Blue Screen

I have read several of the author's Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone novels, i.e., Perish Twice, Night Passage and Stone Cold and I really enjoyed them. The author has such a creative way of making these characters seem so real. In Blue Screen I was glad to see Sunny and Jesse together in the story. However I was hoping for another thrilling mystery by Robert P. Parker, but instead I got part mystery and a lot over done pages on the romance of Sunny and Jesse. Their relationship is the highlight of the story and the chemistry between them did help to make the story more interesting. I wonder, maybe Mr. Parker should have written a romance novel. The plot for the murder mystery side was weak and left me disappointed. I'm still a fan of Mr. Parker, and I'm sorry to say that I just think he can do better. Sure I'd recommend this book to my friends. It's not a terrible read; in fact it would be a great read for a late night read or the beach.

P.I. Sunny Randall is given the job of protecting Erin Flint, a rich man's pet actress--when out of the blue, Erin's assistant is found dead of a broken neck. Sunny travels back and forth from Boston to LA in search of answers. As with all of Parker's main characters, along the way she gets to know herself better. The local chief of police is showing an interest; could this be love? and what about her ex-husband? And can Sunny use her wits and network of powerful friends to keep the ruthless men she's interviewing at bay?

If you like Parker's Spencer stories, you'll enjoy this one too. Lots of the usual crisp dialogue, snappy one-liners, tongue-in-cheek humor. Not as much action as Parker typically employs, but plenty of tension throughout. A good read, perfect for a summer afternoon.

The character interaction, especially the flirting and blossoming romance between regular Parker protagonists Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone, works like gangbusters (not a big surprise in a Parker novel). The plot is more problematic. It's not horribly bad, just... odd. Parker does produce odd plots sometimes. Remember "Hush Money" and its same-sex affair between an African diplomatic official and a New England academic? That story point wasn't offensive or even completely unbelievable, but it's oddness was distracting. In "Blue Screen" we are presented with more strangeness, in the form of a blonde bombshell who is both a movie star and an athlete aspiring to be the first female professional baseball player. So again, we're distracted with thoughts of, "why is Parker doing THAT?" But, to be clear, the oddness isn't a dealbreaker, as I still like the book. But I like it mainly for the Sunny/Jesse dynamic, not so much for the other story elements.

I am getting tired of being disappointed by big name writers whose early works were thoughful but who are now churning out books so quickly they don't even have time to be picked over for weaknesses in plot, characterization, and other qualities of good fiction writing. Ex: James Patterson, Stephen King, and now, added to my list: R.B.Parker.

When these guys started out, they were great. They actually had their books edited, got feedback, made changes along the lines of good fiction writing. Now, it seems that just putting their name on the cover sells, so why bother with good old fashioned editing?

If Parker reads this, I urge him to slow down! He's so busy churning out books and getting movie deals, that he's lost the art of fiction writing.

Case in point: Blue Screen and High Profile. I can't talk about the latter because I couldn't get through the first 10 pages, with all the "he said" and "she said". Since when does a writer have to tag EVERY line of dialogue?

Blue Screen is terribly written. First of all, the plot is uneven. Parker introduces us to a whole set of characters (the Erin Flint entourage) and then drops them flat for most of the novel. The plot gets lost in myriad uninteresting diversions so that at most points, I just didn't care at all about the murder and I couldn't understand why Sunny or Jesse cared, except insofar as it kept them together.

Then, there were various unbelievable aspects of the plot which other reviewers have mentioned. These were terribly distracting. For ex: Why would a P.I. and a police chief go out of their way to rustle the feathers of a dangerous mobster (Moonbeam)and potential murder suspect when there was NO POINT to their interview with him in the first place? And, more disturbing...how is a small town police chief from MA going to travel to LA with his lover/PI to investigate a murder and then get a luxury hotel room for them both to share on police dept funds? How does the reader continue to admire them as professionals? These are just some of the weaknesses. Then, there are outright repetitions in the dialogue that should have been picked up by editors. I could go on and on.

One more point that bothers me about Parker's recent writing: his portrayal of women. Susan Silverman was cool...smart, professional, sophisticated, and loved unconditionally by her man, who's also a smart guy. But Sunny Randall is like every guy's fantasy chick: cute and blonde, drinks just enough to get it on with you and doesn't expect commitment for it, understands that you are still hung up on your wife, but will sleep with you anyway, and doesn't mind that he has her picture on the bedstand! She's not even that smart...she gets her information because she's cute or knows a powerful man who refers her to another powerful man. And then there's Erin Flint, who has NO personality and nothing to say except "they want to kill me because I am going to play baseball" or the "F" word. Where are the real women here?

Needless to say, I am done with new R.B. Parker books. I will go back to Spenser books I may have missed along the way.

