Customer Reviews

Minor in Possession (J. P. Beaumont Mysteries)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Minor in Possession opens with Seattle homicide detective Beaumont drying out in an Arizona rehab clinic. Despite non-stop rainshowers and a rising river, Beau is still a fish out of water, trying to cope with a soon-to-deceased roommate, hostile clinic staff, and visiting family members dredging up his unfortunate past. It'd be enough to drive a person to drink, except of course that's the reason he's in rehab to begin with.

Following his roommate's demise and an attempt on his own life, Beau finds himself on both sides of the investigation and travelling around the state in an ever-increasing number of rental cars. The action is fast, and so are some of the women he meets. The ending is a bit overly sentimental, but getting there is certainly fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My only caveat is don't let this be the first J.P. Beaumont mystery you read. If you're not familiar with the Seattle detective's history - his lifestyle or marriage to Anne Corley, for instance - read Until Proven Guilty or the more recent Partner in Crime before reading this novel. References to Corley and things like Beau's Porsche are dropped in unaccompanied by much context, which is unusual for Jance. Unless you know what she's talking about, you'll be as much a fish out of water as her detective is at times while tackling this mystery.

This book offers quite a change of scenery for fans of the J.P. Beaumont series. The Washington born-and-bred policeman ends up in a rehab center which is a real contrast to his usual surroundings in the Pacific Northwest. His discoveries of things such as snakes and flash floods offer comic relief from the investigation into the death of his teen-aged roommate. In this book we also catch glimpses of his ex-wife and children, and he seems a bit more human as he goes through the rehab process. If you like Beaumont, you'll probably like this book.

As with all the other tales of Beau, we are taken on another thrill ride not knowing were we will come out, or in what shape.
Start with JP first Book so you understand him.
Then read all his stories in succession.....that's one read you will not be disappointed in.

Great book by a great author. I love her writing and anyone buying her books needs to look at her website and read the books in order.

This author never fails to grab the reader's attention. This book keeps you reading, even when you have other things to do.

In the eight installment in the J.P. Beaumont series, Jance takes us on a wonderful journey through the psyche of this enthralling main character. The liver damage caused by Beau's love for scotch has forced him to end up in a recovery center in Arizona where, of course, trouble follows.

This book includes a death and a whodunit mystery, but that plot line takes a back step to the aspects that have to do with Beau's personal life, his family, and his past. One of the reasons I like series is that it allows me to see how characters develop through time, and to understand them better. In this case, Jance took the time to give as a bonus in this regard.

I am a big proponent of reading series in order, but I know some people do not feel this way. In many cases, the difference in procedure are minor, but for this novel I strongly recommend reading the prior seven installments first. Without having that connection with the main character before jumping into this book you will not get the deserved enjoyment of out it.

J.P. Beaumont is a series that deserves close attention from the beginning. The character grows on you like the city of Seattle, which I've never seen. For this one J.P. flees the west coast to dry out from alcoholism in dry Arizona.
For his stay Arizona is anything but dry. A plush spa with a punk drug dealer for a roomie isn't the best cure, but when the kid ends up dead from J.P.'s own gun the story takes off in flying style.
Enjoy MINOR IN POSSESSION, I think it is the best so far in a fine series.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old Mexico

I love this series...when does something else come out?

My husband is from Seattle, so reading one of these books is like taking a little trip to downtown and hanging out like we used to do.

One of my favorite Beaumont mysteries. Perhaps I was thrilled in my recognition of landmarks, as I grew up in Cochise County not far from Montezuma Pass. Jance intrigues her dedicated readers not only through an active storyline, but with real places. As I currently reside in the Puget Sound, this one hit the jackpot with me! Pinch me, is this really fiction? Maybe I'll head over to Seattle PD just to make sure Beau really isn't there!

I do a lot of reading and I love James Patterson's books but when I found J.A. Jance's books I thought I would give them a try and I have to admit she is the female version of James Patterson. Her books keep you in suspense and have you reading until you get to the end. So far I have gotten the whole J.P. Beaumont series and they are all have you wondering "what's going to happen next." I would recommend her books to anyone that loves to read. Believe me you won't be disappointed, they are one of the best fiction novels I've read in a long time.

Linda