Night Passage

Robert B. Parker

Jessie Stone is moving east from L.A. He has been recently divorced and has been drinking too much. He lost his job in Homicide for the LAPD because he was drinking on the job. Now he is moving to Massachusetts to take a new position. He will be the chief of police in a small town where everyone knows everyone and crime is usually small.

He still drinks, still talks with his ex-wife, and still misses being married. Yet it is time to break loose and start again. He cuts his drinking to off hours only and regains his work perspective. Unfortunately, Paradise, Massachusetts is fomenting trouble under its quiet facade.

The chief of police prior to Jessie was banished by the selectmen of the town. There is something going on. The banker of the town has something shady going on in his bank. The muscle of the town is involved with the Mob and stalks his ex-wife. The chief's second in command is hiding a secret. The banker's wife has a double life.

I have enjoyed the Spenser novels for years, but hadn't read any of Parker's other books. But I had heard good things about this series as well. So I borrowed the first book in the series. I was impressed and delighted with this novel. I'm already looking forward to the rest of the novels in this group.

Night Passage
Trouble in Paradise
Death in Paradise
Stone Cold
Sea Change
Blue Screen
High Profile
Stranger in Paradise
Night and Day