Stand Down Novella

A J. P. Beaumont Novella

By: J. A. Jance

Narrated by: J. R. Horne

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.

©2015 J. A. Jance (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

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Just Ok

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, I'd take this bit and include it in a larger story. Not strong as a stand-alone.

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

Meh

Did J. R. Horne do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Not especially, but he never does.

A fill in between books

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.

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.

Good listen, but narrator was not interesting soun

The narrator was not a good choice for a Jance novel. if it would have been a longer novel may have put it down.

Great Short

Love these shorts. Nice change of pace. Love the way the story continues the life and times of JP Beaumont. Great story.

AN INTERESTING STUDY IN PERSONALITIES

What did you love best about Stand Down Novella?

The characters - j.p. Beaumont - former homicide cop - now house husband vs. his wife who is the new chief of police. When to help, interfere or stand down?

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It was very interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he locates his wife.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did - it was short.

I'm a longtime JP Beaumont!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story is good, vintage JP Beaumont. I'm looking forward to the next in the series!

How could the performance have been better?

Overall, the performance was excellent. HOWEVER, you would think the performer, producer or director would verify the proper pronunciation of place names before releasing an audio book. The mispronunciation of BellingHAM through the entire book was flat out irritating. The pronunciation of Skagit (Valley, County, River) was also botched but it was used only once, I believe.

Good short read

Where does Stand Down Novella rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good. I liked it for a short break, but entertaining at the same time.

What did you like best about this story?

It had a good plot, and was executed well.

What does J. R. Horne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the voice inflections

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Nothing, Nada, the Void

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

A story

Has Stand Down Novella turned you off from other books in this genre?

Usually enjoy Jance but this was only a compilation of words: Spoiler: They buy a house, his wife gets kidnapped because she got the job another guy wanted, Beaumont rescues her. That's it presented in as dull and incompetent way as possible.

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

Nope

Awful

I love Jance's books and although it's only a novella it was really bad. Sounded like a story someone wrote for a writer's club. Very disappointing.