Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues

A Jesse Stone Novel

By: Michael Brandman

Narrated by: Robert B. Parker, James Naughton

Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Paradise, Massachusetts, is preparing for the summer tourist season when a string of car thefts disturbs what is usually a quiet time in town. In a sudden escalation of violence, the thefts become murder, and chief of police Jesse Stone finds himself facing one of the toughest cases of his career. Pressure from the town politicians only increases when another crime wave puts residents on edge. Jesse confronts a personal dilemma as well: a burgeoning relationship with a young PR executive, whose plans to turn Paradise into a summertime concert destination may have her running afoul of the law.

When a mysterious figure from Jesse's past arrives in town, memories of his last troubled days as a cop in L.A. threaten his ability to keep order in Paradise-especially when it appears that the stranger is out for revenge.

©2011 Michael Brandman (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“It's a doozy…Michael Brandman shows that the standard that Parker set is still there…it all moves at a very fast pace.” (Lincoln Journal Star)

“The mysteries are solved in Jesse's inimitable style, and he even has a little time for a new romantic interest…I love it! Killing the Blues will join the other favorites on my Robert B. Parker bookcase.” (Bookreporter.com)

“[An] impressive continuation of [Parker’s] series…easy, banter-filled writing, balanced with the lead's apparently limitless compassion, informed by bitter experience.” (Publishers Weekly)

Still loving it!

Where does Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Somewhere in the upper middle. It held my attention and went by fast

What did you like best about this story?

I love the complexity of the Jesse Stone character

Would you listen to another book narrated by James Naughton?

Yes, but I do not like how they constantly use the

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked that he adopted the cat, or did the cat adopt him????

Love it!

Would you consider the audio edition of Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues to be better than the print version?

While any true fan of the stone series knows this isn't Parker its very well done Bravo!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues?

i enjoyed the storyline and the way it seemed to bring elements found in the movies

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

loved the tell tale " Jessie Stone " lines!

Any additional comments?

overall a great listen especially if you followed this series!

NOT Parker

I was desperately hoping that this book would defy the usual pattern of a new author failing to adequately take over an old author's story line and characters. I was badly disappointed. Jesse Stone is NOT in character in some significant ways in this story. For example, I cannot imagine Parker's Jesse cavalierly shucking Sunny Randall just because she went to Europe for a job, and falling rapidly into bed with a shallow young woman just because she chased him. Molly is also out of character for most of the story, demonstrating a hardness that was never seen before; as is Lt. Healy, who appears to be Jesse's errand boy, rather than a powerful cop in his own right. I mostly read Parker's stories for the excellent characters and character development rather than the plot, and plot alone cannot hold this story up. Parker, like any good writer, SHOWS his story, doesn't TELL it. This writer tells, actually preaches at times. Even the premise of the story--that Jesse was vicious enough in L.A. to beat a criminal into brain damage--is so out of character for Parker's Jesse Stone that it strains credibility past breaking. Parker's Jesse is a violent man, not a mean one; and even drunkenness does not change basic character. Overall, even the excellent narration cannot make up for the flawed plot and poor characterizations. Not worth the hearing, and certainly not worth another, or another book.

It isn't Robert B Parker but...........

Would you listen to Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues again? Why?

Maybe. The actually story was good. The rhythm of Robert B Parker isn't there.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues?

I believe mentioning that would be a spoiler for the book and future readers. I wasn't surprised to see Jesse shy away from Sunny (since this was already mentioned) because Jesse Stone is basically a damaged guy and I think he will shy away from committment. I would like to see Sunny come back again.

Did James Naughton do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I'm used to his narrative, and for the most part I think he does a good job, but he has to lose the lozenge or whatever he had in his mouth - it was VERY distracting!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - it is very short in comparison to other Robert B Parker books.

Any additional comments?

I thought it was interesting that they moved Jesse into some place that echoes the Tom Selleck movies.

Good story...

This Jesse Stone novel (not by Robert B. Parker) is as good as any of the originals by Parker. In fact, it's a little more intricate because there are really three stories going on at once. James Naughton seems to be made to narrate Jesse Stone. I enjoyed it very much. This is not high literature, but for it's ilk and kind it is highly entertaining. I wish Tom Selleck would make a movie of this one !!

A great listen and a satisfying end

Brandman did an outstanding job of catching the original Jessie Stone story and feeling. It was a fun listen and a very satisfying end.

Jesse Stone continues

Although Robert B. Parker has died, Jesse Stone lives on very well. Mr. Brandman has taken up the style and mystery quality to a great extent. I didn't notice much difference in the writing and still felt highly entertained. James Naughton continues as the narrator which helps to extend the novel as one of Parker's stories.

Definitely not Robert B. Parker writing

The author Michael Brandman (who wrote the screen plays for the Jesse Stone TV Movies starring Tom Selleck) continued the Jesse Stone legacy, but unfortunately he thinks he is still writing for the screen adaptation and not a book to follow in Robert B. Parker style.
The story is great, the narration is great, my main problem is Michael Brandman uses the book to marry up the book version and screen version of Jesse Stone, each of which in my eye(ear) were great in their own right but definitely different.

Overall I enjoyed the experience and am glad that Jesse Stone lives on, I only wish he would stay as he was.

Robert B Parker

I found this Jesse Stone book as an excellent book in the Robert B Parker series. The narration was crisp and very well done.

True Robert B Parker style!

Loved it! The narrator was exceptional and of course, the storyline was superb! Thank you!