Rating:  Summary: Thoroughly Enjoyable Review: I really had a fun time with this novel. I found the crime believable (frighteningly so), the pacing brisk but not rushed, and the interaction between Brady and Beaumont realistic. I was startled by their "moment" together, but have come to the conclusion that it was more out of character for Beaumont to reject it than for Brady to instigate it (she wasn't connecting well with Butch and found herself with a man she has expended a lot of emotional energy against; a man who, like her, had lost a spouse; a man who understood and appreciated her law-enforcement skills - add to that the fact she had been put through the wringer by Ken Junior and Marliss Shackleford, lost Sadie, and hadn't been eating properly and you've got a recipe for disaster). SPOILER WARNING: I was less thrilled with the behavior of the murderer in his attempt to flee justice. If the APB goes out for a man with gray hair and a long ponytail ... well that's nothing that a pair of scissors and a bottle of Grecian Formula can't fix. Why go to all the trouble he did when much simpler solutions existed. A few threads were left hanging at the end of the book, too: What did Ernie find at the post office, who saw the "moment" and what did they do about it, did Naomi Pepper grow a pair or is her mom really going to come between her and Beau - inquiring minds want to know. Ultimately, this is a story of survivors. Sure, not everyone survives (it's not much of a murder mystery if everyone makes it through okay), but Jance focuses more attention on those that do than she has recently. Cornelia Lester's story is particularly tragic, Serenity Granger's almost humorous. The Andy Brady and Anne Corley deaths are given more attention here than they have been in recent Jance books, most likely to give helpful back-story to readers who read one of her series but not the other. If you've never read any of Jance's novels, Partner in Crime does a good job of introducing you to both her crimefighters at once. It does spoil the ending of the first J.P. Beaumont novel (and the first Joanna Brady novel to a lesser degree), so if that's something you want to avoid, read those books first. Series fans should find a great deal to like in this story. I know I did.
Rating:  Summary: I'm obviously the odd one out, but Review: I'm pretty well used to that by now. I was impressed with Jance's plotting, her descriptions and her characters. She seems to be a fine writer and I have no doubt that I would rate the book higher if I ever force myself to finish it. Unfortunately, my "whine" tolerance factor is set very low and everyone in her cast -- aside from two very minor characters -- enjoys large doses of whine with their cheese. I held on through chapter four but finally bailed when I realized the situation was not getting any better; indeed, it just deteriorated that much faster. Good plot, good premise and well-written characters, just not anyone I'd tolerate hanging around with unless I were being paid for the trouble.
Rating:  Summary: Jance does it again Review: I've been waiting for this book for months, having read all of the previous Joanna Brady and JP Beaumont novels. After going to Jance's local signing I wasted no time digging and in devouring the book. Jance works her magic beautifully, creating a compelling murder mystery while merging her two series into one. It was very interesting that Beaumont was written from a first person point of view while Brady was written in the third person. I thought that the switching back and forth actually added to the novel rather than being a distraction. If I had to have one complaint, I'd have to say tha the main villain's demise is a bit disappointing but that didn't take anything away from an otherwise fabulous novel. If you're a fan of Beaumont or Brady, you'll love this one.
Rating:  Summary: Her Best Ever! Review: I've read all of J.A. Jance's books and think this is her best yet. Putting both J.P. Beaumont and Sheriff Joanna Brady together was brilliant. I couldn't put the book down. I would love to see her bring them back together again.
Rating:  Summary: Partner in Crime Review: If you have not read "Until Proven Guilty" (Beaumont series), read it before you read this one----or review it. Anne Corley re-surfaces as an integral piece of the plot. Ms Jance weaves together her two favorite characters by using third person to indicate chapters written from Joanna Brady's point of view---and the familiar first person from the Beaumont books. Another winner from one of my favorite authors.
Rating:  Summary: A winning combination. Review: In "Partner in Crime" J.A. Jance brings the lead characters of her two series together. Seattle Special Investigator for the Washington Attorney General, J.P. Beaumont travels to Bisbee, Arizona (Sheriff Joanna Brady's turf) to follow up on a murder. The victim was a corporate whistle blower in the Washington witness protection program. The murder "weapon" will truly make you stop and think. When a second body turns up the territorial feud ceases and the two protagonists work together to find whodunit. J.A. Jance writes in a fluid style that you glide thru. It is solid plot, well paced, with likeable characters. It's a complex, suspenseful story dominated by J.P. and Joanna. The scenes are beautifully set. The introspective subplots do not detract from the investigation. J.P.'s part is told in the first person, while Sheriff Brady's is third person narrative---quirky, but it works. After reading "Partner in Crime" you will be checking your artificial sweetener packets carefully.
Rating:  Summary: J. A. Jance did the nearly impossible! Review: In "Partner In Crime", the author did something almost impossible. She combined the activities of her two great series characters in one believable and intriguing story. Between the characters, their sex, age, marital status and lifestyle are different, their backgrounds about as different as can be, and even her writing style (person) differs between the two series. I delayed reading this book because I feared it would harm my enjoyment of one or both of the series. I WAS WRONG! Although I wasn't crazy about the romantic complication near the end (I didn't like Joanna's jealousy in the previous book either.), I think I could honestly say this is my favorite of all. Thank you, J. A. Jance, for another winner!
Rating:  Summary: engaging police procedural Review: In Bisbee, Arizona someone murders artist Rochelle Baxter just after her works go on display. The Cochise County Sheriff's Department led by Joanna Brady investigates the homicide only to learn that the victim's on record next of kin is the Washington State Attorney General's Office. Seattle Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont travels to Bisbee to learn if someone leaked Baxter's identity. Baxter was actually Latisha Wall, placed in the state's witness protection program for whistle blowing. Now the star witness is dead just before she was to testify at a trial. However, Brady does not welcome the intrusion from the northwest into her jurisdiction. Beaumont is also uncomfortable as Bisbee provides nightmarish memories for him. When a second murder occurs, the two investigators begin to cooperate as respect and romance surface leading to a pooling of their talents to ferret out a killer. Readers of either J.A. Jance's two long running series will enjoy the partnering of the duet in a solid police procedural. The novel alternates chapters between the stars. Beaumont provides a first-person account that shows his disdain for the area yet brilliantly describes this part of Arizona. Brady's chapters are written in the third case narrating much of how the sheriff and her office work the case. The romance between the stars seems unnecessary and unreal, and the use of a seemingly available chemical as the murder weapon makes this reviewer uncomfortable. Still, series fans will enjoy the merging of the two fine law enforcement officials in an engaging police procedural. Harriet Klausner
Rating:  Summary: Very Enjoyable! Review: It's been quite a while since I've read a J.A. Jance novel and it felt like going home. Especially when it deals with one of my favorite detectives, J.P. Beaumont. I really enjoyed him in this well written, page turning tale. I've never been a fan of the Brady novels, but if she's ever paired up with J.P. again, I'm there.
Rating:  Summary: Partner in Crime Review: J P Beaumont goes to the Southwest to help Sheriff Joanna Brady solve the murder of an artist. In the process he learns more painful truths about his late wife Anne. Jance's two detectives work well together although both have different styles. This book was somewhat contrived, and hopefully th author will get back to writing about J P Beaumont and his new job soon. Personally, I prefer the Beaumont series.
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