I wasn't especially thrilled with the previous mysteries in the Sunny Randall series, but this one is a winner. Sunny seems to have grown up considerably. And Parker seems to fluctuate between really bad and really good. At his best(i.e. in too few novels), he is equal to Lawrence Block, and that's a compliment indeed.

The chemistry works in this book. There's a sort of romance, although the lovers can't quite decide what sort it is or where it is likely to lead. The romance is also hilarious at one point. And there is a dog, a wonderful dog with the soul of a poet. In fact, all the characters are interesting and well drawn--not just the dog. The plot kept me intrigued. The atmosphere of Boston environs and Los Angeles environs felt real. The dialogue was quirky, funny, real. If all of Parker's books were this good, he'd be a first class writer. Alas, a good many of his works just don't measure up to "Blue Screen."

It took five books, but Robert B Parker has finally found a woman's voice and attitude for Sunny that I find realistic. The first books had Sunny saying loudly to anyone who would listen that she was strong and independent - then she would promptly crumble and look for a man to rescue her. With Blue Screen, Sunny really does stand on her own - and ironically it's a story that immediately brings her in contact with Jesse Stone, from Parker's other series. This *could* have spelled disaster for Sunny's ability to stand on her own, but the pair actually work well together, supporting each other instead of Stone treating Sunny as a little girl.

Where the previous Sunny books relied too heavily on cute references to every single character found in Spenser novels, we almost have a clean slate here with Blue Screen. We still run into Susan Silverman and Healy every once in a while, but it's toned down from previous rounds. Sunny is brought in by a millionaire who wants to protect his curvy actress, Erin Flint, from harm. Erin is, of course, in traditional Parker fashion, an uppity, obnoxious feminist who thinks all men are slime. We've seen this character a few times before.

Sunny takes on the job, in short order a friend named Misty is slain, and the chase is on. It turns out of course that EVERYONE is lying, and about really idiotic things, too. Did Erin really think her lies would not be found out? There's a difference between not intelligent and completely senseless. There are a number of things happening during this story which are deliberately for plot reasons - and the plot is pretty transparent.

But when you come down to it, this particular story's not about the mystery, or the plot. It's about the romance. Pretty much all focus is on Sunny and Jesse. How is Jesse dealing with his ex-wife who has cheated on him yet again? How is Sunny dealing with her ex-husband who has moved on in life? How can they carefully hook up with each other, with the emotional wounds still so fresh? Should Sunny shave her legs? Should Jesse risk taking a drink again? It's like watching a courtship dance between porcupines - both are lonely, both are really concerned about being hurt again and about hurting the other. Eventually, of course, they find a way to make it work.

I also love Parker's writing style in general. It's what keeps me coming back for more each time. The way he words things, the dialogues he creates, it is poetry in motion. I still laugh out loud when I read Parker - and there are phrases I remember long after I finish the last page.

Still, I have to wonder just where things are going to go now. I really enjoy the Jesse Stone series, and am also liking the made-for-TV versions that have Tom Selleck playing Jesse. I am hoping they go through and make each book into one, and even perhaps start a whole series based on it. Parker was writing all three series - Spenser, Stone and Sunny - side by side. Does this mean the next book will be a Stone book, continuing the story? Up until now, readers could read just "one line" - say just the Stone line - and not feel TOO lost (despite the continual references to Spenser characters). With the incestuous intertwining that has just happened, readers need to have read BOTH lines (the Jesse and the Sunny lines) to really understand the background of both characters and to get all the references in this book. I suppose it's a way for Parker to ensure that people read every single book he writes, if he's going to have every book refer to every other book he's written.

I suppose since I *do* read every book that Parker writes, I don't mind. But I do feel sorry for people who pick this one up having only read the Sunny series - they'll be quite lost about what Stone is all about. I also would look forward to a refocus on the mystery and plot. Yes, I love the human interplay - but where previous Sunny and Stone books were quite nice in their human nature insights, this one was more laid out as a romance novel. The insight was along the lines of "My ex is married, maybe I really should move on with my life."

As a final note, every time I see the title "Blue Screen" I immediately think "Blue Screen of Death", i.e. the Windows screen you get when it crashes. My friends that I talk to have the same response. I imagine this was intended :)

Sunny Randall is a delightful detective -- smart, sexy, courageous, a Meg Ryan Ringer. And her dog's even cute. The light and breezy detective sleeps around alot, but solves cases cleverly and with feeling. Jesse Stone is also a delightful detective. He's soulful, somewhat deep, gentle, fun loving, and recognizes the boundaries of his own, frail, needy humanity. He meets Sunny and before long they're solving crime and the Kama Sutra together, off the clock, of course. It's hard not to like both Jesse Stone and Sunny Randal, and Rosie, and Spike. Hell, it's hard not liking their ex's. Here, as with Tony Hillerman, one doesn't read for the mystery, but for the characters who are fleshed out nicely and become real people. Parker believes in White Space and so his pages are as easy on the eyes as a sunny day with Ms. Randall. May she detect again, and soon, with or without Jesse. Super work. Keep 'em coming!

