Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets

Christopher Farnsworth continues the Jesse Stone crime series with the twenty-second book: Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets. Full of secrets, criminals, a dead body, and some suspense, this novel kept me engaged throughout. Paradise, Massachusetts Police Chief Jesse Stone is asked to do a welfare check while he is on his way home after a long shift.

Inside a house filled with junk, boxes, and more, Jesse finds Phil Burton dead. Surrounding him are photos of murder victims and underneath the body lies two million dollars. When old-style criminals and paid guns-for-hire enter the picture, can Jesse and his team solve the case before another person dies?

Jesse has a drive to make things right and do the right thing. He’s considered somewhat old-school, has a history of alcoholism and bad relationships. He tries to save people and punishes himself when he doesn’t succeed. While he needs to let people into his life and open himself up, he has trouble doing this. He is also experiencing anger management issues which are causing him trouble with his friends, co-workers, and others. This deeper dive into Jesse’s flaws and strengths added depth to his character and made him more dynamic. It was also good to catch up with several familiar characters.

The first chapter immediately pulls readers into the story. This riveting mystery captured the characters and made them come to life within the boundaries of a deeply involved plot. The storyline includes both personal and professional challenges for Jesse as well as an intriguing mystery. Gripping scenes, personal struggles, onboarding a new deputy, and fractured friendships add layers of interest to the plot. There are several twists and turns as the story gains momentum and continues to an astonishing conclusion. The internal dialogues and struggles deepen the conflict and quickly pulled this reader into the inner world of the characters. The author also did a good job of capturing the feel of the small town.

Overall, this engrossing and entertaining novel is an excellent addition to the series. Featuring a strong, flawed, and capable protagonist, excellent pacing, and a solid plot, the story kept me turning the pages rapidly. Although this is the twenty-second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone novel. However, readers will gain a better appreciation for Jesse and the recurring secondary characters by reading earlier books in the series. I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Christopher Farnsworth provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 04, 2025.