Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise

Third Jesse Stone movie makes it three for three
Both sensitively acted and directed, "Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise" is another winner in the "Jesse Stone" series of television films. Star Tom Selleck and director Robert Harmon must really be committed to this series, as every aspect of these productions are top notch.

Of course, one can air a minor complaint here and there. For example, like the previous entry, "Jesse Stone: Night Passage", this one ends a little too neatly and abruptly (just like in "Passage", everything is explained and resolved during a closing shoot-out), but that's only a small negative in an overall very good adaptation. I'm certainly onboard for "Jesse Stone: Sea Change", the fourth movie in the series (I always wait for the DVD releases of these films because I hate all the television commercials).

By the way, as these reviews are supposed to be "helpful", here's the order that I recommend that these stories should be watched:

1) Jesse Stone: Night Passage... This was...

Perfect actor plus great character equals TV magic
Tom Selleck IS Jesse Stone, a character created by the great mystery author Robert Parker. Selleck plays a burned out, alcoholic LA cop who takes a job in the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts as sheriff. "Death in Paradise" is a tale of domestic violence, mob intrigue and the poignant, obsessive quest by the emotionally damaged Stone for the killer of a young girl. This story line actually occurred in the Parker series prior to the novel that was the basis for CBS's fabulously successful "Stone Cold", Selleck's first outing as Jesse Stone. The screenwriters tweaked the plot of "Death in Paradise" a bit to make it a sequel to "Stone Cold" with excellent results. "Death in Paradise" features a powerhouse cameo by Steven Baldwin. In my opinion, Parker's Jesse Stone series is head and shoulders above the famous Spencer books. The Stone made-for-TV movies are quality productions with superb acting, beautiful cinematography and haunting music. Exceptional TV. Highly, highly...

Another Great Movie
Tom Selleck was born to play Jesse Stone. So much so that I can't imagine the character without Selleck. I immediately loved "Stone Cold" when I saw it premiere on TV and I have enjoyed watching Jesse solve crimes ever since.

Death In Paradise is a great little movie with an engaging storyline, believable dialogue (like always), solid production work, and a fantastic cast. I love the theme music for the series and the way that with just a couple simple piano themes so much mood can be conveyed. I've seen all 4 of the Jesse Stone movies and I love them all. I eagerly look forward to more!

I should note that I usually don't watch made for TV movies but I saw "Stone Cold" and I was hooked. It is refreshing when CGI and all manner of film trickery isn't employed and the filmmakers must rely on good old fashioned storytelling. The acting and the writing in this series is tremendous and needs no trickery to succeed.

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