Sea Change

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

When a woman's partially decomposed body washes ashore in Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone is forced into a case far more difficult than it initially appears. Identifying the woman is just the first step in what proves to be an emotionally charged investigation.

Florence Horvath was an attractive, recently divorced heiress from Florida; she also had a penchant for steamy sex and was an enthusiastic participant in a video depicting the same. Somehow the combination of her past and present got her killed, but no one is talking, not the crew of the Lady Jane, the Fort Lauderdale yacht moored in Paradise Harbor; not her very blond, very tan twin sisters, Corliss and Claudia; and not her curiously affectless parents, living out a sterile retirement in a Miami high rise. But someone, Jesse, has to speak for the dead, even if it puts him in harm's way.

©2006 Robert B. Parker (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A fast-paced fascinating mystery.” (The Providence Journal)

“The complicated, all-too-human Jesse Stone [is] every bit as compelling, charismatic and resolute as [the] better-known, valiant Spenser.” (The Boston Herald)

“Crackles with wisecracks.” (Forbes)

Good book

Liked it a lot better than the tv movie this is based on. Totally different story

Great book

As with all of Robert Parker's books, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Parker has a mastery for writing convincing dialogue. I didn't have any problem with his use of "he said" or "she said" as other listeners have.

I love Parker's writing; he doesn't pad his books with needless prose, his character development is excellent, and his plots are great. Stone's a well-developed, tragic guy with lots of problems. Reminds me of some people I know.

Barely adequate

I read other reviews and was prepared for the low quality of this audio book. I only bought it to keep going in the series and because the price was low.

Robert B. Parker' writing is good, on par with his other books. This narrator just isn't good. it sounds like he is an actor who is used to reading from a script because he voices the characters pretty well but his rhythm and flow are not like reading.

What other reviewers said about all the "he said" problems are true, though that issue did get better as the book went on. When you read text for yourself, you don't really notice "he said." It just tells the story in your mind. This reader practically made separate sentences out of those words, especially at first, instead of just speaking them into the prose.

Sea Change

Dr Robert Parker hits this novel out of the park again! I truly enjoy these Jesse Stone novels, and I know you will when you listen to this one. The movie is actually quite good with Tom Selleck in it.

Another Predictable Parker

He has the formula down pat. Parker has his three stock characters and they are all well done. The writing is crisp, plots are well realized and I find them all wonderful accompaniments to a long run or bike ride. My favorite is Spencer though the chief of police in Paradise is a close second. At this juncture I await the latest Parker as one awaits the whipped cream on a wonderful cup of coffee...not substantial yet the perfect end to a good meal...Now if Parker could only write like Lee Child. As for Sea Change...The topic is disturbing yet engaging..it is well paced..it is a typical Parker. I just hope he keeps turning them out at his usual pace.

Good Series

I started with the movies, liked them so much I am reading and listening to the series ... love them

Be tolerant

Unless you can develop a tolerance for the endless repetition of “he said” or “she said”, this not your book: once beyond this, we have a compelling story with many twist and turns that will keep your eardrum humming.

Jesse is great - unless

I enjoyed the book, Jesse Stone is great, I love the light hearted tone but I had to restrain myself from smashing the CD player on about the 2000th repetition of "Jesse/Kelly Cruz/etc said."

loved it

the book is really well Whitten. overall I have enjoyed the whole series and will look forward to the rest of the books.

he's no Richard Mauser or Robert Forster

Scott Sowers unfortunately makes Jesse Stone sound like he's Suitcase Simpson. the first two narrators in the series have made all lasting impression and unfortunately I'm just interested in the story not the narration anymore. This is the auditory equivalent of a child putting on his father's suit when he's at work.