Sentenced to Die

J.P. Beaumont #1-3

by J.A. Jance

Now for the first time in one captivating volume, here are the first three mysteries featuring J. A. Jance's most popular and enduring character, Seattle homicide detective Jonas Piedmont Beaumont. It's a trio of tales steeped in the atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest that is sure to remind everyone that Jance is a master of modern suspense fiction.

In Until Proven Guilty Beaumont finds himself investigating the murder of a five-year-old girl. But his own obsessions and demons could prove dangerous companions in a murky world of blind faith and religious fanaticism as he discovers that he himself is the target of a twisted passion ... and a love that can kill. In Injustice for All Beaumont's well-earned vacation becomes a waking nightmare as he's forced to comfort a beautiful blonde after she discovers a dead body on a Washington beach. Suddenly a lethal brew of lust, madness, and politics threatens to drag the dedicated Seattle cop into the path of a killer whose dark hunger is rapidly becoming an obsession. And in Trial by Fury a naked, dead body is found lying in a Dumpster. What's most shocking is the manner in which the man died -- he was lynched. The victim, a high school coach, has left behind a very pregnant wife with a very dangerous secret. And a sixth sense developed over twenty years on the job tells Beaumont that this investigation is going to the lethal extremes of passion, lies, and hatred.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

656 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

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

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of the first 3 books in the series. Jance's books are always easy to dive right into. I've been reading this series out of order, so nice to go back and follow events from the beginning.

[Stephanie Jenkins Ortiz Cerrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

J. A. Jance never disappoints! I love how a workaholic, often a grouch, blunt Seattle Homicide detective can also be such a tender hearted man with victims as well as suspects. J. P. Beaumont has proved to have great gut instincts in this 3 book compilation. He sticks to his gut instincts no matter what his partner and superiors think about a case. This often lands him in the hot seat but he tends to always solve the case and he's usually on the right track. I have to say he does not have the same gut instincts when it comes to woman though. I have came across many of the books in this series at a second hand book store but book #4 is not one of them and I can't wait to see what happens to his partner and his partners daughters as well as what happens in the life of J. P. Beaumont. How will he get handle being the homicide detective that drives a Porsche and is now independently wealthy? I have to find book #4 because I have to know what's next!

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

had i read the beaumont mystery series in chronological order, i'd've probably not finished the first novel. but i began listening to the series when cell phones were tools of the police detectives' equipment, and when j.p. beaumont was on his third wife. so why am i considering reading the 4th mystery in the series? i'd like to know if beau's partner ron peters recovers from a broken neck and whether beau will be parenting ron's two young daughters. to save candle power when i do check out the 4th mystery, i may skim thru the pages until those two burning questions are answered and be done with the homicide detective.

[Katherine Loyacano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sentenced to Die by J.A. Jance is a collection of the first three novels following Detective J.P. Beaumont of the Seattle Police Department. J.P. Beaumont, also known as Beau, is compassionate, good at his job, and loves the ladies. These novels are gritty, action-packed, and fast-paced with interesting characters.

#1 Until Proven Guilty - 3.5 stars
#2 Injustice for All - 4 stars
#3 Trial by Fury - 4.5 stars

This series, which I am reading with a group of friends, is my introduction to J.A. Jance. The series is enjoyable with each book having a new case running alongside Beaumont's personal story. I also love that they were written in the mid-80s which is nostalgic for me.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire series of J.P. Beaumont is good. I couldn't wait to start the next one.

