Jesse Stone (character)

Last updated
Jesse Stone
Created by Robert B. Parker
Portrayed by Tom Selleck
In-universe information
GenderMale
TitleParadise, Massachusetts
Police Chief
OccupationLaw enforcement officer
SpouseJenn
NationalityAmerican

Jesse Stone is the lead character in a series of detective novels written by Robert B. Parker. They were among his last works, and the first series in which the novelist used the third-person narrative. The series consists of nine books, starting with Night Passage (1997) and ending with Split Image (2010), which Parker completed before his death in January 2010 but did not live to see published. The series was initially continued by Michael Brandman. [1] In April 2014, Reed Farrel Coleman assumed the writing of the series, [2] which was subsequently continued by Mike Lupica.

Contents

The novels have been adapted into nine TV films. The first eight films were commissioned by CBS, and aired from 2005 to 2012. A ninth film was picked up by the Hallmark Channel, and aired on October 18, 2015. [3] A tenth film was under consideration in 2017. [4]

Overview

The character begins the series at about 35 years old. He is a former minor league baseball shortstop whose career was cut short by a shoulder injury. He was raised in Arizona and California. [5] He was asked to resign from his job as a homicide detective for the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division because of a drinking problem that began after his divorce from his beautiful wife, Jennifer. [6] Showing up drunk to an interview for a job as police chief for the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts (loosely based on the real town of Marblehead, Massachusetts), Stone is hired because the corrupt president of the town board of selectmen thinks he will be easy to control. Stone quickly notices that the town has big league crimes, struggling with the mob, wildly errant wives and a triple homicide, and that his job will be more difficult than he expected. But, he proves up to the task, beginning with making a corruption case against the town council president and arresting him. In the novels, Stone typically carries a .38 Special snubnosed revolver, the same weapon that he carried as an LAPD detective. [7]

The series chronicles Stone's cases as chief of the Paradise Police Department, as well as his struggles with alcohol and his complicated relationship with his ex-wife Jenn. He is respected and well liked by the police officers in the town police department. He develops a good working relationship and friendship with the State Police Homicide Commander, Captain Healy.

The character of Jesse Stone, a deeply troubled man, was a departure for the author. Parker, comparing Stone to Spenser, the protagonist of his first series and the one for which he was best known, said, "Jesse is a much more damaged individual who is coming to terms with himself as he goes along." [5]

There is some overlap of characters with the Spenser books, notably with Healy and Sunny Randall, and (in Night and Day) indirectly with Susan Silverman.

Novels

By Robert B. Parker:

  1. Night Passage (September 1997) ISBN   978-0-399-14304-5
  2. Trouble in Paradise (September 1998) ISBN   978-0-399-14433-2
  3. Death in Paradise (October 2001) ISBN   978-0-399-14779-1
  4. Stone Cold (October 2003) ISBN   978-0-399-15087-6
  5. Sea Change (February 2006) ISBN   978-0-399-15267-2
  6. High Profile (February 2007) ISBN   978-0-399-15404-1
  7. Stranger In Paradise (February 2008) ISBN   978-0-399-15460-7
  8. Night and Day (February 2009) ISBN   978-0-399-15541-3
  9. Split Image (February 2010) ISBN   978-0-399-15623-6

By Michael Brandman:

  1. Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues (September 2011) ISBN   978-0-399-15784-4
  2. Robert B. Parker's Fool Me Twice (September 2012) ISBN   978-0-399-15949-7
  3. Robert B. Parker's Damned If You Do (September 2013) ISBN   978-0-399-15950-3

By Reed Farrel Coleman

  1. Robert B. Parker's Blind Spot, G.P. Putnam (September 2014) ISBN   978-0-399-16945-8
  2. Robert B. Parker's The Devil Wins, G.P. Putnam (2015) [8]
  3. Robert B. Parker's Debt to Pay, G.P. Putnam (September 13, 2016) ISBN   978-0-399-17143-7
  4. Robert B. Parker's The Hangman's Sonnet, G.P. Putnam (September 12, 2017) ISBN   978-0-399-17144-4
  5. Robert B. Parker's Colorblind G.P. Putnam's Sons (September 11, 2018) ISBN   978-0399574948
  6. Robert B. Parker's The Bitterest Pill G.P. Putnam's Sons (September 10, 2019) ISBN   978-0399574979

