The Mysterious Allure of Paradise, Massachusetts
“Stone uproots his LA life and moves hoping to find some peace in Paradise, Massachusetts after being fired from the LAPD,” reads the origin story of Jesse Stone, a character who becomes an embodiment of complex morality and vigilantism. Tom Selleck’s portrayal has turned the Jesse Stone movie series into a binge-worthy experience. But how do you navigate the complicated chronology and layered narrative arcs?
“A grizzled cop with a chequered past in a sleepy town is a tale as old as time but Tom Selleck makes it as compelling as ever.”
A Drunk Cop in a Corrupt Town
When Jesse Stone turns up drunk for an interview for the chief of police in Paradise, the town’s corrupt board of selectmen is under the impression that he’d be easy to manipulate.
“Turning up to interview for top cop drunk, he is hired by the corrupt president of Paradise’s board of selectmen as they believe he will be easily manipulated into doing their bidding and turning a blind eye.”
Boy, were they wrong. Stone sniffs out the criminal underbelly masked by the town’s quaint façade, setting the tone for a series filled with suspense, crime, and character development.
A Deep Dive into the Jesse Stone Universe
Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)
Before diving into the series, start with “Night Passage.” It lays the groundwork for Jesse Stone’s departure from Los Angeles and sets the scene for his entry into the tight-knit community of Paradise.
“Night Passage sees Stone make the journey from Los Angeles to Paradise, a small town on the Massachusetts coast. He is soon hired as Paradise’s chief of police, as the sleazy council leader reckons he will be a soft touch and turn a blind eye to his money laundering schemes.”
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005)
Then go back a year to “Stone Cold,” the first film released but second in the story arc. It delves into a string of murders in the quiet town of Paradise, challenging Jesse to pit his wits against a crafty killer.
“The sleepy town of Paradise is left reeling after a body is discovered on the shoreline, shot twice in the heart with a .22 calibre pistol.”
And that’s just the start. The series progresses with Stone tackling multiple complicated cases while grappling with his own personal demons. For a full chronology, check out our chronological list below.
The Complete List
- Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)
- Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005)
- Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)
- Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)
- Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)
- Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)
- Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)
- Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012)
- Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)
Tom Selleck’s Return and Where to Watch
Fans are on the edge of their seats as Tom Selleck has confirmed that a tenth film is in the works.
“Selleck has confirmed they are working on a script for a tenth film but until then, read on to find out how to immerse yourself in the world of Jesse Stone.”
While we eagerly wait, all nine movies can be rented or bought on Amazon Prime Video. For the home theatre aficionados, the Blu-Ray set is the ultimate way to enjoy Jesse Stone in high fidelity.
Watching the Jesse Stone Movies: Your Ultimate Guide
To cut through the chronological confusion, start with “Night Passage” followed by “Stone Cold” and then follow the list for a smooth journey into Jesse Stone’s world of crime and justice. For those who prefer to watch in release order, the sequence remains pretty much the same except for the first two films.
“If you want to immerse yourself in the world of Paradise, the series chronology is relatively simple: you just have to remember that the first movie to be released, Stone Cold, should be watched as the second Jesse Stone story in Parker’s series.”
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Robert B Parker‘s novels or new to the world of Jesse Stone, this guide ensures you won’t miss a beat. Dive into the labyrinthine universe of crime, corruption, and compelling character arcs. After all, Paradise isn’t as heavenly as it seems.
