Member Reviews
This is Jesse Stone in Paradise and how can he keep it that way. He discovers a dead body during a welfare check that’s been called in. What then evolves leads him to worry whether Paradise will be able to stay paradise. This was a great read involving many of his previous characters.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of the book, ‘Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets’, by Christopher Farnsworth.
Jesse Stone is still police chief in Paradise, but his team is short of staff and he makes a questionable hire. Almost immediately, he ends up in hot water with the owner of the local cafe owner, due to the actions of the new guy. At the same time, the death of a town resident, whose body was found surrounded in a hoarding situation, puts everyone on alert. There are boxes of pictures of murdered people, and Jesse knows this is not a normal situation.
I have read most of the Jesse Stone stories, as well as seeing most of the videos, and continue to enjoy them with the current author. You know Jesse will still be struggling with his addiction, his staff with be supporting him, there will be danger and death, and Jesse will have to try and survive while solving the case.
This was another very good Jesse Stone story.
I wasn't always a Jess Stone fan, but he grows on you. I have however always been a Robert B Parker fan. The authors that write his books now have his same voice I read all his series, even Jess Stone. This was a really good novel
“Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets” by Christopher Farnsworth is the latest installment in the Jesse Stone series. Jessie who is the police chief of a wealthy small Massachusetts town is called to do a wellness check on a local resident. Along with a decaying dead body he finds mafia connected photos and millions of dollars in cash. The plot thickens with a suspicious new police recruit which adds suspense and a lot of action to this thriller. This book is an unexpectedly good addition to the series, a bit darker and more violent but a satisfying read.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A welfare check on an elderly recluse unearths a literal pile of deadly secrets. Chief Jesse Stone is trying to piece it together before more death comes to Paradise. Pressured to add manpower, Jesse hires a young cop who has all the right answers in the interview. Jesse's emotions are a little out of sorts, knocking his instincts off kilter to dire consequences. If you love the Jesse Stone series and its charming cast of characters, you will enjoy this fast-paced entry.
In the newest addition to the Spenser series, ROBERT B PARKER’S HOT PROPERTY, written by Mike Lupica, Rita Fiore is shot. Rita is a Boston lawyer who has many enemies. Who shot Rita? Spenser to the rescue.
The author, Mike Lupica, has certainly done justice to Robert Parker and his Spenser series. He does a good job emulating Parker’s writing with scenes that are short and to the point. He also uses clear, concise dialogue tags. All the Boston touches are there, from the Boston Globe newspaper to the Boston Red Sox baseball team. What fun! I like Spenser’s smarts, including his references to great literature. I also like the crisp, sometimes humorous, dialogue—especially between Spenser and Hawk. Besides the usual cast of characters one finds in the Spenser books, Parker’s Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall make appearances. It is a treat to read ROBERT B PARKER’S HOT PROPERTY, and I look forward to reading the next book in the Spenser series. Thank you, PENGUINE GROUP Putnam and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance copy of ROBERT B PARKER’S HOT PROPERTY.
A wellness check for a Paradise resident is not exactly what Jesse Stone thought it would be. The home is filled with garbage, mafia-connected photos, a couple of million in cash and the decaying body of the resident. How can these photos be connected to past Mafia murders, and who will be coming to tranquil Paradise to recoup the evidence and the money? Jesse and his trusted staff also have to contend with an unstable new hire who gleefully brings danger to the town.
An entertaining read, this entry is a worthy addition to this series.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam, Christopher Farnsworth and NetGalley for this ARC.
I received a digital copy of this book as an advanced reader copy. It has been a while since I read a Jesse Stone novel but this was a page turner that kept me interested until the very end. If you enjoy a quick and suspenseful read, I recommend this one!
Incriminating photos and over a million dollars send hit men to Paradise and Chief of Police Jesse Stone. Christopher Farnsworth takes up Robert B. Parker’s series and although I had a few issues with some of Jesse’s decisions that definitely seemed out of character, the story is a satisfying one. Publishing in April 2025, Buried Secrets is a nice entry into the series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
I am a long time fan of the Jesse Stone series, and the first time I have read a book by Farnsworth. Much to my surprise, this was the most captivating Jesse Stone yet! The author not only captures Jesse Stone's essence, he deepens his character, even surpassing the original author.