By Mike Lupica

  1. Robert B. Parker's Fool's Paradise, G.P. Putnam (September 8, 2020) ISBN   978-0525542087
  2. Robert B. Parker's Stone's Throw, G.P. Putnam (2021) ISBN   9780525542117
  3. Robert B. Parker's Fallout, G.P. Putnam (2022) ISBN   9780593540275

Television adaptations

CBS (and later the Hallmark Channel) adapted the novels as a series of movie specials starring Tom Selleck in the title role; the first was aired in 2005 and the most recent in 2015. Robert Harmon has directed all but one of the films (Dick Lowry directed Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost ), and Jeff Beal has provided original music. Select scores from the movies were released on a limited edition CD by Varèse Sarabande in 2009.

The films stay relatively true to storylines and character, with exceptions made mostly for television network viewing. With the fifth film, Selleck and Michael Brandman took over the screen writing, and took the films in new directions. The premise begins when the town council forced Jesse Stone out of his job as the Paradise Chief of Police. The council dubbed it "early retirement" and granted Stone a partial pension. As a retired police officer, Stone was implicitly granted the right to carry concealed firearms, without having a "concealed carry" permit.

Captain Healy hires Stone as an occasional "temporary consultant" to assist on certain state police investigations. Stone insists that he will get back his old job as chief. In the eighth film of the series, Stone is restored as the Chief of Police after the incumbent is murdered. The chairman of the town council asks Stone to return as Chief and catch the killer. Stone's dog plays an important supporting role in the series.

Tom Selleck plays the character as straight from the novels as possible; he is older (late fifties/early sixties vs. late thirties in the books) than Stone. The author, Robert B. Parker, said that he found the Jesse Stone films the most accurate television adaptations of his novels. On his blog, he wrote that "Tom nails the character". [9]

The cast of the films has included the following regular characters:

A featured piece of music is Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118 (Brahms) no.2. [10]

Filmography

  1. Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (February 20, 2005)
  2. Jesse Stone: Night Passage (January 15, 2006) a prequel to Stone Cold
  3. Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (April 30, 2006)
  4. Jesse Stone: Sea Change (May 22, 2007)
  5. Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (March 1, 2009)
  6. Jesse Stone: No Remorse (May 9, 2010)
  7. Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (May 22, 2011)
  8. Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (May 20, 2012)
  9. Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (October 18, 2015) [3]

Characters

CharacterFilm
Stone ColdNight PassageDeath In ParadiseSea ChangeThin IceNo RemorseInnocents LostBenefit of the DoubtLost in Paradise
Jesse Stone Tom Selleck
"Suitcase" Simpson Kohl Sudduth
Captain Healy Stephen McHattie
Molly Crane Viola Davis
Anthony D'AngeloVito RezzaVito Rezza
Dr. PerkinsJohn BealeJohn Beale
Carter HansenJeremy AckermanJeremy Ackerman
ComdenTom GallantTom Gallant
JennSylvia VillagranGil AndersonGil Anderson
ReggieJoe the DogJoe the Dog
Abby Taylor Polly Shannon
H. Henry UppmanDavid ChristoffelDavid ChristoffelDavid Christoffel
Hasty Hathaway Saul Rubinek Saul RubinekSaul Rubinek
Cissy Hathaway Stephanie March Krista Allen
Carol Genest Liisa Repo-Martel
Dr. Dix William Devane
Sister Mary John Kerri Smith Kerri SmithKerri Smith
Emily Bishop Mae Whitman Mae Whitman
Rose Gammon Kathy Baker
Gino Fish William Sadler
Alan GarnerTodd Hofley
LauraLaura KohootLaura KohootLaura Kohoot
William ButlerGary Levert Jeff Geddis
Sydney Greenstreet Leslie Hope Leslie Hope
StevenChristopher Killam
Thelma Gleffey Gloria Reuben
AmandaChristine Tizzard
SteveNed the Dog

Hiatus and relaunch

Although Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt attracted nearly 13 million viewers when CBS aired it on May 20, 2012, producer Michael Brandman told Variety a few days later that he and Tom Selleck had been notified that CBS would not be ordering any more episodes. They said the film attracted older viewers, and CBS is moving away from movies and specials in favor of shorter duration TV series. [11] Selleck noted that the movies were expensive to produce, and he had his own money invested in the last few. Selleck said he was not finished with the Stone character. [12] When interviewed by NBC's "Popcornbiz" in August 2012, he said,

