Minor in Possession [Mass Market Paperback]

J.A. Jance (Author)

Book Description

Series: J. P. Beaumont Mysteries | Publication Date: April 1, 1990

A gripping story of buried truths, deceit, and sudden, brutal death from the New York Times bestselling author of "Long Time Gone."

All manner of sinners and sufferers come to the rehab ranch in Arizona when they hit rock bottom. For Seattle detective J.P. Beaumont, there is a deeper level of Hell here: being forced to room with teenage drug dealer Joey Rothman. An all-around punk, Joey deserves neither pity nor tears--until he is murdered by a bullet fired from Beaumont's gun. Someone has set Beau up brilliantly for a long and terrifying fall, dragging the alcoholic ex-cop into a conspiracy of blood and lies that could cost him his freedom . . . and his life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans will be disappointed by a lack of imagination in Jance's ( Until Proven Guilty ) latest mystery featuring J. P. Beaumont, hard-drinking detective. When he checks into an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in rural Arizona, the bad-tempered Beaumont is paired with an annoying roommate, Joey Rothman, who sneaks out after curfew to deal drugs and seduce girls. After spying his own visiting teenaged daughter smooching with Joey, Beaumont waits up for him with fists bared, joined by the irate father of a young patient whom Joey has impregnated. When Joey's body is found hanging from a tree, apparently plugged dead with Beaumont's gun, the police peg Beaumont along with the pregnant girl's father as their prime suspects. The two men team up with Joey's mother to find the killer. Beaumont, throughout, spouts cliches: "Her look of utter abandonment sliced through my heart like a hot knife." Despite a few dramatic mountainside car chases and fights with machine-gun-toting drug thugs, Jance's plot is plodding, disjointed and predictable.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Taut . . . entertaining.” (Entertainment Weekly )

“Jance’s artistry keeps the reader guessing -- and caring.” (Publishers Weekly [Starred Review] )

“Solid Entertainment” (Kirkus Review )

“Believable And Intense” (West Coast Review of Books )

“Credible and entertaining.” (Orlando Sentinel )

Praise for J.A. Jance:“Jance delivers a devilish page-turner.” (People )

“J.A. Jance does not disappoint her fans.” (Washington Times )

“Suspenseful, action-packed.” (Dallas Morning News )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (April 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380755467
• ISBN-13: 978-0380755462
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #388,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J.A. Jance is the top 10 New York Times bestselling author of the Joanna Brady series; the J. P. Beaumont series; three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family; and Edge of Evil, the first in a series featuring Ali Reynolds. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good J.P. Beaumont Mystery, But Don't Make It Your First, August 5, 2004

By 

C. T. Mikesell (near Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minor in Possession (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars J.P. Beaumont in the desert, June 14, 2000

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Minor in Possession (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love JP Beaumont!, August 3, 2003

By 

MrsCDWhite (Kirkland, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minor in Possession (Mass Market Paperback)

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.