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)

Never a letdown!

The intrigue continues! I feel like Jesse has become a friend. The dialogue is as believable as Parker’s characters. The characters get to you. I like that about all the Jesse Stone books I’ve read and highly recommend this one as well.

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.

Another great book

Just like all the rest in series keeps you on your toes all the way to the end

I enjoyed binge-reading this one

I was introduced to the Jesse Stone series compliments of several recently streamed videos, and have yet to read the Parker-authored originals. That may be why I don’t feel the disappointment in this Brandman-authored story voiced by some of the previous reviews. The crime novel genre is best enjoyed if the reader learns to relax one’s standards and expectations of literary excellence. Having done that, I thoroughly enjoyed binge-reading this entry to the series.

Stays the same and yet moves on...

I did not know the author changed. Just saw Jesse Stone and purchased. They read the same in style and humor. The book was easy to follow, enjoyable, and kept our attention. We like this author as much as Parker and he has kept the original cast of characters. Was also glad to see some tie between Jesse’s past with the LAPD and now. The new Jesse is more focused on his job and less on his past love relationship. Good to see him move on.

Hope the new writer is as prolific as Parker was. Sad to see him gone but also glad to see that Jesse and we can move on.

Great book

Really love the book series which Tom Selleck would do the readings be really good

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.

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.

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.

Jesse Stone - Poor Epitaph

What did you like best about Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues? What did you like least?

I liked the character, as usual, but it did not carry any weight as in the past Jesse Stone books, of which I have read all.

What was most disappointing about Michael Brandman’s story?

It seemed like there was an idea but it was never fleshed out. it was more like a short story.

Did Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues inspire you to do anything?

Made me wish that Robert B. Parker had not died and had a chance to finish with a really good Jesse Stone story. It doesn't compare at all with the last Spencer story - Sixkill - that he wrote before his untimely death. I would venture to guess that an editor finished an manuscript he had left.