Well, right now CBS hasn't ordered another one. That's nothing new. They always seem to order them one at a time even though we kind of hit home runs, which is frustrating. So I'm not sure whether this is the last 'Jesse' or not. I don't think it will be, because there are so many other markets, cable and everything, that I think would want the series. [13]

On March 4, 2015, Hallmark Mysteries & Movies announced it had picked up a ninth film. [14] Selleck himself indicated he was grateful to Hallmark, however he had to produce the movie with $1 million less budget than what CBS provided for the last film done for the network. Only Selleck, Kohl Sudduth, William Devane, and William Sadler returned for the ninth film, with the balance of the cast being new characters. It aired on October 18, 2015. [3] A tenth film was under consideration in 2017. [4]

In an October 2024 interview on the ending of "Blue Bloods", TVInsider asked, "What’s next for Tom Selleck? A final Jesse Stone movie, perhaps?" To which he replied,

It looks like now I might have to write [a script for another movie]. It wouldn’t be a final one because everybody loves it. Jesse is a great character, and it would be fascinating to find out where he is quite a few years later. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Selleck</span> American actor (born 1945)

Thomas William Selleck is an American actor. His breakout role was playing private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988), for which he received five Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, winning in 1985. Since 2010, Selleck has co-starred as NYC Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the series Blue Bloods. From 2005–2015, he portrayed troubled small-town police chief Jesse Stone in nine television films based on the Robert B. Parker novels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert B. Parker</span> American crime writer (1932–2010)

Robert Brown Parker was an American writer, primarily of fiction within the mystery/detective genre. His most famous works were the 40 novels written about the fictional private detective Spenser. ABC television network developed the television series Spenser: For Hire based on the character in the mid-1980s; a series of TV movies was also produced based on the character. His works incorporate encyclopedic knowledge of the Boston metropolitan area. The Spenser novels have been cited as reviving and changing the detective genre by critics and bestselling authors including Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, and Dennis Lehane.

Robert Harmon is an American film and television director. He is best known for the 1986 horror film The Hitcher, starring Rutger Hauer, as well as for films like They and Nowhere to Run.

<i>Sea Change</i> (Parker novel) 2006 crime novel by Robert B. Parker

Sea Change is a 2006 crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the fifth in his Jesse Stone series.

<i>Jesse Stone: Sea Change</i> Television film

Jesse Stone: Sea Change is a 2007 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, and Kohl Sudduth. Based on the 2006 novel Sea Change by Robert B. Parker, the film is about the police chief of a small New England town who investigates the unsolved murder of a bank teller shot during a robbery, and an alleged rape that draws him into conflict with the town council. It hopes to preserve the town's reputation as an ideal seaside resort. Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, the story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts. Jesse Stone: Sea Change is the fourth in a series of nine television films based on Parker's Jesse Stone novels.

<i>Night Passage</i> (novel) 1997 novel by Robert B. Parker

Night Passage is a crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the first in his Jesse Stone series.

<i>Trouble in Paradise</i> (Parker novel) 1998 novel by Robert B. Parker

Trouble in Paradise is a crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the second in his Jesse Stone series.

<i>Death in Paradise</i> (novel) 2001 novel by Robert B. Parker

Death in Paradise is a crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the third in his Jesse Stone series. It was made into a film in 2006.

<i>Stone Cold</i> (Parker novel) Novel by Robert B. Parker

Stone Cold is a crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the fourth in his Jesse Stone series.

<i>High Profile</i> 2007 novel by Robert B. Parker

High Profile is a crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the sixth in his Jesse Stone series.

<i>Jesse Stone: No Remorse</i> 2010 American TV series or program

Jesse Stone: No Remorse is a 2010 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, and Kohl Sudduth. Written by Tom Selleck and Michael Brandman, it is based on the Jesse Stone novels written by Robert B. Parker. This film is about the police chief of a small New England town who investigates a series of murders in Boston for a state police colleague and uncovers evidence that leads to a notorious mob boss. Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, the story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

<i>Stranger in Paradise</i> (novel) 2008 novel by Robert B. Parker

Stranger in Paradise is a 2008 crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the seventh in his Jesse Stone series.

<i>Night and Day</i> (Parker novel) 2009 novel by Robert B. Parker

Night and Day is a crime novel by Robert B. Parker, the eighth in his Jesse Stone series. It was the last in the series to be published before his death in 2010.

