“San Franciso has Dasheill Hammett, Los Angeles has Raymond Chandler, Florida has John D. McDonald, and Seattle has J.A. Jance.” That was the lead sentence in a 1985 review of the first Beaumont book, Until Proven Guilty, published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer which has long since gone the way of the dodo bird. That was the first-ever published review of one of my novels. Since UPG was an “original paperback,” it’s likely that was the ONLY published review of the book.
That first line sounds like high praise, right? Wrong. That was a merely a cutesy way for the reviewer to start the article. For years after that, Avon Books was happy to pluck those few words out of context and put them on the cover of one of my books after another. But if you happened to read the rest of the review? That was a whole different story.
When the reviewer arrived at my condo and I opened the front door, he was visibly surprised, or maybe dismayed, to discover that J.A. Jance wasn’t a man. In the body of the piece he referred to me as a “tall emotional woman,” and went on to say that the character of J.P. Beaumont was totally unbelievable since no red-blooded American male would ever hire an interior designer to fix up a post-divorce condo. Years later I met a local interior designer who made a good living designing condos for recently divorced folks, male and female both. His job included not only by doing the design work and finding the right furniture, but also by purchasing everything else they needed, up to and including pots and pans, dishes, silverware and glassware. It turns out that’s yet another entirely different story!
But that’s also when I stopped reading book reviews. Publishing a book is a lot like having a baby—once it’s out there, it is what it is. You don’t get to back and fix it according to some reviewer’s opinion about how it should have been written to make it better. The author is pretty much stuck with it as is, warts and all.
So I don’t read reviews. If you’re someone who posts them on Amazon, I haven’t seen them because I’ve learned that somehow the good things people say about my books are appreciated, but they tend to go in one ear and out the other. As for the bad things people say? Those lodge in my heart.
Last week, my editor sent me an advance copy of a review in a national magazine that will be appearing later this fall. My editor sent it. I read it. The gist of it is as follows. The Taken Ones is a gripping mystery. Unfortunately, the mystery itself is sandwiched between Mel’s totally unnecessary retirement party at the beginning and the story’s drawn-out happy ending.
Here’s the deal. I’ve been writing about J.P. Beaumont and his family for more than forty years now. I LIKE catching up with them and seeing where they are now and what they’re doing, and Mel’s retirement party gave me a perfect opportunity to catch up with and touch bases with all of them. As for that happy ending? I happen to LIKE happy endings.
Years ago, when Bill was watching one of Bob Ross’s painting classes on PBS, Ross said something that really stuck with me. He pointed out that what makes a painting is the contrast between light and dark. If it’s all light or all dark, it doesn’t work. As soon as he said those words, I saw how the same rule applies to writing as much as it does to painting. You need the contrast between light and dark to make it work.
If I’m watching a program on TV where one scene after another is nothing but one tired fist fight or gun fight after another, I find it gets old in a hurry. I just quit watching and go back to playing solitaire on my computer until something more interesting comes along.
So here’s a bit of advice. If you’re reading The Taken Ones and you’re someone who doesn’t like the light parts, feel free to skip right over them. In my humble opinion, if you do that, you’ll be missing the best parts, because it’s those very human bits that make J.P. Beaumont the terrific guy he’s always been.
I hope you never change your writing style. I know I’m not alone in loving the characters and the lives you portray in the stories. Just when you mentioned Mel in today’s blog I immediately flashed on the life you created for her and J. P.
What’s that saying, those who can, do, the others teach (or in this case review). I’m probably way off on that, but that’s the gist.
I don’t blame you for not reading the reviews!
I’m with you, Judy! I like the parts that humanize the characters. Keep telling your stories exactly as you have been. That’s why I’ve read every one of your books and even visited Bisbee for the tour! Here’s to Mel’s retirement!
When I recommend your books to someone, one of the things I say that I love about them is that I become invested in the characters. I love when I find them living a real life as well as solving mysteries. It’s that that keeps me eagerly awaiting the next chapter in their lives!
As a retired architect, theres an expression I think you’ll appreciate. “A doctor can always bury his mistakes. An architect can only plant ivy.” As with a piece of writing once it’s out there you can try to dress it up or hide it but it’s still out there. I’ve been lucky. I haven’t be signed any landmark buildings, and my former clients were by and large pleased with the results. Often landmark sructures begin life reviled by the public and stand out like sore thumbs. The Eiffel Tower is a prime example. It was almost universally reviled for destroying the character of Paris. I have no doubt the Seattle Space Needle received similar reviews. I know the Golden Gate Bridge did, yet all eventually became beloved icons of the cities they are in. Will the same be true of the Obama library? Only time will tell.
