Review of "Split Image: A Jesse Stone Mystery" by Robert B. Parker

In this 9th book in the Jesse Stone series, the Police Chief investigates a couple of deaths while he takes his relationship with a private detective to the next level. The book can be read as a standalone.





*****

Police Chief Jesse Stone of Paradise, Massachusetts and Boston private investigator Sunny Randall seem ready to advance their nascent romance.





Both Sunny and Jesse have recovered from painful failed relationships and Jesse has almost overcome his drinking problem, so the time may be right.

While the cop and PI are getting closer, however, there's still work to do. Jesse has to deal with a couple of brutal murders and Sunny is hired to rescue a teenager from a cult.

As the story opens, mid-level mob enforcer Petrov Ognowski has been shot dead.



Jesse Stone and his team, Suitcase Simpson and Molly Crane, investigate.





For his part, Jesse interviews two local mob bosses named Reggie Galen and Knocko Moynihan. Jesse is surprised to learn that the ruffians live next door to one another and are married to gorgeous identical twins, Rebecca and Roberta.....who appear to be loyal loving wives.



Both gangsters claim to be retired, and their households appear to be happy and tranquil, but things may not be as they seem. That becomes clear when another death occurs.

Jesse now has two murders to investigate, and as he proceeds, Petrov Ognowski's father and wife show up - to learn who killed their loved one and to get revenge.



As the story unfolds, some characters exhibit rather raunchy behavior which - at one point - threatens to compromise Jesse himself. 😮 🙄🤨



Meanwhile, Sunny Randall has been hired by Mr. and Mrs. Markham, a wealthy, class-conscious couple who want their 18-year-old daughter Cheryl to be rescued from Paradise's 'Bond of Renewal' settlement.....which they think is a cult.



Sunny manages to speak to Cheryl, who claims she's happy, NOT in a cult, and NOT being coerced to stay.



Things take a dire turn, however, when Cheryl vanishes.

Eventually, dark secrets about the Bond of Renewal come to light, and Sunny enlists Jesse's help to set things right.

That's the gist of the plot, which is thin but engaging. In addition, fans who'd like to see Jesse get over his ex-wife Jenn - and get on with his life - will be pleased.

This book was published posthumously, after Robert B. Parker's death in 2010. The series has subsequently been continued by other writers.

Rating: 3 stars