Until Proven Guilty (J. P. Beaumont Novels) [Kindle Edition]

J. A. Jance (Author)

Book Description

“Any story by Jance is a joy.”

—Chattanooga Times

 

Now fans of the enormously popular Sheriff Joanna Brady suspense series by J.A. Jance can discover another side to the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author. Until Proven Guilty—a riveting tale of the very worst kind of murder—marks the debut of Seattle Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont. This Premium Plus edition of Until Proven Guilty—the classic novel that put the incomparable Jance on the crime fiction map—indisputably proves that she truly belongs “in the elite company of Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell” (Flint Journal).

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

Review

“J. P. Beaumont is a star attraction.” (Booklist )

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

“Solid entertainment.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Believable and intense.” (West Coast Review of Books )

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 )

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

“Credible and entertaining.” (Orlando Sentinel )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 333 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0380896389
• Publisher: HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000FC14CG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,686 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 87 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The first of many excellent reads! March 8, 2001

By Lisa D. Brewer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A good beginning to a great series July 20, 2000

By Karen Potts

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pivotal novel August 7, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

As a previous reviewer said, this book helps you understand J.P. Beaumont's circumstances in later episodes. I had started with some of the later mysteries in the series and wondered how he met Anne Corley and what had happened between them. In a book store I browsed through several paperbacks to find the one that introduced Anne Corley. (It's hard to browse through books on amazon.com although sometimes the reviews help out!) The situation, child abuse and murder, is grim, but the writing is stylish. (Although I felt the sex scenes were uninspiring). I like the way the author develops relationships between Beau and his detective partners or others on the force. These seem more natural than the romantic attractions.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Looking forward to the next one October 18, 2002

By djbrkns

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This is a promising first outing from J.A. Jance, published in 1985. Very promising. I liked the introduction to the characters and the set up that will allow readers to hopefully bond with J.P. Beaumont and Detective Ron Peters as they learn to work together as newly partnered Homicide detectives. There was some fun dialog and situations and the slow elevator provides for several amusing incidents. Occasionally I would start to suspect whodunit (just like Beaumont) and then my suspicions would be allayed (just like Beaumont). That was pretty nicely done. Surprisingly, to me the ending was quite a satisfying wrap even though many a book with a similar ending has left me very disgruntled.

Midway through, I was concerned. A lot of focus was placed on Beau's whirlwind romantic relationship. If characters in a book can be said to have chemistry it would NOT be these two, although they did become more believable in the end. There was a fairly lengthy section where I was rather disengaged, wedding showers, shopping, setting up house, suspicion, and "Isn't there a guy named Beau in on of those mid-day soaps called 'Days of our Lives'?". I began to loose faith. Then a so-so grand finale and, surprise surprise, a thorough and believable enough wrap up to make me almost forget the tedium.

I remember being reluctant when I started Sanford's 'Prey' series and I have been COMPLETELY won over there. If we can build up from this one, Jance may develop another fan.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary book, a masterpiece! July 23, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to J.P.'s World October 23, 2004

By C. T. Mikesell VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

If you've already read any of J.A. Jance's Seattle-based mysteries, you probably know how this one ends. Still, getting there is half the fun, and unless you've compiled a thorough dossier on Anne Corley, there are likely to be details you'll enjoy rediscovering.

Wrapped around the tragic murder of a young girl, we meet series regulars homicide detective J.P. "Beau" Beaumont, his partner Ron Peters, Sgt. "Watty" Watkins, Capt. Powell, attorney extraordinaire Ralph Ames, and perpetual thorn on Beaumont's side, newspaperman Maxwell Cole. Ultimately, though, the murder investigation takes a back seat to Beaumont's love life soon after Anne Corley comes on the scene.

I found the Corley storyline problematic. If this is your first encounter with J.P. Beaumont, it seems to me that he's going to come off extremely shallow. Having encountered him before, I knew him to have more substance than demonstrated here, but the clichés were a bit painful at times (especially painful is Beaumont's narrative foreshadowing along the lines of "...if only I had known").

Despite some angsty moments and more than a few adult situations, Until Proven Guilty remains a good read. Jance does return to the murdered child mystery in the end, and the stage is set for future Seattle-based adventures. Beaumont, while not at his strongest at the end of the story, does grow and improve as the series continues. If you read this story and enjoy it, you'll like the rest of the series even more; if this book doesn't do it for you, give the next few books a chance - things do get better.

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.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#21 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Police Procedurals

#25 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Police Procedurals

#52 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#74 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#21 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Police Procedurals

#25 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Police Procedurals

#52 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#74 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery