J.P (Beau) Beaumont and his Police Chief wife Mel are back. JP is retired from Seattle PD and now works as a Private Eye. He was asked to look into a closed case where the mother of the deceased won’t believe he died of an accidental overdose. Everything proceeds from there including his Grandson moving in to avoid family drama resulting in his showing up and asking to stay with them.
J.A. Jance is the master of engaging and interesting tales with very believable characters (who usually get a nod in other series the author has written. )
I have enjoyed all of her books and they keep getting better and better.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for making this available to me.

Opening a Jance novel is for me, like opening a box of chocolates. You don't quite know what you will get but you know it will be tasty. I always look forward to any of her novels as I have read them all through the years, all her series, and know all her characters. It is like visiting with old friends. I have often recommended and gifted sets of this series featuring JP Beaumont, aka Beau. He is my favorite of her characters. It is of course best to read these in order to truly appreciate the characters, but it is not necessary as each, including this one can stand alone. The author gives her readers plenty of back story when deemed appropriate.

The setting is Seattle 2020, pre-Covid. We find Beau enjoying his uncomplicated semi-retirement from law enforcement in this installment. He is a PI but finds plenty of time for his personal pleasures of walking his Irish Wolfhound, Sarah, and working his daily crossword puzzles. His wife Mel is still the Police Chief of Bellingham, WA, a subsidiary of Seattle and they have a loving, close relationship. This uncomplicated lifestyle is about to change as his 18=yr old grandson Kyle shows up on his doorstep with a tale of domestic problems at home and needing a place to stay. Simultaneously, an old friend of JP's needs his help looking into a closed case of what was ruled an accidental overdose of fentanyl but may have actually been murder. As he gets started on this he uncovers other similar cases and before we know it he is on the trail of a serial killer. JP has not lost his sleuthing capabilities, pulling us into his journey.

As for me, I mostly enjoyed the personal side of JP's story in this one, his support of and growing relationship with his grandson Kyle and witnessing the partnership JP and Mel have as a couple, as parents and as grandparents. The pre-Covid incidents we could relate to as well, the Costco runs, the zoom meetings, online classrooms, etc., but Beau is nothing if not witty and Kyle has fun bringing his Gramps "up to date" with current technology. Both my hubby and I enjoyed this.

A strong 3+ for this offering. Release date is 9/10/24
#NetGalley #WilliamMorrowPublishing #jajanceauthor

Teddy Bears. It always comes back to teddy bears.

As this book starts, you wonder how Beau will get involved.

This book also takes place just as the Covid Pandemic starts, and Beau and Mel must navigate Covid, with his grandson Kyle. Yeah. That’s a whole story in itself.

As Beau starts looking into something for Kyle, multiple other webs come to light in another case (well, that case turned into a lot with a serial killer, just read, you will understand).

Let’s add WITSEC, a child predator, the mafia, a cheating spouse, and throw in some fentanyl, and this book will take you on multiple rides to solve more than one case.

Sheriff Joanna Brady even gets a shout out!

Oh yeah. There is also a classic Mustang in this story. See. You get a LOT!

Thank you to @netgalley for this arc

Book releases 9/10/2024

Engaging writing and a pace that kept me turning the pages. Has a suspenseful mystery with family issues. Loved the character development and the narrative. A new to me author, I will definitely check out more of her books. Very well written and I highly recommend it!

J.P. Beaumont's grandson shows up on his doorstep, after running away from home, where his parents are having serious issues. Meanwhile, an old friend asks Beau for his help finding out who might have murdered a young person with a fentanyl overdose. As Beau investigates, he uncovers a serial killer in the Seattle area, who, apparently, has been operating for years with impunity. No police officer had connected all the dots tracing men who are accused of domestic violence and found dead with old bank notes in their wallets. Beau also is investigating why his son-in-law has jumped the shark and blown up his relationship with his wife and son for a much younger grifter. Lots of action, and well written, as always.

J. A. Jance’s J.P. Beaumont has retired from the Seattle P.D. but is still pulled into solving crimes — in this installment of the series, a serving Seattle police officer needs help resolving an unexpected death. Spoiler: serial killer. This story is set in the early days of the 2020 COVID pandemic, and Jance’s exceptional writing perfectly recalls the fear and uncertainty of that time.  The mystery is well-crafted, and the characters are interesting and relatable—another excellent entry in this long-running series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Beau and Mel take in his grandson Kyle after a family squabble has Kyle showing up on their doorstep. Beau, former cop now PI, is working on a cold case of death previously ruled accidental. And one he starts investigating he finds a number of cases with matching mos.

Love the investigation side and the family balance. The fast pace keeps you engaged from start to finish, and the storyline of Mel and Kyle made my heart happy.

Oh, I love this series, and I was thrilled to get approved – thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #DenofIniquity in exchange for an honest review.

RECOMMEND. Read the entire series! And the other series by J.A. Jance with Joanne Brady and Ally Reynolds. I love them all!

JA Jance is one of the queens of mysteries. I have read books from all her series and I have enjoyed all of them. It was great to revisit the JP Beaumont series.

NetGalley was kind enough to offer me an electronic ARC of this wonderful book, but the review is totally my own. J.P. Beaumont, my favorite J. A. Jance character, is back for another adventure. Retired from the Seattle P.D.. and living in Bellingham with his police chief wife, Mel, and rescue wolfhound Sarah, he is surprised by the arrival of his high school senior grandson Kyle on Valentine’s Day 2020. Having problems at home, Kyle is looking for lodging and guidance. A the same time, Beau receives a call from a young Seattle police officer/friend who is looking for help getting closure for an elderly friend’s grandson’s death. As Beau strives to help with both situations, he is facing the impending doom of the unknown plague that will be the COVID pandemic. Like any historically impactful event, having the storyline set from mid-February to the shutdown in mid-March brought back many memories to me. Remembering my first ever trip to Las Vegas on Valentines Day 2020 to a visit to my local grocery store n March 12 to find folks fighting over toilet paper, greatly increased the tension generated by the book. Storyline was tight and very well done. Character development as always was top notch. My only criticism is that he book was so intriguing that I read it too quickly. But, I might just read it again. Thank you, J.A. Jance!

There are some series that I always look forward to reading (and many that I don't). J. A. Jance's J.P. "Beau" Beaumont series is one that I always rejoice at news of a new entry. "Den of Iniquity" is a perfect example of a book in a series that excels and exceeds the ones that came before it. In this story that intertwines the search for a serial killer with betrayal of a family by one of its members - part of Beau's family - raises the stakes. Through Beau, Jance tackles issues that range from sexual harassment to coping with trying to learn in unknown and uncertain conditions at the start of the covid pandemic. Jance brings a balance of compassion, empathy, and rationality to this splendid work. Series fans will rejoice and readers to the series will want to read the entries that preceded it. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this fast moving book. Beaumont is a very engaging character, especially
for me, because of his age. Yes, an older protagonist! He is retired from the Seattle police force, but now active as a PI. The catalyst of the story is a call from a child he had had helped who was concerned about an older woman questioning the death of her son. Beaumont takes the request seriously and begins investigating the death. He brilliantly pulls out clues from an unwinding puzzle and finds out what really happened. I know I was fascinated by tge investigation and the pulling together of the clues.

In his personal life, his grandson comes to him with a family problem which turns out to be a catalyst for a second investigation. Again, very interesting. The author has placed all this within the looming threat of Covid closures.

I truly enjoyed this novel and I love the character of JP Beaumont. Thank you Netgalley for welcoming me into his world.

DEN OF INIQUITY - One of my favorite authors for decades, it was so enjoyable to read another of her interesting, immersing and intriguing stories. It brings back my desire to return to my public libraries and binge read the books I've missed in recent years. I've read other books in this series and this book is a perfect addition. Well written. Good characters. Great investigation and sharing of inputs to catch a serial killer. Must admit the culprit was a new professional that I had not seen before as a killer, much less serial. Source: Netgalley. 5*

Jance has brought back the character J. P. Beaumont in a story that involves murder, family issues with Beaumont determined to find closure for victims. This is a good addition to the series and readers will enjoy the journey. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In “Den of Iniquity,” J. A. Jance masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This latest installment in the J. P. Beaumont series showcases the beloved private investigator at his finest, navigating a labyrinth of personal and professional challenges.

Former Seattle homicide cop J. P. Beaumont finds himself in the small town of Ashland, where his life is anything but quiet. His daughter and son-in-law’s marital troubles bring his grandson to live with him and his wife, Mel. Amidst this familial upheaval, an old friend seeks Beau’s help to investigate a seemingly accidental death. The young man in question died of a fentanyl overdose, but those close to him are convinced he would never have used the drug. 

