“Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost” solid entry in series

Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost -- Jesse (Tom Selleck) looks into the death of a teenaged girl and unofficially involved in the case of a convicted murderer who he thinks may be innocent, on JESSE STONE: INNOCENTS LOST, on Sunday, May 22 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). Photo: Chuck Hodes/CBS ©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tom Selleck is back in “Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost,” the seventh in the series of television movies based on characters in the collection of books written by the late Robert B. Parker.

In this installment though, Stone is no longer police chief of the fictional town of Paradise, Mass., but that doesn’t stop him from looking into the death of a teenaged girl he had once tried to help; and from getting unofficially involved in the case of a convicted murderer who he thinks is possibly innocent.

Stone is also still battling a couple of familiar demons – alcohol and his ex-wife.

Selleck continues to embody the character of Jesse Stone well in this film, which is liberally paced as usual, but this is a format that works satisfactorily with these stories and roles.

A definite plus is Stone’s relationship with Reggie (Joe the Dog), which adds a little bit of an amusing touch to the drama.

Although it would’ve been nice to see a little more of Kathy Baker as police officer and Stone ally Rose, overall, fans of these movies won’t be disappointed.

“Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost” airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.

Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com