Another day, another new author taking up the mantle of continuing this series. And long may he continue. We are now at book 22, only 9 of which were written by original author Robert B Parker. Continued first by Michael Brandman, then Reed Farrel Coleman, Mike Lupica, and now Christopher Farnsworth. Not sure of the whys and wherefores but I am happy that the series continues as it contains some of my favourite characters in Jesse, Suit and Molly.
In this book, we follow Jesse as he answers a call for a welfare check on an elderly resident of Paradise. Fearing the worst, he breaks in and what he finds stuns even him. The resident is dead, looks like for a while, and he was obviously a hoarder prior to his death. But amongst all the junk, Jesse finds a bunch of photos depicting murder victims, along with about $2 million in cash...
And so begins a thrilling tale of mobsters trying to save their skins, at the same time as collecting the bounty that has appeared on Jesse's head. Meanwhile, if that wasn't enough for him to contend with, Jesse also has a new addition to his staff, a young recruit who has been transferred and is, well, lets just say, not afraid to ruffle more than a few feathers!
So... the important things first. Story aside, this new author has picked up the characters well and brought them back to the life that Robert B Parker gave them. I guess it's hard to pick up an original series that has been also written by a few other people, knowing where to start, and how to go on, but he has hit the sweet spot here. Jesse has been one of my favourite characters since I met him not so long ago and I have a rather soft spot for him so I am pleased that his series is continuing and that he is still being written well. He still has his demons and is still complex but he tries his best and, together with Suit and Molly, they make a rather formidable team.
And the story is a doozy! Filled with everything you need and want to stretch the characters and entertain the reader.
So yeah, this new author has my seal of approval straight away. I am also so impressed that I am going to check out his back catalogue whilst waiting for his next Jesse book!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.