Jance excels in character development, and “Den of Iniquity” is no exception. Beau’s character is richly layered, showcasing his vulnerabilities and strengths. His interactions with his family add depth to his persona, making him relatable and human. The supporting characters, from his troubled grandson to the enigmatic friend from his past, are well-drawn and contribute significantly to the narrative.

The novel explores themes of justice, family, and the complexities of human nature. Jance’s writing is crisp and engaging, with a cinematic quality that makes the story come alive. 

“Den of Iniquity” is a page-turner, with a pace that keeps you guessing

“Den of Iniquity” is a compelling addition to the J. P. Beaumont series. Jance’s adept storytelling, combined with her deep understanding of her characters, makes this novel a must-read for fans of the genre.

Whether you’re a long-time follower of Beaumont’s adventures or new to the series, this book promises a thrilling and emotionally resonant experience.

J.A. Jance is brilliant once again with the return of JP Beaumont as the somewhat laconic P.I. I have been a fan of Ms. Janice's for many years and I can say she never disappoints Her incredibly easy to read writing style and crafting of characters and plot make for a riveting read. This is one you don't want to miss.

Den of Iniquity is a J.P. Beaumont series. It takes place in Bellingham, WA. J.P. (Beau) Beaumont was a police detective but is now a private eye. He lives with his wife, Mel Soames who is the chief of police in Bellingham. Matila Jackson asks him to look into her grandson, Darius Jackson's death. The police said that he died of a fentananyl overdose but Matila said that she believed he was clean and was no longer doing drugs and that he had been murdered. He had been helping an elderly lady back to her van.

Kyle Cartwright is Beau's grandson who appears at his house asking if he can stay there as his parents are getting a divorce. His mother and his sister, Kelly, moved to Oregan as she has gotten a new job with the university. His father had an affair and his girlfriend is pregnant. He had been living with his dad and didn't like living there. Beau and Mel say he can stay with them.

Beau has decided to look into the death of Darius as well as check out Caroline Richards, Kyle's father's girlfriend. Beau calls on some of his friends to find out if they can help him. This is where the story takes off and leads Beau on a trail of others that have died from fetananyl and a pattern takes place. it is decided that it is a serial killer who does not like men who have battered woman. There is so much going on that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting end of who the killer is. The story ends with Beaumont and Detective Sandy Sechrest go to see Matila Jackson to tell her that they have caught her grandson's killer. She thanks him for helping her and for the teddy bear.

This was a very good story. It took me awhile to get into the story but it did keep my attention,

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for this ARC.

I hate having to wait on a new JA Jance novel. but it is always worth it. this time we find out more about J P's family

It's early in 2020 and a friend of Beau's asks for help in looking into the death of a young man. Labeled an accidental overdose, the family doesn't believe it so J. P. Beaumont, former cop and current PI takes the case.
While looking for evidence Beau discovers there are quite a few "accidental" fentanyl deaths that have been happening in the area. Each man who died was charged with or convicted of domestic abuse, now Beau wonders if there's a serial killer out there.
Beau also has to contend with his teenage grandson coming to live with him and his wife Mel, add to that the signs are apparent that there will be turmoil caused by Covid.
I thought this was one of Jance's best books. The mystery on top of the family issues make it a great read. I don't usually care if I guess who the murderer is, but in this book, I had no clue. It's well written and engrossing.

This was my first book by J A Jance. While it is a series book I feel like it can be read as a stand alone book. I found it interesting and it kept me involved throughout.
There is a lot happening in this book. We begin with Beau's grandson arriving on their doorstep and wanting to live with them to finish his senior year due to problem's at home. The longer he is there the more of the story that he shares and Beau begins to look into the background of his ex-son-in-law's current love interest. While Beau is busy with that, he is approached by a friend who wants him to check into an accidental death. The death appears to be a fentanyl overdose but the family believes it is a homicide. The search to find the truth is a wild ride but both situations are resolved in the end.
Pick this one up, it's a great read!

One of my favorite authors did not disappoint. Read this in a day, just had to find out how J.P Beaumont would find the guilty one. Jance's characters are so believable in this entry set at the beginning of the covid pandemic. J.P. and Mel find themselves with a new roommate when their grandson shows up on their doorstep. First person narration, allows the reader to understand the what and why's of J.P.'s actions. Not only does J.P. investigate a suspicious overdose but he also discovers a serial killer that is flying under police radar. There is continued development of the characters in J.P.'s family which adds to the dimension of this mystery. A very good read. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.