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Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues  By  cover art

Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues

By: Michael Brandman
Narrated by: Robert B. Parker, James Naughton
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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)

What listeners say about Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

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.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Tough to Finish

Would you try another book from Michael Brandman and/or James Naughton?

This is the second Robert B. Parker novel I tried to listen to. The novel is very hard to finish with all the

If you’ve listened to books by Michael Brandman before, how does this one compare?

More of the same. Not my favorite.

What didn’t you like about James Naughton’s performance?

Not impressed. No obvious changes in character voices.

Do you think Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not if the he said....she said....Jesse said continues. So annoying to listen to.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Worthy Entry in the Series

Which character ??? as performed by James Naughton ??? was your favorite?

Jesse Stone

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The humor was nice, The tone was right. To those worried that this wouldn't work in the wake of Parker's death, give it a listen. You won't be sorry. I look forward to the next entry in the series.

Any additional comments?

Naughton sounds like he is having fun with the book and that adds to the pleasure of the listening experience.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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????

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Bland by Brandman

What disappointed you about Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues?

The story is lifeless, wandering and has a predictable outcome.

What could Michael Brandman have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Handed it off to someone else to write. The last two Jesse's by Parker, and the last two TV adaptations by Brandman (and Selleck, as co-writer, co-producer) have lacked the energy and the interest of those that began the series. In Killing the Blues, Jesse wanders through without any passion whatsoever. The action is dull and formulaic and Brandman's effort to bring the books into the same setting as the TV show (Jesse moves to that house on the bay) is useless housekeeping.

What does James Naughton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like his wry style. Others have complained that he doesn't give each character a separate voice but he actually does. It's subtle but enough for me. Cracked me up to hear him doing a Cialis commercial the day after I finished the book.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. If the rest of the series is like this, I won't stick with it.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I got started backwards in this. Movie then book!

If you could sum up Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues in three words, what would they be?

gritty humorous wellwritten

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes

Any additional comments?

The author has published a number of Jesse Stone books and I happened into the series via Netflix. The main actor is someone I love watching - Tom Selleck, who plays a no nonsense laid back kind of police chief in a small town where stuff happens far too much for the city council to want him poking around in! There are plenty of characters and personalities to make this series a lot of fun to follow through. Unfortunately, on Audible I have only found 2 of the series available. There are a set of 8 dvd's out there and it appears that there are lots more written by the author. The sad thing is that the author has died, so the series will not be continued unless someone else is inspired to take the ball and run with it. I have seen that done before - i.e. the Hopalong Cassidy novels that Louis L'Amour wrote - they were originally written by someone else.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Narration was too distracting to the story.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Teens and young adults.

What was most disappointing about Michael Brandman’s story?

Hard to follow the characters and what was occurring.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

After each character spoke he identified each speaker by saying Jesse said or Hanson said, etc. Detracted from the smooth flow.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not many.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Jesse Stone Noticeably Grows Wiser

Prepare yourself for Jesse Stone to shed some more of his old emotional baggage.

Don't worry though, the tension, danger, tensions, and humor are still present.

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