As a landmark Seattle Author you appear to be trending more toward beloved icon than despised eyesore.
one of my least-favorite buildings is Boston City Hall. Brutalist. UGLY Brutalist. Architects who inflict such buildings on a city should hide their faces! (it’s too late to hide the ugly buildings.)
I’m not sure if it belongs in Boston considering that city’s architectural heritage. The building style is called brutalist, or some people say “riot rennisance”. It is very much a building of its time. Had it been executed in brick or a mixture of brick and concrete it might be far more palatible. But undoubtedly have been far more expensive.
When I read [past tense] reviewers I discovered I loved the ones who agreed with me about a book and hated the ones who didn’t…so I stopped reading reviews. Simple as that. We, your fans [and we are thousands] love your writing style and hope you continue just as you always have. We also LIKE catching up with old friends.
Blessing to you and Bill.
I have always enjoyed your books immensely. And I have learned life lessons. Such a when Beau visited an old friend in memory care. Beau asked the wife why she visited him everyday when he didn’t know who she was. She answered “Because I know who he is!”
Looking forward to your new book!
One of the joys of reading your books is being part of the family along with the mystery. Please don’t stop including me in the family.
I feel the same way that you do. We’ve lived with these people many years so we need to see them as real people, not super heroes. Keep it up and I can’t wait to read about the retirement party!!!
I love light and dark, we need both in a book, or a good movie. Can’t wait to read your latest JPBeaumont novel.
That reviewer should probably go boil his head. I love books with characters who become friends, who have lives outside the plot, who make it all feel real and personal. I lose interest quickly when the folks involved don’t resonate with me.
Your books have helped me weather some of the worst times of my life and your blogs are family legend, as I frequently read them aloud to whoever is available.
I can’t wait for The Taken Ones.
Its really true, she has gotten me through some tough times!
Personally, I think that you need to have a balance of light and dark in both art and in writing. I fell in love with a JP Beaumont series starting with Until Proven Guilty and think you have the right balance in all of his books.
I first met you and Beau at the Tacoma Dome at a Holiday Fair where you were signing your books and bought the first two.
You’ve provided me and a few of my friends with hours of enjoyment through your books.
I used to work for the staff division the Bellevue Police department and I attended a couple of your book release parties and the Dog House.
Thank you so much for so many hours of enjoyment!
About light vs dark, there are several new TV series I’ve stopped watching because they get darker as the season goes on, and the light parts are dropped, and there are no happy endings. We desperately need rays of light these days. Thank you for providing them, from a fellow PNW’er (PDX).
I read your books because I enjoy them not because of any review…keep bringing joy and happiness to your readers.
I read your books, not the reviews.
Thanks for that story about the P-I reviewer’s prejudices, especially, it’s a reminder there has been a little progress in women’s recognition as writers.
I mostly turn to reviews to confirm or explain my response to books I’ve already read, the ones i liked especially, or didn’t. Today’s feature of having previews for ebooks means there are fewer surprises. You can usually tell the author’s direction sampling the opening of a book.
When it comes to blurbs or synopses the ones that stress plot twists tell me the book has been manipulated to deliver surprises and isn’t very invested in character.
Writers I read regularly, like you, are proven to me as reliable recorders of human experience and behaviour with interesting topics and settings.
I’ve been reading J.P. for forty years. I’m glad to see another one coming out. After forty years, I feel like family, so I have no complaints.
Great advice
I don’t think I’ve ever read a review of your books. Why bother as I know they are great reading. I have them all. Just Googled and see that The Taken One comes out Nov 10–can hardly wait. Hope you are doing a visit and signing in the Seattle area.
When I read your post I immediately went to pre-order the book. It wasn’t until then that I realized how much I missed J. P. and all the people in the book(s).
Thank you, J. A. for aging him as the books went on. Just like IRL.
I just discovered you and your books this spring, not that you were missing or anything. 🙂 I have to say I’ve liked all your books, particularly the JP Beaumont ones. Unfortunately I can’t afford to buy them all so I borrow the audio books from two different libraries. The audio lets me do other things while I listen, of course, and now that I’ve done audio so much I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love Gene’s JP, it’s perfection. By now I’ve got most of JP’s books under my belt and Joanna’s as well. I love her character too. I’ve just dipped a toe into Ali Reynold’s books but I am sure I will love them the same as the rest. Thank you for writing such awesome books. I intend to read every last one.
When someone asks who is my favorite mystery writer I answer “J A Jance because her stories are character driven”. I LIKE knowing their birthdays and pets and what color the sofa is. Those things make stories live. Yes, you need a plot and resolution, but you also need to care.
I’m rereading THE JUNGLE (Upton Sinclair) and I remember 300 pages in to the 600 page novel why I didn’t like it then and don’t like it much now. There are no happy parts, just one depressing incident after another. Is it a worthwhile book. Yes. Is it enjoyable. No.
But UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, enjoyable and heart rending. I’ve read it twice. Will likely read it again — by choice. And that is why I read — to learn something factual and to learn empathy for the human condition.
Thank you J A Jance. Your book fill the bill.
Becky Haase
JP is my all time favorite character.
Over the years I’ve often thought that it is the contrasts in any form of art, whether verbal, visual, audible or movement (writing, pictures, music, dance) that makes the magic of the art come to life. Without it, we get something boring. And differences in opinions while experiencing the art reflect individual beliefs, experiences, and personalities. In the end it’s only someone’s opinion.
Your feelings about your book families is exactly why I have read every one of your books! I started reading them for the mysteries, then I wanted to know what happened next for JP, Sheriff Brady and Ali Reynolds. Thank you for writing all these books I have enjoyed over a few years (who is counting?). I love this reading journey you have sent me on!
Thank you, Linda Holbrook
I’ve pre-ordered the Audible book. Have to wait until November to read with my ears.
Personally, this is the very reason I LOVE your books and impatiently wait for each one! You have woven these characters into our hearts through your writing. They are real to us & we care about them as much as we are captivated by your latest mystery. I am continually amazed at your ability to weave together the lives of these characters into the story. It humanizes them and allows us to KNOW them & relate to them. THANK YOU for sharing them with us!!
Personally, this is the very reason I LOVE your books and impatiently wait for each one! You have woven these characters into our hearts through your writing. They are real to us & we care about them as much as we are captivated by your latest mystery. I am continually amazed at your ability to weave together the lives of these characters into the story. It humanizes them and allows us to KNOW them & relate to them. THANK YOU for sharing them with us!!
I so agree with what’s been written. I read every word of your books, the light and the dark. Now, if you started including extensive graphic sex scenes, I’d have second thoughts. But yes, I agree with Becky Haase, who talked about a book having one depressing incident after another, which was not enjoyable. I watched a TV series (on DVD, as I don’t have television) a few years ago, which was just that–one depressing incident after another. I was looking forward to the ending, so the hero could FINALLY rescue his wife and family, but no, the closing scene was of him holding his dead wife in his arms, after she’d been shot and had bled out. So not even a happy ending. I will never watch a subsequent series of that one. But your books? Every book, every word.
If I read them, I take book reviews with a grain of salt. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. I personally love everything about your books and I look forward to catching up with all my friends. Please don’t change a thing.
Light and dark… hmmm, I’d say your books are a perfect harmony of all things LIFE. You are the Bob Ross of writers. There is rare honesty in your work. As a reader, I know I am going into something trustworthy and truthful, even if it is categorized fiction. I like to catch up with your characters. Can’t wait to attend Mel’s retirement party. My fictional hostess gift will be to bring my Extraordinary Chocolate Chip and Pecan Cookies.
Greetings from your favorite Yumans,
E&T
I’m Anxiously awaiting publication of The Taken Ones to because I love spending time with the whole family. And my review of your books on Good Reads are all good ones. Thank you for happy endings – I almost stopped reading another favorite author after he killed off the first wife of a beloved character – I relented and then he killed off one of his daughters! And thank you for continuing to publish the way you do. I am always so disappointed when an author whose books I enjoy chooses to go the Amazon route as those books never seem to show up in either of the major libraries I use. I don’t know why they do it; even though I use Amazon for a lot of purchases, some stubborn part of me refuses to pay them even more for books I feel I should be able to borrow through my public libraries. Enough complaining – keep up the good work and I will keep reading your stories.
Thank you for including the light and for keeping us up with the characters we love.
Poor reviewer, missing so much from reading and probably from life in general. Also seems to be in totally the wrong job. Perhaps they can move into marketing, or ….not sure. Something where no empathy is needed!
Ceci
I love your books especially JPB. Keep writing
Thanks for your insight on whether to read reviews and comments. I always learn so much from your posts.
I never read them for my OPED’s since they are intended to evoke some feelings. But I wondered if it will/should be different for a book. Your post helped.
My Editor (from Harper Colllins) is presenting my debut book (The Wishing Tree) to “the team” in NYC this Thursday. Crossed fingers that at least they will like it enough to assign enough resources to its future.
I don’t read reviews either. I like mysteries, but I read your books as much for the characters’ stories as for the mystery. I love their humanity and that they are not perfect.
I like mysteries, but I read your books as much for the characters as for the stories. I love their humanity and that they are not perfect.
I agree with your assessment of the magazine review of your book. I don’t think retirement parties are unnecessary and I, too, like happy endings. I liked reading how you, as an author, think books are like babies: once they’re born they are what they are. Never thought of it that way. Reviews can be helpful to potential readers–just not in this case. There are people who like everything dark and are especially drawn to depressing endings; I suspect most of your fans are not in that category.