Justice Denied

by: J.A. Jance

Published by: Harper Collins

Reviewed by Alex McGilvery

Justice Denied is J.A. Jance’s latest J.P. Beaumont novel. In this installment Beaumont is assigned to check out the death of a man who had been freed after spending time in prison for a wrongful conviction. He had been working at the local mission and was helping to make a difference when he was gunned down on his mother’s doorstep.

In the meantime Beaumont’s partner Mel is checking out the location of paroled sex offenders only to find that too many are dying. Their cases collide and challenge not only their abilities as detectives, but their partnership.

When an author writes a long series about the same character, it is very easy for the books to either leave the protagonist in an unchanging state, or to require that the books be read in order so that the reader can follow the life of the book’s hero. J.A. Jance has written a book in which the characters grow and change. Beaumont struggles with his adult children, goes through events that echo his past and trouble his present. Yet in the midst of these developments the story focuses on the mystery. All the information that the reader needs to follow the story is in the book. Justice Denied stands very well on its own, as well as being a wonderful chapter in the longer story of J.P. Beaumont.

The J.A. Jance has a deft touch with her characters. They have flaws and quirks that make them seem more human. The people in her books are carefully shaped so that even minor characters are believable. Humor and horror both come into play as the story unfolds.

Reading J.A. Jance for the first time, this book will convince you to go find her other books. For those who are already fans, this book will read like a reunion with an old friend.

Armchair Interviews says: Jance does it again!

Author’s Web site: http://www.jajance.com