Second Watch LP: A J. P. Beaumont Novel (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
J.A. Jance has written a lot of book about J.P Beaumont; this is the 21st. He's grown older, and this time he has knee replacement surgery. An interesting way of handling a complex plot is to have Beau dream about people from his past--including a murder he never solved. This interesting plot twist makes it much harder for Jance to balance the past and the present, but the story is well done and interesting. In this novel, Beau solves a murder he could not solve when he was younger. What made me appreciate this book was Jance's ability to write about the younger, ambitious Beau as well as the seasoned, more careful Beau, a PI now free of the snares of the police department politics that both promoted him and caused him to quit solving a crime. At the end of the book, there's an interview with Jance about this plot device and the real people she worked into this novel. A wonderful insight into why she writes what she knows. Jance includes a touching tribute to Vietnam vets in this installment of JP Beaumont. That said, this book just doesn't quite come together. The Veteran's tribute is interspersed with a cold case murder mystery. Jance usually nails the set-up and the endings to her books -- this one just seems off. The two storylines seem to compete with each other. The middle of the book is the strongest element. Her mysteries are always well-conceived though, so the book is entertaining.
What do You think about Second Watch LP: A J. P. Beaumont Novel (2013)?
Very powerful and moving book!! Made me full on cry! This is by far the best Beaumont book yet!!
—Meta013
Excellent book. I am now a J.A. Jance fan!
—clryr4
