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Sep 27, 2011

Eric_W rated it:

What I really enjoy about the Jesse Stone series especially, is the way Stone interviews potential perps. He weaves this nifty little web for them into which they inevitably fall. I like the relationship he has with Molly and Suit, although the on-again off-again “affair” with his ex-wife, Jen, I find totally unsatisfactory. I also think Parker has never quite resolved how he feels about women, and it shows in his relationship with Susan in the Spenser novels. There’s something artificial ab More...

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Oct 27, 2009

Mike rated it:

This is a mystery novel in which very little happens. Who killed the woman found floating in the lagoon, and is the protagonist ready to live with his ex-wife? Series character Jesse Stone speaks to a lot of people to find out both of these things, but even he and the author realize that not much happens, and that is one reason they evoke Hamlet. Film director/actor Laurence Olivier misconceived of Hamlet as a man who could not make up his mind, and that concept has influenced the reception of t More...

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Jan 27, 2012

Carolyn F. rated it:

So I came to this book with my hands on my hips whining "I want Robert Forster narrating this! This other guy is not as good!" It took me until the second CD and then I finally started warming up to Scott Sowers. Then by the end of the CD I really liked his narration. Yes, I like Robert Forster slightly better, but by not that much.

There's a murder and a rape charge in this book. All good, but I wanted to know what's going on with Jesse and his ex-wife Jen. At the end More...

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Apr 12, 2011

Paul rated it:

Actual rating: 3.5 stars. This was my second Jesse Stone book (my wife and I are great fans of the movies and have seen them all twice). I will keep this short and fast, as, once again, Parker's book was a short, fast read (I literally finished it in a day). With Sea Change, there is a direct connection between the book and the movie, although the nefarious doings in the book are far more extensive, evil, and adult ... as you would expect. And once again, I noted more differences between the More...

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May 17, 2010

Tulara rated it:

I enjoyed a Jesse Stone movie on television - I like Tom Selleck in the part. However, when I decided to check out the books, I realized that Jesse in the books is another character altogether. I don't care for him too much - Maybe it's because I had "Magnum" in my head while I read. As Selleck playing Jesse - it was difficult to believe his ever saying the dialogue in the book. It's a flaw of my perception I know.
With the heightened sexual content of this book (incest, bonda More...

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May 22, 2011

Laurel rated it:

I was at a charity used book sale, and kept seeing book after book by Parker. It triggered that a number of goodreads people, and authors such as Jim Butcher, often drop his name as a favorite author. So, I scooped up a few. I now know that what I bought is out of order, but thankfully with most mystery series, that's not always important.

The greatest quality about these Parker books - readability! I could have read the whole book in one sitting. Even though the subject of murde More...

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Oct 06, 2010

Arlene rated it:

I have really like the character, Jesse Stone, in the Tom Selleck series of TV movies, so I was delighted to find this book. I could hear Selleck's voice in the dialogues of the book. It was almost like having an audio book!
This story starts with an unidentified woman falling off a boat. The Paradise police department, headed by unconventional chief, Jesse Stone, finds her body in the water at the start of "Race Week", a yearly yacht gathering there. The investigation into w More...

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Jul 13, 2009

Greg rated it:

A pretty good novel in the Jesse Stone series by Robert B. Parker, Sea Change is the tale of Stone's investigation of murder when a woman's decomposed body washes up on the seashore. The details are fairly sick, and not especially complimentary of the wealthy set. As an aside, it seems to me that too many authors seem convinced there is little redeemable about the wealthy set, and their books describe them accordingly. Nonetheless, if you like Parker's Stone series, you will probably like this b More...

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Jun 27, 2009

J.R. rated it:

Sadly, in need of a "script" change...

Robert B. Parker's SEA CHANGE was a typical, fast paced Parker novel, part of the Jesse Stone series. Unfortunately, I once again felt as though the author spit out the story too quickly, and the attention to detail was given more to the exploitation of women instead of some good old fashioned, fun detective-work. There is an element of incest in the storyline as well, which is always disturbing. The one thing I do commend Parker for More...

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Jun 02, 2010

David rated it:

A competently written mystery. As a result of seeing Tom Selleck play the role of Jesse Stone, I tend to envision him as the hero when I read one of these books.

Once again, Parker keeps his readers furiously turning pages because the just-one-morte-short-chapter system works for his novels. Stone is rough around the edges, a tough guy with a truly soft heart.

Once again, Sex in front of cameras plays an important role in the mystery. Of course, Parker avoids this comm More...

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Dec 26, 2011

Kathy rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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May 16, 2011

Luis rated it:

This is the 5th of the Jesse Stone novels. I read it before in hard cover and I am reading the whole series now in electronic format: Second time around pleasure. The plot and language are short, crisp, straight and sweet. I read it in a day. The history-line is about finding the murderer of a woman found floating in a lagoon. As Jesse blunders forward, he discovers a sex ring and questions his motivations about his ex-wife. It is a good fun reading. I am starting today on the 6th one, "Hig More...

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Nov 06, 2011

Shane rated it:

I knew this one would be good when someone got hit in the nuts in the first chapter. In fact, I'm thinking of starting a Readers Advisory for books that have that unpleasant occasion. Even without this, Sea Change may be one of the best books in the series so far. Lots of misdirection, lots of vacant, vapid elites, and lots of face time with the great characters Parker has developed. As usual, quick chapters and a fast read. I put this one away in less than a day while doing other things.

