Proof of Life

The 23rd book in the popular series finds J.P. Beaumont, now retired from the Seattle Police Department, latching on to the opportunity to investigate the death of his old nemesis, Maxwell Cole, who has been writing a book involving one of Beau's old cases. Narrator Alan Sklar's pace nicely matches that of the author--slow, patient, and deliberate. Sklar's low, resonant voice is easy to listen to and a wonderful fit for Beau. However, Sklar can't seem to adapt his voice for the female characters or clearly differentiate the secondary characters. The audiobook begins from a child's point of view, which is a jarring mismatch for Sklar's sonorous tone. Nonetheless, fans of the series may forgive all for the chance to go on another ride-along with Beaumont. E.Q. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

September 18, 2017
In bestseller Jance’s entertaining 24th J.P. Beaumont mystery (after 2015’s Dance of the Bones), the 72-year-old retired Seattle homicide cop learns that reporter Maxwell Cole, a fraternity brother of his at the University of Washington, has died in a house fire. Maxwell, afraid that he might be murdered, told a family friend, Erin Howard, that he wanted Beau to investigate if he died, because he didn’t trust the Seattle police to do the job. Beau’s complex past history with Erin leads him to agree to take the case, and Beau’s established contacts with computer whiz Todd Hatcher and medical examiner Rosemary Mellon pave the way as he gathers leads and discovers suspicious anomalies. Beau’s wife, Mel Soames, the police chief of Bellingham, lends a hand, and both tread carefully when clues suggest that former Seattle police chief Lawrence Harden, still a powerful figure, might be involved in Maxwell’s death. Complications in Beau’s personal life, such as fostering Rambo, a 100-pound Irish wolfhound, add spice to this winning blend of humor, compassion, danger, and love. Agent: Alice Volpe, Northwest Literary.