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A well-written and thought-provoking story
Book Review
By Derryll White
Parker, Robert B. (2005). Sea Change.
“Jesse is a much more damaged individual who is coming to terms with himself as he goes along.” – Robert B. Parker
It is very hot right now, and busy. Returning to Robert B. Parker, the master of the well-written crime novel is akin to pulling out and putting on warm mittens on the first frosty days of autumn – so memorable and comfortable.
Parker had great success with the Spenser series. It made his name as an author and ran to 40 novels. He created such a strong character that Spenser has continued since the author’s death in 2010 with other authors penning at least 10 more, but not as satisfying as the original work.
In 1997, Robert B. Parker decided to challenge himself and created in ‘Night Passage’ a new character Chief Jesse Stone. Set in Paradise, Massachusetts (the Spenser novels are set in Boston) the series consists of nine books chronicling the life and times of the chief of the Paradise Police Department. Jesse Stone struggles with alcohol and with the relationship of his ex-wife, Jenn, who he is back with in ‘Sea Change’.
Paradise has “Race Week” every year and high rollers from all over descend, many in very fancy, huge yachts. ‘Sea Change’ is an exploration of the corruption of wealth and the human costs of incest.
Parker draws a fine line, bringing psychology and analysis into the plot but never letting it become a psychological thriller. He uses dialogue and humour extensively, giving the reader a feeling that he is sharing experiences with Jesse Stone and his chief officer Molly.
Any reader who likes a well-written, thought-provoking story will enjoy ‘Sea Change.’
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Excerpts from the novel
OBJECTIFICATION – “Dix and I talked about how sexually charged our relationship is,” Jesse said.
“And that’s a bad thing?” Jenn said.
She poured herself a half glass more of red wine.
“Maybe your supposed to sexualize our relationship. Ever think about that, Hamlet boy? Maybe it has to do with you loving me more than the spoken word can tell.”
“Well,” Jesse said, “there’s that.”
CONTROL – Healy smiled.
“You got a homicide. I’m the commanding officer of the state homicide unit.”
“So you’re offering to help?
“I am.”
“Never too big to give a little guy a hand,” Jesse said.
“Exactly,” Healy said.
“Just as long as we’re clear on whose case it is.”
“It belongs to all of us,” Healy said, “who love truth and justice.”
“Like hell,” Jesse said. “It belongs to me.”
“Oh” Healy said. He shrugged. “Okay.”
PORN – “Most women I know don’t like that,” Jenn said.
“No,” Jesse said.
“But men do,” Jenn said.
“More than women, probably,” Jesse said. “Most men will look. Most men wouldn’t want to spend too much time looking. And almost all men know that it gets old really quick.”
“Why would you want to look at something that turns you into a thing?” Jenn said.
CHANGING TIMES – “Like you never had sex?”
“I’m proud to say I did have sex, and hope to again,” Jesse said.
“”So, you think I’m too young?”
“Probably,” Jesse said.
“You never had sex when you were my age?”
“No,” Jesse grinned again. “But it wasn’t for lack of trying.”
“Everybody my age has had sex,” she said.
“Probably not all of them with a stranger 40 years older, in front of a video camera,” Jesse said.
MAN/WOMAN – Jenn took in a deep breath.
“I am your main fucking squeeze,” she said. “You are supposed to admire me and look at me and feel desire and act on it.”
“Act on it?”
“Yeah, act. That too much for you, Hamlet?”
PRIVILEGE – “And I’m shocked.”
“Yeah,” Jesse said. “It’s pretty bad.”
“It’s disgusting,” Rita said.
“But only some of it is illegal,” Jesse said.
“Enough of it,” Rita said. “These aren’t people society has abandoned. They didn’t grow up with no parents in some goddamned project someplace. They’re not victims of racism, or class contempt or poverty. They have no excuse for being trash.”
– Derryll White once wrote books but now chooses to read and write about them. When not reading he writes history for the web at www.basininstitute.org.
