4.25 stars
I've been reading this series for a long time and it's hard to believe that it's the 26th book in the series. J.P. "Beau" Beaumont was a Seattle Homicide Detective and is now a private investigator. His wife, Mel Soames, is the Chief of Police of Bellingham, Washington. A young man's grandmother hires Beau to prove that her grandson was killed and did not accidentally overdose. The grandmother points out something important she noticed regarding the case and Beau agrees that it's worth looking into. When Beau's own teenage grandson shows up at his door after a family crisis, Beau agrees to do some research on the new girlfriend of Kyle's father. Both cases turn out to be more complicated than it first appeared, and each have surprising, satisfying conclusions.

The book has a nice balance of Beau investigating his cases, Mel dealing with a difficult case, and touching scenes of Beau and Mel getting to know Kyle better and adjusting to life with a teenager. The resolution of one of Beau's cases relies a little too much on coincidence, but it's still an interesting and suspenseful book. I enjoy spending time with Beau and Mel and Kyle is a welcome addition to the mix. (Note: the book takes place in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, so it's mentioned a few times in the story.)

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and William Morrow Books. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

JP Beaumont is bus.y walking his dog and dabbling in some cold cases when his grandson, Kyle appears in the driveway. Kyle's family has fallen apart and he needs a safety net. While Beau investigates the family issue he is also drawn into investigating fentynal deaths that families feel were not accidental. A page turner that leaves you wanting more. A good story and it takes place right as COVID shutdowns began. Justice is indeed served in this story and the human emotions connected to the outcome are very real. Love these characters and this long running series never disappoints!

Den of Iniquity by JA Jance is like comfort food. I have been reading her books for so long they are like coming home. I have been through all of Beau’s (JP Beaumont) trials until he his finally arrived at a somewhat settled life in Bellingham, Washington, where his wife, Mel is chief of police. He takes the odd case, usually for free but spends most of his time walking his dog, doing crossword puzzles, and generally enjoying life. He is returning home from one such walk when he sees someone in his drive. It turns out to be a much taller version of his grandson, Kyle. His parents have separated and Kyle was unhappy living with his father and the new girlfriend. He revealed more details over the next few days. Of course, he could stay, despite Beau’s phone blowing up with calls from both parents. Next was a call from his friend, Ben, a Seattle cop who Beau had befriended when he was a small child who had watched his entire family be slaughtered. They had been friends ever since and now Ben had a friend that needed help. Her grandson had died several years earlier. She suspected murder but the police had called it an accidental overdose and closed the case. Thus began, what turned out to be, a search for a prolific serial killer.

Jance always writes an excellent novel and this is the twenty-third in this series. Beau has gone from a youngish police officer to his now retired state. He is on his third marriage. He has given up alcohol and tobacco, but never investigating. He is good at it. He has the support of his wife who is the best sounding board ever. When Kyle arrived, she assessed the situation and was all in, planning to make it all work. This is happening at the very beginning of the pandemic and schools are about to close and the lockdown is about to launch. It wasn’t an easy time for any of them. Beau has a phone full of contacts at this point and he uses them to find out what is going on with his son-in-law’s girlfriend as well as these drug deaths. It is an enjoyable novel, full of the kinds of twists and turns Jance is famous for. Most of all, it is satisfying. Beau steers things to acceptable conclusions before he settles in to wait-out the pandemic. Thanks, JA Jance for JP Beaumont!

I was invited to read Den of Iniquity by William Morrow. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Negalley #WilliamMorrow #JAJance #DenOfIniquity #JPBeaumont

Den of Iniquity by J. A. Jance is a very highly recommended investigative mystery and the 26th novel in the J. P. Beaumont series.

J. P. Beaumont (Beau), currently a private investigator, formerly a Seattle homicide cop, undertakes cases both personal and professional in 2020, just before the lockdown occurs in this outing. First, his grandson, Kyle Cartwright, 18, shows up at his home in Bellingham, Washington, and asks to live with Beau and Mel and finish high school there. His parents are splitting up. His mother, Beau's daughter, has moved out. His father has a younger, pregnant girlfriend living with him and Kyle doesn't want to live there anymore. Beau begins looking into the girlfriend by running a background check and makes some discoveries.

Next, a friend asks Beau to look into the case of Darius Jackson, a young man whose death of a fentanyl overdose was ruled accidental. His grandmother has some legitimate questions about it. She says he was not using and has suspicions that something else happened. Beau begins looking into the death and his investigation leads him to uncover similar mysterious deaths that all point to a most unlikely suspect.

Beau is a great character and it is a pleasure to follow along as he investigates. As a character, Beau is very appealing, witty, and insightful. He and Mel, who is still working as the Police Chief of Bellingham, Washington, have a good relationship and work together well adding their grandson to the household. I appreciated their understanding and wisdom in helping Kyle handle the personal, emotional situation he is in. They provided him gentle but good advice.

In this well-written investigation, both cases are interesting, complex, and compelling, which means following the discoveries as Beau looks into things is highly entertaining. The plot moves at a smooth, quick pace and held my complete attention. Even though this is the 26th novel in the series, there is enough background information provided to easily slip into the lives of these well established characters.

This is an excellent addition to the series. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Great book - just don't think too hard

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and I liked the characters. I am sure I have read other books in the series, but I am not a regular and don't remember too much of anything. Lack of history was not a problem. I liked it enough that I will go back and pick up several more of Ms. Jance's work in this series.

The plot was good. A man, previous, but erroneously convicted of domestic assault, was found dead of a fentanyl overdose. The police closed the case quickly, but his grandmother knew he was clean and there were other signs that he did not shoot the drug. When a former Seattle homicide investigator is asked to look into the case, he found a string of similar cases.

On the surface the book was great. But after finishing it there were a few things that just seemed to be really big leaps. They aren't really spoilers, but kind of. First, the title makes no sense. There is no den of anything. The title was pulled out of someone's book of titles and has no connection to the plot at all. But that is becoming more and more common. Second, a suspect is found that is really pulled out of thin air. There are a whole lot of people doing the job that could possibly be the profession that could possibly have access to some of the information that the killer may be using. Of the huge haystack of people living or being traveling through Washington state, somehow this one person is decided to be the killer. Then there is a DNA match that is tenuous at best. Someone has put their DNA in a database looking for a match and that pings as a connection. There is just a whole lot of cases of this one needle being pulled out the giant haystack. SPOILER: Also, several of the murder victims were quite large men. The suspect was believed to be a short, heavy, older woman. Even with a needle, it would be difficult to overpower them. How would she kill them with a vape pen?

I am regrettably taking off a star because of the unbelievability of the plot, but I really liked this book.

The setting is Washington State and it is just pre Covid lockdown. Beau’s grandson shows up early in the morning. He wants to move in. His family has fallen apart and he can no longer live with his dad. Life is going to change in more ways than one. Beau picks up a job investigating a fentanyl death which the grandmother believes is murder. She insists her grandson had begun a new life and didn’t do drugs. She has also noticed the injection site is on his right arm and he was right-handed. And thus begins a case. As Beau investigates, he believes this isn’t the only time, but how do you look through hundreds of closed cases? Beau also decides to do a background check on the pregnant lady who is living with Kyle’s father. This leads to surprises. There’s a lot of good tech usage in this novel and key findings for both of the cases. It has been a while since I’ve read a J P Beaumont case and I felt I was back with some old friends. Great Book!

J.A. Jance is a queen of thrillers. I always recommend them to people who love thrillers. These one delves into family problems and solving a cold case. Keeps you on edge of your seats

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.