Taking the Fifth (J. P. Beaumont Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

J. A. Jance (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2009 | Series: J. P. Beaumont Mysteries

There are many bizarre and terrible ways to die. Seattle Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont thought he had seen them all—until he saw this body, its wounds, and the murder weapon: an elegant woman's shoe, its stiletto heel gruesomely caked with blood. The evidence is shocking and unsettling, even for a man who prowls the shadows for a living, for it suggests that savagery is not the exclusive domain of the predatory male. And the scent of a stylish killer is pulling Beaumont into a world of drugs, corruption, and murder to view close-up a cinematic dream at its most nightmarish . . . and lethal.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the country's most popular mystery writers"--" Portland Oregonian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

J. A. Jance is the New York Times bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, the Ali Reynolds series, and four Walker family thrillers. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, she lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harper; Reprint edition (December 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061958549
• ISBN-13: 978-0061958540
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,740 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

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!, June 24, 2000

By 

Kelly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taking the Fifth (Mass Market Paperback)

My aunt has been an avid reader of J. A. Jance ever since she met the woman. She has read everything by Jance and has been begging me to read something by her. So, when Christmas rolled around, guess what I found in my stocking? _Taking the Fifth_ by J. A. Jance. I read a little of it, and was immediatly intruiged. For the next day, my parents could not pull me away from the book.

_Taking the Fifth_ is the fourth book in the J. P. Beaumont series. Beaumont lives a detective life in Seattle. Even though when his rich girlfriend died a couple of years ago he inherited a fortune and was set up for a comfortable life, Beau didn't stop working. He loves what he does, and he does it well. So, one night by the Pike Place Market, a man is found stabbed to death. It is strange because they are not knife wounds, and the police are stumped as to what caused them. But, around the crime scene, there is found a colbat blue, stiletto heeled shoe with blood all over it. Beau feels that if he can find the owner of the shoe, he will find the murderer. As Beau gets more involved with the murder, many aspects are involved including drugs, AIDS, homosexuals, homeless people, smuggling, deceit, and a sexy little blond who looks more and more like the ring leader of the whole thing. Can Beau keep his head and find out who is commiting all these atrocities, or will time run out for our belevoed detective?

You may be wondering why, if I read _Taking the Fifth_ around Christmas, I'm still talking about it now. Well, I havn't been able to get it out of my head! Jance wrote Beaumont so well that I felt like I got to know him throughout the book. He was startlingly three demensional, and I often times felt like I was looking over his shoulder at some evidence. I cared about him so much that by the end of the book I was sad to let him go. The mystery was utterly genius and I was kept guessing until the end. There were so many suspects with many motives that it was very fun to guess who the culprit was. Seattle is my favorite setting (okay, I'm a little biased because I live here), and I was very pleased with Jance's research of our city. It all was acurate, and I love reading about my hometown. I could smell the familiar saltyness of Lake Union and I could picture the familiar Fifth Avenue Theater (a major landmark in the book where half of the action takes place) and it's intricate Chinese design.

_Taking the Fifth_ is entertainment from cover to cover, and when you are finished you will want to rush out and buy all of Jance's stories. The plot is believable and intense, you will find yourself holding your breath more then once. I was rooting for Beau out loud! Jance's writing skills shine throughout this book; she is a true artist that makes you feel for the characters. She is my favorite mystery writer. So, if you love mystery, buy _Taking the Fifth_ by J. A. Jance and you won't be dissapointed.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars for "the Fifth", September 25, 2000

By 

Larry Eischen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taking the Fifth (Mass Market Paperback)

I love Jance's way with a series. Not only is she faithful to her main character, but each book also brings us deeper into the lives of Beaumont's surrounding circle of friends and associates. JP is called in on another homicide. This one involves a young gay who told his mother he worked for the DEA but the Seattle DEA has no record of him. Along the way to the solution, Beaumont finds himself involved with a lovely chanteuse out of rehab on the comeback trail and a drug ring whose territory covers the West Coast. Jance lets you think you know what's going on, then she pulls the rug out from under you. Another great job from Jance.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER GREAT ADDITION TO THIS AUTHOR'S WORK, March 20, 2007

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Taking the Fifth (Mass Market Paperback)

I feel that the fans of J.P. Beaumont will love this one. It is so typical J.A. Jance. I enjoyed every page of this one. Another reviewer has done a wonderful job of outlining the plot, so I will not repeat what is obvious. Jance's character developement (this author's strongest skill) holds very true to form with this work and we learn more and more of her detective Beaumont. We also get a look at the drug culture in that part of the country (Seattle of course) and some of the alternative life styles found their. This work has some fascinating twists (no spoilers here) and as one reviewer points out, just when you have things figured out, you get the rug pulled from under you. Of course, the book will be much better for those who have read the preceeding books dealing with this seattle Cop, but the book is also able to stand on it's own and is simply a good read. Recommend this one highly.