Robert B. Parker's The Hangman's Sonnet (A Jesse Stone Novel Book 16)

As many of you know, Robert B. Parker is no longer among us. Since his passing, Michael Brandman (never read him) and Reed Farrel Coleman have continued the Jesse Stone series.The hardest part to capture is Jesse Stone's dialogue, which is most evident when he's having a discussion with his deputy, Suit, who is almost as laconic. Reed Farrel Coleman, an experienced mystery writers captures Jesse's style rather well, although he sometimes over does it. Coleman has written the last four episodes.In this one, Jesse is on an alcoholic binge due the murder of his fiancee'. But he tries to keep it together because Suit is getting married, and he's the best man. Meanwhile, an old woman is murdered. Jesse finds out who the culprits are through his connections with the Boston underworld. In short order, one of them turns up dead.So . . . who hired these ex-cons to do the job? They weren't looking for money and the old woman's jewelry is still there, except for one valuable ring one of them takes without the other's knowledge. The other guy finds the key to a safety deposit box without telling his partner.Meanwhile Jesse wards off the ambitious mayor and her assistant who know about his drinking and want him gone. He finds a connection to the missing album, THE HANGMAN'S SONNET, which was recorded by a Bob Dylan clone, Terry Hester, who was supposed to be as good or better than Dylan. Jesse finds out the old woman rented out rooms, and he has his deputy search her house for some kind of registration book. As a result he gets a lead as to who might have stolen the album. The culprit is also taunting the police and Jesse. He sends a poem written by Hester to Roscoe Niles, who used to be the Dick Clark of New England disk jockeys, who has been going to seed lately. Jesse quickly posits the man behind the murders is trying to stir up the press so that the bids are higher for the missing album if he indeed has it. The plot clues us in on how the old woman was connected to the missing album.Okay, so is this enjoyable enough to contend with Robert B. Parker?This might seem trivial but, there is no dog. Jesse usually talks to his dog when he's muddling through his latest challenge. Ozzie Smith takes the dog's place in this episode (Jesse has a picture on one of his walls of Ozzie doing his acrobatics). For you non-baseball fans, Ozzie Smith may have been the greatest defensive shortstop to ever play the game, the same position Jesse played until he hurt his arm. You probably won't be able to guess who was behind this mess, but the number of possible candidates will keep you turning the pages.

A lot to patch together here. Suit gets married and leaves for his honeymoon. The last living member of the town's most prominent family is murdered during a break in. Jesse continues to mourn, and drink heavily, over the death of his girlfriend from a previous novel. The mayor, who doesn't like Jesse and is looking for a reason to fire him, has added a sidekick who is equally trying to trap Jesse for his dismissal, or her bed, whichever happens first. The ME, Tamara who is trying to be a love interest of Jesse's too, is making little headway against the ghost of the dead girl friend and is considering employment elsewhere unless Jesse can convince her to stay. Three people who are connected to a local baby boomer rockstar are in town to set up a birthday party for the rockstar and pressure is added to Jesse to make a plan for handling the expected crowds. And 'The Hangman's Sonnet,' a recording that is worth millions but was stolen after the local rockstar and his all-star legendary singers had recorded it, may be making an appearance after a nearly 40 year absence from which there were no duplicate recordings and no one has heard the tape since it was recorded. Oh, and nearby PI Spenser makes a brief appearance in the story. I loved every page.

I probably would have liked the book better if I wasn't supposed to be a Robert Parked book. Coleman's writing is good but it's just not Parker. The main people in the book were close but just not quite the same as Parker portrayed them. Still recommend reading it though.

The plot of the book was excellent as always. However, I am really getting tired of all the authors harping on Jesse's first wife Jenn and in the latest book, going on and on about Jesse's drinking problem. As I was reading on and on about the drinking, I was thinking "this author is making Jesse out to be a functioning alcoholic". "Low and Behold"..... later in the book, the author actually called Jesse a functioning alcoholic! When I read each book I can picture Tom Selleck and all the other movie characters. Tom Selleckhas always played a strong man. Strong men get over a cheating wife, and don't depend on drinking to get by. I hope the future authors will drop the subject of Jenn and drinking, as it is really getting tiresome! Also, the author seemed to make a big deal about Jesse's "9 MM". With the exception of his new "Blue Blood" series, Tom Sellect has always carried a .45 automatic, starting with the "Magnum" series. I do look forward to the next book and TV movie, but PLEASE, PLEASE, less moaning over Jenn, and drinking, and more ACTION!

Years ago, when pregnant with my now adult daughter, a librarian suggested The Spenser novels… and I binged through my third trimester. Now? As an empty nester? I finally have time to binge again. Perfect timing, a Jesse Stone book on sale?!? Yes!! Just such a great story, and, as always, flawlessly unfolded until the end.Love everything Parker does.

this is really 4.5 stars as I 'm slowly warming up to Mr. Coleman and his writing for my beloved Robert Parker's Jesse Stone. He has not quite nailed Jesse yet, though he is close enough to be interesting and reasonably worth the high cost of Kindle. I just still miss my two fellas a bit, and find the drowning of Jesse's character in scotch disingenuous, and an easy way to avoid dealing with the depth and breadth necessary of Parker and Stone. They are complicated men, but by avoiding their complexities, Mr. Coleman avoids his own. Open up the oyster, sir, you will be pleasantly surprised. I am hopeful this new novel will do the deed, so I have sprung for the ridiculous price and EXPECT the best!! Don't disappoint, please?

Robert B. Parker was a wonderful author and his Jesse Stone books are a fun read. I love the ones that have been made into shows on TV and Tom Selleck is a good fit for the brooding Jesse Stone. I haven't had a chance to read this book yet but am looking forward to another Jesse Stone adventure.

Jesses Stone gets better every book! Robert B Parker's legacy and excitement lives on! Can't wait for the next chapter in Jesse's life!

It was a great read, well written. Very happy to be back reading about Jesse Stone & Paradise. Thank you

Liked the fact that other characters are showing up in crossing authors subjects.

This story was great. I love the characters and can see and feel what is Jesse Stone.From page 1, I was in all the way.Loved it.

Great read.