Nothing to Lose: A J.P. Beaumont Novel (J. P. Beaumont, 25)

I had never heard of J.A. Jance until looking for something to read, seeing a blurb about a “private investigator who goes to Alaska searching for a missing person.” Since this is an exact description of the novel I had just written, I immediately got the book. As I began reading “Nothing to Lose”, I was taken back to when I lived in Alaska, a year in Anchorage and two daytrips to Homer.
This novel is the latest for Jance among more than seventy books she has written, covering three series. With a depth of experience, the author has honed her craft, becoming a standard bearer for this type of fiction: mysteries with empathetic main characters.
The story is told from the viewpoint of retired police detective and current private eye J.P. Beaumont, through conversations and internal monologue. The novel has the immediacy and sense of intimacy of the first-person narrator, exactly what Jance needs to tell the story of close-knit J.P. and wife Mel, the town’s police chief.
Normally, fictional dialogue is short and to the point, nothing like real speech. But Jance writes more in the realm of everyday language with wordy expressions full of trite constructions. Cliches run thick through the narrative along with common vernacular. Surprisingly the hackneyed expressions are not too off-putting because of Jance’s skillful handling, stirring the fluff into an interesting story. In fact, this seems part of the author’s method. Since trite words and phrases are overly familiar, having her characters speak this way lulls readers into feeling they are part of the fictional inner circle. Jance pulls the reader into the dynamics of make-believe relationships while giving frequent asides and back stories that make the reader feel they know J.P., his family, and associates.
And much of this is emotionally laden. J.P. is not the typical hard-boiled detective, but very much in touch with his feelings. He frequently says things like, “from his heart”, “lump in throat”, “break my heart”. While our hero is off in Alaska, dutifully calling home each day and consoling his wife in the burdens and trials she has as police chief, the reader is like a close observer, listening to the characters intimate conversations. The book appeals to the emotions more than the intellect.
While the writing may lean toward “low brow”, other aspects of the book show a master’s touch. Jance’s main characters, especially the driver J.P. hires in Alaska, are well delineated, almost rising off the page with realism. Also, the plot is intricate and well-constructed, leaving no loose ends or unresolved questions. Noteworthy is a recurring nightmare afflicting J.P., caused by a traumatic episode when he was a police detective. The author handles this in an interesting way, part of her skill drawing the book to a satisfying conclusion.
While not literature, the book is a skillfully written addition to Jance’s particular niche in the mystery genre, providing a reading experience eagerly received by her legion of fans.

“Nothing to Lose,” by J.A. Jance, William Morrow, 368 pages, Feb. 22, 2022.

Years ago, when he was a homicide detective with the Seattle police, J. P. Beaumont’s partner, Sue Danielson, was murdered.

Danielson’s ex-husband, Richard, came after her in her home as Jared, Sue’s teenage son, frantically called Beau for help. As Beau rushed to the scene, he urged Jared to grab his younger brother and flee the house. They survived.

Almost 20 years later, Beaumont is retired from the police department and is a private investigator. His wife, Mel, is police chief of Bellingham, Washington. Jared reappears in Beau’s life seeking his help once again—his younger brother, Chris, is missing. Jared is now a priest. Chris blames Jared for their mother’s death for not calling the police sooner.

Beau doesn’t hesitate to take on the case. Following a lead all the way to the wilds of wintertime Alaska, he encounters a tangled web of family secrets in which a killer with nothing to lose is waiting to take another life. He hires a driver named Twinkle Winkleman, who plays a pivotal role in the investigation.

This is a good, fast-moving story with a twisting plot. The characters are excellent. Jance is great at combining mystery and family in her dramas. While it is the 25th in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. J.A. Jance is also the author of two other series: one featuring Joanna Brady and the other with Ali Reynolds. I recommend all three series.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

So glad to see Beau back after so many years.

J A Jance is a fantastic author; if she wrote it, I buy it. I've followed Beau for years literally. His years and mine.

Better the last third. Kind of a slow start.

Book arrived on time in excellent condition.

It was a fantastic read...leaving me wanting more!

I liked that it was delivered promptly and excellent condition.

I absolutely love this book

First edition status and overall condition was as advertised.