This is an excellent intro to Jesse Stone,LA Homicide Detective whowas canned for drunkeness then ends up as a police chief in a small Mass. town. I have read the next serveral books in this series,and as good as this book is,the later books are even more excellent. Enjoy the series!!!!

Now after I read and enjoy all of the Jesse Stone books, I stumble across the first one. WHAT ME WORRY????

It was nice to know how Jesse Stone became police chief of Paradise Mass, but this formula is just getting a bit tiring. Jesse is a wise cracking, Scotch drinking, divorcee who can't get his ex out of his mind and keeps in touch with her while he is touching the lawyer babe in town. Fun read, but it is getting kind of monotonous to read the same basic story line from Parker. Don't get me wrong. I really like the character of Jesse Stone, but could we have him in a different setting maybe with a different kind of crime or have him get shot or at least have a root beer. You have no idea how many sips of Scotch one drinks while reading these books. Gets kinda expensive!!!!

Readable is how I would phrase this book. I watched the TV movie version of this and picked up the book. It establishes the characters for the series and gets you interested in them. The plot is rather see through, not much in the way of mystery. But it has good action and it is interesting to see how Jesse thinks and works. You do get a little tired of hearing about his ex and his drinking.

This author is rather simplistic and easy to read. I think this took me about two days to read in my off time.

Night Passage is vintage Parker. This novel is fast, witty, suspenseful, and engaging. Told in short, crisp chapters, it's the story of Jesse Stone, a 34-year-old ex-cop who just lost his L.A. policeman's job and his marriage due to a drinking problem. The book opens as Stone leaves California for his new job as chief of police in the picturesque town of Paradise, Massachusetts.
But Paradise isn't as placid as it seems--in fact, it's a festering mass of petty corruption, right-wing militia, sexual scandal, and bad guys who favor strong-arm tactics. Jesse is the lone lawman, new in town, must make his stand to clean the place up. Stone has been picked for the job because the town fathers figured he'd be weak and malleable; as he gradually pulls himself together, it turns out they have a surprise in store.

I like the character of Jesse. He gets people to cooperate through a non-judgmental and caring attitude. He is strong, quiet and a little messed up. I like the atmosphere of the small town. The prose is crisp and clear. The style is sparse. The relationship between Jesse and his ex-wife is confusing, but that is ok. Sex to most people in this novel seems to be a recreational activity. Parker gives Jesse a moral code, but it is a little hard to discern, but that's ok. The food seems anachronistic unless this novel is set in the 80s.

My main problem is the plot with the militia. It doesn't seem feasible to me. I don't want to reveal too much, but I suggest the Parker has read or watch too many westerns.

In summary, the novel was short, entertaining and I enjoyed the new characters.