Stand Down

A J.P. Beaumont Novella

By: J. A. Jance

Narrated by: J.R. Horne

Life has shifted for J. P. Beaumont. After a tragic accident that devastated—and ultimately disbanded—his Special Homicide Investigation Team, he accepts that he has left homicide detection behind at this point, but he has a lot of unanticipated free time on his hands. He's keeping busy with renovations on the new house that he and his wife Mel Soames, the newly appointed Chief of Police in Bellingham, Washington, have bought. But new fixtures and paint palettes can occupy only so much of Beau's daily life, and Mel is encouraging him to return to where he is needed: investigating crimes.

In the meantime, she is struggling to gain control of her new situation, cast into a department where some are welcoming—and some are not. It's been a few months, and the tension in the police department is rising, but Beau realizes Mel has to tackle things in her own way, so he refrains from advising. But when Beau shows up one afternoon to survey the construction at their new house and finds Mel's car there but no sign of her, his investigative instincts kick in. Suddenly he's back in the game—except this time, his heart is on the line as well as his professional dignity.

Just Ok

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, I'd take this bit and include it in a larger story. Not strong as a stand-alone.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Meh

Did J. R. Horne do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Not especially, but he never does.

Segway into TLC

Shows how no matter what stage in life following and doing what you love matters.

A fill in between books

Life has changed for J. P. Beaumont. The special homicide Investigation Team has been disbanded by the new Governor after a terrible accident.

Mel Soames, J. P. Beaumont’s wife has accepted a new job as Chief of Police for Bellingham, Washington. Beau and Mel have moved to Bellingham and are renovating a new home. Beau is trying to stay out of Mel’s problems and let her handle her new job in her own way. Then Mel is kidnapped and Beau jumps in to search for and rescue Mel.
This is a novella that is to fill in Beau’s life since the prior novel and set up for the new book coming out called “Dance of the Bones”. The book is well written and moves at a very fast pace with lots of action.

J. R. Horne is the narrator but for me Gene Engene the long time narrator of the series is Beaumont. I had problems adjusting to a different narrator.

The great stories of the Tohono O’Odham nation

The story was great. I just wish they reader would make sure that all
Pronunciations were correct. Cholla is mispronounced. Double L makes a Y sound.

Good listen, but narrator was not interesting soun

The narrator was not a good choice for a Jance novel. if it would have been a longer novel may have put it down.