Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice

A Jesse Stone Novel

By: Michael Brandman, Robert B. Parker - creator

Narrated by: James Naughton

Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Autumn in Paradise, Massachusetts, is usually an idyllic time - but not this year. A Hollywood movie company has come to town, and brought with it a huge cast, crew, and a troubled star. Marisol Hinton is very beautiful, reasonably talented, and scared out of her wits that her estranged husband's jealousy might take a dangerous turn. When she becomes the subject of a death threat, Jesse and the rest of the Paradise police department go on high alert.

And when Jesse witnesses a horrifying collision caused by a distracted teenage driver, the political repercussions of her arrest bring him into conflict with the local selectmen, the DA, and some people with very deep pockets. There's murder in the air, and Jesse's reputation as an uncompromising defender of the law - and his life - are on the line.

©2012 Michael Brandman (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"No one understands what makes Bob Parker's Jesse Stone tick better than Michael Brandman, who help bring him to television.... I know Michael is just the writer to carry Jesse into the future." (Tom Selleck)

“Brandman in his second go-round as the caretaker of the late Parker’s Stone franchise nails Parker’s compressionist prose.” (Booklist)

Jesse's in good hands

Michael Brandman may be able to keep the Jesse Stone character going.

The dialog wasn't as sharp as in the past - but it was close.

I still miss Joe Montegna narrating - but James Naughton would be my second choice,

All in all - if you are a Jesse Stone fan - enjoy the listen.

If you are new to this series - get going, you are missing some great books!

A nice compromise

Okay; I understand that Brandman isn't Robert Parker. Much of the wit is missing and for the second time he has turned Molly into a sitcom character. Still I enjoyed both this book as well as it's predecessor. As always Jesse's humanity shines through all the less than stellar writing of the replacement sent into the game for the fallen star. His relationship with the teenagers who he reaches is the highlight of this work; as it was in his previous closing of a Jesse Stone novel began by Parker. Though I didn't think as highly of this selection as his previous work, I still recommend it.

Jesse Stone -still a hero

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

No, did not care for the narrator

What was one of the most memorable moments of Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice?

It is always Jesse Stone's humanity. He cares for what is right, more than what is expedient. He saw through the bluster of a hurting teenager and tried to instill some self worth.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He cannot change voice effectively

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hopped Up Husband's Hit on Hollywood Hottie

Any additional comments?

"Robert Parker's" books are predictable and that's what I like. I count on it. Michael Brandman did a good job at capturing his voice. I was surprised to find Jesse with a cat instead of a dog. Did I miss a book? The book had enough sub plots
i.e a movie star's junkie husband, stealing at the local water company, a spoiled and truly nasty teenage girl and even at the end a self absorbed FBI team leader to keep me listening straight through a Sunday. If you like Parker you will add this book to your history.

Great performance of an average story

What made the experience of listening to Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice the most enjoyable?

James Naughton's performance is perfect. Rich and rewarding. If we can't have Tom Selleck read these then Naughton's performances are the next best thing.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Brandman does good characterizations but his plotting in the story could use some work. We only get one of these a year so a bit more imagination would be nice. I'd like to see Sunny Randall return to the series as well.

Have you listened to any of James Naughton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. he does his usually super job.

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

Almost.

Any additional comments?

If you are a fan of Jesse Stone, this one is worth your time. If you are new to the series you should start with one of the books written by Robert B. Parker himself because his plots are better.

formula schlock: boring!!

Would you try another book from Michael Brandman and Robert B. Parker (creator) and/or James Naughton?

no

What do you think your next listen will be?

non fiction

What about James Naughton’s performance did you like?

He is a good reader. Good pace, Good inflection

What character would you cut from Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice?

the "formula" parents of the "formula" troubled girl

Any additional comments?

Tom Selleck makes the movies enjoyable. This book is so bad compared to say the Travis McGee, or Nero Wolfe stories as to hardly be called literature.

Typically Wonderful

Jesse Stone is, indeed, flawed. I still love him - his dialog, his manner, his swagger. The story was the typical mystery but covered with the familiar characters makes the book seem like a family story. I would love to have Jesse as a neighbor...

Love Jessie's interaction with kids!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is entertaining as well as educational.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jessie Stone!

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

Character inflection.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Listen to your fears.

Any additional comments?

No one can protect you........

Jesse's back...........but it's not the same

I really like the character of Jesse Stone. Jesse is one of those men of few words but now Jesse's words seem to be describing more products than just the facts of the case. This is where Mr. Brandman is no Robert B. Parker. I can't imagine Robert B. Parker (or Jesse) getting caught up in a woman wearing Stella McCartney blouses, so-and-so's shoes, dinking this certain wine, etc. If this were produced as a TV show, the product placement would be extreme! It seems to me that this was a very short story fleshed out with a lot of added descriptions that had nothing to do with anything other than adding to the word count. I felt a bit cheated. I liked Jesse's interaction with the teenager and also checking into the inflated water bills. I think there was more to each of these stories but, again, product placement/description seemed to overwhelm the whole story. I know Mr. Brandman helps write the scripts for the Jesse Stone TV movies. This book just made me wish Ace Atkins had also picked up the Stone books - he writes like Robert B. Parker. In my opinion, Mr. Brandman is no Robert B. Parker. Drop the product placement and pick up the story for a change.

Jesse still on the job.

What made the experience of listening to Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice the most enjoyable?

It is a continuation of familar caracters in a great setting.
The story is a warm comfortable reading.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was what I anticipated.

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

There is a slightly different flavor from the real Robert B Parker but it is good.

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

The ending.

An Enjoyable Read

The Jesse Stone novels are not heavy reads. They are just enjoyable. The characters are flawed people with hopes and aspirations and failures. I actually thought this book had more meat in it than its predecessors. It was a murder mystery but was not gruesome.