Robert B. Parker's Blind Spot (A Jesse Stone Novel) Paperback – September 1, 2015

After reading several of Michael Brandman's iterations of Jesse Stone - and being mildly disappointed because they read too much like I was watching a movie - I wondered just what I might find here. I'm pleased to say that I feel much more at home with Reed Farrel Coleman's Jesse Stone. Coleman is still no Robert B. Parker. But then, who is? But I felt this version was more rich, with more detail, more suspense - but maintained all those familiar traits we've come to love about Jesse Stone and those who surround him. And I felt more "at home" with Coleman's writing somehow. Not that I disliked Brandman's terribly. But I felt it too shallow somehow. Like I had to make up too much of the imagery myself (or like, it was written so I wouldn't need to - because I had the video to do it for me). And that style just didn't suit me (as well). Though I still found the stories enjoyable. With Coleman, however, I feel a if the REAL Jesse Stone is back in print. As real as we're going to get anyway, in the absence of Robert B. Parker.Well done Reed Farrel Coleman. Well done indeed!

Blind Spot is well written. However, I did feel that there is a distinct difference in the characters and the way they interact. I felt that in past books Suitcase was a better character; i.e., Jesse always told Suitcase that if he kept working, he would make a good detective and Jesse was more of a mentor to him. In Blind Spot, Jesse commented several times that Suitcase would never be able to hold his own in a large police department but was good in Paradise. I felt that Suitcase was being made into a Barney Fife; he had a minor roll in the story and the things he did were somewhat silly. The dialog between Jesse and Molly was just not quite right either. Overall it was good, kept you guessing and I did think the ending was very interesting. I'm glad that Jesse Stone's story is continuing and will look forward to the next book to see how the cliffhanger ending turns out!!

Coleman is definitely not Robert Parker. His style varies from Parker's, with more sexual content (not graphic), and the stories more grimey (is that even a word?), but still captivating. If I had never read Jesse Stone stories by Parker, then I might just as easily prefer Coleman's take on the character. That being said, I enjoyed this Jesse Stone novel to the fullest. No more of the constant whining about his ex-wife (I did get tired of that), and more of Jesse having some intestinal fortitude. Less time spent with his psychiatrist (I was pretty tired of that, too). After all, what good does a shrink do talking to an alcoholic? Until Jesse decides to get and stay sober, seeing any head shrink is a total waste of the character's and the reader's time. By the way, this novel would make a good Jesse Stone film and I hope it does, because Selleck makes such a perfect Paradise Police Chief, and the stories they have been using without Parker are just crap.

In reading other reviews this was supposed to bring us back to the writing that produced the Jesse Stone original that we got to know. So I was excited to see how the new writer would do. I am 1/3 through and disappointed. Nowhere near the style of the original writer, and Jesse is drinking (where in the last original he was going to go off the scotch) and it has no effect on him (rather than his huge hangovers) and town characters also changed. Other than the name of the town and Jesse's name not much resembles the original format that other reviewers said would be back. Disappointing.Too much background wording and not enough action and dialogue. Would have to go a long way to equal the orighinal character and plots.Now that I am 85% through the book I stand beside my original comments - no way like the original style of Jesse Stone character. Why did they pick Coleman to continue the character? May be a good writer in his own style but ruins a good thing to try and duplicate what was done in the past. before I could hardly put it down until the end. Now I am sometimes think - is this never going to end? If you want a Jesse Stone character carry forward into a new story same character and style don't buy this book. If you want a reasonable read of a different group of folk involved in a murder then - not bad.

Jesse Stone novel: Most enjoyable! Much more detailed and involved in plot and characterizations than several other Jesse Stone novels I have read. It's helpful that plot is moved along thru shorter chapters - rather than bogging down the reader in a rambling narrative. I haven't read all the books in this series, but this novel ends with the "hint" of an continuing threat to Jesse and/or his acquaintances.Note that this particular novel is actually by Reed Farrell Coleman. He does an excellent job in keeping Jesse Stone in character with RB Parker's original writings.

Mr Coleman,It was a valiant effort. I’m sure you would agree that there are not a lot of authors like Robert Parker. To take on a continuation of his work and the Jesse Stone character was bold.I knew something was amiss, however, when there were just too many names to keep track of and often in speaking of them there was no reference as to where they fit in previously. You give the reader, me, too much credit for remembering where that name originally was mentioned. For example, “John Jones walked in the door” vs “John Jones the barber from Midland Academy walked in the door”.Then, I knew it was not Robert Parker when the character development went on unnecessarily long. It added pages and pages to the book that added nothing. For example hit man Joe after years of vicious murder suddenly develops a conscious and worries about murdering the girl. Unnecessary and unrealistic.But as someone who has read a lot of Robert Parker, I applaud you for taking on a huge task.

This is more complicated than most of the Jesse stone stories. I believe this is book number 13 and series of 21 books by Robert B Parker. There are probably six or eight characters that you have to follow to the story and it was multiple stories going on, but in the end, Jesse Stone solved the mystery and save the day.

This was Jesse Stone . Characterisation excellent, it was Jesse, and plot worthy of Robert B Parker's creation. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Nice try, but no cigar. Too long, too many words, too much explaining. Lacks the crispness and confidence of Robert B. Parker 's novels.

Völlig humorlos ... und grad der Humor war charakteristisch für den Original-Parker. Es machte einfach SPASS, die Bücher zu lesen. Nun ist es ein Krimi, wie Millionen andere auch, und ein langweiliger dazu. Verwickelt ...und irgendwie will man das alles garnicht wissen..

Another excellent read from a very good author. Can't wait for the next book to be published and it will be difficult to find as good a book to read in the meantime!

As a big fan of the Jesse Stone character , this is a great continuation of the story. We just need Tom Selleck to take some time off from Blue Bloods and keep the JS movies coming out!