Thin Ice is the fifth Jesse Stone film, and the first that didn't come directly from one of Robert Parker's novels. Parker didn't write this one, but Thin Ice is still every bit as gripping and mysterious as the other Stone stories. Since becoming the police chief in Paradise, Massachusetts, Stone has injected himself into local business and politics, discovering a lot of corruption, and a connection to organized crime. He's done a tremendous job, but the town council is very upset with him. All these arrests and headlines have put Paradise on the front page, and it has taken it's toll on the towns main source of income, tourism. The town council tells Stone he has to tone it down or risk losing his job. In typical fashion he response by telling them, "you can fire me, but you can't tell me what to do." An upset Stone, heads to Boston to have dinner with his friend, the state homicide commander, when a mysterious shooter tries to take them both out. Now Stone is in the middle of another headline grabbing investigation that's become personal. As always Tom Selleck is terrific and pairing him Picket Fences' Kathy Baker has only made the film series that much more enjoyable for me. Every film has two mysteries that feature Stone right in the middle of the action. Thin Ice being written by a different person, shows Stone as edgier and more sarcastic, something that was interesting to see. I've read most of the novels and know the character of Jesse Stone very well, and to see him exhibit different personality traits, in an extreme situation, really was a treat for me. If you're not familiar with Jesse Stone, you should take the time to do so. He is one of the most complex characters I have ever come across and he's played by the absolute perfect choice, Tom Selleck. The man has been playing a cop for nearly 40 years and has learned a thing or two about what it takes to lead audiences through an investigation. Thin Ice was definitely a change in direction, but it works, as even in it's fifth installment, Jesse Stone is still every bit as good as it ever was.

... on its own this one in the series is good; different of course, but good. some changes are blatant of course, molly and d'angelo. but still has that small town, big city cop feel. it moves the series along just enough, without being silly or indulgent. parallels and parables still tag teaming in the storyline. which works well. i enjoy this series very much, it will eventually standup well against the test of other cop shows that have come before it. Selleck is great, and so is the whole cast, including the antagonistic others(city council). i'll sum up this series like this... after a long day its good to be cozy in ur favorite chair and sweats, flipping on the electronic device of choice and finding some new twist or beat that seemed not there before, and relishing it anew, once again.

I must differ from the previous reviews of this movie, in my opinion it is just awful. I had the misfortune of watching a Jesse Stone movie last year and had hoped that the 2009 version may be a little more entertaining but was very disappointed. Tom Selleck, who is one of my favourite actors, looks like a human version of my grandmother's Bassett Hound, all sad and droopy, I hoped a dog-catcher would spot him and take him away permanently. His character is so wrapped up in his alcoholic misery it cast a depressing pall over the story. "Joe the Dog" was without a doubt the star of the show, I hope he was digging Jesse Stone's grave beside the sea shore! The movie has one really great benefit, you do not have to take a sleeping aid the night you watch.

In addition to the problems stated in previous reviews, some of the dialog seems stripped (in its exact form) from previous episodes. Old characters that once provided meaning and added to mood now just seem like familiar on-screen forms. What was spare and inviting the first time around just seems lazy now. I think what is missing is a compelling story.And I really miss Molly.I like the characters and the setting so much that I was willing to watch Thin Ice but I would not have been encouraged to watch other episodes had this been my first contact with the series.