Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Miss Jance knows her characters especially the ones that she's featured in 20+ previous novels. Her novella, Ring in the Dead, tells the story of the early days of her protagonist J.P. Beaumont's police career. How does she manage to include the entire story in 75 pages? For starters no subplots. Secondly, no red herrings. Most importantly, crisp and concise storytelling.
I wouldn't have gotten into the series if every book was like this. BUT, when dealing with familiar characters, it's sometimes nice get a condensed helping as a treat.
RATING: A very solid 4 stars for a very nice effort.
I wouldn't have gotten into the series if every book was like this. BUT, when dealing with familiar characters, it's sometimes nice get a condensed helping as a treat.
RATING: A very solid 4 stars for a very nice effort.
Visit from daughter of his first detective partner leads Beau to remember details of early cases, including one in which partner was accused of murder.
Very short - 67 page novella; volume includes almost 30 page excerpt from Second Watch, another "flashback" novel about Beaumont's early years.
Enjoyed getting to know more about Beaumont's back story. Recommend reading this to anyone who's followed his story over the years.
Very short - 67 page novella; volume includes almost 30 page excerpt from Second Watch, another "flashback" novel about Beaumont's early years.
Enjoyed getting to know more about Beaumont's back story. Recommend reading this to anyone who's followed his story over the years.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Throughly enjoyed this look back with Beau and Pickles. Great short story and well worth reading since I have followed Beau from the beginning. Read and enjoy a piece of the J. P. Beaumont history.
I just started reading these books by Jance on Detective Beaumont in Seattle. I like her books about Sheriff Joanna Brady, but I'm really enjoying these books about Beaumont. in this book, Beaumont is reminded of his early days as a detective when the daughter of his former partner finds him to give him a journal that his former partner wrote. Beaumont's partner, named Pickles, was significantly older than he, and Pickles suffered a heart attack when confronted by a crime. In the midst of that crime, his gun was used to kill another person...and he is investigated for it. Beaumont comes to his partner's defense, and he finds out what really happens.
I like these flashbacks into Beaumont's previous experiences because they give a lot of input into what makes him the man and detective he is currently. Jance also provides information about Beaumont's personal life, including his first marriage from which he had two children. His first wife did not appreciate all the time he spent being a cop, and detecting.
These are enjoyable light reads...this was a shorter novella, so took hardly any time to get through it.
I like these flashbacks into Beaumont's previous experiences because they give a lot of input into what makes him the man and detective he is currently. Jance also provides information about Beaumont's personal life, including his first marriage from which he had two children. His first wife did not appreciate all the time he spent being a cop, and detecting.
These are enjoyable light reads...this was a shorter novella, so took hardly any time to get through it.
