Robert B. Parker's Fool's Paradise

By: Mike Lupica

Narrated by: James Naughton

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

When an unknown man is found murdered in Paradise, Jesse Stone will have his hands full finding out who he was - and what he was seeking.

When a body is discovered at the lake in Paradise, Police Chief Jesse Stone is surprised to find he recognizes the murder victim - the man had been at the same AA meeting as Jesse the evening before. But otherwise, Jesse has no clue as to the man's identity. He isn't a local, nor does he have ID on him, nor does any neighboring state have a reported missing person matching his description. Their single lead is from a taxi company that recalls dropping off the mysterious stranger outside the gate at the mansion of one of the wealthiest families in town....

Meanwhile, after Jesse survives a hail of gunfire on his home, he wonders if it could be related to the murder. When both Molly Crane and Suitcase Simpson also become targets, it's clear someone has an ax to grind against the entire Paradise PD.

©2020 Mike Lupica (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"One of the best crime thrillers hitting stores this year...and quite possibly the best novel set in one of Parker’s universe since the iconic author passed away." (The Real Book Spy)

Good one

Enjoyed it and recommend. A great Jesse Stone story and I like he is sober throughout the whole story.

Thumbs up

Good story and good storytelling. Liked the short jokes thrown in from time to time.

Mike Lupica is no Robert Parker.

Mike Lupica writng a Robert Parker book is an interesting take. I feel like I was listening to soft porn. His need to describe every sex scene and everyone has a sexual being and everyone having sex together and making sure everybody had a label of either color, sex, creed, etc. Was a bit much. And I don’t remember any of the Robert Parker books or Jesse Stone movies with with the F word as a constant expression.

almost as good as Robert Parker

Robert Parker was one if my favorite authors. This comes as close to him as any I've read. Good story, good reader, lots of action.

Love Jesse Stone books

I thought the storyline was very intriguing and was connected throughout the story. I have listened to many of Robert B Parker‘s Jesse Stone stories. This one was definitely enjoyable.
My one critique is, I would lessen up the alcoholic issues during the book. For those of us that have listened to Robert B Parker‘s Jesse Stone. We are well aware of the alcoholic issues.
We would like more to hear about character definition and storyline, than the discussion of going to rehab. 
Looking forward to the next one.

Another great Jesse Stone Book.

Jesse Stone books may not make the Book of the Year category but they sure are fun.

Jesse Stone is Back!

After the last couple of lackluster Stone books, which seemed to be mailed in frankly, it’s nice to see the “old” Jesse Stone I came to love back. Not sure why the Parker estate decided to change author’s but I’m glad they did. I like the inclusion of Sunny Randall’s appearance giving Stone a softer edge to his life. I also like the continued fight with his addiction and his AA inclusion which gives him hope for the future. The story was a nice tight mystery bringing in all the favorites and had a nice twist at the end, even if it left the ribbon a bit untied. James Naughton’s narration always breathes life into the story and characters and he didn’t fail us here. Well done. Mr. Lupica did a great job!

Great story with Jesse Stone

Amazing it is to see how any of the Jesse Stone stories can be enjoyed by themselves. The mark of brilliant writing!

Not the same. Very bad language.

The f' word was used way too much. the personalities didn't seem the same. I'm hoping the next books will get better (I have to listen to them because I already bought them).

Robin's. Reviews

Enjoyed the book, however, I would have enjoyed a little more physical confrontations with Jesse.
I liked the way Robert Parker would incorporate that in his stories.