Based on the series of detective novels by Robert B. Parker, the Jesse Stone films follow an ex-Los Angeles homicide detective whose drinking problem forces him to downsize his career and take a job as a police chief in a small town in Massachusetts. To Stone’s surprise, the quaint town has a shockingly intense crime scene with mob run-ins and triple homicides. Luckily, Stone is up for the task and each movie includes different cases of Stone’s career in Massachusetts with additional plotlines following his struggles with alcohol and his complicated relationship with his ex-wife Jenn.
Tom Selleck stars as Jesse Stone in each of the nine movies which were adapted from the novels by CBS (and later the Hallmark Channel). If you’re interested in stepping into the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts —based loosely on the real town of Marblehead, MA— and following the twists and turns of Jesse Stone’s police career but don’t know where to start, we have the order lined up and ready for you. It can be confusing to figure out where to start because the titles of the novels don’t align with the order of the films, but we mapped out the film series chronologically so you can enjoy in order!
DESCRIPTION: In this prequel to Stone Cold, Tom Selleck reprises his role as Jesse Stone, an L.A. cop who relocates to a small town only to find himself immersed in one mystery after the other.
STARS: Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, Saul Rubinek, Kohl Sudduth
DESCRIPTION: A body’s found on the shore of a lake. Police Chief Jesse Stone starts an investigation. It turns out to be a pregnant high school student. There’s also a case of a persistent wife beater. Jesse starts seeing a shrink and dating.
STARS: Tom Selleck, Kohl Sudduth, Viola Davis, Orla Brady
DESCRIPTION: Police Chief Jesse Stone’s shrink recommends looking into old, unsolved cases to reduce drinking by staying busy. Of 3 cases before his time, he starts on the killing of a bank teller. He’s also investigating an alleged rape.
STARS: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Viola Davis, Rebecca Pidgeon
DESCRIPTION: Jesse Stone and Captain Healy are shot during an unauthorized stake-out in Boston. Meanwhile, a cryptic letter sent from Paradise leads the mother of a kidnapped child to Stone. Though her son was declared dead, she hopes he will reopen the case.
STARS: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Viola Davis, Leslie Hope
DESCRIPTION: Police Chief Jesse Stone’s suspended in Paradise. He helps a friend as “temp” with a serial killer in Boston. He gets his first cellphone to avoid calls from his ex. Paradise PD’s way over its head with a convenience store robbery/murder.
STARS: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Viola Davis, Stephen McHattie
DESCRIPTION: After his involuntary retirement, Jesse Stone investigates the suspicious death of a young friend while the Paradise police force deals with the arrogant new chief, who is the son-in-law of a town councilman.
STARS: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben
DESCRIPTION: Jesse Stone comes out of involuntary retirement after the new chief who replaced him was blown up, along with another officer in their police car. Jesse is forced to solve the crime on his own since all the other officers have quit.
STARS: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben
Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