In this book Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone solve this whodunit together. Previous reoccurring characters are mentioned from earlier Sunny Randall novels, Spike and Tony Gault. Of course, her dog, Rosie is in the story. Very briefly mentioned is Dr. Susan Silverman from the Spenser novels. The story is fast paced and has the usual Parker sarcastic humor. Will Jesse and Sunny become romantically involved? Is there a sequel in the works? Time will tell.

Awful, awful. reading! ( we buy 2-3audio books per month for our long car rides )
Kate can't do voices ! She starts a voice and loses it. And has one variation that's inconsistent. My husband and I love Jesse Stone books, DVDs, audio books. If this had been our first exposure to Stone, we would never have tried him again.

In my mind, Parker's Spencer books will always be the standard of comparison for all other books, even those by him. But combining Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone in one novel makes this one extra special. It's not Spenser, but it's way better than the work of almost anyone else writing in this genre. I can hardly wait to read the sequel--and I certainly hope it's on its way.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The basic story is only a bit better than fair, but the interaction between Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone is beautifully done. Parker manages to avoid trashy near-porn and yet makes this part of the story extremely erotic.

And THANK GOD Jenn and Richie are being forgotten. I almost feel Parker read my and others' reviews and how fed up we were with the dumb clinging on Jesse's part. (Just what about Jenn made her that interesting???)

I also suspect the next book will be from Jesse's point of view but will pick up where this one leaves off. I've got it ordered and can't wait.

Another greatly enjoyable Sunny Randall mystery. I was a little surprised by the ending, but as always, I enjoyed Sunny's conversations with her shrink (Susan Silverman from the Spenser books, by the same author) and her burgeoning romance with Jesse Stone. Too bad there are only 6 books in the Sunny Randall series...

You either love the Robert Parker books or you don't. This is one of the better ones. I love the way all of his characters keep appearing in his various books. I also love the short sentences. It's the Parker trademark.

In my mind, Parker's Spencer books will always be the standard of comparison for all other books, even those by him. But combining Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone in one novel makes this one extra special. It's not Spenser, but it's way better than the work of almost anyone else writing in this genre. I can hardly wait to read the sequel--and I certainly hope it's on its way.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The basic story is only a bit better than fair, but the interaction between Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone is beautifully done. Parker manages to avoid trashy near-porn and yet makes this part of the story extremely erotic.

And THANK GOD Jenn and Richie are being forgotten. I almost feel Parker read my and others' reviews and how fed up we were with the dumb clinging on Jesse's part. (Just what about Jenn made her that interesting???)

I also suspect the next book will be from Jesse's point of view but will pick up where this one leaves off. I've got it ordered and can't wait.

Another greatly enjoyable Sunny Randall mystery. I was a little surprised by the ending, but as always, I enjoyed Sunny's conversations with her shrink (Susan Silverman from the Spenser books, by the same author) and her burgeoning romance with Jesse Stone. Too bad there are only 6 books in the Sunny Randall series...

Sunny Randall is called on the case to protect Erin Flint, a beautiful but temperamental actress. Buddy Bollen is producing her next movie and plans a publicity ploy starring Erin as a major-league baseball player. Erin's assistant Misty Taylor is murdered. Sunny finds out that Erin and Misty were actually sisters. Sunny discovers many complicated connections in this case with the help of Jesse Stone, Chief of Police in Paradise. Susan Sullivan, and Captain Quirk from the Spenser novels make brief appearances. Not the ending I expected but it does not disappoint. It made things definitely more engaging to have two major characters from two different series of books come together to solve the case. Their chemistry works well because both characters have imperfect histories that make things more interesting. Definitely satisfying!

You either love the Robert Parker books or you don't. This is one of the better ones. I love the way all of his characters keep appearing in his various books. I also love the short sentences. It's the Parker trademark.

I like Robert Parker's books. This one included. However I wish the narrator refrained from speaking all those "I said"; "He saids".

For instance:

"Hi", I said.

"Hi yourself", he said.

"Nice day", I said.

"Yep", he said.

It gets distratcing!

This is the first Robert Parker novel I have read and I was really disappointed. The plot had potential, but was poorly written. The dialogue was terrible with an occassional funny line thrown in. I usually love books with strong female characters, but Sunny Randall was written without any depth. Basically the author makes a few statements that tells the reader that she's a strong character and that's as far as the character development goes. Actually there wasn't much in the way of real development or depth for any of the characters.

Robert B. Parker is my favorite author. I love Spencer and was initially disappointed when Parker started two additional series. Now I look forward to each and every book, regardless of who the lead character is. This novel includes characters from all three series. The plot isn't very deep, but the read sure was fun.