Stranger in Paradise - Robert B. Parker - 4 stars

This is book #7 in the Jesse Stone series. So far it is a decent series and I was hoping to get through the whole series this year, but whether or not that happens I am hoping it will be enjoyable throughout the whole series.

Synopsis
Police Chief Jesse Stone faces his most fearsome adversary in the latest addition to the celebrated series. The last time Jesse Stone, chief of police of Paradise, Massachusetts, saw Wilson "Crow" Cromartie, the Apache Indian hit man was racing away in a speedboat after executing one of the most lucrative and deadly heists in the town's history. Crow was part of a team of ex-cons who plotted to capture Stiles Island, the wealthy enclave off the Paradise coast, by blowing up the connecting bridge. Residents were kidnapped, some were killed, and Crow managed to escape with a boatload of cash, never to be seen again. Until now. So when Crow shows up in Jesse's office some ten years after the crime, it's not to turn himself in. Crow is on another job, and this time he's asking for Jesse's help-by asking him to stay out of his way. Crow's mission is simple: find young Amber Francisco and bring her back to her father, Louis, in Florida. It should be an easy payday for a pro like Crow, but there are complications. Amber, now living in squalor with her mother, Fiona, is mixed up with members of a Latino gang. And when Louis orders Crow to kill Fiona before heading back with Amber, he can't follow through. Crow may be a bad guy, but he doesn't kill women. It's up to Jesse to provide protection. Meanwhile, Jesse's on-again, off-again relationship with ex-wife Jenn picks up steam as Jenn investigates the gang problem for her TV station. As they dig deeper, the danger escalates. The life of a young girl hangs in the balance, and saving Amber could be the miracle Jesse and Jenn need for themselves, too.

One thing I really enjoy about this series is the pacing and how well the books flow, and this installment is no different. I love that these cases are in a small town environment, makes it feel more relatable to me since I am in a small town myself. I also enjoy the Authors use of dialogue. He is so good with that. I love all of the interaction between characters and it keeps the story moving along, makes for a quick fun read, and also it allows readers to keep track of the characters and who they are.

The characters are really fun for me as well. I enjoy Jesse a lot, mostly because he is so flawed, but I think besides him, I love Molly and her quirkiness and her mishaps, while she is still able to get the job done. She is always there for Jesse along with Suitcase, his right hand man. There is a full cast of very colorful characters in this series and they are developing very well. They are all a very enjoyable part of the series and I look forward to meeting many more characters throughout the series.