Rating: 
Summary: (3 1/2) Not A Paradise For Jesse Stone
Review: Within the past thirteen months, author Robert Parker has accomplished the literary equivalent of hitting the trifecta by publishing a Sunny Randall novel SHRINK RAP (review 9/20/02), followed by a Spenser novel BACK STORY (review 3/16/03) and finally this Jesse Stone story. Unfortunately, while certainly enjoyable and still superior to the vast majority of other novels of this genre (the lean detective story with spare prose and even sparer dialog peopled by interesting individuals whose personal problems almost never intrude upon their professional tasks), I don't believe that STONE COLD quite lives up to the exacting standards set by Parker's other recent works.There are three separate story lines: the first two relate to cases in which Jesse is involved as the police chief of Paradise, MA and the third concerns his personal life and continuing struggle to remain sober while dealing with the ambiguity of his relationship with his ex- wife Jenn. The opening chapters introduce us to a pair of serial killers and their victims, all of whom unfortunately for Jesse Stone reside in Paradise. This is obviously a case that will strain the capabilities of a small town police department, but luckily for the town and unbeknownst to the killers, while Jesse is now a small town cop he was trained in LA and knows how to systematically pursue an investigation as difficult as the one presented by this case. Unfortunately, the killings appear to be random and with the exception of the spent shells and the evidence in the immediate area of the crimes there are very few leads for the police to pursue. Meanwhile, another case intrudes when a girl from the local high school appears at the police station with her mother to report a [physical abuse]. Jesse is stymied when the mother refuses to let the girl either identify her attackers or press charges when she learns that the incident may result in a public trial of the perpetrators and the identification of her daughter and involvement of their family. Due to the unavoidable stress inherent in pursing such a high profile case as the serial killings while simultaneously attempting to investigate the [physical abuse] allegations in an extremely sensitive manner, Jesse is in danger of losing his battle with the alcoholism and becomes even more conflicted in his relationship with Jenn. One clever element of the book is that despite the book being written in the third person we become privy to Jesse's thoughts regarding his emotional problems and their relationship to his addiction through the sessions with Dix, his therapist, in which he has to verbalize them. The investigation of the murders is written as a standard police procedural, and since the characters are only slightly interesting and truly despicable, the only question is how many victims will they kill before they are finally apprehended? (A reasonable conclusion since we know that the author has a strong sense of good and evil.) In my mind, the [physical abuse]case, though ancillary, was much more interesting. It was nuanced, the police work was cleverer, and the outcome was a far from perfect compromise. Many of the same elements that make Spenser's character so appealing were revealed to also reside in Jesse as that case progressed. Finally, the book's conclusion certainly led the reader to not only cheer for Jesse and wish him well but to expectantly await the next chapter in his and Jenn's relationship. To reiterate my conclusion, Robert Parker has lost none of his gifts for writing stories which are populated by interesting characters, easily and rapidly read, and which implicitly comment upon the triumphs and frailties of the human condition. STONE COLD is highly recommended as a fun, fast read; it's not just quite up to the quality of his best work. Tucker Andersen
Rating: 
Summary: Stark prose and plenty of action is what this novel is about
Review: When his marriage to Jenn broke up, Jesse Stone left California and accepted a job as chief of police in Paradise, Massachusetts. Jenn followed soon after and although they see each other on occasion, they also date other people. Jesse tells every woman he's involved with that he's still in love with Jenn and until she tells him it's over, he won't commit to anyone else. Usually Paradise is a quiet little town but now Jesse is working on two cases that are particularly ugly. Three young men rape a teenage girl in her school and they threaten to show pictures of her during the sexual assault if she reports it to the police. Jesse wants to find a way to charge the young men while keeping the girl's name out of it. The second case is even more horrifying. A husband and wife team picks out a victim at random, stalks him, and they both simultaneously kill him with identical weapons. Jesse, who knows he's their next target, sets up a trap using himself as bait but they evade it and ride off into the sunset. Comparisons between Spenser and Jesse are inevitable. Spenser is self assured and confident of Susan's love while Jesse is vulnerable and has no idea if he and Jenn will ever get together. Spenser, as a PI, sometimes bends or breaks the rules while Jesse adheres to them. STONE CUTS' protagonist is more interesting because readers don't know what Robert B. Parker will do next with his character. Stark prose and plenty of action is what this novel is all about. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Stone Cold
Review: "Stone Cold" is the fourth Jesse Stone novel by Robert B. Parker, who is best known for his Spenser novels. Jesse is the police chief of the small seaside town of Paradise, Massachusetts. This novel has Jesse working on two important police cases and examining his personal life. A serial murderer is killing people at random with two shots from two .22 caliber guns. The reader learns that there are 2 murderers and why they are killing people. Jesse's life is very much in danger as it becomes apparent to him that he is to become a victim if he doesn't act fast. The other case involves the rape of a teen girl by three punks. Jesse also examines his personal life, and his love for Jenn, his ex-wife whom he still loves. This was my favorite Jesse Stone novel to date and it was a very satisfying read.
Rating:
Summary: Big fun.
Review: "Stone Cold", the fourth Jesse Stone novel by Robert B. Parker is breezy, fun, fast and entertaining. Parallel plots have small town police chief Jesse Stone attempting to solve a high profile serial killer case as well as a high school gang rape. The killers are Mensa types---truly diabolical and contemptible. Good solid police work by the overtaxed police force is carefully utilized to uncover the killers. The plot thickens when Jesse is certain of their identity, but lacks the hard proof necessary for arrest. The rape case is trickier. They know whodunit, however the victim and her parents are reluctant to testify or accuse the preps. So, subtlety, finesse and undercover work are employed to dupe the suspects into turning on each other. Very cleverly done! The running subplot involves Jesse's ambiguous relationship with his ex-wife enhances the story line, as we learn more about Jesse the individual as well as the cop. The lean Parker writing style makes the pages disappear. Snappy dialogue, absorbing good guys and bad guys, spare prose create a highly pleasurable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Appropriately Titled
Review: Parker's writing leaves me stone cold. This is the first Robert Parker novel I've read, and it did not impress. The writing is flat, arch at times, and a plot twist toward the end of the book...uhhh, did we forget one? This is a boring march through two cases: (1) the gang-rape of an underage high-schooler and (2) a serial killing couple who kill for the thrill. Neither case has much dimension or plot, and worse, they are highly predictible. Then we throw in the love-life storyline of the Jesse Stone, our protaganist, police chief. He struggles to reconcile with his ex-wife and to keep off the bottle. This is creative writing? Sorry, Parker fans...<yawn>.
Rating:
Summary: Good Guy Wins! Good Guy Wins!
Review: RObert Parker writes good page-turning mysteries and this one is in his upper echelon. Jesse Stone is a big-time L.A. cop who comes to be the chief of police in a small Massachusetts town. In this novel he solves two crimes - one a local rape and the other a serial killer. Along the way he has relationships with several women including an ex-wife he can not surrender. (Somehow, this middle-aged taciturn guy keeps getting the babes, but somehow it works.) The reader will find himself rooting for Stone in the rape matter and being very satisfied with its conclusion. In the serial killer plot, Stone's adversary is extremely unique and interesting. To tell more would be to ruin the first third of the book but suffice it to say Parker has masterfully created a challenging nemesis for his hero. Parker's writing, as always, is clean, concise and keeps the story moving. A good page-turner of a mystery.
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: B+
Review: I was not huge Parker fan until I read his previous novel. LOVED IT! This one was not quite as good but it was interesting and it wasn't filled with too much boredom, but could be considered so at times. 4 stars.
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: 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.
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