Justice Denied (J. P. Beaumont Novel, 18)

First of all I want to say that I have met J A Jance in the author/reader book signing and reading events. I had the opportunity to speak with her at length at a Walden Books store when she was autographing her poetry book. She is a real person and it was a pleasure to talk with her and perhaps one of the reasons I am a #1 fan of all Jance's novels. Having lived in Seattle (1970-2002) I read the books and visualize the area, the restaurants from the Doghouse to the El Gaucho and fisherman's terminal, and the freeways and the commutes. I can tell you that inside knowledge adds to the charm of the novels but it is not necessary to get caught up in the motion, the characters, the developments of the story line. I am so tickled that Beau and Mel have finally made it official and I cheered that they got married in Vegas and Mel's wedding gift brings tears to the eyes. The story lines in this one are quite intricate and there are many threads that come together in a believable way. I was totally hooked from the beginning and I was very satisfied in the way it all came together. This was a very satisfying novel and I give it a very definite 5 stars. J A Jance has done it again. Thank you.

disappoint....on the contrary, I find this series is getting better and better as it ages (like fine wine-only smoother!). And I have to say how happy I am to feel this way. I have been discovering that far too many of my "used to be favorite authors" just can't seem to maintain the superior story lines, strength in the characters, etc. for very long (meaning the author's talent peters out early - with the books becoming tedious, boring and mundane). Ms. Jance has not only maintained J.P. Beaumont and friends with strength and dignity, but try her other two series and I have no doubt you, too, will be hooked. Back to Justice Denied for just a moment...I loved it, couldn't put it down til the end and now I pant for my next dose of Beau!!! Susan

Ms. Jance outdid herself with this one.Very fast read. Couldn't put it down. When you read her novels, you feel as though you are right there solving the mystery. You can tell she has lived in the cities she writes about.

Justice Denied is J.A. Jance's latest J.P. Beaumont novel. In this installment Beaumont is assigned to check out the death of a man who had been freed after spending time in prison for a wrongful conviction. He had been working at the local mission and was helping to make a difference when he was gunned down on his mother's doorstep. In the meantime Beaumont's partner Mel is checking out the location of paroled sex offenders only to find that too many are dying. Their cases collide and challenge not only their abilities as detectives, but their partnership. When an author writes a long series about the same character, it is very easy for the books to either leave the protagonist in an unchanging state, or to require that the books be read in order so that the reader can follow the life of the book's hero. J.A. Jance has written a book in which the characters grow and change. Beaumont struggles with his adult children, goes through events that echo his past and trouble his present. Yet in the midst of these developments the story focuses on the mystery. All the information that the reader needs to follow the story is in the book. Justice Denied stands very well on its own, as well as being a wonderful chapter in the longer story of J.P. Beaumont. The J.A. Jance has a deft touch with her characters. They have flaws and quirks that make them seem more human. The people in her books are carefully shaped so that even minor characters are believable. Humor and horror both come into play as the story unfolds. Reading J.A. Jance for the first time, this book will convince you to go find her other books. For those who are already fans, this book will read like a reunion with an old friend. Armchair Interviews says: Jance does it again!

I spent the ususal day reading this book. OInce I start I cannot put one of J.A, Jances books down. This is an involved mystery, full of twists, tuns and unsuspected suspects. First of all I enjoy J.P.BEaumonts asides and thoughts. This time he gets himself in trouble with his partner (lady friend) by his sexist macho reactions. And you laugh. I enjoy the Beaumont series thoroughly and even tho there is a great deal going on, you never get lost. Confused, but not lost. A very FUN read.