Until Proven Guilty

Until proven guilty

This is book one in the Beaumont series. I have read some of the newer books in the series, so it was great to read the first book. It answers a number of questions about people that were briefly mention in passing in the new books such as Ann, and how Beaumont got his money. This book had more sex than the usual Jance novel I am glad she toned that down in the newer books. Liked the description of Seattle it like a mini trip to the city. Over all enjoyed the book now I will look for number two in the series.

Fiction yes, ridiculous, yes.

I admit I have not read the JP Beaumont book series in chronological order, having read four other books before the first one: Until Proven Guilty. The other books alluded to the tragic backstory of Beaumont's relationship with Anne Corley, all of which is told in Until Proven Guilty.

This turns out to be my least favorite of the books so far, and it's a good thing this is fiction because it strains anyone's ability to believe something like this story could ever happen. Without putting in spoilers, let me say that the Anne Corley that Beau fell in love with was a well-drawn character, beautiful, intelligent, courageous, charming, wise, gentle and passionate. She made a fine match for Beaumont and the story worked right up until the time she became "the other Anne". I do not think "the other Anne" could have co-existed in the same person with the one fleshed out in the first 9/10 of this book, certainly without revealing herself many times over. The few feeble "hints" J.A. Jance laid down for the reader in no way raised any suspicion of what was supposed to be there. This was not a virtue -- it just made the end of the story seem a trumped up ridiculous soap opera that made me want to throw the book into the trash. It was like listening to a top-notch singer who sings the entire last number of a performance badly off-key.

There was no way Anne Corley could have had the past attributed to her in the book; she would have been revealed long ago and become celebrated for it, kind of like the Unabomber was. I so wished for a different resolution of the mystery. If this had been my first Beaumont novel I might not have continued reading the later ones, which are much less melodramatic and make far better detective novels. To his credit, Gene Engene did his usual excellent job of reading all the characters. His reading style makes all the J.A. Jance books all the more enjoyable.

Don't stop Listening here

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The reading was awful. The later ones are much better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Until Proven Guilty?

The plot is good.

Would you be willing to try another one of Gene Engene’s performances?

I've read all of Jance's books. That's what made me download the next one.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The plot and the author.

Not Jance's best

The first Jance-Beaumont that I read was "A more perfect union". I liked it well enough to try another. "Until proven guilty" is book 1 of the series. I didn't much like it.
I thought the book was supposed to be about a young girl's murder and about Beaumont's efforts to solve it. Not about romance. Unfortunately the balance was badly off, with more romance than detection. That's one reason why I didn't like it.
Looking back, I wonder if Beaumont did any detection at all. Did he find a clue? Did he make a great analysis? I must say that, if this had been my first Beaumont, the detective would have come across as a bit of a bungler. That's another reason for my poor opinion of the book.
As for the person who murdered the young girl: well, this individual didn't seem to exist. This person's character development was zero. As a reader I ended up not getting involved in the book, and this decreased my enjoyment. That's reason number three.
So should you buy this book? Well, if you like mysteries, the answer is no. If you like romance, the answer is no. If you are a great Jance fan, and want to know how it all started, the answer is yes.
Many reviewers have criticized the performer, but I really thought he was good.
As I said, I didn't like Until proven guilty. However, I presume this is one of her early books, so I guess I could cut her a little slack. Yes, I will try another Jance.

Skip this, read the book

I've read all the books, but I wanted my husband to familiarize himself with J.P. Beaumont as well. As a former law enforcement officer in WA State, I knew he would enjoy all the references to familiar places and events. I'm afraid there will be no more Audible books about J.P., however. This narrator read it as if he was in the 40s or 50s, with long, drawn-out pauses for effect. Overall, it seemed very melodramatic and off, somehow. Mr. Eugene has a great voice; I just can't listen to him as J.P. Beaumont.

Unbelievable

What would have made Until Proven Guilty better?

A different narrator

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

I am not sure if I will reach the end. The narrator is killing it for me...

Any additional comments?

The guy narrating this book sounds like a 70 year old retired broadcaster with a voice better suited to television commercials about viagra or scooters. In the sexy scenes I get grossed out. When he changes his voice for other characters he sounds cartoonish. I really had a hard time listening and think I will abandon this one without finishing.

Before you download this book, I highly recommend that you listen to the sample to make sure you will be able to enjoy hearing this.... I would not have downloaded the book if I had done that.

More a Romance Novel Than a Crime Mystery.

My main reason for not being able to recommend this book to anyone, is it's failing to engage any emotional connection to the victims of the crime.

I don't mind having figured the who done it early, but not being able to easily remember the names of the victims as the story wraps, shows the focus is more on the relationship of the two protagonists then on the crime.

Good, but not great

Would you try another book from J. A. Jance and/or Gene Engene?

I have tried other books by J.A. Jance and they are ususally quite good. Good plot and well written. This one was not the most ecxiting, but being the first in the series, it provides some background info that is usefull (but not imperative), when listening to other books in the series.

Would you be willing to try another book from J. A. Jance? Why or why not?

yes

What about Gene Engene’s performance did you like?

He has a good voice and doesnt' overdo it, when portaying the different characters.

Horrible narrator!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A different narrator might have helped but the story is still pretty shallow and unbelievable. Her later stories in this series are much better.

Has Until Proven Guilty turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

What didn’t you like about Gene Engene’s performance?

over dramatic poor voice changes

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Until Proven Guilty?

all of them

Any additional comments?

no

Tough Guy Love

So, I love the tough guy, as long as he is honest and respectful of women. And J.P. Beaumont fits the bill perfectly. This series centers around a crime and J.P. Beaumont and his pals. There is usually a drop-dead gorgeous woman involved. But in spite of these cliched elements, the stories are good and the narration is excellent.

I highly recommend this series.