Until Proven Guilty (J. P. Beaumont Novel, 1)

The is book #1 in the Jance series of Seattle Detective J.P. Beaumont and company....the one where he meets Anne Corley, referred to in subsequent novels. Note: subsequent novels do not always clear up what transpired between Beau and Corley, so it is highly recommended to start the series with this the first book. This is one of the best anyway and gives the reader a good foundation of the main character and his personality. The surprise ending caught my husband and I off guard, as we didn't see it coming down the way it did. We are both enjoying this series of "Beau" and company. Jance has other series as well and we are reading them all. Recommended for fast entertainment, not too heavy but just enough to keep you interested in what's coming up next. Thumbs up!

I picked up Until Proven Guilty on a lunch hour in 1985, and was finished with it in less than 2 days. It was to begin what I call my "love affair" with Detective J.P. Beaumont. This novel, was a good read from page one to the end. Jance is by far my favorite author, I own every one of her Beaumont books in hardback, I do not wait for them to come out in paperback. I highly reccommend that you read Until Proven Guilty first, or you will be a bit lost in future books when he refers to his Porsche, Ann Coorley etc. I worked for the Seattle Police in thier Homicide Division, and while Jance does use what I will call creative license with some things, the one thing she nailed is the "cop persona" in spades! I wait eagerly for her next installment. I hope that you like her work as much as I do.

If you have ever read and enjoyed any of the books from the J.P. Beaumont series you really need to read this one. A 5-year-old is murdered and Beau investigates the strange cult in which she and her mother live, immediately becoming suspicious of the self-absorbed cult leader. Another part of the plot deals with his relationship with Anne Corley, a beautiful woman who enters his life and changes it forever. Anne Corley is mentioned in almost every succeeding book, so to understand how Beau got his Porsche and lives a lifestyle which differs from most everyday detectives, it is necessary to read this one.

Detective J.P. Beaumont is a Seattle cop trying to catch the killer of a five year old girl. He turns his suspicions on the girl's mother and the cult leader who holds power over members of the group.While hunting for the killers, Beau is sidetracked by a gorgeous stranger who becomes his love life's redemption. However, his ladies past comes into conflict with the detective's present. Beau finally gets what he's looking for, and loses what he's after.

I was introduced to J.A. Jance and Detective J.P. Beaumont by the owner of a used book store that I visit rather frequently. I was right in the middle of a craving for all John Sandford books, I wanted them all. I'd read all of them at the library, and wanted to buy them. She only had one, and I looked for different books to buy. She saw that I was interested in mystery, so she recommended J.A. Jance. I had never heard of her, but I got one anyway. It was Taking the Fifth. That book was good, very good. I went back to buy another soon after. I purchased Until Proven Guilty, and I damn near cried at the end. It was quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read in my life. The mysterious Anne Corley, and the way that Beaumont falls for her was masterful. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you the ending, it is too good to give away. So far, this is undoubtedly the best J.P. Beaumont book that I've read. That does not mean that the others are not good, they are excellent, a! nd very enjoyable. But J.A. Jance truely surpassed herself with this novel. I have not read all of J.P. Beaumont, but intend to. I will go back to the book store to get more, and while I'm there I might look for more John Sandford books... Anyway, you must read this book. It is a great book to start out the J.P. Beaumont series with, and you will enjoy it no matter how many times you read it! Tyler Robbins, 14, from Tacoma, Washington.