Gah! Somewhere along the way, I’ve messed up by book review numbers. My computer database says this is the 860th book I’ve read. My blog says 859. So, I’m going with the database and changing this number accordingly.

Anyway, finished Stranger in Paradise by Robert B. Parker. This is his latest Jesse Stone novel, about a police chief in Paradise, Massachusetts who struggles with his drinking problem and relationship with his ex-wife, Jenn.

In this one, Wilsow “Crow” Cromartie comes back to Paradise to track down a runaway girl and her mother. Crow got the best of Jesse ten years ago, when he escaped from Paradise with millions. The begins with Crow paying Jesse a courtesy visit to let him know he’s back in town. Crow finds the girl easily enough, but decides not to take her home to Florida to her father, who’s a notorious gangster. People die, and Jesse starts investigating.

I always enjoy reading Parker’s novels for his dialogue. No one does snappy dialogue better than he does. But I’m disappointed with this book. It was pretty light on plot and suspense, and Crow was featured almost as much as Jesse. I just didn’t get the feeling this book was about Jesse and how he reacts to events, but more of a build-up to the shoot-out scene at the end.

Also, there’s Jesse’s relationship with Jenn. I just don’t get it. No matter what she does (even sleep with other men), he always loves her and wants her back. Jesse is such a strong man, I don’t understand why he thinks he needs her. He really needs to move on, or Parker needs to resolve it one way or the other. 

I had high hopes a couple of books ago that Jesse would settle down with Sunny Randall (the main character in another Parker series), and that Parker would continue to write books from both their points of view, showing how their relationship is progressing. But doesn’t look like it’s going to happen now. 

Ah, well. Thumbs down.

Up next: Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward.