Sea Change

By Robert B. Parker

This is a review of an audiobook I listened to on my commute, another Parker mystery novel. This is the second Jesse Stone novel I've listened to. Via Wikipedia I noticed that I accidentally listened to this book and High Profile out of order. It was okay, though. It doesn't really matter in what order they are read, except for the details in Stone's love life and drinking problem, which were easy for me to resolve once I realized Sea Change actually happened chronologically before High Profile.

Listening to this book is like being mentally raped. Sexual innuendo and morally devoid characters are nothing new for Parker's novels, but this book crosses the line from innuendo to full-out descriptive narrative. After listening to one disgusting sex act, I thought, "Well, at least it can't get any worse than that." But I was wrong, Parker tops it a few chapters later. I thought the same thing after hearing that one. I was wrong again, Parker later tops it again. If you're easily offended, don't read (or listen to, as I did) this book. What Parker describes happening in this book should never happen to anyone, anywhere, ever. Parker doesn't defend what happens to the victims in the book, and neither does his character, Jesse Stone. But all things being equal, I wish I had never heard the story or what happens in it. My only defense for even listening all the way through was that I wanted to find out how it turned out.

Though this is a work of fiction, it describes a sub-culture that very well may really exist, but that I wish I'd never known about. I'd mention what it is, but I can't as per my standard of not providing any spoilers. But believe me, it's disgusting what some jerks with money can get away with, morally.

This book introduces a new character, Kelly Cruz, who I suspect may turn up in subsequent Parker novels. She's a Ft. Lauderdale cop who helps Stone in part of the investigation in Florida. Though I can't foresee a need for a Florida cop much in books that are primarily set in Massachusetts, she is so well developed and heavily used in this book that I can't see Parker totally discarding her after this one story. So, keep an eye out for her.

As I've said before, I like Parker's books, but I do have a problem with his overuse of the F-bomb. He just uses it way too much, when another euphemism would serve just as well or, in many cases, even better. In this book, he uses it even when doing so completely breaks character. Characters who would never seem to use it start spouting it off as if it never occured to them there's another term for that particular activity. Parker has become a millionaire off his writing (and subsequent made-for-TV movies and TV series), so he obviously knows a thing or two about writing. But I'll venture to guess that his writing would be just as successful without the copious use of the F-bomb. Using it so often lessens its impact. It's the big one, and using it so much really makes it seem less offensive, which it shouldn't.

Approach this Jesse Stone novel with caution. Those that are easily offended should really think twice about reading it. This book should come with a Parental Advisory Warning label.

Sea Change

By Robert B. Parker

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