Christopher Farnsworth’s Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets is a riveting addition to the Jesse Stone series, capturing Parker’s beloved character while injecting fresh energy into the narrative. Set in the picturesque yet perilous town of Paradise, Massachusetts, this novel is a testament to Farnsworth’s ability to blend suspense, character depth, and intricate plotting.
The story begins with a seemingly routine welfare check that quickly spirals into a complex investigation. Chief of Police Jesse Stone discovers a dead body surrounded by photos of murder victims and a staggering $2 million in cash. This discovery sets off a chain of events that draws Stone into a web of old grudges, mobsters, and hidden secrets. The seaside town of Paradise, with its serene facade masking dark undercurrents, serves as the perfect backdrop for this thrilling tale.
Jesse Stone remains the stoic, introspective protagonist fans have come to love. Farnsworth delves deeper into Stone’s psyche, exploring his vulnerabilities and strengths with a deft touch. The supporting cast, including familiar faces and new characters, adds richness to the narrative. Each character is meticulously crafted, contributing to the story’s tension and emotional depth.
Buried Secrets tackles themes of redemption, justice, and the inescapable nature of the past. Stone’s journey is not just about solving a crime but also confronting his own demons. The novel examines how buried secrets can shape lives and the lengths people will go to protect them.
Farnsworth’s writing is crisp, new, fresh and engaging, capturing the noir tone that Parker’s fans expect while adding his unique flair. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, driving the story forward and revealing character nuances. Farnsworth’s ability to maintain suspense and pace ensures that readers are hooked from the first page to the last.
Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets is a compelling read that honors Parker’s legacy while showcasing Farnsworth’s storytelling prowess. It’s a must-read for fans of the Jesse Stone series and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted crime thriller. Farnsworth has successfully breathed new life into the series, making it both a tribute to Parker and a standout novel in its own right.
This had that element that I was looking for from a Jessie Stone entry, it had that mystery element that I was hoping for and enjoyed getting back into this story. The characters felt like they were supposed to and had that spark that I was expecting in this series. I thought Christopher Farnsworth’s writing was on point and glad I got to read this.
“Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets” continues the adventures of Jesse Stone, the small-town chief of police originally created by Parker, now written by Christopher Farnsworth. The story opens with Jesse conducting a welfare check, only to find the homeowner, a hoarder, dead. The mystery deepens with the discovery of incriminating crime scene photos, and when the individual who initially reported concern to Jesse and met him at the house suddenly disappears.
The plot thickens with the involvement of contract killers and a hot-headed new police recruit, adding layers of suspense and action. This novel stands out as one of the better entries in the post-Parker Jesse Stone series.
Farnsworth excels by capturing the essence of Paradise, the small town that is a character in its own right and an integral part of what made Parker's series so engaging. Unlike other post-Parker installments that made me question whether the series should continue, Farnsworth delivers a story that ranks among the best of Robert B. Parker's work.
Fans of the Jesse Stone series, as well as newcomers, will find “Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets” a thrilling and satisfying read.
This author did a really good job keeping up the Parker tradition for Jesse. I love the fact that almost a decade after the passing of Parker, we are still able toot read stories where authors let his voice shine through.
I’ve enjoyed every one of the Robert Parker Jesse Stone novels. Some more than others (I am thinking of a few written by ghost writers), but all left me entertained and better for having spent time with Police Chief Jesse Stone and his solid moral core, his undeniable sense of justice, his unending energy, and the sense of humor to get him--and everyone--through even tough times. In Buried Secrets (GP Putnam's Sons 2025), twenty-second in the series, Stone hires a new cop to replace several on the City of Paradise's force who have found greener pastures. He admits to not taking enough time to interview the new guy, but instinctively feels good about him and takes him on. From Day One, things don't go as well as Stone had hoped, but he is wrapped up in a complicated case involving a man who died atop millions of dollars and hundred of crime scene photos. Trying to untangle this odd situation makes Stone less attentive than he should be to his newest officer. Plus, Jesse is trying to improve his life, make its job-centric pieces allow him a more fulfilling personal life. Juggling all of these balls is almost more than he can handle, until his laser focus figures out what to pay attention to and what to ignore. This is the Jesse readers love.
