Stranger in Paradise (Jesse Stone Novels) Summary and Reviews

Stranger in Paradise (Jesse Stone Novels)
by Robert B. Parker

Stranger in Paradise (Jesse Stone Novels)
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Book Summary Information

Author: Robert B. Parker
Edition: Hardcover
Published: 2008-02-05
ISBN: 0399154604
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Putnam Adult

Book Reviews of Stranger in Paradise (Jesse Stone Novels)

Book Review: Jesse Stone Tries to Save the Girl, Himself, and Jenn with Crow's Help
Summary: 3 Stars

I would have graded this book as a four except that Mr. Parker aggressively advocates women seeking out a little sexual novelty for fun as a major theme. Usually, Mr. Parker tries to draw a contrast between the angels and the devils. The line he draws seems to be coming closer to the devils than the angels in this story.

As the book opens, Wilson "Crow" Cromartie, the "Apache" hit man, comes to see Jesse Stone to be sure that Jesse realizes that Crow is in the clear on past crimes in Paradise due to the running of the statute of limitations on his multi-million dollar heist. Crow is looking for a woman and her daughter for a Miami hood.

Aside from this annoyance, Jesse is mostly facing local citizens who seem unusually upset by some underprivileged kids taking classes in town. The local white-shoe types draw in the media, and Jenn is assigned to cover the story (undoubtedly hoping for special favors from Jesse).

In his rare free time, Jesse is making progress in understanding why Jenn loves him but cannot live with him.

The story turns from joking to deadly when Crow is asked to kill the girl's mother after finding both of them. Crow is a hit man who only kills men. Crow becomes a vigilante trying to keep mother and daughter safe . . . while keeping his own heart pumping.

The strands of these story elements interweave in typical Robert Parker fashion. But the book isn't quite the usual Parker morality play. Instead, it's more about how depraved everyone is (or could be) with the right incentive. There's plenty of fun, but the backdrop of evil and temptations pursued spoil the aftertaste of the fun.

Crow is one of Parker's more interesting "out-of-town" characters. His unique attitudes and perspectives liven up this story or it would be two-star book. Because of the name similarities (birds of a feather), some will compare Crow to Hawk. If that kind of comparison interests you, my take is that Crow is simply Hawk when Spencer isn't around.

The plot resolutions are more fun than much of the story development that shows you can indeed have trouble in paradise.

If you intend to keep up with the Jesse Stone series, you'll have to read this one even if it won't be your favorite.

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