Robert B. Parker's Damned If You Do

A Jesse Stone Novel

By: Michael Brandman, Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: James Naughton

The woman on the bed was barely out of her teens. She wasn’t exactly beautiful, but she’d tried to make the most of her looks. And now, alone in a seedy beachfront motel, she was dead.

Paradise Police Chief Jesse Stone doesn’t know her name. Whoever she is, she didn’t deserve to die. Jesse starts digging, only to find himself caught in the crosshairs of a bitter turf war between two ruthless pimps. And more blood will spill before it’s over.

Critic reviews

Praise for Robert B. Parker

“Not for nothing is Parker regarded as the reigning champion of the American tough-guy detective novel, heavyweight division.”—Entertainment Weekly

For the Jesse Stone novels

“If Spencer is the invincible knight, the timeless hero of American detective fiction, then Jesse Stone is the flawed hero of the moment.”—The New York Times Book Review

And for Michael Brandman

“[Brandman] is just the writer to carry Jesse into the future. No one understands what makes Bob Parker’s Jesse Stone tick better than Michael Brandman.”—Tom Selleck, star of the Jesse Stone TV movies

"Part of a grand tradition..."—USA Today

“I would personally like to thank Robert B. Parker for creating an admirable character like Jesse Stone and Michael Brandman for continuing his adventures and helping to keep Parker’s memory very much alive.”—BookReporter.com

“Will help meet insatiable demand for all things Parker.”—Library Journal

“Brandman nails Parker’s compressionist prose.”—Booklist

"Brandman perfectly reproduces Parker’s style in [an] impressive continuation of his series featuring Jesse Stone."—Publishers Weekly

Awesome book

Another great book from a good writer that keeps you wanting more till the end

Maybe my favorite Jesse Stone by Mr. Brandman

While Michael Brandman is no Robert B. Parker - this book seemed closer to the books of old. I liked the two cases, a murdered teenager and the possible mistreatment of residents in an assisted living situation. While I'm not sure if a police officer could handle things the way Jesse does - I like his style!
My only complaint is that it was very short. Robert B. Parker's books weren't long either but this one seemed shorter. Perhaps I was enjoying it more and just didn't want my time with Jesse Stone to come to an end.

Have to prove

Would you try another book from Michael Brandman and/or James Naughton?

The author taking over for Robert Parker will have to prove himself. This reading did not do that for me. Will see how other writings are handled.

Exposé

Another Jesse Stone with all my favorite characters. Robert Parker's mysteries take serious subjects and educate the reader/listener with humor and compassion. James Naughton is my favorite voice for the Paradise police chief and his team. I suspect I am preaching to the choir!

Naughton Shines even if the book doesn't

I gave this one 3 stars overall because James Naughton is fantastic performing this series. Unfortunately, the material he is working with is not as strong. Michael Brandman's characterizations of Parker's characters are fine, but the story never seems to go anywhere. Pleasant, sure, but this things seriously could have used somebody to punch up the story a bit.