Judy B. (jdyinva) -
Helpful Score: 3
Marvelous, fast-paced book that holds your interest until the very end. Short sentences, short chapters in the Parker style with Jesse in trouble on all sides. His toughness/tenderness is handled so beautifully in this novel you'll wish you knew him personally. About a dozen things going on all at once which makes the book lively and entertaining. Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed "Killing The Blues". Not the best Jesse Stone book, but good. I'm glad someone else is going to continue with the series.
Jane M. reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first Jesse Stone novel written by the author chosen by Bob Parker's widow and his publisher to carry on the popular series.
Brandman co-wrote the screenplays for the Jesse Stone TV movies along with Parker and series star Tom Selleck, so he was already deeply submerged in the very particular world of Jesse Stone.
This installment carries all the hallmarks of the series: overly clever dialogue, several simultaneous stories, romantic interludes described in superficial detail, and Jesse running around Paradise solving everyone's problems while feeling guilty that some of his behavior created them. All the usual suspects are in the Paradise Police Station. The villains for this installment veer between the truly horrible and the ones you don't mind so much when they get away with their crimes.
Brandman co-wrote the screenplays for the Jesse Stone TV movies along with Parker and series star Tom Selleck, so he was already deeply submerged in the very particular world of Jesse Stone.
This installment carries all the hallmarks of the series: overly clever dialogue, several simultaneous stories, romantic interludes described in superficial detail, and Jesse running around Paradise solving everyone's problems while feeling guilty that some of his behavior created them. All the usual suspects are in the Paradise Police Station. The villains for this installment veer between the truly horrible and the ones you don't mind so much when they get away with their crimes.
Beverly U. (beekay1936) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I have enjoyed most all of Parker's books and was anxious to see what someone else would do with his characters. This book was good. I had to keep reminding myself that Parker did not write it. I am now waiting on another author that has written a book on Spenser. They are proving to be good reads.
Michael H. (thatdarnkaraoke) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 9 more book reviews
Read like a screenplay, but that was great for me; I pretty much read the novel in one sitting.
Though Brandman is obviously skilled as a writer, some Parker-isms are absent that I enjoyed, BUT!, again, there were enough to keep me hooked.
I am glad the Parker estate chose differing writers to carry-on the 3 main character franchises, as the first Sunny Randall novel after Parker passed was a disappointment. Brandman and Atkins are so far, so good.
Thank you Joan and family.
Though Brandman is obviously skilled as a writer, some Parker-isms are absent that I enjoyed, BUT!, again, there were enough to keep me hooked.
I am glad the Parker estate chose differing writers to carry-on the 3 main character franchises, as the first Sunny Randall novel after Parker passed was a disappointment. Brandman and Atkins are so far, so good.
Thank you Joan and family.
Peggy F. (pafmarwog) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 43 more book reviews
Good job keeping the momentum with Jesse and company grinding along in Paradise, Mass by the author. Very quick read. Type is wide spaced and the 290 pages are possibly equivalent to 250 pages for the normal typeset and line spacing in paperback form. The storyline did not drag. This was a good addition to the Jesse Stone series. I look forward to Mr. Brandman's future works keeping alive the Robert B Parker sagas. Like all of his adoring fans; I miss him.
Kathy C. (ktsmny) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 29 more book reviews
Just OK.
Quick read, quick action, satisfactory tying up of loose ends. If you like Spenser, you will also like Jesse Stone.
Julie H. (endoxazo) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 6 more book reviews
A real good read.
Chris H. (thereading5) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 2 more book reviews
The first journey into a Robert B. Parker character by another author, Killing The Blues by Michael Brandman keeps to the clipped, sarcastic dialogue of the originals. Jesse Stone's personal development appears to move at a faster pace than we've seen. Less turmoil over Jenn, quicker adjustment away from Sunny, the move to the house that appears in the Jesse Stone movies. "Coffee", the beverage, has a greatly reduced role despite being the first word appearing.
My one detraction would be the addition of the cat into what has always been a traditional dog setting.
My one detraction would be the addition of the cat into what has always been a traditional dog setting.
Beverly W. (ovbev) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 19 more book reviews
I can see Tom Selleck clearly speaking the dialog in this book ...enjoyed it but not as much as the TV movies...Have gone to Netflix to re-watch the Jesse Stone stories. This is a good read.
Although the heirs of Robert Parker agreed to have Michael Brandman continue using Parker's notes, the "spark" is missing. He uses many of the Stone cliches but not as good as Parker's first 9 Jesse Stone novels.
Dolores K. (lucy31k) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 120 more book reviews
Always enjoy a Parker book - fast paced, exciting and humorous. He is a hard act to follow.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 1229 more book reviews
This is the first Jesse Stone novel written after Robert B. Parker's death in 2010 by Michael Brandman. For the most part, I found this to be very comparable to Parker's novels with crisp and witty dialogue and a fast-paced story. The story starts out with some car thefts in Paradise which eventually lead to the murder of a man whose car is being stolen. Jesse enlists the help of Gino Fish, the Boston mobster, to try to put an end to the thefts and potential other killings. Jesse also moves from his condo into a small house on an inlet by Paradise Cove. (This is the house that is always shown in the Jesse Stone movies. Brandman also worked on the TV movies). At the new house, Jesse makes friends with a stray cat and also has a new love interest, Alexis Richardson, who has been put in charge of PR for the upcoming summer festivities. (Looks like his ex-wife, Jenn, and Sunny Randall are both now out of the picture). In addition, a parolee from L.A. who was arrested and beaten by Stone when he was drunk has been released and is seeking revenge. A lot on Stone's plate to contend with in this outing. Overall, an enjoyable addition to the Stone series. I have one more book by Brandman that I will be reading next and then may seek out the other novels in the series.
Sherry H. (Monkeytoes) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 15 more book reviews
From the first page I could tell this was not the same Jesse Stone. This book is more like the movies than the original books. I think I realized that because I read the series one after the other and when I got to this one, I really noticed the change. Jesse seemed more harsh to me, then he was previous. Previous he was more smooth on how he said and went about things, not in this book. I saw the same characteristics in Molly as well. Other than that I did enjoy the book. It was like Michael Brandman saw the movies and wrote a book. Maybe he should of read the books and wrote a book. Or maybe it was decided to go off the movie.
DUANE M. (KS2AZMARINE) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 30 more book reviews
Not quite the same story or persona. Not a bad story, but I have never found anyone writes true to the original authors idea(s).
Janice R. (jan478) reviewed Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (Jesse Stone, Bk 10) on + 112 more book reviews
Good Jesse Stone mystery
