Until Proven Guilty (J. P. Beaumont Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

J. A. Jance (Author)

Book Description

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

The little girl was a treasure who should have been cherished, not murdered. She was only five-too young to die-and Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont of the Seattle Police Department isn′t going to rest until her killer pays dearly. But Beaumont′s own obsessions and demons could prove dangerous companions in a murky world of blind faith and religious fanaticism. And he is about to find out that he himself is the target of a twisted passion . . . and a love that can kill.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

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

“Credible and entertaining.” (Orlando Sentinel )

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

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

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

“Solid entertainment.” (Kirkus Reviews )

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

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

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harper (December 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061958514
• ISBN-13: 978-0061958519
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 3.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Hard-Boiled

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

56 of 58 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 (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Until Proven Guilty (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.

23 of 24 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 (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Until Proven Guilty (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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pivotal novel, August 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Until Proven Guilty (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.