Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion
Group Read RBP's Fool'sParadise
>
Final comments- spoiler welcome
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
BarryP
(new)
Sep 12, 2020 06:49PM
Gone is the deep character study that Coleman had given us, along with a very real dark side to Jesse Stone. This is much more a procedural with some character relationships involved. I'm still curious why the change was made to a new writer. The changes in Jesse's character have given me literary whiplash.
reply
|
flag
Reviews are all over the place:Mike Lupica has turned trhis series around. He has gotten back to Parker's character and dropped the weak writing by Lee Coleman that made me ask for a refund on the last of Coleman's stone novels because it was so bad that I could not finish half of it. This has a great plot, a really interesting murder mystery that becomes a pair of murder mysteries. Fun, witty, and exciting. Now we have a true heir to Parker carrying on the Jesse Stone mysteries.
========================
The story line of this book is good but, honestly, I prefer previous authors to Mike Lupica. None of the previous books had as many cuss words which distract greatly from the story. If you go back to previous books, you will not find this. There also seems to be a lot of rambling or unnecessary verbage in the book that also distracts from the story.
=======================================
I am amazed reading some of the other reviews, have the writers actually read all the previous Jesse Stone novels?
I’m sorry but Mike Lupica has just not captured the flavour of the Jesse Stone books at all. I’ve been a huge fan and read every book in the series but unless the reins are handed back to Reed Farrell Coleman, I won’t be reading any more.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is the constant swearing in the book, lots of f*** and s***. I’m no prude but Jesse Stone and the other leading characters don’t use that language, or hardly ever.
I actually went back to the previous couple of books to check I was right and sure enough, the only times these words were used was by the ‘bad guys’.
To me this makes a huge difference, because Mike Lupica has changed the nature of the characters, having them casually swear in a way they never have before. It’s just not the same people.
And why do it? Does the author think he’s being clever and modern by doing this? Or making sure he’s put his own stamp on the series?
Aside from the language, as other reviewers have mentioned there’s far too much introspection, especially in the early pages. It’s like the author seems to think he has to remind everyone about Jesse’s alcoholism, not to mention his (and Molly Crane’s) love life.
Anyone like me, who’s read all the books, doesn’t need a refresher on what’s gone before, it just comes over as boring and repetitive.
It’s also rather clumsily done in some cases, especially the reference to Molly Crane’s past indiscretion. And, unless Mike Lupica plans to do the same in the next book, it’s just so obviously a new writer to the series thinking he has to remind everyone of key bits of information, instead of seamlessly following on from the previous author.
I don’t just blame Mike Lupica. What on earth were the publisher’s editor’s doing? The author includes an acknowledgment at the end of the book to “my guide through the world of Robert B. Parker”. Well I’m sorry, but they didn’t do a very good job!
I’m really sad about it because getting the new Jesse Stone has become an annual event for me; the start of Autumn, the new Jesse Stone. And as it often combines with my taking some leave from work the timing’s perfect.
However, unless there’s a return to the previous author, who always did a superb job and in my view is a better writer anyway, then I won’t be buying any more of the Jesse Stone series.
Thanks Mike Lupica, you’ve ruined a fabulous character
Seems to be quite a lot of energy about Jesse's swearing. I am not hard over either way on language, but I felt that the character of Jesse went back wards in this book.
Barry: I am curious too. Coleman's Jesse was darker, but I took that as character development and got used to it.«» Things I didn't care for:
The curse words that liberally peppered the first few minutes of the book felt jarring coming from Jesse. I'm not opposed to that sort of language, but this Jesse I didn't recognize
The introductory inner dialogue of Jesse seemed overlong, almost as if Jesse was an unknown entity which he is of course not.
«» Things I liked:
Molly, plenty of Molly.
Sunny. Sunny and Molly together sparkled. Sunny and Jesse felt natural and much more healthy than Jesse and his ex, Jenn. The therapy and advice sessions with Dix worked nicely.
«» Things I missed:
- Scenes in Jesse's office, I've enjoyed picturing him there in the past.
- Jesse didn't interact with Lilly's grand daughter directly. I think the previous Jesse would have, and would have given some advice.
- Jesse continuously introducing himself as "just Jesse", stressing to call him Jesse. It wasn't missing so much as different.
Barry wrote: "Gone is the deep character study that Coleman had given us, along with a very real dark side to Jesse Stone. This is much more a procedural with some character relationships involved. I'm still curious why the change was made to a new writer. The changes in Jesse's character have given me literary whiplash
..."
Barry: Interesting that you say Jesse's character went backwards. I won't disagree, though I think I'll describe it as Jesse felt disconnected in this book, disconnected from Paradise, disconnected from his office. His condo has a terrace but not much more detail. Where was his baseball glove when he wanted to think or the picture of Ozzy? It almost seems cheating to use Sunny as the connection. ( though well done)
Barry wrote: "Seems to be quite a lot of energy about Jesse's swearing. I am not hard over either way on language, but I felt that the character of Jesse went back wards in this book."
Maybe he will combine the series? Molly and Sunny were more interesting in this tale than Jesse himself.
Barry: I wonder, other authors do that all the time. I guess time will tell. Jesse isn't listed on the blurb for the most recent Sunny Randall book Lupica wrote, Robert B. Parker's Grudge Match (May-2020)Barry wrote: "Maybe he will combine the series? Molly and Sunny were more interesting in this tale than Jesse himself."
I agree with Ann, I liked the interaction with Molly, Sunny and Jesse. I also thought there was way to much time spent on his drinking or his NOT drinking, I just,wanted something to start happening. Didn’t like the ending! I didn’t have much thought about the language until it was brought up, Jesse doesn’t usually that kind of language.
Merrilee: I would be thrilled to have an entire Jesse Stone book with Jesse not drinking and not thinking about drinking. I have just about given up on that. Merrilee in AZ wrote: "I agree with Ann, I liked the interaction with Molly, Sunny and Jesse. I also thought there was way to much time spent on his drinking or his NOT drinking, I just,wanted something to start happening..."
Chiming in late; I read this last month. I agree about the drinking/not drinking references, although it does ring true for a recovering alcoholic (which I am not, so feel free to disagree). My sense is that it is never far from their minds, out of necessity. And certainly not with someone as newly recovered as Jesse. What I wish is that he weren't so tempted all the time, but that also is probably a realistic representation.
Ann wrote: "Merrilee: I would be thrilled to have an entire Jesse Stone book with Jesse not drinking and not thinking about drinking. I have just about given up on that.
Merrilee in AZ wrote: "I agree with An..."
Also, I was not thrilled to see Sunny back. I thought she and Richie were on the same page, so his commitment to being in California came out of the blue. I guess Jesse and Sunny seem a little forced, but I'm willing to get over it. ;-)
I suspect the Jesse/Sunny angle relates to Lupica picking up the writing of the series, so he could better integrate the two. He will probably keep a respectful distance from Spenser, incorporating him by reference as part of the same universe
Barry wrote: "He will probably keep a respectful distance from Spenser, incorporating him by reference as part of the same universe .."I think this is wise. It makes sense that they know of each other, or at least that Jesse knows of Spenser, given his (Jesse's) connection with the Boston PD and Spenser's long-time association, even notoriety. So I don't mind references, but they don't need to be besties.
Since I'm slowly working my way through the latest in the Michael Connelly catalogue (#Determination List!), I'm reminded of how Connelly integrates Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch into each others stories. Of course they are (view spoiler) so it makes more sense that they'd be in contact, but I like that he started gradually and increased their involvement with each other over time.
