Jesse Stone is a fictional character created by detective novelist Robert B. Parker and later written by other authors. Jesse is an ex-LAPD copper who is forced to leave his job and moves to the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts. Unlike Parker’s most well-known character, Spenser, Stone is a man with many personal problems.

Jesse Stone debuted in September 1997 with the book Night Passage. Since then, he has appeared in many of his own novels and a few of Robert B. Parker’s other novels as well. The Jesse Stone character was portrayed by Tom Selleck in a series of CBS TV movies. Following Parker’s death, the Jesse Stone series was taken over by Michael Brandman.

Below is a list of the Jesse Stone series in order of when they were originally published:

Publication Order of Jesse Stone Books

Note: Robert B. Parker’s characters exist in a shared universe. Jesse Stone has appeared in the Spenser novel Back Story as well as the Sunny Randall novels Blue Screen and Spare Change.

If You Like Jesse Stone Books, You’ll Love…

Jesse Stone Synopsis: Night Passage is the first novel of the Jesse Stone series. Stone is 34 years old and has just lost his job with the LAPD along with his marriage all due to his drinking problem. Stone picks up and moves for a new job in the Massachusetts town of Paradise. Paradise isn’t quite as peaceful as it sounds, however. It’s full of corruption, scandal, and just plain old bad guys. Night Passage was adapted into a made-for-TV movie by CBS in 2005 with Tom Selleck playing the main character. Although Night Passage is chronologically the first in the Jesse Stone series, Stone Cold was the first novel adapted into the TV movie series. The Jesse Stone: Night Passage TV movie is considered a prequel to the Stone Cold TV movie.

Trouble in Paradise is the second book in the Jesse Stone series by Robert B. Parker. Stiles Island is a wealthy and exclusive enclave separated by a bridge from Paradise on the coast of Massachusetts. James Macklin sees the island as the ultimate investment opportunity: all he needs to do is invade it, blow the bridge, and loot the island. To enact this scheme, Macklin, along with his devoted girlfriend, Faye, assembles a crew of fellow ex-cons – all experts in their fields – including Wilson Cromartie, a fearsome Apache. James Macklin is a bad man, a very bad man. And Wilson Cromartie, known as Crow, is even worse.

As Macklin plots his crime, Paradise police chief Jesse Stone has enough going on. He faces romantic entanglements in triplicate: his ex-wife, Jenn, is in the Paradise jail for assault, he’s started a new relationship with a Stiles Island realtor named Marcy Campbell, and he’s still sorting out his feelings for attorney Abby Taylor. When Macklin’s attack on Stiles Island hits, both Marcy and Abby are in danger. As the body count rises, Jesse will have to keep both women from harm.

Order of Books » Characters » Order of Jesse Stone Books

11 Responses to “Order of Jesse Stone Books”

  1. Suzanne McCue: 9 years ago

    Want more of Jesse Stone movies with tom Selleck. Good enough to watch over and over and there are extremely few movies I care to see after the first time. Tom is my favorite living actor and Jesse is his best since The Sacketts.

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  2. Guest: 9 years ago

    Love the Jesse Stone books and just finished Stranger in Paradise. However, the Jenn storyline is getting a little old at this point. Those two need to figure it out or go on to something else. That relationship is getting to be a little childish. I can see that Parker is trying for the damaged hero angle and its been great but Jesse is beginning to look like a big P***y. Keep the memories and the drinking problem but lose the girl already and start moving on.

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  3. Richard Walters: 9 years ago

    It is not easy to translate a well written book, or series of books with all of its characters and locations into a movie, a series of movies, or to a television series without disappointing the many fans of the books. I have to salute Robert B. Parker as an author who breathed life into some amazing characters who have captured our hearts and minds by being human with faults and problems that we can relate to while at the same time keeping us on the edge of our seats with great stories. We can almost close our eyes and see the action unfold as we turn page after page.and root for our hero’s. Robert B. Parker put together a great group of actors, directors, and writers and brought several of his characters to life with the Spencer For Hire television series, and the Jesse Stone television movies. I am proud to say I have enjoyed their many adventures both in the books, and on my television screen for years now.

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  4. Tyler M. Vincent: 9 years ago

    A police officer that loves reading will love the books on Jesse Stone. It is just like the real life as a police officer. The stress of a divorce and what caused it is just like it was written by ourselfs. The movies and the books our really the life of a police officer. Tom Selleck was the right choice no way to beat him at this and the TV series Blue Bloods. Hope the author keeps writing. Parker did great to start it and hopefully the rest of them will keep it going.

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  5. Shelly Ann LPN(ret): 9 years ago

    Wish they would make some more Jesse Stone movies, especially if they star Tom Selleck.
    Shelly Ann, LPN (ret)

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    • Guest: 9 years ago

      Hallmark Channel – October 18th, 2015

      Reply

      • Shelly Ann LPN(ret): 8 years ago

        Thanks for the heads up on that date. Have to set my DVR for it.

        Reply

  6. midnight rambler: 9 years ago

    Spenser is okay. But Jesse Stone is Tom Selleck at his best. And that’s a good thing.

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    • Cindy: 9 years ago

      What was the music that mess would listen to when the was home

      Reply

  7. Linda Boyerman: 10 years ago

    I loved all the movies but benefit of the doubt left you hanging needs to have more movies. Needs to complete the series please

    Reply

  8. Cintrine: 10 years ago

    Jesse stone is a bit to down for me, but I love Spencer. Spencer is like the original Jack Reacher, but with a life and more realistic living. I love his sidekick and his girlfriend that bring more color to the stories. Do not get me wrong. I am in love with Jack Reacher. If only we could have a hero in real life like Jack Reacher to kick some serious butt and solve some of societies ills. I will have to live in fantasy land with my book heroes of both genders. Also love Catherine Coulter’s husband and wife team of characters.

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