Night and Day (Jesse Stone Novels Book 8)

Sympathetic characters, complex most quite likeable. Jesse's wife got no sympathy on my part. Lots of complex personalities, well woven tales. Does not hurt that on TV a mature Tom Selleck portrays Jesse and does so very well.

Robert B. Parker's many fans immediately perk up when the writer offers a new entry in one of his various crime thriller series, and this time we get to enjoy the newest adventures of the author's "Jesse Stone" character. Jesse is the police chief in the fictional seaside town of Paradise, Massachusetts, where he spends his days fearlessly fighting crime and imparting lessons to the citizenry. Sadly, however, Jesse still spends his after-hours free time torturing himself with thoughts of his ex-wife Jenn, who periodically flits into Jesse's life when she needs support, guidance, and affection, but then inevitably flits away because she can't make any true and lasting commitment to him. This fascinating formula- strong crimefighter by day, week-kneed, trod-upon lover by night, is once again firmly in place in "Night and Day", the ninth entry in the series.Incidentally, if you've seen any of the nicely done "Jesse Stone" television movies starring Tom Selleck as Jesse, you have a good idea of what the book series is all about, though Jesse is about 20 years younger on the printed page. However, both book and television versions of the character struggle with alcohol in the same way, often drinking too much but so far resisting full-blown alcoholism.Mr. Parker's addictive novels almost always feature strong sexual subplots and/or subtexts in addition to the main plotlines. Here, though, the sex is front and center with three- count 'em, three- main sex plotines: 1) Paradise is in an uproar after a school principal insists on inspecting her female students' undergarments to make sure the little darlings aren't wearing anything too provocative; 2) a Peeping Tom is terrorizing the town's quiet streets, trying to catch women getting undressed or getting out of the shower as he peers through their windows; and 3) a young girl comes to Chief Stone (after meeting him during the case of the skimpy underwear) because she's disturbed by her parents' swinging/partner-swapping lifestyle. Jesse hops among the three cases, each heavy with obsessive behavior in some way, which in turn makes him think of his own near-obsession with his ex-wife Jenn. Clever, no?With the story advancing mostly via short, rapid-fire dialogue sequences, "Night and Day" is an especially fast read, even by Mr. Parker's own well-established standard for lightning pacing. This didn't bother me, as Mr. Parker has never been about dense prose. He's always said a lot with a little. But if you're one of those readers who regularly complain that Mr. Parker's publishers disguise his essentially short novels as longer ones via thick paper and double-spacing, you'll probably complain again here.Little treats abound. We get to see Mr. Parker's blonde and perky, yet very dangerous, P.I. character Sunny Randall, who's actually been through a lot since we last saw Sunny in her own series entry. It's interesting, though, that we find out a few new developments in Sunny's life, including the passing of her beloved dog Rosie, via this book instead of a book in her own series. Happily, the book also features- just maybe- a final resolution to the Jesse/Jenn merry-go-round. But the jury is still out on that score... at least until the next Jesse Stone book. As said, Jesse's weakness when it comes to Jenn is an interesting contrast to his usual strength and confidence, but I can't argue with those who want to see- after nine books- some resolution to Jesse's romantic situation.One thing in "Night and Day" was kind of strange, however. For a bunch of characters (Jesse, uniformed cops Molly Crane, Suitcase Simpson, and a few others)) who have consistently displayed high libidos, sexual adventurousness, and general openmindedness during the course of this series, they were suddenly moralistic, puritanical, and judgmental in their views and interaction with the Paradise Free Swingers, the swinging group that ties into a couple of the plotlines here. Mr. Parker's portrayals didn't help matters, either. Of the swingers we get to know a little, most are either weak women who were forced into the lifestyle by their husbands, or husbands who are creeps or worse. I'm not defending or promoting that particular way of life, but it would have been a little more interesting if there was at least one upbeat, positively-portrayed swinger character that Mr. Parker dared us to like a little.I did enjoy the book overall, though. These characters are like old friends now, and it's always fun to see them. By now, they interact like parts of a well-oiled machine, drawing us right into the proceedings as efficiently as ever.But I think I agree with many other readers who have weighed in on Jesse's latest tale: I'm ready for the seamy stuff to be put on the back burner for a while. Let's have Jesse take on a regular old murder mystery or bank heist plot next time. Seamy can be fun, but ultimately only in small doses.

