). Jesse Stone is battling alcoholism, failed relationships and cuckoldery. But, best of all, he's tough, smart and allows me to be a tough guy by proxy. I am continually amazed at the efficiency in Parker's writing. In very few words, I am able to identify with characters and understand what motivates them and what keeps them realistic. I hope that Mr. Parker will continue with this series, but I hope Spenser lives, too!
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Summary: Hawk is missing ---------BRING HIM BACK TO YOUR BOOKS.
Review: A former drunk detective couln't replace Hawk in a million years because Hawk is the essence of Robert B. Parker's books.
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Summary: Critical of Quality
Review: Although Trouble In Paridise is a good read, I was brought up short on numerous occasions by type setting errors of incorrect letters and missing words. I am not sure who checks these things but they need to do better.
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Summary: I'm becoming a real Robert B. Parker fan!
Review: As luck would have it it appears that I'm reading Mr. Parker's books in reverse order, but I'm finding it doesn't much matter. So far I've only read two, and each had a different leading chracter, but the writing style is very similar and very easy to read. The chapters are short, some might think a bit too short, but I was always driven to read "just one more." :DIn my opinion the writing is simple, but I haven't found the character development "one dimensional" as some have observed. I feel that I know the characters pretty well even though they're introduced in relatively few words. For me, it makes the book that much more entertaining, and certainly less work. This really isn't a murder mystery, but rather it's a "who's doing it" - the story unfolds before your eyes, and even when you think you know what's going to happen, you'll still find plenty of surprises along the way. I truly recommend this book, and I already have another Jesse Stone book on order:D
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Summary: Second in Stone Series Continues to Grow Central Characters.
Review: As with all of Robert B. Parker's novels, I enjoyed his economy of words, his character detail and interactions, and his literary wit. This second installment in the Jesse Stone series is a fine follow-up to the opener, "Night Passage". Stone is not quite as cold as his name, but close. Then again, after what he's been through, who wouldn't be? For those new to Parker's books, keep in mind that this is a new series, and that Spenser will return, as he does every Spring, in a new book. Doubtless Hawk, Susan, Belson, Quirk, Pearl The Wonder Dog and perhaps even Paul Giacomin, Rita Fiore, Ed Healy, Vinnie Morris, Joe Broz, etc. will appear. Also note that if you have read Spenser recently, and are concerned about Jesse Stone being boring, fallible or impetuous, pick up "The Godwulf Manuscript", Parker's first novel and the first of the Spenser series, and you will see a central character who is also rough around the edges, waiting for a few more passes from the sculptor's mallet. Parker seems to evolve his characters over time, and frankly I enjoy the ride. I like the fact that Jesse Stone has real problems, not unlike most of us, and he is not always sure what is the best way to deal with them. Also like many of us, he is better at his job than he is in dealing with his personal life, and watching him struggle with these issues is something Spenser has done long ago, and so with Stone we get a fresh chance to see a character mature, Parker-style. A shipwrecked marriage brings much distress into anyone's life, and if drinking and casual sex is Stone's ways of dealing with it, then so be it. You know Jesse's a great cop, and that he can handle the bad guys, but you are not so sure he can emerge victorious in his life outside of his Paradise, Massachusetts Police duites. Watching Jesse deal with himself and with ever-present evil will keep me reading the series as long as Parker continues to write them. I didn't care for the fact that some good guys, even on Stone's own force, were dispatched and no follow-ups were given to those deaths. It reminds me of the way television and movies today will add up a body count that is reminiscent of some Civil War battles, yet the heroes are all smiles and hugs in the end. Sure, it's great to be alive, but when death is treated with as much emotion as changing one's 401K plan investment distributions, then it's time to re-evaluate. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this second Jesse Stone involvement, and look forward to another next fall, as well as anticipating the next Spenser novel in the Spring.
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Summary: I EVEN LOVE THE BAD GUYS!
Review: But most of all I love Jesse Stone; a man of few words who is soooo deep. I admire Mr. Parker's ability to describe his characters so that they are actually in your mind as if you were watching a TV movie. And, as a female mystery freak, I can also understand Jesse's relationships with all the woman in his life and his respect for woman. Mr. Parker gets to the true inner feelings of women - all kinds of women. Jesse also brings out the best in people. I do hope there is more written about "Crow" -- what a character. Mr. Parker - I like your style.
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Summary: Jesse steps over the line from troubled to strange
Review: Chief Stone seems to be a competent cop, but I think he needs some intensive counseling to get over his addiction to his ex-wife. And anybody who is sleeping with three people in these days of AIDs is downright crazy if you ask me. I got tired of all the drinking and I REALLY got tired of him talking about how much he loved his cheating wife while he slept around himself. And Stone just isn't as funny as Spenser, darn it. I agree that the Spenser books have gone downhill in the past few years, but Parker still hasn't gotten it quite right with this new character. Jettison the broad, Jesse.
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Summary: Surprised by other reviews
Review: Gosh, I thought this book was great and expected to find most other reviews stating something similar. I thought that Jesse Stone was a very appealing leading man--and I particularly liked his supporting characters...Suitcase and Molly. I thought that Parker's simple language was intentional, given the no-nonsense personality of his hero. He could have left a little more for the reader to surmise--the characters overexplained each other to me a little too often where their actions and reactions would have been sufficient for most readers to figure them out. Other than that, I thought it was well done. I'm going to back up and read the first book in the series.
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