<i>Jesse Stone: Thin Ice</i> 2009 television film directed by Robert Harmon

Jesse Stone: Thin Ice is a 2009 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, and Kohl Sudduth. Based on the characters from the Jesse Stone book series created by Robert B. Parker, the film is about the police chief of a small New England town who investigates a cryptic letter sent to the mother of a kidnapped child who was declared dead. Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, the story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

<i>Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost</i> Television film

Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost is a 2011 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Dick Lowry and starring Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, and Kohl Sudduth. Based on the characters from the Jesse Stone novels created by Robert B. Parker, the film is about the retired police chief of a small New England town who investigates the suspicious death of a young friend while the police force deals with the arrogant new police chief who is the son-in-law of a town councilman. Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, the story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

<i>Jesse Stone: Stone Cold</i> 2005 US television crime drama film by Robert Harmon

Stone Cold is a 2005 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Jane Adams and Reg Rogers. Based on the 2003 novel Stone Cold by Robert B. Parker, the film is about the police chief of a small New England town who investigates a series of murders that occur with the same modus operandi. Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, the story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

<i>Jesse Stone: Night Passage</i> 2006 American TV series or program

Jesse Stone: Night Passage is a 2006 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Saul Rubinek and Viola Davis. Based on the 1997 novel Night Passage by Robert B. Parker—the first novel in the Jesse Stone series—the film is about a former Los Angeles homicide detective who is hired as the police chief of a small New England town and finds himself immersed in a series of mysteries. Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, the story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

<i>Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise</i> 2006 American TV series or program

Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise is a 2006 American made-for-television crime film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, and Kohl Sudduth. Based on the 2001 novel Death in Paradise by Robert B. Parker, the film is about a small town police chief and struggling alcoholic who investigates the murder of a teenage girl whose body is found floating in a lake. The case brings the former LAPD homicide detective into the affluent world of a bestselling writer who exploits troubled teens, and the violent world of a Boston mobster. Filmed on location in Nova Scotia, the story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

<i>Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt</i> 2012 American TV series or program

Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt is a 2012 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, and Kohl Sudduth. Based on the characters from the Jesse Stone novels created by Robert B. Parker, the film is about the police chief of a small New England town who returns from his forced retirement after his replacement is blown up in the town police car. The story is set in the fictitious town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

<i>Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise</i> 2015 American TV series or program

Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise is a 2015 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Robert Harmon and starring Tom Selleck, Mackenzie Foy, William Devane, and Luke Perry. Written by Selleck and Michael Brandman, the film is about a police chief of the (fictional) small town of Paradise, Massachusetts, who investigates the murder of the apparent fourth victim of a brutal serial killer. Filmed on location in Lunenburg and Halifax, Nova Scotia,

References

  1. ↑ Shanahan, Mark; Meredith Goldstein (April 28, 2011). "Parker's series live on". Boston Globe.
  2. ↑ Deahl, Rachel (April 7, 2014). "Coleman to Handle Jesse Stone for Putnam". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "'Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise' Debuts Oct. 18 on Hallmark Channel". Variety. August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Exclusive: Tom Selleck Talks the Blue Bloods Season 7 Finale and the Next Jesse Stone Movie". May 5, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Robert B. Parker interview—Penguin Group (Canada)
  6. ↑ Parker, Robert (2006). Blue Screen. New York, New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN   0-399-15351-9
  7. ↑ Night Passage (September 1997) ISBN   978-0-399-14304-5
  8. ↑ "Reed Farrel Coleman". Beaks and Geeks Podcast @9:20. June 10, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ Robert B. Parker: Selleck and other matters - Typepad. July 2007
  10. ↑ "Classical Music As Soundtrack To Our Lives". 17 July 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  11. ↑ Variety, May 25, 2012: 'Jesse Stone' over at CBS Retrieved 2012-09-01
  12. ↑ Zap2it, May 20, 2012: 'Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt' may be Tom Selleck's last Stone turn at CBS Archived May 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2012-09-01
  13. ↑ 5 NBC Chicago Popcornbiz, Aug 10, 2012: "Tom Selleck Back to his Sleuthing Ways", Retrieved 2012-09-01
  14. ↑ "New 'Jesse Stone' Movie Ordered By Hallmark; Tom Selleck Returns As Star". Deadline Hollywood . 4 March 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  15. ↑ TVInsider, Oct 3, 2024: "Tom Selleck Opens Up About ‘Blue Bloods’ Ending", Retrieved 2024-10-18
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