Ring In the Dead: A J. P. Beaumont Novella

Interesting situation! Always like the way this author has with constructing the story. Really draws you in and a very satisfying ending.

This is an easy reading novella that gives an interesting look back at Beau's early days as a Detective in the Seattle PD. It is a very good introduction to Second Watch: A J. P. Beaumont Novel (#20 in the series) released recently where an ageing Beau recovering from knee replacement surgery reflects on an early case that he has never solved. "Pickles" Gurkey was unhappy when his partner was promoted and he had to train a new one, Jonas P Beaumont (or JP or Beau to his friends). They weren't very close until Pickles had a heart attack while confronting an offender who had left a restaurant without paying. Pickles collapses and the offender shoots the waitress who has also followed him using Pickle's gun. Internal affairs is convinced that Pickles shot the waitress and charged him with manslaughter when he recovered. This novella tells how Beau takes up the case unofficially on his own to clear his partner. This is a well crafted short story that fills in some early background on how Beau becomes such a great detective.

I like the characters and enjoy the improbable setting. Good story line. Look forward to more JP Beaumont and his adventures.

I was aware this was a "novella", but I didn't expect almost a third of the very thin book to contain the first chapter of the next book! Before I could get into the story it was over, but still a bunch of pages. Normally ok when you read a full length book, but not this short story. Felt cheated for sure. As far as the story, it was ok, but lacking the details I have come to enjoy. I do have her next book tho and. Look forward to a good read --- love this author!

Iif you like character driven crime stories this is the Detective for you. I think I have read every book and each bone was great.

This was my first experience with J. A. Jance. I had to read some of the previous reviews to learn that the author is a woman. However, I might have guessed that from the way she portrayed the very sympathetic main character, Detective J. P. Beaumont. Even though this was only a novella, enough of his character was shown for me to judge him to be thoughtful, intelligent, kind, and with enough strength of character to conquer alcoholism. I liked Detective Beaumont and Ms. Jance's writing well enough that I'm planning to go back to the beginning and read all her books. For this reason, I give Ring in the Dead four stars. (I give five stars only to the giants: P. D. James, Ruth Rendell, John le Carre, Bill Shakespeare, Elizabeth George, etc.) Incidentally, I read some of the one and two star reviews, and I must say that I think the length of a story is not a rational reason on which to base one's critique. See you later, Ms. Jance.

Very happy with book!

Read this in between books awaiting for the latest installment of Joanna Brady series. It was was a good solid read. A throwback well done and I enjoyed it. These series are well written and worth the time spent reading and deciding which series to begin with and or read among several series. I will continue to purchase and read the series for as long as they are written. All that said select a series and you'll be pleased regardless.

good

J.P Beaumont never disappoints.

Short - and I mean really short. More like a magazine story. Definitely not worth the money, wouldn't buy any more quickreads by Jance.

Jance is a good writer and I especially like her Beaumont series

This author ranks among the best of crime writers and is easy to read. The plots are good and not too far fetched.