All is quiet in Paradise, except for a spate of innocuous vandalism.
Good thing, too, because Jesse Stone is preoccupied with the women in his life, both past and present. As his ex-wife, Jenn, is about to marry a Dallas real-estate tycoon, Jesse isn’t too sure his relationship with former FBI agent Diana Evans is built to last. But those concerns get put on the back burner when a major Boston crime boss is brutally murdered. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Jesse suspects it’s the work of Mr. Peepers, a psychotic assassin who has caused trouble for Jesse in the past.
Peepers has long promised revenge against the Mob, Jesse, and Suit for their roles in foiling one of his hits – and against Jenn as well. And though Jesse and Jenn have long parted ways, Jesse still feels responsible for her safety. Jesse and Diana head to Dallas for the wedding and, along with the tycoon’s security team, try to stop Peepers before the bill comes due. With Peepers toying with the authorities as to when and where he’ll strike, Jesse is up against the wall. Still, there’s a debt to pay and blood to be spilled to satisfy it. But whose blood, and just how much?
When I first picked up this novel I hadn’t realized that it was the 15th in a series or that the author had taken over the series after Robert Parker had passed away. I was a little worried about not being able to follow the plotline but I didn’t need to be, this book works perfectly well as a standalone.
Jesse and his colleagues are faced with a head on collision with a face from the past who is determined to get revenge. Mr. Peepers has no compassion, no morals and will destroy anybody who crosses him. Jesse discovers that his ex wife is in danger and feels the need to attend her wedding. Neither him or his current partner want to go but feel they have no other option.
The people they have to spend time with in Dallas are all wealthy, all-powerful and not very likeable. Jesse is out of his depth and starts to drink again. Alcoholism has been an issue for him in the past but with the problems that Mr. Peepers is creating it makes life bearable. And it helps him cope with Jenn. Mr. Peepers is an evil and cruel man. One of the strongest parts of the novel was when he abducted a total stranger and made her suffer just so he could punish her. In some ways I think his character was the strongest one in the book. He was definitely one who was a mystery and he was the one who I would like to find out more about. The way he controlled everybody, even though he wasn’t always seen was chilling.
It’s not an easy book to review without giving away plot. There is a lot of action and danger. Not all of the focus is on Jesse, there are many others in the novel who are at risk and I found the ending unexpected.
I have read novels previously where an author has taken over an existing series. There will always be those who have concerns but I find it’s a way of introducing a series of books to a new audience. I enjoyed this book a lot and will read the earlier book in the series.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
