Robert B. Parker's Trouble in Paradise

Perhaps Robert B. Parker has written better books than Trouble in Paradise. I was disappointed enough with this one, I will never pick up another by him. The writing was bad, and the character development was weak - though I admit there was a little bit. The plot could have been great if it wasn't hidden behind all of the characters trying to decide who they want to have sex with.

The blurb on the back of the book should have tipped me off: "This book is so good, there's not enough R's in terrific." - Kansas City Star. Not only is it corny; it's grammatically incorrect.

Okay, so I'll tell you why this book was so bad and if you feel inclined to read it, I'd like to hear your opinion.

Jesse Stone (evidently from previous Parker novels) is the police chief of Paradise, Massachusetts. He's having a relationship with his ex-wife Jenn, Marcy the realtor, and Abby the attorney. Marcy becomes the token tough-cookie, strong-female-survivor type and it's pretty blatant to me. "Here ya go, ladies. Now you won't have to think she's such a tramp."

But I can't like the women because they have about as much depth as a tablecloth.

Parker introduces an American Indian bad guy called Crow who claims to be an Apache (his real name is Wilson Cromartie). He's probably the most interesting character in the book, though that isn't really saying much.

A couple of the character's names didn't work for me: Besides Crow, there is a young cop named Suitcase Simpson (no, he's white), and an Arizona police lieutenant named Travis Randall.

Poor Jesse, who is probably an exceptional police officer and is supposed to be a man of few words, often comes across as a real dork. He's a sometimes-recovering alcoholic, returns once in awhile to his lost chance at being the world's greatest shortstop, and spies on his ex-wife who is sleeping with another guy - and then tells her all about it. Their conversations make no sense to me. I think they both should be in therapy.

"It was the wrong thing to do," Jesse said. "Of course it was, but it hasn't changed anything. I'm not going to give up on this because you once acted like a jerk." Jesse nodded. "You don't act like a jerk too often anymore," Jenn said. Jesse grinned at her without any happiness in the grin. "I'm not sure I like the 'anymore' part," he said.

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