Series: Jesse Stone
(#11)
Publisher: Putnam
Adult
Publication Date: September 11, 2012
Publication Date: September 11, 2012
Review: Ironically, I was initially fooled by this novel, Robert B. Parker's
Fool Me Twice. At first glance, it would appear that the novel is written by
author Robert B. Parker. As someone who had never previously read any of
Parker's novels or followed the author himself, I had no idea that Parker
passed away in 2010. Upon further inspection, I realized that the novel was, in
fact, a continuation of his popular Jesse Stone series, written by Michael
Brandman. Of course, other characters by late authors, such as Sidney Sheldon
and Dick Francis, have continued to appear in new novels, to middling results,
so I knew that Fool Me Twice would be hit or miss. Michael Brandman,
however, is no stranger to the Jesse Stone Character. In fact, he worked
closely with Robert B. Parker as he produced the CBS film versions of the
novels. This familiarity and respect seems to allow Brandman to successfully
continue the series.
Jesse Stone is the police chief of the small
town of Paradise, Massachusetts. As summer approaches, so does the town's
excitement for the production of a new Hollywood film to be shot in the city.
Of course, with a production of this size comes a variety of challenges. Jesse
learns that the star of the film is going through a nasty divorce and her
ex-husband has threatened her life. The Mayor tasks Jesse with keeping the
production secure and making sure the duration of the filming runs smoothly.
Additionally, Jesse must continue to handle
local issues. At the start of the novel, he arrests a teenage girl who's cell
phone usage caused a head on collision with another driver. But the accident is
not as cut and dry as it seems. It turns out that the young woman is the
daughter of a local business man who contributes heavily to the judges and DA
of the town. Jesse is forced to battle his own morals against direct orders
from his superiors.
Finally, another local case is also drawing
Jesse's attention. He receives a call from a local busy-body townswoman who has
noticed her water utility rates rise despite no increase in usage or rate
hikes. He brushes this off as a woman looking for attention until he receives
another call from a concerned citizen. He begins to casually investigate this
increase, not expecting to find much. What he discovers, however, is a scandal
that could potentially rock the small town of Paradise.
As with the T.V. movies that I've seen
featuring Jesse Stone, Fool Me Twice is a light, entertaining read. The story
itself is fairly predictable, but it is the quick wit and genuine good will of
Jesse Stone that elevates this novel and keeps the plot moving. Having never
read any of the previous novels by Parker, I can't attest to the continuation
of the character by Michael Brandman. I can however say that this was a quick
read that kept me entertained for a couple of hours. The characters, including
Stone, are never allowed to reveal emotions beyond the typically expected
surface, but they do play nicely into this light mystery novel.
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