You know that feeling when a long-running series moves from a big network like CBS to a smaller cable channel? Usually, it’s the beginning of the end. The budget gets slashed, the stars look like they’d rather be anywhere else, and the soul of the thing just... evaporates.
But Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise somehow dodged that bullet.
Released in 2015, this was the ninth installment in the Tom Selleck-led franchise. It had been three years since the previous flick, Benefit of the Doubt, and fans were starting to think Jesse had finally hung up his hat for good. Instead, the movie landed on Hallmark Channel and actually managed to be one of the tightest, most melancholic entries in the whole saga. Honestly, it’s probably the most "Jesse Stone" of the Jesse Stone movies.
What Really Happens in Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise
The plot isn't your typical small-town mystery. Jesse is actually bored. Things in Paradise are running a bit too smoothly, which is a dangerous state of mind for a man who treats Scotch like a food group.
To keep his demons at bay, he heads to Boston. He’s been tapped as a consultant by Lt. Sydney Greenstreet (played by the excellent Leslie Hope) to look at some cold cases. He’s an "outside set of eyes."
Naturally, he ignores the files he’s supposed to look at. He gets obsessed with a case that’s technically closed. A woman was murdered, and the "Boston Ripper" already confessed to it from behind bars. But Jesse—being Jesse—doesn't buy it. He smells something off. The investigation takes him into some pretty dark corners of the city, far from the foggy shores of Paradise.
While he’s hunting a killer in the city, he’s also dealing with a "wayward teen" back home. It’s a classic B-plot that reminds you Jesse isn’t just a cop; he’s a guy who carries the weight of everyone’s problems on his shoulders.
👉 See also: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
The Tom Selleck Factor
Let’s be real. Without Selleck, there is no movie. By the time he filmed this, he’d been playing the character for a decade. He knows Jesse Stone better than anyone, maybe even better than the late Robert B. Parker did.
Selleck actually co-wrote the script with Michael Brandman. You can tell. The dialogue is sparse. It’s snappy. There are long stretches where nobody says anything, and you’re just watching Jesse think.
Selleck has often said that the hardest part of playing Jesse is that in the books, you get an internal monologue. On screen, he has to show that through his eyes. In Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise movie, he nails that "sad but capable" vibe. He’s aging, he’s tired, and his dog is his best friend. It’s a performance that feels lived-in.
The Cast That Makes It Work
It wasn't just a one-man show, though. The supporting cast is surprisingly deep for a TV movie:
- William Devane returns as Dr. Dix. Their therapy sessions are the heartbeat of the series.
- Gloria Reuben is back as Thelma Gleffey.
- Luke Perry (RIP) makes a memorable appearance as "Richard Steele."
- Mackenzie Foy plays the kid Jesse tries to help, and she’s great.
Why This Movie Felt Different
Most of the previous films aired on CBS. When it moved to Hallmark, there was a lot of worry that they’d "Disney-fy" the content. They didn't.
If anything, the movie leans harder into the "deliciously melancholy" style. The cinematography is muted. The music by Jeff Beal is as moody as ever. It deals with serial killers, disembowelment (off-camera, mostly), and Jesse’s ongoing battle with the bottle. It’s a "grown-up" movie that doesn't feel the need to rush.
✨ Don't miss: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
The pace is slow. It’s a "slow burn" in the truest sense. If you’re looking for Michael Bay explosions, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to watch a smart man solve a puzzle while dealing with a broken heart? This is it.
The Mystery of the Dog
If you’re a die-hard fan, you noticed a change in the canine department.
The original dog, Joe (who played Reggie), actually passed away in real life before this movie was made. In the storyline of Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise, Jesse takes in a new Golden Retriever he finds at a crime scene. The new dog's name is Steve. It’s a small detail, but for fans who’ve followed Jesse’s lonely life, the bond he has with his dogs is everything. It’s how we know he’s still human.
Where Does It Fit in the Timeline?
Technically, this is the ninth movie. If you want to watch them in the "correct" order, you usually follow the release dates, though Night Passage is actually a prequel to the first one, Stone Cold.
- Night Passage (The Prequel)
- Stone Cold
- Death in Paradise
- Sea Change
- Thin Ice
- No Remorse
- Innocents Lost
- Benefit of the Doubt
- Lost in Paradise
Interestingly, the first four movies were based on specific Robert B. Parker novels. After that, the writers (including Selleck) started coming up with original stories based on the characters. This movie is one of those originals, yet it feels perfectly in line with the spirit of the books.
Is There a Tenth Movie?
This is the question that keeps the fandom up at night.
🔗 Read more: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
For years, Selleck has teased a tenth script. He’s busy with Blue Bloods, sure, but he’s always maintained that he wants to give Jesse a proper send-off. As of early 2026, the rumors are still swirling. Some say the script is finished; others say the budget is the sticking point.
Whatever happens, Lost in Paradise works as a finale if it has to. It brings Jesse to a place of—if not peace—at least a functional kind of purpose.
Tips for the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re planning a rewatch or diving in for the first time, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the therapy scenes closely. The dialogue between Jesse and Dix is where the real "plot" of Jesse's life happens.
- Don't skip the music. Jeff Beal’s score is practically a character itself.
- Look for the New England vibes. Even though a lot of it was filmed in Nova Scotia (Halifax and Lunenburg), it captures that cold, isolated Massachusetts coast perfectly.
- Pay attention to the phone calls. Jesse’s relationship with his ex-wife, Jenn, is never seen but always heard. It’s a haunting part of his character that defines his loneliness.
If you haven't seen it in a while, it's currently streaming on various platforms like Hallmark Movies Now or available for purchase on Amazon. It’s the perfect "rainy Sunday" movie.
To get the most out of the experience, try to watch Benefit of the Doubt right before it. The transition between the two shows just how much Jesse has evolved—or hasn't—over the years. Check your local listings or streaming apps to see if the full collection is available, as watching them in sequence makes the emotional payoff in Lost in Paradise much stronger.