Stand Down

J.P. Beaumont #21.5

by J.A. Jance

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.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Novella, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller

96 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 26, 2015

About the author

Judith Ann Jance is the top 10 New York Times bestselling author of the Joanna Brady series; the J. P. Beaumont series; three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family; and Edge of Evil, the first in a series featuring Ali Reynolds. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.

Series:
* J.P. Beaumont
* Joanna Brady
* Ali Reynolds
* Walker Family

Reviews

[Magdalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this short novella a perfect read since I haven't read any books in this series, but I have the book in the latest book in the series; Dance of the Bones waiting to be read. And, since Dance of the Bones is book 22 felt it good to start off with a novella where I could get to know the characters, some background and also see how I would like the writing style. And, I can say that I found this story quite good.

For one thing, I liked that even though I haven't read anything about J.P. Beaumont (Beau) before did I feel that this novella gave me enough information about him, about his wife and some people around him. It also explained how it is that he is retired by explaining the terrible accident that led to the Special Homicide Investigation Team that he was leading was disbanded. His wife Mel has a new job,  chief of police in Bellingham, Washington and he is trying to adjust to the changes in their lives and Mel hasn't it easy either since there are tensions at her workplace.

Then one day when Beau shows up to the construction site and finds Mel's car there, but she is missing. Has someone kidnapped her and if so why?

I think this novella was very well done, but the thing is that the "case", with Mel missing felt like a very little part of this story. I enjoyed reading about Beau and Mel, their new life, past events and their future plans, but the kidnapping case felt a bit like thrown into this story to make it a bit more suspenseful, but I felt that it could have been more interesting if it has been given more space in a book instead of a novella. It was over so quick that it never really got thrilling to read. And, that's unfortunate because the idea was good and I liked the novella.

One thing for sure I do look forward to reading Dance of the Bones after reading this novella and I'm also looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

I received this copy from Witness Impulse through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. More of a way to transition JP Beaumont from one job to another than anything else.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story with Beaumont is better than no story with Beaumont.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand Down by J.A. Jance is a 2015 Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I have read books in each of J.A Jance's series. I enjoy all of them, but I have to admit I have soft spot for old J.P. Beaumont. This novella brings us up to date on what Beaumont has been doing since the special homicide team he worked for was disbanded and his wife became a police chief. Currently, Beaumont finds himself in the unique position of being the spouse who has to wait at home while the other one goes off to work in what could be a life or death job. But, that doesn't mean Beaumont has gone soft on us. When he senses his wife may have made a few enemies, his antennae goes up immediately.

While this book is basically the set up for the next full length novel featuring our favorite detective, I have to say this was a pretty tense short story which doesn't sugarcoat how politics and fear of scrutiny by the press can prevent true justice from taking place.

It was great to touch base with Beaumont again and I am really intrigued by what the future might hold for him. I am glad his nice wife gave him a little nudge in the right direction. 4 stars

[Tulay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good novella.

Just spend couple hours with loving, caring husband and wife. Can't wait for the next book. Will be reading more books written by her, looks like missed couple.

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella in the Beaumont series. It has been a while since I've read any of this series and I wanted to get back into it. This was a nice, short dip and I found that I could pick up the storylines pretty quickly, even though it's been several years since I picked up this series. This is very obviously a transitional story. The team that he was on (Special Homicide Investigation Team - and yes, the acronym is obviously hilarious) has been disbanded following a tragedy, and he's at loose ends. Mel, Beau's new-ish wife, has taken a job as a police chief in Bellingham, a smaller town to the north of Seattle. When Beau goes by the home that they're renovating for their convenience, he finds her car and signs that Mel has been kidnapped. It is a quick story and an enjoyable transition to Beau finding a way forward with a new team.

[Jillian Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read about a retired cop realizing his life, and wife, still needed him to keep his investigative skills sharp.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so very fond of JP Beaumont and J A Jance's work. This short novella was an afternoon treat.
JP's new wife becomes the Chief of Bellingham's police force.

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

basically a cut and paste job with maybe MAYBE two pages of a story.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

Life has changed for Beau
Job ended, he's at loose ends
Then Mel goes missing

In-between story
Novella but much happens
Next book Beau's new job

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wondered what happened to the Special Crimes unit Beau and Mel belonged to and this tell what happened. The unit is gone and then we see Mel in her new job. Beau is at loose ends but that does not keep him from springing into action when Mel is in danger. A nice bridge novella that tells two stories in a very short time.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having finished Jance's "Proof of Life" too early in the evening to turn the lights out, I was lucky to find this novella available to load to my iPad from my local library's eBook service...It fills in the backstory of the tragic elimination of the state of Washington Special Crime Unit the both J.P. Beaumont and Mel Soames worked for and her early days as Bellingham's Chief of Police...Jance quality as always!!!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong story filled in some blanks.

