As with all of Robert B. Parker's novels, I enjoyed his economy of words, his character detail and interactions, and his literary wit. This second installment in the Jesse Stone series is a fine follow-up to the opener, "Night Passage". Stone is not quite as cold as his name, but close. Then again, after what he's been through, who wouldn't be? For those new to Parker's books, keep in mind that this is a new series, and that Spenser will return, as he does every Spring, in a new book. Doubtless Hawk, Susan, Belson, Quirk, Pearl The Wonder Dog and perhaps even Paul Giacomin, Rita Fiore, Ed Healy, Vinnie Morris, Joe Broz, etc. will appear. Also note that if you have read Spenser recently, and are concerned about Jesse Stone being boring, fallible or impetuous, pick up "The Godwulf Manuscript", Parker's first novel and the first of the Spenser series, and you will see a central character who is also rough around the edges, waiting for a few more passes from the sculptor's mallet. Parker seems to evolve his characters over time, and frankly I enjoy the ride.
I like the fact that Jesse Stone has real problems, not unlike most of us, and he is not always sure what is the best way to deal with them. Also like many of us, he is better at his job than he is in dealing with his personal life, and watching him struggle with these issues is something Spenser has done long ago, and so with Stone we get a fresh chance to see a character mature, Parker-style. A shipwrecked marriage brings much distress into anyone's life, and if drinking and casual sex is Stone's ways of dealing with it, then so be it. You know Jesse's a great cop, and that he can handle the bad guys, but you are not so sure he can emerge victorious in his life outside of his Paradise, Massachusetts Police duites. Watching Jesse deal with himself and with ever-present evil will keep me reading the series as long as Parker continues to write them.
I didn't care for the fact that some good guys, even on Stone's own force, were dispatched and no follow-ups were given to those deaths. It reminds me of the way television and movies today will add up a body count that is reminiscent of some Civil War battles, yet the heroes are all smiles and hugs in the end. Sure, it's great to be alive, but when death is treated with as much emotion as changing one's 401K plan investment distributions, then it's time to re-evaluate. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this second Jesse Stone involvement, and look forward to another next fall, as well as anticipating the next Spenser novel in the Spring.
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