Writer Christopher Farnsworth does a good job reproducing the voice and feel of the original Jesse Stone books. Of course, there are a few differences, but nothing that made me lose interest. This was an excellent story and I am eager for the next in the series.
This eARC was received through Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.
By my reckoning, and help from some other book sites on the interwebz, this is the 22nd novel in the Jesse Stone series originally started by Robert B Parker. Once again we are following along in the steps of the Paradise, Mass., police chief Jesse Stone as another crime happens in the peaceful town. If you have read previous novels in this series, and have been able to catch at least one of the several movies made from the books (featuring Tom Selleck) you will more than understand how I picture our MC to look.
This is Farnsworth's first endeavor into the realm of Robert B Parker novels (Spenser, Sunny Randall, Jesse Stone) and he does what I consider a very fine job of doing so. I found the writing style similar to previous novels (by other authors, and Parker himself) and the story moved along at the pace that Parker intended all his stories to go (in my opinion). I really liked how he brought into play the issue regarding 'hoarding', as it seems to occur more often these days, or at least we hear more of it happening. I also liked how he brought up issues with the main character himself, and fears he might be facing (spoiler: being old and alone and dying but no one would notice).
I definitely enjoyed this read, and another trip into the world of Jesse Stone, and I think Farnsworth has done a wonderful job with his first novel into this realm.
Another Jesse Stone book, this time from a new author. I'll have to say this was a bit more a) emotional and 2). Violent. What a combination. A satisfying conclusion but what a road. I am going to be cautiously optimistic for the next one.
The discovery of a dead body strewn with photos of murder victims and placed atop $2 million cash incites the Jesse Stone sequel ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS.
As fans expect of Parker continuation authors, Farnsworth's prose flows. Setting up a plot of mob men coming to Paradise after the evidence and money, he also has Chief Stone bring aboard tarnished young cop Derek Tate, whose past reminds Jesse of his own. Jesse's eagerness to give Tate a fair shot at redemption gets him grief at work and in town.
As familiar as Jesse Stone's viewpoint is, I'm most impressed that Farnsworth leaves it often enough to flesh out Tate and the mob men and widen the range of the action. I look forward to his next entry.
Thanks to Putnam Books for the NetGalley. ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS will be published February 4, 2025.
Robert Parker would certainly be proud of this latest installment of the adventures of Jesse Stone in Paradise. All of his usual characters (Jesse, Molly, Suit, Daisy and Rita Fiore) are present and have important roles to play in this stimulating tale of murder, arson, police brutality and vengeance. I particularly enjoyed the sessions Jesse had with his psychiatrist and found them to be very enlightening. The story is interesting and the writing is superb and I thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Police Chief Jesse Stone investigates the mystery behind a dead body found strewn with photos of murder victims and placed on top of $2 million in cash, before a mob of hit men converge on Paradise! Great read!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! This book had a bit of everything! It had great suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, serial killers, hit men, mobsters, a sort of who done it and some great twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!
This book presents a more “noir” Jesse Stone, angrier and more hostile. It’s Jesse without a sense of humor. The novel connects to a hoarder found dead in his home, full of mob secrets and millions in mob cash. This discovery sets off a frightening chain of events.
Embedded in the book is a subplot dealing with a bad cop, new to the force who stirs up the town of Paradise and becomes involved with the mobsters trying to retrieve the evidence and spoils found in the hoarder’s house.
This is a novel that reminds readers of Jesse’s alcoholism which becomes inflamed by the events.
As always, the regulars play a part in the plot. The author even introduces a possible future romance.
Thank you Netgalley for a great read in the reinvented Parker world.