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Aug 24, 2007

LJ rated it:

SEA CHANGE (Police Procedural-Massachusetts/Florida-Cont) – G+
Parker, Robert B. – 5th in series
Putnam, 2006- Hardcover
Police Chief Jesse Stone, dry for one year and working on his relationship with his ex-wife, has a Jane Doe on his hands. The body of a young woman has been found in the harbor. Once Jesse learns her name and that she’s from Florida from a local boat rental owner he looks particularly at two yachts from Florida in Paradise for Race Week. With the help of Ft. More...

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Jun 01, 2011

Caroline rated it:

I would be highly surprised if this Jesse Stone book ever becomes a made-for-TV movie as many of Parker's other books have been. Why---this story deals with a bunch of self-centered, sex-crazed, Jet-setters attending a boating race event in Stone's town. Yuck----I didn't like this one. I will try again with another in the series in that I liked the first one I read, but this one stunk.

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Jul 29, 2009

Deb rated it:

This is my first Robert Parker novel, and I enjoyed the character Jesse Stone -- I can't wait to read more of this series. I had the murderer figured out pretty quickly, but read it more for the story about Jesse than about the mystery. Looking forward to more Robert Parker. A good friend is a big fan of the Spencer books; I'll have to give those a try as well.

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Jan 25, 2012

Mei rated it:

Was very disappointing. I did not like the characters at all, and Jesse lacks the devil-may-care charm which Spenser seems to have. His love interest appears shallow and two-dimensional, so the chemistry between them is sadly lacking and, frankly, I didn't care very much. I won't be reading any more Jesse Stone books, and will stick to Spenser.

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Aug 14, 2011

Joclyn rated it:

I skipped a few Jesse books, why is he back with his ex (whom he should kick to the curb) and what's up with the sobriety thing? I guess I have some catching up to do. Jesse (Tom Sellick to me) gets reeled into the yachting world when a body of a woman is found in the harbor. Money, drugs, sex, parties, and a very dysfunctional family, Jesse's has his work cut out for him. (four starrs)

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Feb 04, 2012

Bonnie rated it:

I did not care for this book that much. It's been awhile since I've read a Jesse Stone or a Robert B. Parker book. I typically like them. This one was depressing. I have to wonder if because I listened to this one instead of reading it, if that made a difference. It may because I did not realize until I listened to it how often Parker writes "said Jesse." "said Jen." There would be whole passages of dialogue going back and forth with just a few words and then "sai More...

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May 11, 2009

Monica rated it:

I don't want to give anything away, but there's a fair dose of depraved sexual behavior among the rich and clueless. I have to say that I'm a bit puzzled by Jesse's obsession with his ex-wife that fuels his jealousy and alcoholism. But then he's trying to figure it out as well. It all almost drove me to drink.

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Jun 04, 2010

Mary Sue rated it:

I love Jesse Stone. Besides being sexy and humorous he treats the woman on his staff with respect. He is protective of her without diminishing her abilities. What a guy. This is the fourth Jesse Stone I have read and all of them involve some kind of sex crime besides murder. Don't people just murder anymore?

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Dec 15, 2008

Jeff rated it:

A quick read, but good. I finished it in a weekend of light reading. My biggest complaint is that most of the characters talk in sentence fragments; they're all so gruff and jaded they speak begrudgingly.

I prefer the Spencer books by Parker, but the Jesse Stone books are a good substitute.

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Jan 23, 2012

David rated it:

Nope. Swing and a miss. I like Parker and it wasn't painful, it just read like the screenplay of a television procedural. Somebody left this book in a vacation condo and I took it. Now I know why it was left. I left it at a hotel this weekend, right next to the Gideon's Bible.

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Apr 06, 2009

Mary rated it:

A Jesse Stone mystery, Sea Change gives the satisfaction all Parker's books provide. Since Tom Selleck started playing Jesse Stone that's what I see while I'm reading, although I don't think the Stone Parker created was supposed to be as big as Selleck. Nice, relaxing read

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Dec 31, 2010

Yeva rated it:

While this was definitely a quick read, it was still great. The pace was fast, the situation interesting, and the book made you feel like you had stumbled onto a fictionalized account of a case history. Jesse Stone met Kelly Cruz and that also made for a more interesting plot. Loved the story.

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Jul 20, 2010

Janet added it

I like the main character, Jesse Stone, in these stories, and I like the interaction between the various characters. But I really do NOT like the woman/wife/ex-wife/current live-in that Jesse is for no apparent reason (other than good sex?)madly in love with.

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May 18, 2010

Debbie rated it:

Like this character, Jesse Stone. Hated how the author over used "she said" "he said"...sometimes in a conversation it was used 10-15 times. Didn't need it and it annoyed me.

Good story telling. A little trite in its ending. Opening sets an interesting tone that is never regained, which is too bad. Could have had more setting descriptions (trade it for all the she said, he saids).

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Sep 30, 2007

Beth rated it:

Another book on CD. Listening to this book really highlights some of the strengths (and weaknesses) of Parker's writing which is terse, snappy, and sparse. He tends to use tag lines a bit too frequently, however, something that is easier to ignore in print than when it's replicated on tape. Jesse Stone is an appealing cop, not quite as hard hitting and laconic as Spenser but certainly confident and tough. His relationship with his ex-wife (Jen) which is off-again-on-again held my interest. More...

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Mar 09, 2011

Laurie rated it:

The Jessie Stone series are such a great series. I can't wait to finish entering my list of books I own and have read to find out which ones I have not read. I can't wait to begin catching up on some of my favorite authors, including this one.

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Sep 06, 2009

Joe rated it:

Excellent; Continuing character: Jesse Stone; a murdered woman washes ashore and the chief along with a fellow officer in Florida try to determine if she was killed by her sex-crazed yachting friends, or someone closer to home

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