[Joanne Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really short book. It is a way to explain the change in Beau's and Mel's life.
I am guessing it is not compulsory reading as JA does give you a recap in each book. It is still worth reading.

[Lelia Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many ways that J.A. Jance shows herself to be a remarkably good writer and Stand Down is one of the best examples. This is a short work but, in just these few words, Ms. Jance paints a living picture of Beau and Mel and their lives. When she takes us through the ungodly hours when everything changed for them, I had tears in my eyes and that just doesn't happen to me when I'm reading a short because I don't usually get invested without a full-length novel. Not so this time. My emotions were right out there on my sleeve.

And then Ms. Jance throws out a line like this, guaranteed to make me smile:

It was enough to piss off the Good Fairy.

Ah, yes, back on track again, this time Beau's search for a missing person who just happens to be his police chief wife. No longer a working homicide detective---not by his choice---Beau reverts to character immediately and, by the time this case is resolved in an odd sort of way, his future is laid out for him. Next on the horizon is a new venture, Dance of the Bones, coming in September 2015. and I can hardly wait to see where life will take this died-in-the-wool cop.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, July 2015.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is dumb. Like, really dumb. There is no way, NO WAY, that this sorry is plausible.

A police chief gets kidnapped, duct taped, locked in a trunk, and almost thrown off a cliff, and the mayor says "Well his mom is my friend, so we'll pretend nothing happened." And Beaumont says to his almost murdered wife "You know honey, it'll be better for your career if you just let it go."

This is the same guy who's wife had gone vigilante and killed people. And he shot her. And now we're supposed to believe that he's going to just let this go? It's completely out of character for him. Everything about this story had me rolling my eyes.

The mayor is letting an attempted murdered continue being a cop. Give me a break.

There is also no way the tour bus driver would have believed Bo's story. Especially in Seattle. I live in Seattle. The driver, even if he had listened to his story, would have put him down as one of the whack jobs and gone on his merry way.

And the guy tried to kill her because she yelled at him? No way. What a dumb story.

And who's favorite Subway sandwich is tuna??? 😄

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. 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.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a fan of J.A. Jance's books, and have read many of the Beaumont series, but this was really a big disappointment. It's really barely a novella, which I should have realized from the #21.5 attributed to it. The plot concerns the abduction & threatened murder of Beaumont's 3rd wife, who has just been made the police chief, and his rescue of her, which actually takes only about 20 pages. The rest of the "book" recapitulates other characters in the series and their situations, as well as his previous marriages and his own history. It was more a review of the previous books than anything. Save your time.

[Chris Birdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of J.P. Beaumont, a career cop who was forced into retirement when his unit was disbanded. When his wife was offered the job as chief of police in another city, he goes along and oversees the renovation of their home. Since she's a creature of habit, he automatically gets concerned when her routine is suddenly broken. He follows up on every clue and tracks her down. This is a man who really has his wife's back.

[Glenda]

Lots of action in this fast-paced novella ... good transition story in the series.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first J.A. Jance short story. It could have been a little less predictable.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This summary/review may have been copied for other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any personal notations are for my recollection only.
**
This novella brings us up to date on what Beaumont has been doing since the special homicide team he worked for was disbanded and his wife became a police chief. Currently, Beaumont finds himself in the unique position of being the spouse who has to wait at home while the other one goes off to work in what could be a life or death job. But, that doesn't mean Beaumont has gone soft on us. When he senses his wife may have made a few enemies, his antennae goes up immediately.

**
This novela explains how it is that Beau is retired because of the terrible accident that led to the Special Homicide Investigation Team that he was leading was disbanded. His wife Mel has a new job, chief of police in Bellingham, Washington and he is trying to adjust to the changes in their lives and Mel hasn't it easy either since there are tensions at her workplace.

Then one day when Beau shows up to the construction site and finds Mel's car there, but she is missing. Has someone kidnapped her and if so why?
**
TLC, aka The Last Chance, is Ralph’s baby, the same way S.H.I.T. once belonged to Ross Connors. It started years ago when one of Ralph’s already well-heeled clients, a woman named Hedda Brinker, hit a huge Powerball jackpot. Hedda’s daughter, Ursula had been murdered years earlier, and at the time the crime was as yet unsolved. Hedda wanted to use her jackpot winnings to start a privately operated cold-case organization. Hedda’s original vision was that Ralph, operating in the capacity of her attorney, would set things in motion and then step away. Instead, he had remained at the helm.

[Pam Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorite series by JA Jance. I also read her Joanna Brady and Ali Reynolds series.

