Night and Day (A Jesse Stone Novel) by Robert B. Parker - Crime Mystery Thriller Book for Adults - Perfect for Beach Reading & Book Club Discussions

Robert B. Parker writes for the ear and gets us to see the story through his character's voices with as few descriptive lead ins as possible. The lead into his latest effort is just seven sentences. A master of dialogue Parker's conversations carry the storyline resulting in 400 to 500 word chapters that fly and NIGHT AND DAY is no exception. 289 pages give us 74 chapters with his usual clever word play and interesting conversations that make you like and appreciate the characters even if you haven't previously read the other books in the Jesse Stone series. The short dialogue driven chapters zoom by so fast that you may find yourself well into the book in a single sitting and regretting that it'll be awhile before the next one is issued. The premise of the book is that there is a Peeping Tom loose in Paradise who is amping up the perversions leaving Chief Stone and his few officers to solve the problem. As usual, of course, there are a few other issues as well- a troubling situation at the Junior High; an ex-wife who Stone can't quite give up is once again leaving, his visits to his favorite scotch and his shrink so the Chief can come to terms with his demons or misgivings and, of course, the everyday annoyances and political problems and drama that rounds out the Chief's professional and Quixotic life. All good material for a well told story. That's all of the plot you'll get out of me because I'm never thrilled when someone gives away the ending to a good book or movie before I've had a chance to read or see it. Saying that, I will say that you won't be disappointed with the book. Like most Parker fans I've come to know and like the characters in this (as well as his other series) and saying that I'm probably not as critical with him as I am with other authors. But so what? I'm a fan and have been since THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT. Parker always give us good stories- some better than others but hey, it's like dessert. When you're given a cart of tasty treats it's the sampling that provides you with your own definition of 'best.' I finished this one in three sittings so now I'm going back over it and admiring the story's construct and, of course, the dialogue. Like a fine jazz musician Parker plays to the ear and keeps us all tapping along to the overall melody. It's music to the ears.