Den of Iniquity

Den of Iniquity by J. A. Jance
9/10/24; 368 pages
HarperCollins
J. P. Beaumont #26

Den of Iniquity by J. A. Jance is a very highly recommended investigative mystery and the 26th novel in the J. P. Beaumont series.

J. P. Beaumont (Beau), currently a private investigator, formerly a Seattle homicide cop, undertakes cases both personal and professional in 2020, just before the lockdown occurs in this outing. First, his grandson, Kyle Cartwright, 18, shows up at his home in Bellingham, Washington, and asks to live with Beau and Mel and finish high school there. His parents are splitting up. His mother, Beau's daughter, has moved out. His father has a younger, pregnant girlfriend living with him and Kyle doesn't want to live there anymore. Beau begins looking into the girlfriend by running a background check and makes some discoveries.

Next, a friend asks Beau to look into the case of Darius Jackson, a young man whose death of a fentanyl overdose was ruled accidental. His grandmother has some legitimate questions about it. She says he was not using and has suspicions that something else happened. Beau begins looking into the death and his investigation leads him to uncover similar mysterious deaths that all point to a most unlikely suspect.

Beau is a great character and it is a pleasure to follow along as he investigates. As a character, Beau is very appealing, witty, and insightful. He and Mel, who is still working as the Police Chief of Bellingham, Washington, have a good relationship and work together well adding their grandson to the household. I appreciated their understanding and wisdom in helping Kyle handle the personal, emotional situation he is in. They provided him gentle but good advice. 

In this well-written investigation, both cases are interesting, complex, and compelling, which means following the discoveries as Beau looks into things is highly entertaining. The plot moves at a smooth, quick pace and held my complete attention. Even though this is the 26th novel in the series, there is enough background information provided to easily slip into the lives of these well established characters. 

This is an excellent addition to the series. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.