In this novella, Life has shifted for J. P. Beaumont. After a tragic accident that devastated 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 that can occupy only so much of Beau's daily life, and Mel is encouraging him to return to investigating crimes. In the meantime, Mel is struggling to gain control of her new situation. 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.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally would not have bothered with a 2hr novella but it seemed like this would be the story that describes what happened tot he SHIT squad. I had read a later book and it referred to an accident but not the details it seemed like a big deal but in book 21 he was part of the squad and book 22 he wasnt any longer ( per the description)....
The accident was heartbreaking and the resulting political fallout was ridiculous... but the result is Beau is retired and Mel is chief of police of Bellingham. Mel is commuting from Seattle; so they have bought a second home fixer upper and Beau is managing the construction. When he tries to reach Mel one day she doesnt answer after multiple tries. When he finds her car he realizes that she did not leave of her own volition. Assuming that it was the asshole 2nd who wanted the chief job and was making her job difficult. Beau tracks him down and finds him drunk in in a sorry state and saves Mel. Mel has never needed saving before so I'm not so thrilled about that, but what really was appalling was the mayors response- I am hoping a future book gets rid of her otherwise I dont know how Mel can work with her.

[Megargee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been reading all the J P Beaumont novels in order and this was the next on the list. I am so glad that I did not select it to entertain me on a long airplane ride. It is so brief that it barely would have lasted to the end of the runway. Indeed one third of this slender volume is the preview of the next book in the series. It will probably take you longer to read this review than the actual book.
The bulk of the book is a review of recent events in Beau's life, his marriage to Mel, the end of the Special Homicide Squad, and Mel's new job as the chief of the Bellingham WA PD. The brief story involves Mel's disgruntled rival for her new job who kidnaps and plans to dispatch her. If you have been following the series and are aware of the high mortality rate among Beau's previous wives, you might regard this as a serious threat. Will Beau find Mel? Can he save her? Read along and you may be in suspense for a few minutes as Jance cuts to (the all too brief) chase.

[Mary Lou Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

J. A. Jance is one of my favorite novelists. Her books always draw me into her characters' world's. Stand Down is a novella with a familiar character, J. P. Beaumont. The only negative thing I can say is that it wasn't long enough! I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters yet. That being said (yes, I'm greedy with characters I like), the ending is satisfying, although it's not the ending I wanted. The ending the author chose is more realistic than the one I wanted, but that's satisfying in itself. It's a delightful, quick read, and I hope to see more novellas with her characters. For me, a novella is the perfect length to take with me to a doctor's appointment. I do like having a nice mix of novels and novellas on my Kindle at all times. Kudos to Ms. Jance for another great read.

[Nance Roepke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short, very repetitive , very disappointing

I love the JP Beaumont series and have read all of the books preceding this one . So I was looking forward to another great story . Unfortunately this story is extremely short . I mean extremely. And a good part of the book is about what has gone on in previous books and about bringing JP and Mel into new roles . The part of the story about finding the bad guy was nearly nonexistent . I am going to read the next full-length book and skip the next novella . I have a feeling it would be no better than this one which means not good at all .

[Meiwilli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Retired Special Homicide Investigation Team (SHIT) detective J.P. Beaumont has become the "homebody" while his third wife Mel Soames is the newly appointed Police Chief of the Bellingham, Washington Department. Chief Soames has ruffled a few feathers and made at least one enemy.

This short story is so brief that the story is really over before it begins. Beaumont gives us a bit of background history of his life as a detective in the SHIT and it's tragic disbanding, his two failed marriages and his current marriage up to the present day new home renovations he's overseeing. In the story's brevity, there is a kidnapping, a rescue and finally a dinner date.

Not much to write home about here and remarkably unmemorable.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

J.P. Beaumont’s entire life has been turned topsy-turvy and dad-after-day it keeps piling on. One day J.P. is in a tragic accident, his Special Homicide Investigation Team (SHIT) is disbanded then he goes to check on the construction of his and his wife’s, Chief of Police of Bellingham, Washington Mel Somes, new home when he sees her parked car out but not Mel.

All of this pile-on would probably send some of us into a tizzy but not J. P. Beaumont who puts emotions aside to find his wife.

I was a little put off when we learn who kidnapped J.P.’s wife because, to me, it was a lazily written end to what started out as a good story.

I enjoyed J.R. Horne’s storytelling.

[Bambee Hendricks · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are just so many holes in this story it's unreal. The biggest problem with the story I have, is the fact that the Police Chief is kidnapped and they just pretend it doesn't happen to make her life and the mayors easier? No ambulance, no hospital, no therapy, no time off to recover......seriously? SHE WAS KIDNAPPED AND HAD AN INJURY TO HER HEAD, DUCK TAPE ALL OVER HER BODY.....and we're to believe the other officers saw this and was like oh yeah, nothing happened to her...everything here is fine. And I guess we're supposed to forget that the young officer called in the police Chief missing from her house too....