[Patti Luhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

again love all stories of JP Beaumont!!! Love JA Jance and all her books!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, a compilation of the first three J. P. Beaumont novels, is a fantastic introduction to the smart, grumpy, Seattle detective "Beau" Beaumont, a forty-something divorced father of two who lives in a bachelor condo, complete with hideous recliner, drinks a little too much and leads with his heart (sometimes at the expense of his head). The first book introduces the character, his new partner Peters, the lawyer Ralph Ames, and Anne Corley, the woman Beau falls madly in love with, marries, then kills (because she's a serial killer). These characters help to shape the next two stories as they interact, solve murder mysteries, drink, eat, and drive around Washington State. I'd met Beau before, in the Joanna Brady series book _Partner in Crime_ and made a commitment to come back to the Beaumont series in the future. Since I've since come up to the second crossover novel, I decided it was time to head to Seattle and get to know Beau a bit better. Jance is such a fine writer of characters and the slice of humanity that they represent that it makes her novels such fun to read, but her novels also tackle the whole range of human behavior, not all good, and her characters are flawed (not in the quirky weird way) but in the way we are all flawed individuals. I will be working my way through the rest of these books until I reach _Fire and Ice_ and then will add the Brady books back in.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sentenced to Die is an omnibus of Jance's first three books in her J.P. Beaumont series. The first in the series, Until Proven Guilty is one I've read recently on its own and have just finished again in this volume. I liked it less this time. I found Anne Corley to be so unlikable perhaps due to the fact the author makes her out to be Barbie doll perfect.

I sort of like Peters more than Beaumont; Everyone could use a friend like him even though what he has to say might not be what you want to hear. He's got your best interest at heart.

These first two at least, are so cliché; These are romantic suspense with Beaumont being the beneficiary of the romance(s) - the savior of the damsel in undress. Oops, I mean distress.

The third in the series doesn't fail to disappoint in the cliché department; It has my husband and me rolling our eyes.

One of my pet peeves as I'm reading is a book which uses characters' first and last names together almost throughout. In this book the author goes a step further telling us at every turn that Beaumont drives a red porsche. He doesn't simply get into his car. He gets into his red porsche. Doesn't add to the story - actually detracts.

Trial by Fury actually had a decent storyline; its presentation lacked. I'm glad I'm done reading these.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading a J.P Beaumont novel mid-series and wanting more, I decided to read this series from the beginning. Published in 2005, SENTENCED TO DIE is a compilation of the first three mysteries in the J.P. Beaumont series, namely UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, INJUSTICE FOR ALL, and TRIAL BY FURY. The first was published in 1985, the other two in 1986. On the positive side, "Beau", as he likes to be called is pretty likable, has more than a decade with the Seattle P.D. He is breaking in a new partner, Peters, after his previous one retired. While they work well together, they are not at all alike. The cases are interesting and suspenseful. My favorite was the third novel, as the author seems to be getting more comfortable with the characters. There are also some parts I find annoying. Jance creates characters in Beau's circle of friends and colleagues that carry through the novels, interesting on their own. However, they too often snipe at each other. Beau is quick to temper, running contrary to his experience and professionalism. Finally, he is divorced and likes the ladies, making curious choices. In the first two novels, Jance wrote some passages that are better suited for the romance genre than in police suspense. This was not the case in the third novel. In the final analysis, I will continue to read the series to see what Jance does with this series.

[Megargee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having previously enjoyed a relatively recent J. P. Beaumont novel, I wanted to get his back story, especially how a middle aged Seattle homicide detective managed to be independently wealthy driving a red Porsche (reminiscent of Lucas Davenport in Detroit, but that is another series). I found this collection of the first three novels in the series and have completed the first, Until Proven Guilty.
J.(for Judith) A. Jance is a female author writing from what she supposes is a male detective's point of view, which is interesting, especially during the frequent sex scenes. This POV contrasts with her series about Cochise County Arizona female sheriff Joanna Brady, who BTW has a much less active sex life.
Jance apparently divides her time between homes in Seattle and Arizona, and in her novels I have read thus far there is a strong sense of place and setting. So far I have found the Joanna Brady series to be more authentic, but that may be because I am more familiar with Arizona than Seattle.
I am looking forward to reading the next two Beaumont novels in this volume and will keep my eyes open for the books where I understand the two series intersect.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Taking the Fifth by J.A. Jance, enjoying it, and finding it was the 4th in a series of 20 on J.P. Beaumont, I was happy to find that books 1, 2 and 3 were combined in one hard cover so I could get them all at once and read them all at once (from my local library). Great to get up to speed on what came before #4. Enjoyed the stories told and look forward to reading more in the series!

WPL

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a trilogy of Jance's character JP Beaumont set in Seattle. I like her writing style, it is easy to follow and interesting.

[Judy]

Would not dare miss a single J.P. Beaumont book! If you haven't met him, you should.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!