Before I jump into my review of Robert B. Parker's newest "Jesse Stone" novel, Night and Day, allow me to first to give a big plug for the five TV movies based on the series that Tom Selleck has produced and starred in, the most recent being Thin Ice, which was aired by CBS on Sunday, March 1st. Selleck captures the role of Jesse Stone perfectly, and each movie is a slow burn, filled with excellence on every level. If you're a fan of the novels, then you owe it to yourself to see the TV movies. Except for Thin Ice, the other four (Stone Cold, Night Passage, Death in Paradise, and Sea Change) are out on DVD. Also, CBS tends to broadcast a "Jesse Stone" movie every so often, so keep an eye out.Now, on to Night and Day, which is the eighth novel in the "Jesse Stone" series. Like the seven previous books, the small-town chief of police has to deal with three cases simultaneously, which keeps the story line moving along at a brisk pace and the reader from being bored. I probably should mention that while Jesse's attempting to solve his three cases, he's also battling his obsession with his ex-wife, Jenn, and with alcoholism, both of which are tied closely together.This time around, Jesse has to deal with a rather unusual situation that involves a female high-school principal and a panty check of the young girls going to the school dance on one particular night. The principal claims that she was only doing it to make sure the girls intended to be good and not naughty by wearing thongs and other sexy lingerie underneath their skirts. The parents of the children, however, are outraged over the act and want Jesse to do something about it. He pretty much agrees with the parents and thinks that it's definitely an invasion of privacy, but it doesn't help matters that the principal just happens to be married to the head of Boston's top law firm. Along with that problem, Jesse has to deal with a voyeur who calls himself the Night Hawk and likes to look into the windows of women as they're undressing at night. His antics soon escalate into daytime breaking & entering, not to mention home invasion, and Jesse's worried that someone may eventually get hurt during the commission of the crime. Last, but not least, a young girl approaches Jesse to complain about her swinging parents and how it's hurting the family. Jesse doesn't have a problem with consenting adults swinging, if that's what they want to do, but when children are experiencing the negative side effects in this type of behavior, he feels the need to step in and do something about it before more emotional damage is caused.The story line and pacing of Night and Day are similar to the other books in the series, and the reader doesn't really encounter anything new here. The fun of the books, however, is in getting to visit with Jesse Stone for a few hours and to see how he's doing and to find out what's happening in Paradise, Massachusetts. The reader knows going into the story that Jesse will solve the crimes in one fashion or another, but it's Jesse himself that's the big attraction. He a good man, a tough man when necessary, but he still has problems like everybody else. As a reader and fan, I want to know how's he coping with his alcoholism and with the addiction to his ex-wife. Actually, I want to see him happy and at peace with himself, which leads to one very good thing about this particular novel--private investigator Sunny Randall is back (she and Jesse decide to give it another shot), plus her best friend, Spike, is opening a new restaurant in Paradise.As with most of Mr. Parker's books, Night and Day is well written with sharp, crisp dialogue that makes the reader want to try out some of the lines at work. And, like the TV movies, the novels basically follow the saga of Jesse Stone's life to see where he's at and how he's dealing with the day-to-day challenges. I think most readers can identify with the chief of police on many levels, be it problems with the person you love, or the need to drink in order to escape the stress of everyday life.Robert B. Parker's novels are always a delight to read and certainly entertaining in every sense of the word. Night and Day is no exception, and is a wonderful addition to an already marvelous series. I'll also add that older readers tend to enjoy Jesse Stone somewhat more than the younger ones, but Robert B. Parker does have a large fan base of all ages. Coming in May, the third novel in the "Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch" western series. Yeeeeehaaaa!

Jesse Stone novel’s never disappoint. They are always great and exciting. Jesse Stone is my favorite detective character. So good!

If you like mysteries this book does not disappoint. It develops characters well and you can read any book in series independently.

Loved the TV series. Started reading the books in order when it ended. Was "hooked" right away with the first one. Will read them all in order. Authors of the series who took over from Parker have remained true to his style and his great story teller talent. I hope the series never ends.

Relishing, actually. I love the sense of justice, fairness, calm and evenness, the justice woven through the tale and the telling of it. The smoldering dialogue. Delicious.

Robert Parker' s character, Jesse Stone, is not the 'run of the mill' cop. He is interesting, for the most part, and gets to the bottom of crimes, but not without difficulties and the occasional false start. But, for the first eight books, he is plagued by his ex wife who, annoyingly, drifts in and out of his life and, it seems, his Achilles heel is that he can't see that she only wants him when her acting career is on the skids, which is pretty much all the time. Whenever she finds a new producer with a 'casting couch' Jess gets dumped. It takes eight books for JS to figure that out and instead of dumpee, become dumped. That aspect of the stories is both boring and annoying. But the crime aspect makes up for it. Cleverly written. Different to Jack Reacher but every bit as interesting.

Another 5* enjoyable read, never disappointed with the Jesse Stone series.Discovered Jesse Stone via the brilliant TV movies and this was the first novel I read. All the books are a joy to read, great writing style, dialogue & humor and quick reading I always open a Jesse Stone book when I know I have time to read in one sitting undisturbed. They run along at a great pace encompassing engaging characters, plenty of twists and emotions. When I finish one of these novels I always feel I have been properly entertained and can't wait to open the next. I have not read them in sequence which so far hasn't been a problem.I hope a decision is made soon on the future of the TV films 'we need more', Tom Selleck has stated he has not finished with the character :-) so in the meantime enjoying getting my Jesse Stone fix via Kindle, couple of published novels yet to hit the Kindle market hope they do soon and hoping for more Jesse Stone novels with the colaboration of Michael Brandman.

Jesse Stone the kind of cop you really want to get to know, Having watched the various Tom Selleck adaptations of Jesse Stone, I really felt as though I could picture the scenes in the book, Despite the Jesse in the book being considerably younger I still felt a great connection between the character in the books and the portrayal of him by Tom Selleck, I am working my way through all the Jesse Stone novels and I am loving them, His dialogue is class and his calm and methodical manner is brilliant I only wish more books could be made into TV movies. Jesse Stone a man with faults that never stop him being what he really is and that's a good cop.

This is a good addition to the Jesse Stone novels. Not as intense as Parker's Spenser, but a good easy read. The regular characters are there and are becoming like old friends. Not too flawed and always painted with a little humour, we follow their exploits at work and with each book, learn a little more about them and of course, Jesse Stone himself, who at last seems to be untangling himself from his ex wife.If you loved Ed McBain's 87th Precinct, then these books may be too light, but if you want an easy uncomplicated read, crime with a little humour and not too much blood and guts, then I think you'll enjoy Night and Day.

As a late comer to Robert B Parkers novels, I'm enjoying them all in turn.I was initially drawn to the Jesse Stone films starring Tom Sellick and am now starting No.13 and although the writers have changed the same thoughtful, brooding, flawed & principled character remains a constant in a hugely enjoyable series. I'll be looking at the spenser series next.Jesse is a gem don't miss him.