The Jesse Stone stories continue nicely after Robert B. Parker’s passing with 'Killing the Blues' by Michael Brandman. This time Stone is faced with what begins as a rash of stolen cars and escalates into arson and murder. As he steadily uncovers the details, he begins to realize how deep this crime wave really goes. All the while, Paradise, Massachusetts is preparing for summer tourism with the help of the municipality's new event planner, Alexis Richardson. Before long, she and Stone are involved in a steamy affair. Just another entry in the life of Police Chief Stone!

Autumn in Paradise, Massachusetts, is usually an idyllic time—but not this year. A Hollywood movie company has come to town, and brought with it a huge cast and crew, plus a troubled star. Marisol Hinton is very beautiful, reasonably talented, and scared out of her wits that her estranged husband’s jealousy might take a dangerous turn. When she becomes the subject of a death threat, Jesse and the rest of the Paradise police department go on high alert. For Jesse Stone, there's always something else! When he witnesses a horrifying collision caused by a distracted teenage driver, the political repercussions of her arrest bring him into conflict with the local selectmen, the DA, and some people with very deep pockets. Murder is in the air, and Jesse’s reputation as an uncompromising defender of the law—and his life—are on the line.

The girl was was barely out of her teens, not exactly beautiful, but she’d tried to make the most of her looks. Now, defiled and alone in a seedy beachfront motel, she was dead. Paradise Police Chief Jesse Stone doesn’t even know her name. But when his investigation lures him into the crosshairs of two ruthless pimps, Jesse finds out more about the girl than he ever dreamed. In pursuit of justice, if anyone can see the truth in dark, dark places, it’s Jesse Stone.