While I Didn't LOVE

Robert B. Parker's Colorblind, I had to give it the five stars because I am just so darn proud of Jesse Stone.  I just love that he went to rehab and I just love that Jen is no more.  I just really, really love that.  And that made all the difference.  Yes, Reed Farrel Coleman writes a different Jesse from Parker's Jesse, but Jesse is still a great guy.  This one just didn't grab me like some have.  But still, you go, Jesse.  I love you. Long may you run. 

Spoilers!

Robert B. Parker's The Hangman's Sonnet written by Reed Farrel Coleman is Jesse #16.  I gave it a 4 of 5 stars but maybe it is 4.5 because (SPOILER) Jesse goes to rehab at the end!  I was so happy!  And also very happy that Jen seems to finally be gone!  Jesse's decision to try to give up alcohol just made me so happy.  I loved Jesse in this book and the characters and town of Paradise, of course, it was just that the mystery itself didn't thrill me so I didn't give it 5 stars.  But it is still a great addition!  Great cover!  And a cameo from Spenser, but I didn't like the voice for him!  Haha! 

WOW

The 15th Jesse Stone book, Debt to Pay is just incredible.  Incredible.  Reed Farrel Coleman has done incredible things with Jesse.  And I would bet that Robert B. Parker is proud.  And just as blown away as Jesse fans must be.
This book is a must-read for Jesse fans.  If you have not read the others, you will want to do that first, but man, you need to get to this one.  Wow.

A New Direction

As I was reading Robert B. Parker's Blind Spot I noticed that there was no longer the usual:
Jesse said.
Jenn said.
Jesse said.
But I didn't think too much of it.  I was listening to it, so I didn't even notice that it wasn't written by Michael Brandman, who had penned the three books after Parker's death.  I found this here.   The latest book is written by Reed Farrel Colemen.  And it has gotten great views.  I found this all out after I read the book and gave it a 4 of 5 stars.  Now that I have this new information, it has made me re-think the book.  Especially this part, "Unlike Atkins, Coleman hasn’t attempted to mimic Parker. Instead, Coleman is continuing the Stone saga in his own crisp prose style. For one thing, Coleman says, he doubts that he could reproduce Parker’s distinctive voice. For another, Spenser is the late author’s most iconic character; Parker wrote only nine Stone novels. That, Coleman says, gives him the freedom to continue the series in his own style -- and room to explore fresh aspects of the character."
Now I have changed by rating to 5 of 5 stars.  Because, what was I really expecting?  Robert B. Parker to come back from Heaven and write more books?  Would ANYONE come back from Heaven?  Na, I don't think so!
But you know what I mean.  Coleman has something good going on here.  And I am excited about the change.

Maybe I'm Wrong...

But as I have been saying, I don't think Jesse Stone was as mean and lawless when Parker gave him voice.  It is just so odd.  Maybe I need to go back and reread the originals.  Everyone else tells me I am just remembering him wrong. 

Dead Men Don't Tell Tales

And they don't write books and so maybe I should just say goodbye to Jesse Stone.  Robert B. Parker is gone and while I think that   Ace Atkins has done a great job with Spenser, Michael Brandman is a tv guy and he really doesn't get Jesse at all.  Fool Me Twice was disappointing.  Jesse has become a Stone Barrington Wanna Be or something.  And it just doesn't do it for me.

No It's Not Love, But It's Not Bad

Killing the Blues is not love, but it's not bad. Which is a wonderful song, and of course, no one can say that Merle isn't awesome, but Emmylou has the best version, but I can't find it on youtube.

Killing is better than "not bad" even, but I there's no song, that I know of anyway, that is called "It's Not Love, but it's Better than Not Bad." I read it without stopping and didn't get bored once.

Jesse isn't quite Jesse in Killing. He acts just a little too above the law, even for him and then, in huge contrast, he acts a little too Sheriff Andy in other places.

Still I am so deeply thankful for Michael Brandman for keeping Jesse alive and I know it will just get better. Parker's shoes are pretty darn big to fill, so I am not going to complain too much, just look forward to my next visit to Paradise.